UNDP Jobs - 91969- International consultant to develop a roadmap and

International consultant to develop a roadmap and exit strategy to support the implementation and further development of the ABS system under the Nagoya Protocol on ABS in Albania

Location :

Home based, ALBANIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

15-Jun-20 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

25 days until August 10th 2020

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

The Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (ABS), an agreement under the Convention on Biological Diversity, was adopted on 29 October 2010 in Nagoya (Japan) and entered into force on 12 October 2014, it provides a transparent legal framework for the effective implementation of the 3rd objective of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The Protocol applies to genetic resources that are covered by the CBD and to the benefits arising from their utilization, it also covers traditional knowledge (TK) associated with genetic resources held by indigenous and local communities. Contracting parties to the Nagoya Protocol need to fulfil core obligations to take measures in relation to access to genetic resources, benefit-sharing and compliance, among others.

The UNDP-GEF Project “Strengthening human resources, legal frameworks, and institutional capacities to implement the Nagoya Protocol” (Global ABS Project) is a 3-year project that specifically aims at assisting 23 countries in the development and strengthening of their national ABS frameworks, human resources, and administrative capacities to implement the Nagoya Protocol. The project seeks to achieve this through its 4 components namely:

Component 1: Strengthening the legal, policy and institutional capacity to develop national ABS frameworks;
Component 2: Building trust between users and providers of genetic resources to facilitate the identification of bio-discovery efforts;
Component 3: Strengthening the capacity of indigenous and local communities to contribute to the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol; and
Component 4: Implementing a Community of Practice and South-South Cooperation Framework on ABS.

In accordance with the core obligations of the Nagoya Protocol, the implementation of the key elements of a functional ABS system in Albania should unleash a wide range of monetary and non-monetary benefits for providers and users of genetic resources. Most of these benefits should be reinvested in the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity in the above country. This would also contribute to fulfilling the three objectives of the CBD.

National context:

Albania is a Party to the Nagoya Protocol since its entry into force (accession) on October 12, 2014.

In Albania, the legal framework for access and benefit sharing has been developed and sent for the last approval to the Parliament. The amended Law on Biodiversity protection, after fulfilling all the legal steps of public and institutional consultations, finally was approved in the Parliament on 23 of April, 2020 through the Law No 41/2020, “On some changes and additions to the Law no. 9587, dated 20.7.2006,“ On the protection of biodiversity ”, as amended.

Through this amendment the Albanian legal framework is completed to meet the obligations arising from the Nagoya Protocol. Also, the amended law, aims to identify and make operational the network of national authorities responsible for the implementation of Nagoya's protocol in the country.

Also, through this act, it will be possible to establish mechanisms for Prior Informed Consent (PIC) and mutually agreed terms (MAT) between providers and users of local genetic resources.

In this way, the legal provisions for obtaining benefits from local communities that provide local genetic resources are provided.

Through this amendment was transposed the “Regulation (EU) No 511/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on compliance measures for users from the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization in the Union“ pursuant to the Nagoya Protocol.

Albania has approved its reviewed NBSAP 2012-2020. The updated NBSAP reflects the relevance of ABS for the country with explicit references to the Nagoya Protocol under Target 8 (“Foster and Contribute to an Equitable Access and Sharing of Benefits (ABS) arising from the Use of Genetic Resources).

In that regard, trainings to enhance information by developing training skills, raise awareness by raising the learning productivity and interaction in line with the Nagoya Protocol and FAO International Treaty on Plant Genetic resources for food and Agriculture are referred to as some of the basic’s priorities for the country.

The NBSAP also refers to the preservation and sharing of TK (Traditional Knowledge) and the integration of those elements into the development or scientific cooperation projects that target local communities as primary stakeholders.

The country has also developed several national reports related to genetic resources used for food and agriculture. The main national document in that regard is the “Conservation and Sustainable Use of Agricultural Genetic Resources in Albania.” The “Inter-sectoral strategy for agriculture and rural development in Albania,” adopted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Water Management in May 2014, also refers to the relevance of “the promotion of conservation and use of plant and genetic resources for food and agriculture” not only in agro-environmental terms but also in terms of economic opportunity for promoting “traditional products.”

The Ministry of Tourism and Environment is the designated institution where the Nagoya Protocol on ABS focal point is hosted.

Duties and Responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities

The purpose of this consultancy is to work with the Government of Albania and other stakeholders, with the support of UNDP, to scope and then develop a roadmap to support the implementation and further development of the ABS system under the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing in Albania.

The range of substantive areas to develop the above implementation roadmap would include, but not be limited to:

Pursue opportunities leading to ABS agreements between users and providers of genetic resources.
Promote technology transfer, private sector engagement and projects targeting investments in the conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources in-situ and ex-situ.
Build capacities among local communities.
Further the knowledge and scientific base for the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol, considering the report on establishing a gene bank for animals.
Policy, administrative or legislative instruments, as appropriate, to further operationalize the ABS system in Albania in accordance with the Law “On some changes and additions to the Law no. 9587, dated 20.7.2006, on the Protection of Biodiversity”, as amended and approved by the Parliament on April 23rd, 2020.

The 1st task will consist of one report in the form of a roadmap to support and sustainably secure the lasting implementation and further development of the ABS system.

The 2nd task shall include an exit strategy that will include the following topics:

the global environmental and/or adaptation problems, root causes and barriers that need to be addressed (systems description);
the proposed alternative scenario with a brief description of expected outcomes for future reference;
explore co-financing opportunities;
global environmental benefits and/or adaptation benefits;
innovation, sustainability and potential for scaling up.

Main deliverables:

50%- 30 July 2020- Report on roadmap.

50%- 20 August 2020- Report on exit strategy.

Competencies

Core competences:

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 favoritism.

Core competences:

Communication - Facilitate and encourage open communication and strive for effective communication.
Planning & Organizing – Develops clear goals in line with agreed strategies, identifies priorities, foresees risks and makes allowances accordingly.
Organizational Awareness - Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment.
Teamwork - Demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
Accountability – Takes ownership of all responsibilities and delivers outputs in accordance with agreed time, cost and quality standards.

Functional competences:

Thorough understanding of disability issues, human rights, social inclusion and social services
Excellent inter-personal and teamwork skills, networking attitude;
Capacity to deliver as per deadlines;
Ability to pick up new terminology and concepts easily;

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced University Degree in natural sciences, agriculture, agro-biodiversity, natural resource sciences or a relevant field.

Experience:

At least five (5) years of relevant experience in implementing similar tasks.
Good knowledges on policies, rules, regulations undertaken from the EU and the Convention on Biological Diversity, Nagoya Protocol, FAO-ITPGRFA to address the access and benefit sharing.
A good understanding of the main challenges facing the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol and ABS regimes;
Knowledge in capacity development initiatives, notably at the systemic and institutional levels.
Demonstrated ability of analytical and report drafting work.
Proven experience in undertaking similar assignments for Albania or the Region is an advantage.

Language Requirements:

English language.

Evaluation Procedure

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.

The shortlist will consist of candidates whose offers have 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 desk reviews) and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Only the highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job will be considered for the Financial Evaluation. Interviews with the shortlisted candidates may be considered, before taking a final decision for the candidate who will be granted the contract.

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

30 % or 30 points: - Relevant education background.
20% or 20 points: - Relevant work experience.
20% or 20 points: - Good knowledges on policies, rules, regulations undertaken from the EU and the Convention on Biological Diversity, Nagoya Protocol, FAO-ITPGRFA to address the access and benefit sharing

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

Candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% (49 points) of the maximum obtainable points for the technical criteria (70 points) shall be considered for the financial evaluation.

Application Procedure

The application should contain:

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.
Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability-please fill in the attached form... www.un.org.al/sites/default/files/IC_Offerors%20Letter%20to%20UNDP%20Confirming%20Interest%20and%20Availability.docx
Latest personal CV, including past experience from similar projects or completed and signed UN Personal History Form (P11) for Service Contracts (SC) and Individual Contracts (IC) – Blank form Download here.
Financial Proposal - specifying a total lump sum amount in USD for completion of the tasks specified in this announcement. The financial proposal should indicate an all-inclusive fixed total contract price and all other travel related costs (such as flight ticket, per diem, etc), supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template attached to the Letter of Confirmation of Interest template. If an applicant is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the applicant must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP. http://www.un.org.al/doc/Financial%20Offer%20template.doc
Copy of Diplomas and copy of Passport.

How to Submit the Application:

To submit your application online, please follow the steps below:

Merge your CV or P11, Financial Proposal Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability and cover letter into a single file. The system does not allow for more than one attachment to be uploaded;
Click on the Job Title (job vacancy announcement);
Click “Apply Now” button, fill in necessary information on the first page, and then click “Submit Application;”
Upload your application/single file as indicated above with the merged documents (underlined above);
You will receive an automatic response to your email confirming receipt of your application by the system.

Due to a large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.