Background

Human survival and well-being depends upon biodiversity and healthy ecosystems and the goods and services they provide. The conservation of the rich biological diversity is facing new challenges such as multiple- use landscapes, climate change, and increased commitment to local communities’ access to resources. UNDP has been supporting the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India through a project “Strengthening Natural Resource Management” which commenced during India’s presidency of Conference of Parties (COP) of Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 2013. UNDP is committed to further continue its support to the Government of India by documenting good practices /models of biodiversity conservation and Natural Resource Management (NRM). UNDP has gathered 400 cases of conservation from across the country through 3 rounds of the India Biodiversity Awards (IBA) since 2012 and is now developing a website along with the Ministry of Environment Forests and Climate Change and the National Biodiversity Authority, for displaying the details of all winners of the India Biodiversity Awards while aligning the cases with respective SDGs, NBTs and Aichi targets. UNDP is going to document the case studies of the winners of the awards, while highlighting the exceptional models of conservation of species, sustainable use of biological resources and replicable mechanisms for access and benefit sharing at the grassroots level for their recognition and dissemination in other areas of the country while aligning the cases with SDGs, NBTs and Aichi targets.

UNDP has been designated as a regional lead to coordinate with the countries in the South Asia region to support acceleration of achievement of Aichi target 11. The cases gathered through the Awards process will also be screened for potential OECMs. These cases will also be used to share good practices with the neighbouring countries. Aichi Target 11 calls for conservation of areas of land and sea through networks of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs). Therefore, as per the mandates of Aichi target 11, all 400 cases will be screened for potential OECMs in order to contribute to the achievement of the national target of conservation of terrestrial and marine biodiversity.

Furthermore, to reduce the impact and burden of resource use in the selected project landscapes, the project supports strategies to enhance alternate and new options of livelihoods and skill-based employment opportunities to achieve sustainable natural resource management. To achieve the aforementioned objective, UNDP intends to develop project proposals for providing support to Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs)/ Panchayats/ Van Panchayats/ Self Help Groups (SHG)/ Biodiversity Management Committees (BMC), for setting of local cluster for value addition to Medicinal and Aromatic Plants for submission to NMPB as per its operational guidelines for Central Sector Scheme on Conservation.

UNDP has also been working towards promoting geographical indications (GI) in the country which acts as a mechanism that provides the local farmers/ producers/ weavers/ craftsmen with protection against infringement under Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 and helps in differentiating their products from competing products in the market while enabling GI products to fetch a premium price. Under the SECURE Himalaya and the High Range landscape projects, UNDP is supporting the States to register a number of products in GI Registry and farmers/ producers/ weavers/ craftsmen as Authorised Users. This will help add value to their indigenous/ nature crops/ breeds/ crafts etc. to help promote sustainable natural resource management.

This is a project supported from UNDP’s core funds and is implemented using DIM modality. A Steering Committee jointly chaired by the Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Govt. of India and Deputy Country Director (Programme), UNDP, guide and steer the work of the project. A consultant is being engaged to support the activities of UNDP/GEF NRM Projects.

Duties and Responsibilities

OECMs, Biodiversity Awards and develop proposals for value addition to Medicinal & Aromatic Plants

1. Prepare content for short summary for all the winners and special mention cases of the Biodiversity Awards, for the years 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018 to be plotted on the map for the Biodiversity Awards website.
2. Review and redrafting of 40 stories prepared on the winning entries of Biodiversity Awards.
3. Identify potential OECMs by screening 400 cases received by UNDP for the Biodiversity Awards over a period of 6 years including donor cases, using the screening tool developed by IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas. Assist in any other work related to Aichi target 11.
4. Analysis of the data collected from the field by the field consultant for developing two proposals for submission to National Medicinal Plant Board (NMPB).
5. Coordinate with the Field Consultant and prepare two project proposals for submission to NMPB based on its operational guidelines for Central Sector Scheme on Conservation, for providing support to Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs)/Panchayats/Van Panchayats/SHGs/BMCs through value addition to Medicinal and Aromatic Plants

Geographical Indications (GI)

1. Coordinate with UNVs and GI Consultant to collect research papers and other supporting documents to support the GI applications of two products and facilitate registration of producers (artisans/ weavers/ farmers) societies.
2. Coordinate with the GI Consultant and Legal Consultant for; submission of GI Applications for two products to the GI Registry and preparation of reply to queries raised by the GI registry after the submission of application.
3. Facilitate the registration of farmers/ producers/ weavers/ craftsmen as Authorised Users under Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.

Expected Deliverables

1. Submission of work plan consisting of timelines and methodology.
2. Submission of brief content for the short summary of case studies to be plotted on the map for the website for the years 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018..
3. Submission of 47 draft and final stories for the entries for BDA incorporating comments from UNDP.
4. Submission of two draft and final project proposals for submission to NMPB in the proposed project area.
5. Screening of 400 cases received by UNDP for the Biodiversity Awards for identification of potential OECMs.
6. Collection of research papers and other relevant documents to support the GI application of two products, identification and mobilization of producers (artisans/ weavers/ farmers) and submission of application for registration of societies for the producers.  
7. Submission of GI Applications along with required documents for two products.
8. Registration of the GI products and Authorised Users.

Duration of the Assignment

The duration of the assignment is for 18 months.

Deliverables and Schedule of Payment:

Project Location:

The assignment will be home based. It may require travel to UNDP Country Office in New Delhi to meet with project team members.

Kindly note: Only outstation travel, if any, with prior approval, boarding & lodging expense will be reimbursed as per actuals in line with UNDP rules.

Competencies

• Knowledge of conducting needs assessment to gauge existing challenges of local communities.
• Ability and knowledge to conduct situation analysis to gauge impact of policies/ projects
• Experience in developing project proposals based on sustainable business models for livelihood generation
• Working knowledge of Geographical Indications of Goods Registration and Protection Act (GI Act 1999), biodiversity conservation and management (Biological Diversity Act 2002), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Aichi biodiversity targets and awareness regarding access and benefit sharing tools such as Bio-cultural Community Protocols and People’s Biodiversity Registers.
• Ability to design research through problem definition, research purpose and objectives
• Carrying out qualitative and quantitative surveys.
• Preparation of Environment Impact Assessment reports and Environment Management Plans.
• Computer skills:  MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Excel.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.

Communication skills

• Good communication and interpersonal skills, to work with various varied stakeholders including local communities/ institutions, government officers etc.

Core Competencies: 

• Demonstrates/safeguards ethics and integrity
• Works as a team member

Required Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Science and Master’s degree in Development Studies.
• Minimum 5 years of work experience in Environment and Development Sector.
• Minimum 2 years experience of working in the field of biodiversity conservation including medicinal plants, People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBRs) and Bio-cultural Community Protocols (BCPs).
• Experience of working in identification and promotion of Geographical Indications (GIs).

Language Requirements:  

Fluency in English is essential.

Reporting requirements:    

The Consultant will report to the Head, Natural Resource Management Unit, UNDP.

Evaluation Method and Criteria:

The consultant would be selected based on the following criteria:

• Technical: 70 points
• Financial: 30 points

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Criteria for Technical Evaluation would be as under:

• Educational Qualification - 20 Marks;
• Relevant Experience - 35 Marks;
• Suitability for the assignment - 15 Marks.

Financial Criteria: (30% of the total evaluation) based on the total all-inclusive lump sum amount for professional fee for tasks specified in this announcement.

Submission of Proposal 

Financial Proposal:
Consultant should specify his/her lump sum consultancy fee. Please quote your professional fee only. Do not include travel costs in your financial quote as these will be reimbursed separately, as per actuals, subject to UNDP’s prevailing rules.

Documents to be submitted by Consultants
1. Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability for the Individual Contractor Assignment
2. Updated CV with contact details of three references

Application may not be accepted, if all the above listed documents are not submitted.

The following documents can be accessed, clicking the link:
General Conditions for Individual Contract

http://www.in.undp.org/content/dam/india/docs/procurement/UNDP%20General%20Conditions%20for%20Individual%20Contracts.pdf

Offerors Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability for the Individual Contractor (IC) Assignment, including Financial Proposal
template

http://www.in.undp.org/content/dam/india/docs/careers/PSU_%20Individual%20Contract_Offerors-Letter-UNDP.pdf

For queries, please email to: ic.india@undp.org