Antecedentes

Biodiversity is currently being lost at unprecedented rates due to human activities around the globe. To address this problem, the Conference of Parties (COP) of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) adopted a Strategic Plan in 2002 (Decision VI/26). Parties are required to submit national reports to the COP on measures taken by national governments to implement biodiversity conservation measures, and the effectiveness of those actions in meeting the Convention’s objectives. The national reports represent a tool for reviewing progress in the implementation of the Convention at the national level and in particular, the implementation of the national biodiversity strategies and action plans. The preparation of the national report also presents an opportunity to reflect on successes and/or obstacles. National reports can also be used as an outreach tool. As such, the content of the national report should reflect national circumstances and priorities. The 6th National Report (6NR) will focus on monitoring the effectiveness of national strategies and actions in achieving National and Aichi Biodiversity Targets (ABT) and related biodiversity outcomes. 

The 6NR is due on 31 December 2018. A Resource Manual containing the Report Template is available at: https://www.cbd.int/doc/nr/nr-06/cop-13-21-en-rev.pdf.

In Malaysia, UNDP is implementing a project to support the completion and submission of the Sixth National Report to the CBD in close collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment. The Project is funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), whose mandate is to generate global benefits by paying for the incremental costs of planning and foundational enabling activities that countries implement to generate global biodiversity benefits. This project has the following components and outcomes:

Component 1: Project Inception Meeting & Identification of Funding Resources: Outcome 1: A functional steering committee is formed in each country to prepare the 6NR, project timelines and methods are developed, funding is mobilized, where necessary, and training and capacity building activities are complete.

Component 2: Assessment of Progress towards each National Target: Outcome 2. Stakeholder owned reports for each ABT and/or national equivalent are produced and compiled [Parties are requested to report on both achievement of each identified national target (Section III), and on achievement of each ABT (Section IV)].

Component 3: Sixth National Report (6NR) Production and Submission: Outcome 3: A stakeholder owned 6th National Report is produced and submitted to the CBD.

The project supports the assessment of progress towards the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and targets contained in the National Policy on Biological Diversity 2016 – 2025 through a stakeholder consultation process, and subsequently the report will be subjected to a technical peer review process. This will help to ensure the preparation of a comprehensive 6NR and create ownership of its conclusions.

The purpose of the consultancy is to provide services in the review of the 6NR and the Executive Summary, and conduct professional language editing and proofreading.

Deberes y responsabilidades

Scope of work:

The selected individual is expected to provide professional publication language editing and redaction. Below are the areas of work:

• Copy-editing, proofreading to ensure flow of the 6NR;
• Research to fill in gaps in the information, restructuring and rewriting if required;
• Ensure that all products are produced in line with and comply with Global 6NR Resource Manual, UNDP Editorial Style Manual, and requirements from the Ministry of Water, Land and Natural Resources (project beneficiary);
• Liaise regularly with 6NR Project Coordinator to complete the assigned tasks;
• Incorporate comments/feedback from several sources while maintaining a consistent writing style and tone;
• Line-by-line copy-editing of text to meet the highest professional editorial standards, ensuring:

1. correct grammar, syntax and punctuation;
2. accuracy and consistency in spelling, capitalization and abbreviations/ acronyms;
3. correct and consistent style of footnotes, endnotes, references and other bibliographic entries;
4. accuracy of all URLs included in the text;
5. readability and consistency of logic and flow;
6. clear and concise titles, headings and subheadings;
7. complete and correct front and back covers;
8. proper use and consistency of colours, fonts, heading sizes, line spacing, capitalization, etc.;
9. correct positioning of all graphs/charts, tables and maps, and accuracy of cross references within the text to these elements;
10. Correct captions and credits related to photos and illustrations;

• A careful review of final drafts of publications (minimal 5 rounds of edits) to prepare them for publishing (readability, consistency, visuals/graphics, reference, captions, credits etc.).
• Line-by-line editing and consistent formatting of scripts for printing.
• Provide/add creative graphic elements, like photographic images, illustrations and/or animations, tables, and graphs to the documents/reports/materials.
• Incorporate comments/feedback from several sources (UNDP, KATS) while maintaining a consistent style and tone of voice.
• Regularly update the UNDP Project Coordinator of progress made towards deliverables, including any time delays and issues that may affect production.
• Participate in coordination meetings as requested by the 6NR Project Coordinator.

All deliverables will be based on the tasks and responsibilities outlined above. The editor/proof reader is obligated to work within the required deadlines and be available to UNDP for comments and corrections.

Schedule of payment:

Payment to be made based on completed deliverables against the TOR, which will be assessed and verified by the UNDP Malaysia and UNDP-Global Environmental Finance Regional Technical Adviser.

Competencias

The Technical Assistant cannot have participated in the project preparation, formulation, and/or implementation (including the writing of the Project Document) and should not have conflict of interest with project related activities. He/ She shall be a Malaysian.

Functional Competencies:

• Familiarity with the National Policy on Biological Diversity 2016-2025 and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD);
• Ability to carry out high-quality research and writing with demonstrated research, analytical and writing abilities; especially ability to write clearly and convincingly, adapting style and content to different audiences and to speak clearly and convincingly;
• Ability to produce high quality inputs and outputs and in a timely manner;
• Effective organizational and administrative skills; and ability to work independently;
• Extensive knowledge in biodiversity conservation/management in Malaysia;
• Sound analytical and reporting skills;
• Excellent writing and communication skills.

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;
• Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment;
• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

• Master in journalism, environmental law, environmental conservation or related fields. 

EXPERIENCE:

• Experience working with the Government of Malaysia in environmental and conservation initiatives;
• Minimum five years of working experience in area of journalism, editorial and/or media communications;
• Working experience in Malaysia is a must;
• Working knowledge in social environmental conservation is an advantage.
• Demonstrated experience in communication, writing and editing;
• High level English command essential;
• Ability to synthesize complex documents into key messages;
• Experience in drafting advocacy documents from research studies;
• Experience with editing and proofreading UN documents and familiarity with UNDP and UN editorial manual desirable;
• Experience in communication on matters related to environmental conservation an asset;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and flexible attitude.

LANGUAGE:

Excellent command of English and Malay.

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:

Interested individual applicants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

1. Completed Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability (Annex 1) provided by UNDP;

2. Technical Proposal on how your qualifications and experience can lead towards the successful deliverable of this assignment within the required timeframe, and provide a detailed methodology on how you will approach and conduct the assignment;

3. Financial Proposal should specify a daily fee amount which is all inclusive and take into account various expenses the candidate expect to incur during the contract, including:

• The daily professional fee;
• The cost of travel from the home base to the duty station and vice versa, where required;
• Living allowances needed at the duty station;
• Communications, utilities and consumables;
• Life, health and any other insurance;
• Risks and inconveniences related to work under hardship and hazardous conditions (e.g., personal security needs, etc.), when applicable;
• Any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services under the contract;

4. Personal CV including areas of expertise and past experience in similar projects and at least three (3) references.

How to Apply:

• Kindly download the Letter of Confirmation of interest and availability, Financial Proposal Template and General Terms & Conditions mentioned below;
• Read and agree to the General Terms & Conditions;
• Click the ‘apply’ icon and complete what is required;
• Scan all documents into 1 pdf folder and then upload;
• For clarification question, please email to procurement.my@undp.org. The clarification question deadline is three (3) days before the closing. When emailing for clarification questions, please put "MyIC/2019/034" as the subject matter.

Forms and General terms & conditions to be downloaded:

• The UN Personal History Form (P11) is available at:http://www.my.undp.org/content/dam/malaysia/docs/Procurement/P11%20for%20SC%20&%20IC.doc?download
• The Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Financial Proposal Template at: http://www.my.undp.org/content/dam/malaysia/docs/Procurement/Letter%20of%20Interest%20_Annex%201.docx?download
• Financial Proposal template is avalable http://www.my.undp.org/content/dam/malaysia/docs/Procurement/Financial%20Proposal%20Template.doc
• The General Terms & Conditions for Individual contract is available at:http://www.my.undp.org/content/dam/malaysia/docs/Procurement/General%20Conditions%20of%20Contract%20for%20IC.pdf?download
• The General Terms & Conditions for Reimbursement Loan Agreement is available at:http://www.my.undp.org/content/dam/malaysia/docs/Procurement/Reimbursable%20Loan%20Agreement%20_%20Terms%20&%20Conditions.pdf?download 

Evaluation Criteria:

The award of the contract will be made to the Individual Consultant who has obtained the highest Combined Score and has accepted UNDP’s General Terms and Conditions.  Only those applications which are responsive and compliant will be evaluated. The offers will be evaluated using the “Combined Scoring method” where:

a) Technical proposal including educational background and experience on similar assignments will be weighted a max. of 70%.

b) Financial proposal will weigh as 30% of the total scoring.

UNDP applies a fair and transparent selection process that will take into account the competencies/skills of the applicants as well as their financial proposals. Qualified women and members of social minorities are encouraged to apply.

Criteria for selection of the best offer:

The award of the contract will be made to the Individual Expert who has obtained the highest Combined Score and has accepted UNDP’s General Terms and Conditions. Only those applications which are responsive and compliant will be evaluated. The offers will be evaluated using the “Combined Scoring method” where:

1.    The technical proposal including educational background and experience on similar assignments will be weighted a max. of 70%;

• At least 10 years of professional experience in journalism, legal writing and scientific writing – 20%
• At least 5 years of experience in reporting biodiversity and environmental topics – 20%
• At least 3 written piece of published work in biodiversity and environmental topics – 20%
• Excellent technical knowledge and understanding of biodiversity and wildlife conservation issues – 10%

2.    The financial proposal will weigh as 30% of the total scoring.