Background

Sixty-five countries have accessed Global Environmental Facility’s (GEF) Biodiversity Enabling Activities (BD EA) funding through UNDP with the aim of updating their Sixth National Reports (6NR) to the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD). The “Support to Eligible Parties to Produce the Sixth National Report” (6NR) project objective is to provide financial and technical support to GEF-eligible Parties to the CBD in their work to develop high quality, data driven 6NRs that will improve national decision-making processes for the implementation of NBSAPs; that report on progress towards achieving the Aichi Biodiversity Targets (ABTs) and inform both the fifth Global Biodiversity Outlook (GBO5) and the Global Biodiversity Strategy of 2021 – 2030.

The CBD Secretariat has prepared a reference manual that complements guidelines for the 6NR and is intended to assist Parties in preparing their 6NR by the reporting deadline, in accordance with decision XIII/27 and Article 26 of the Convention. The reference manual provides suggestions on the types of information Parties may wish to include in their 6NR and sources of information they may wish to draw on. This includes other reporting and assessment processes related to biodiversity, such as those related to other biodiversity-related conventions and multilateral environmental agreements, as well as relevant information managed or maintained by international organizations. The CBD 6NR information portal can be accessed here: https://www.cbd.int/nr6/.  

This project includes trainings and capacity building opportunities that are based on the information provided in the 6NR reference manual, and that are developed and executed in close collaboration with the CBD Secretariat and UN Environment. The project will also support Parties to assess each national target using a stakeholder consultation process, and to participate in a technical review process. The project team will provide on-demand technical support to each country participating in the project to ensure that each 6NR is high quality, gender-responsive and data-driven. This will help to ensure the preparation of a comprehensive 6NR and create ownership of its conclusions.
UNDP is seeking an English-speaking Junior Consultant to provide Global Policy and Capacity Building Support to the project team, including support for communications and knowledge sharing, planning, coordination, implementation, monitoring, capacity development, partner liaising, evaluation, reporting and technical reviews.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide support to the Project Team, with an emphasis on the English speaking countries in the project portfolio, on technical reviews, research, communications and knowledge sharing, organization, content development and data tracking, and monitoring and evaluation.

Expected Tasks:

  • Support counties to develop best practices in spatial planning that support national reporting using mediums such as story maps, posters, and presentations;
  •  Support development and coordination of four part webinar series on UN Biodiversity Lab Best Practices with up to 10 countries 
  • Support TPA and collaborate with Parties to showcase the results of national reports in webinars, print material and special events; 
  • Analyze the results of national reports to identify trends in the capacity of countries to achieve the CBD's Strategic Plan 2010-2020;
  • Complete preliminary technical reviews of the 6NR in the project countries.
  • Support the Technical Project Advisor (TPA) and the project team with populating, maintaining and moderating 6NR related content on the NBSAP Forum website 
  • Support the TPA on communications work related to the above point, including the of drafting press releases, talking points, preparing PowerPoint presentation drafts, preparing tweets, blogs and video messages related to the capacity building materials, text and photos, photo essays for NBSAP Forum website, Twitter account;
  • Conduct focused literature review and research related to biodiversity conservation;
  • Define, gather, organize and analyze key data related to 6NRs;
  • Support preparation of the annual project reports for the 64 countries;
  • Conduct research and analyze results of 6NRs to support development of writing research and project proposals 
  • Coordinate and support the development of capacity building materials to support parties;

Key Outputs: 

  • Develop 10 best practices in spatial planning that support national reporting using mediums such as story maps, posters, and presentations;  
  • Develope and coordinate four-part, eight-hour webinar series on best practices in spatial planning using the UN Biodiversity Lab with up to 10 countries; 
  • Coordinate preparation of at least 8 events to showcase results of national reports. Events that may include webinars, print material, meetings, conferences and events.
  • Analyze the results of at least 20 national reports to identify trends in the capacity of countries to achieve the CBD's Strategic Plan 2010-2020, as well as use spatial data for decision making 
  • Complete technical reviews for 10 countries by reviewing the targets pursued at the national level and the progress towards the national targets as well as their contribution to the global Aichi Biodiversity Targets. 
  • Provide inputs to the research projects by identifying the best practices, obstacles in national reporting, scientific and technical barriers and by analyzing data and trends to inform future project proposal development.
  • Prepare specific sections of annual reports covering all 64 countries focused on best practices 

Schedule of Payments:

  • Based on inputs from UNDP COs and other country counterparts, develop 10 best practices in spatial planning that support national reporting using mediums such as story maps, posters, and presentations; – 25% by July 15, 2019;
  • Development and coordination of four-part, eight-hour webinar series on best practices in spatial planning; 3 events with collaboration with the Parties organized to showcase the results of national reports (the events include webinars, print material and special events); Completion of preliminary technical reviews for 4 countries; - 25% by September 15, 2019
  • Analysis of the results of national reports to identify trends in the capacity of countries to achieve the CBD's Strategic Plan 2010-2020; Completion of preliminary technical reviews for additional 6 countries; Organization of additional 5 events with collaboration with the Parties organized to showcase the results of national reports; Preparation of specific sections of annual report focused on best practices– 50% by November 15, 2019

Competencies

Corporate competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards; 
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability; 
  • Treats all people fairly without favouritism;

Professionalism:

  • Works toward creative solutions by analysing problems carefully and logically – inspires and fosters innovation;
  • Has a dynamic, positive and adaptive attitude towards work-related challenges, bringing innovative and effective solutions to them;
  • Facilitates meetings effectively and efficiently;
  • Resolves conflicts as they arise;
  • Sets priorities, produces quality outputs, meets deadlines and manages time efficiently;
  • Highly organized, detailed oriented.

Communication

  • Writes and presents clearly and convincingly.

Client Orientation

  • Maintains strong relationships with partners and clients.

 

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications/Education: 

  • A Bachelor’s degree in environmental management, social/political sciences, international relations, gender or development policy or other related expertise areas

Experience: 

  • One year of experience with national biodiversity planning, reporting, or other key elements of the CB Strategic Plan for Biodiversity
  • One year of work experience with content development, conducting research, summarizing material, data tracking or literature review
  • One year of work experience supporting or implementing online or in person capacity building activities or workshops is a must
  • Experience with the UN system or a similar organization is an advantage
  • Experience with working with national governments is an asset 
  • Experience with development of communication and capacity building materials is an asset

Language skills: 

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills in English


Evaluation of Applicants

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.
The award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:
a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
b) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical (P11/CV desk reviews and interviews) and financial criteria specific to the solicitation. 

Only the top 4 candidates who will get min. 70% of points in desk review will be invited for Interview. Only candidates who will get min. 70% in technical evaluation will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 70 points:

  • Criteria A – (desk review - Education) max points: 10
  • Criteria B – (desk review - Experience with national biodiversity planning, reporting, or other key elements of the CB Strategic Plan for Biodiversity) max points: 20
  • Criteria C – (desk review - Experience with content development, conducting research, summarizing material, data tracking or literature review) max points: 10
  • Criteria D – (desk review - Experience supporting or implementing online or in person capacity building activities or workshops) max points: 5
  • Criteria E – (desk review - Experience with the UN system or a related organization) max points: 5
  • Criteria F – (Interview - Experience with working with national governments) - max points: 5
  • Criteria G – (Interview - Experience with development of communication and capacity building materials) - max points: 5
  • Criteria H – (Interview - Language skills, samples and methodology) max points: 5
  • Criteria I – (Interview - Ability to work in teams and communicate effectively) - max points: 5

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 30 points

Application procedures

The application submission is a two-step process. Failing to comply with the submission process may result in disqualifying the applications.

Step 1: Interested candidates must include the following documents when submitting the applications (Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF attachment as the system only allows upload of one document):

  • Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application. 
  • Brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work related to the following outputs (max. 2 pages): Preparation of best practices on spatial planning; Preparation of webinar series on spatial planning; Conducting technical reviews of the draft 6NRs submitted by the countries; Organization of events to showcase the results of national reports
  • Work sample in English confirming the required English knowledge. The work sample should be relevant to the assignment. 
  • Filled P11 or CV form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees 
  • (blank form can be downloaded from http://www.eurasia.undp.org/content/dam/rbec/docs/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc); 

Step 2: Submission of Financial Proposal - Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and requested to provide a financial offer.

*Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, vaccination, personal security needs and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...). 

Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner. 


Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org
General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://on.undp.org/t7fJs.

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.
Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process
http://on.undp.org/t7fJs.