UNDP Jobs - 80206- Re-advertisement - International Expert on Sustain

Re-advertisement - International Expert on Sustainable Tourism - Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN)

Location :

Homebased and One Mission to Colombo, SRI LANKA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

15-Aug-2018

Application Deadline :

05-Aug-18 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

25 Days within Five Months with One in-Country Mission

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

25 Days within Five Months with One in-Country Mission

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

BACKGROUND

Sri Lanka has demonstrated a clear commitment to fulfil its mandates for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use, in ways compatible with national development goals, and to identify a diverse range of financing solutions for biodiversity management. But still a gap of resources required to meet the Aichi Targets defined in the CBD’s Strategic Plan 2011-2020 in a manner that promotes sustainable development and the eradication of poverty and the available exists. Therefore UNDP believes a transformation is needed in the way biodiversity finance is planned and managed to unlock the.

The global Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) is managed by UNDP, in partnership with the European Commission and the Governments of Germany, Switzerland, Norway and Flanders. Guided by a global steering committee representing its partners, BIOFIN aims to develop a methodology for quantifying the biodiversity finance gap at national level, for improving cost-effectiveness through mainstreaming of biodiversity into national development and sectoral planning, and for developing comprehensive national finance plans. As a country adopts BIOFIN process, Sri Lanka has prioritised establishing sustainability certification and accredition system for tourism sector in Sri Lanka along with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) is leading the effort on behalf of the government of Sri Lanka.

The Consultant is expected to provide inputs to a funding proposal that will test the applicability of the sustainability standards in relation to the sustainable management of biodiversity in selected locations. This proposal should support the future modifications if necessary to the sustainability certification system.

SCOPE AND OBJECTIVES

Scope

UNDP intends to commission an assignment to identify and prioritise international best practices suitable for community-based tourism planning in key destinations; best practices for low impact tourism and eco-tourism in environmentally sensitive areas and developing local tourism products and value chains. Further the consultant is expected to bring in expertise and experience on tools/methods to mainstreaming biodiversity in to national strategies, plans for tourism; developing eco-tourism capacities in countries and financing models for nature-based tourism. In addition the consultant is expected to design viable community-based business models for biodiversity friendly tourism in Sri Lanka. The findings of the assignment will be used to develop programmes and projects (e.g.- proposals to be submitted to

Global Environment Facility and other relevant donors) by UNDP in partnership with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA). The Consultant will work with relevant stakeholders to achieve the tasks detailed under the Responsibilities section of the Terms of Reference.

Objective

Objective of this assignment is to support the Government of Sri Lanka to develop sustainable and biosdiveristy friendly tourism products for selected destinations, provide advice on rolling out the sustainable certification system for the industry and help develop sustainable financing models for biodiversity conservation in tourism areas.

Duties and Responsibilities

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Consultant will, building on international best practices, be able to deliver;

Provide advisory services and guidelines on rolling out the sustainability certification system for smaller tourism operators;
Review current practices and provide practical models for biodiviersity friendly eco-tourism in 3-4 selected pilot sites for a project that seeks to integrate biodiversity best practices to the tourism sector;
Advice on integrating planning tools such as carrying capacity assessments in to planned tourism expansion areas;
Develop sustainable financing models for biodiversity conservation in tourism expansion areas.

Expected Output/Deliverables

Develop a plan and programme to roll out the sustainable certification system developed for the tourism sector to smaller operators, tourism supply chains and tour operators;
A workshop in conjunction with Sri Lankan private sector on low-impact and ecotourism design bringing in international best practices;
Develop and field-test tools to support carrying capacity assessments in sensitive landscapes (one or two sites to be identified through the new project on integrating biodiversity best practices to the tourism sector);
Develop sound business models and cost-benefit analysis for at least three financing options for nature-based tourism for the new project;
Develop a criteria/ checklist for tourism-related investments in ecologically sensitive areas to guide project design and pilot intervation selection for the new project;
Conduct stakeholder consultations with sector specialists and field tourism operators to discuss social and economic viability of proposed community based approaches and models for piloting;
Support the completion of any additional studies that are determined to be needed for the preparation of the UNDP project document for the new project all other final outputs.

TIMEFRAME

The envisaged time frame of the Consultancy is 25 days within five months.

Competencies

CONSULTANT PROFILE

The prospective Consultant should have following competencies and qualifications;

COMPETENCIES

Technical

Excellent organizational skills;
Strong analytical, writing and communication skills;
Experience on sustainable tourism approaches and eco system services will be an added advantage;
Ability to prepare publications, reports and presentations;
Ability to manage and work with a multidisciplinary and multicultural team.

Partnerships

Ability to seek and apply knowledge, information and best practices from multiple sectors;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Excellent written communication skills, with analytical capacity and ability to synthesize relevant collected data and findings for the preparation of case studies and progress reports;
Excellent leadership, coordination and team working skills.

Results

Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Good team player who has ability to maintain good relationships.

Required Skills and Experience

QUALIFICATIONS

Master’s degree or higher in a relevant field, such as natural sciences, natural resources management, environmental economics, environmental science etc;
Minimum 10 years of demonstrable experience in the technical area of ecosystem-based tourism approaches, sustainable tourism, establishing tourism off-set programmes and public-private partnerships for sustainable tourism;
Fluency in written and spoken English;

HOW TO APPLY

To apply please access UNDP Jobs site http://jobs.undp.org.

The application should contain:
- Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position and a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work;
- Updated CV to include qualifications/competencies and relevant past experience in similar projects and contact details of 3 professional referees who can certify your competencies, professionalism, quality of writing, presentation and overall suitability to this TOR;
Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a combination of factors including cover letter, the credentials on offer and brief interview (optional) and the offer which gives the best value for money for the UNDP;
Please send the Financial Proposal separately to the following e-mail address: procurement.lk@undp.org stating the vacancy number/position in the subject line.

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee: LKR

All Inclusive Daily Fee: LKR

Amount in words: Rs.

Note: Payments will be based on invoices on achievement of agreed milestones i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR and certification of acceptance by the UNDP. The applicant must factor in all possible costs in his/her “All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee” including his/her consultancy and professional fee, travel (economy class flights is required to and from the Duty Station) honorarium, board and lodging, and any other foreseeable costs in this exercise. No costs other than what has been indicated in the financial proposal will be paid or reimbursed to the consultant. UNDP will only pay for any unplanned travel outside of this TOR and Duty Station on actual basis and on submission of original bills/invoices and on prior agreement with UNDP officials. Daily perdiums and costs for accommodation/meals/incidental expenses for such travel shall not exceed established local UNDP DSA rates.

For an Individual Contractor who is 62 years of age or older, and on an assignment requiring travel, be it for the purpose of arriving at the duty station or as an integral duty required travel under the TOR, a full medical examination and statement of fitness to work must be provided. Such medical examination costs must be factored in to the financial proposal above. Medical examination is not a requirement for individuals on RLA Contracts.

PAYMENT FOR SERVICES

Payment Milestones will be as follows:

30% of the total on the submission of the plan and programme to roll out the sustainable certification system developed for the tourism sector to smaller operators, tourism supply chains and tour operators.
70% of the total on the successful completion of the other six deliverables listed under the expected outputs/ deliverables section.