UNDP Jobs - 94802- Chief Technical Advisor (CTA)

Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) - FIJI IAS Project

Location :

FIJI

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

09-Nov-2020

Application Deadline :

03-Nov-20 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

4 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

90 days

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 introduction of Giant Invasive Iguana – GII (Iguana iguana) – to this four-island area within Fiji represents the first established population of this species in the Pacific and is a potential bridgehead to some of the world’s most isolated island ecosystems. GII have already caused harm throughout the Caribbean where they are spreading fast and have significant detrimental effects, including on native biodiversity, agriculture and tourism. Management and possibly eradication of this species from its current established range in Fiji is a high priority in order to prevent the types of impacts seen in the Caribbean from occurring within the Pacific region. Although there are several national and local-level initiatives to address Invasive Alien Species (IAS) in Fiji, these efforts, lack adequate capacity and an overall comprehensive strategy to ensure a systematic and effective protection of biodiversity-rich and important areas. An effective, systematic and comprehensive eradication effort against GII, before populations grow beyond the point where they can be controlled is currently lacking and urgently needed.

The Building Capacities to Address Invasive Alien Species to Enhance the Chances of Long-term Survival of Terrestrial Endemic and Threatened Species on Taveuni Island, Surrounding Islets and Throughout Fiji project is a 5-year initiative executed in Fiji by the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF). It aims to improve the chances of the long-term survival of terrestrial endemic and threatened species on Taveuni Island, the surrounding islets and throughout Fiji by building national and local capacity to reduce the risk of new IAS establishment and to improve the management of existing IAS. Improving IAS prevention and management in Fiji will require a suite of preventative measures that will be introduced by this project, including: (i) Strengthened IAS policy, institutions and coordination at the national level to reduce the risk of IAS entering Fiji, including a comprehensive multi-sectorial coordination mechanism to ensure the best possible use of resources and capacities for prevention, management, eradication, awareness and engagement, restoration, and capacity building; (ii) Improved IAS prevention and surveillance operations at the island level on Taveuni, Qamea, Matagi and Laucala to reduce potential for pest species to enter and establish within the four-island group and move between these islands; (iii) Implementation of a comprehensive eradication plan for GII based on detailed survey work and public outreach on Taveuni and an increase in removal effort of GII on the islands of Qamea, Matagi, and Laucala (and other islands, such as Taveuni if they are found to be established); and (iv) Strengthened knowledge management and awareness raising that targets the general public, tour operations and visitors, so as to safeguard the nation from IAS.

Detailed Terms of Reference can be obtained from UNDP Pacific Website

https://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=71697

Duties and Responsibilities

Under this Project a Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) is being recruited to provide technical support and coordination on Invasive Alien Species (IAS) management issues, especially on pathway analysis of IAS, risk assessment, prevention and quarantine. The expert will have knowledge and experience across the range of IAS management strategies, particularly prevention/restriction; inspection and quarantine and provide guidance and strategy on IAS assessment, management and prevention to the project team, the lead agency (Biosecurity Authority of Fiji) and an extensive array of other stakeholders at national, regional, island and community levels. The Expert will work alongside the Project Coordinator, other project consultants and ensure that the project and project tasks are on target throughout the duration of the project period.

Scope of work and key responsibilities include:

Give guidance and inputs and provide necessary top level coordination for the Fiji IAS Project, including all components, namely: (1) strengthened IAS policy, institutions and coordination at the national level, (2) improved IAS prevention and quarantine at the island level trialed for Taveuni, Qamea, Matagi and Laucala, (3) eradication of GII and (4) strengthened IAS knowledge management, monitoring and evaluation;
Work closely with other members of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF), the national coordination body, UNDP, component/project tasks managers and consultants, national and island level taskforce and working groups and various other stakeholders;
Develop a TOR(s) for the 4 island Taskforce
Develop and have pre-outreach surveys conducted with stakeholders throughout the country, analysis surveys and developed a draft national IAS outreach plan;
Desk review of the Fiji ports
Develop a draft national early detection and rapid response (EDRR) plan;
Through consultation and comments received finalize a national EDRR plan;
With input from stakeholder consultations and comments review of the draft outreach plan, finalize the national IAS outreach strategy;
Give guidance and inputs to BAF on the development of a multi-year strategy and support the development of this draft strategy;
Support IAS awareness building activities at national and island levels including planning and oversight, materials and processes development and field operations;
Support implementation of IAS outreach and development of outreach materials;
Facilitate and guide the economic assessment study of IAS damage, monitoring of native branded iguana and community perception study;
Provide technical support and assistance to the GII eradication efforts including planning and oversight, logistics and coordination support and field operations including search, detection, acquisition and final disposition of organisms as well as the ability to support a large field effort including detection canine handling/training experience;
Support oversight, coordination and field operations and be able to spend extended periods in the field in remote settings involved in biosecurity tasks including IAS eradication efforts and outreach/awareness building;
Support development/integration of a national IAS coordination body and associated supporting IAS specialist committee/taskforce; including the development of TORs
Support development/integration of a district (or sub-district) IAS taskforce for Taveuni, Qamea, Matagi and Laucala islands;
Detailed Terms of Reference can be obtained from UNDP Pacific Website
https://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=71697

Competencies

At least ten years relevant professional experience in biosecurity and addressing Invasive Alien Species. Ideally, the expert will have knowledge and experience across the range of IAS assessment and management strategies, especially prevention (restriction; inspection; quarantine);

? Experience working with government institutions, as well as, civil society/private organizations and consultants/field biologists;

? At least seven years’ experience working with a wide array of stakeholders on biosecurity issues in the Pacific region;

? Experience working with relevant stakeholders in Fiji is essential;

? Experience in developing and leading early detection and rapid response planning documents and ground efforts in the Pacific region;

? ? Experience managing complex multi-year biosecurity or IAS projects;

? Experience with management of invasive reptiles;

? Experience working with detector canine teams in remote field situations in the Pacific region (preferred experience with training/handling detector dogs);

? Ability to oversee and manage as part of a small management team, an extensive, multi-year project;

? Experience in developing and / or implementing GEF, UNDP project and/or other development agency supported projects;

? Excellent inter-personal, communication and negotiating skills;

? Proven track record of project management and project team experience working with government, NGOs, and other key stakeholders.

Required Skills and Experience

Minimum Master’s degree in biology, environmental science, natural resource management, development and/or related field.

Consultancy Proposal (CV & Financial proposal Template) should be uploaded on UNDP e-tendering Portal (https://etendering.partneragencies.org) Ref: 0000007553 no later than, November 3rd 2020 (New York Time). Any proposals received after the due date/time will not be accepted. Any request for clarification must be sent in writing, or by standard electronic communication to procurement.fj@undp.org. UNDP will respond in writing or by standard electronic mail and will send written copies of the response, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to all consultants. Incomplete, late and joint proposals will not be considered and only offers for which there is further interest will be contacted. Failure to submit your application as stated as per the application submission guide (Procurement Notice) on the above link will be considered incomplete and therefore application will not be considered.

NOTE:

Daily rate to be inclusive of Medical insurance cost for the duration of the contract
Selected Candidate will be required to submit a proof of medical insurance prior to issuance of contract
If the selected/successful Candidate is over 65 years of age and required to travel outside his home country; He/She will be required provide a full medical report at their expense prior to issuance to contract. Contract will only be issued when Proposed candidate is deemed medically fit to undertake the assignment.
Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications.
Personal CV, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references.
Technical proposal, including a) a brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment;
Financial proposal, using UNDP confirmation of Interest and submission of financial proposal Template
Incomplete proposals may not be considered. Failure to submit these documents may result in disqualification of proposal.