UNDP Jobs - 53262- International Consultant on Assessment and Improve

International Consultant on Assessment and Improvement of Legislation for Introducing Payments for Ecosystem Services

Location :

Home-based with trips to Kazakhstan

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

02-Mar-2015

Application Deadline :

06-Feb-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

March-October 2015

Languages Required :

English Russian

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

Ecosystems are the sources of many services, which are important for economic and social development. The importance of the ecosystem services is underlined in the International Conventions, Agreements and Programs. These international documents require parties to introduce the most innovative approaches to PA management and biodiversity conservation, as from year to year the problem of ecosystem services’ sustainable use and degradation is getting worse.

Payments for ecosystem services (PES) are well-known and effective mechanism for biodiversity and ecosystem financing through involvement of various actors of economy and improvement of environmental responsibility of key ES customers and suppliers.
The international responsibilities of Kazakhstan for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystems are to be implemented by improving legislation, mainstreaming good practices and approaches such as national and local PES supported by the legal frameworks into national policy.

Currently there are few PES practices in Kazakhstan in the context of water resources management. To improve the effectiveness of biodiversity and ecosystem management and increase investments, PES schemes are to be integrated in forestry, fisheries, hunting, tourism and PAs.

Duties and Responsibilities

International consultant during his/her work will closely cooperate with the expert on financial tools for conservation biodiversity, expert on economic mechanisms for biodiversity management, Capacity building expert and Team leader (BIOFIN project).

It is expected that the practical, legislative and methodological framework will be created by the completion of the project for further replication of the practice in economic valuation of ecosystem services and payments for ecosystem services (PES) at the national level for increasing investments in biodiversity conservation.

During his/her, work the international consultant will report to National UNDP biodiversity projects manager (NM) and expert on financial tools for conservation biodiversity.

Objectives:

Getting acquainted with the pilot areas. Meeting with the resource users of two pilot areas and assessment of their capacity;
Development of the terms of reference on economic valuation of ecosystem services and introduction of PES schemes in the area of forestry, fisheries, hunting, PA. Preparation of the list and summary of the potential suppliers among international companies and experts;
Preparation of the review of the best practices and schemes on PES from other countries. Selection of practices applicable for implementation in Kazakhstan;
Review of the capacity of the legislation in Kazakhstan for PES schemes integration: identification of the opportunities and barriers for implementation. Preparation of the analytical report;
Development of the recommendations for improvement of the legislation to integrate PES schemes in Kazakhstan;
Development of the scenario of at least 3 PES schemes and plan for their implementation in two pilot areas (Ile-Balkhash and Aral-Syrdarya) under current legislation;
Development of the scenario of at least 3 PES schemes and plan for their implementation in two pilot areas (Ile-Balkhash and Aral-Syrdarya) under recommended improved legislation;
Coordination of the works and provision of the methodological assistance to the local company implementing identification of the ecosystem services in two pilot areas (Ile-Balkhash and Aral-Syrdarya);
Conduction of the training for the wide audience of the nature resource users with the visits to two pilot areas (Ile-Balkhash and Aral-Syrdarya). The goal of the training is to raise awareness of the wide audience of the stakeholders in order to improve public understanding of the ecosystem services and application of the PES and award schemes to develop these services in long-term prospects;
Conduction of awareness-raising workshop for the stakeholders on the outcomes of the work under the ToR, PES methodology, negotiation skills, analysis of threats and challenges.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

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

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge and experience with programming development, monitoring and evaluation;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates openness to change, flexibility, and ability to manage complexities;
Ability to work under pressure and with multi-disciplinary and multicultural teams and possess excellent inter-personal skills;
Demonstrates strong written and oral communication skills;
Remains calm, in control, and good humoured even under pressure;
Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills;
Ability to establish priorities for self and others, and to work independently.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic requirements:

University degree in economics, finance and related areas.

Experience:

At least 5 years of working experience in environmental economics or related areas;
Experience in economic valuation of ecosystem services;
Working experience in CA countries;
Knowledge of biodiversity management specificity;
Experience in developing analytical reports. Strong skills in writing reports for submission.

Language requirements:

Fluency in the English language;
Knowledge of Russian is preferable.

Important note:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications to the e-mail address: assel.zhakupbekova@undp.org with the copy to: talgat.kerteshev@undp.org

Confirmation of Interest and Submission of Financial Offer form;
UN Personal History Form P-11;
Brief description of similar services in projects conducted in other countries.

Detailed information is provided here: http://www.kz.undp.org/content/kazakhstan/en/home/operations/procurement/ic-contracts/international-consultant-on-assessment-and-improvement-of-legisl.html.