UNDP Jobs - 77524- National Consultant for the drafting of Nationally

National Consultant for the drafting of Nationally Appropriate Legal Instruments on Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) in Africa Region

Location :

Mahe, SEYCHELLES

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

29-Mar-2018

Application Deadline :

23-Mar-18 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

73 person-days spread over 10 months

Languages Required :

English French

Expected Duration of Assignment :

73 person-days spread over 10 months

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

Project Title

Strengthening human resources, legal frameworks and institutional capacities to implement the Nagoya Protocol

Project Description

Context and Objectives of Project

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 201., It provides a transparent legal framework for the effective implementation of the 3rd objective of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD); ““the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.” 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.

Article 8(j) of the CBD states “Each contracting Party shall, as far as possible and as appropriate: Subject to national legislation, respect, preserve and maintain knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities embodying traditional lifestyles relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity and promote their wider application with the approval and involvement of the holders of such knowledge, innovations and practices and encourage the equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of such knowledge innovations and practices”.

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 24 countries in the development and strengthening of their national ABS frameworks, human resources, and administrative capabilities to implement the Nagoya Protocol. Component 1, Output 1.1.1 of the project seeks to, strengthen the legal, policy and institutional capacity to develop national ABS frameworks through the drafting and submitting of national ABS law/regulation and policy proposals, for approval to competent authorities.

Seychelles

The Republic of Seychelles is a Party to the Nagoya Protocol since its entry into force (ratification) on October 12, 2014. Seychelles does not have a comprehensive legislative/regulatory ABS framework in place.

Seychelles developed a draft bill in 2005 on access and benefit-sharing entitled “Genetic Resources Bill.” The objective of the bill was to set the perimeters for the development of all aspects of a full-fledged legislation and supporting legislation on ABS in the Seychelles. The process for the development of the draft bill is documented in a publication title ‘Commentary on the development of the Republic of Seychelles Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit Sharing’. However, the bill was never adopted even if it was considered a priority under the 1st NBSAP produced in 1997. A new NBSAP or NBSAP 2.0 was published in 2014, which considers a comprehensive review of biodiversity-related legislation including the promulgation of ABS regulations (Project 25). Similarly, the ABS is considered a priority under the Sustainable Development Strategy of Seychelles 2012-2020.

The Seychelles Bureau of Standards (SBS), through its parent ministry, the Ministry of Industries and International Business, has a facilitator role as a hub where all the stakeholders and research partners can bring their application and or seek additional information. Other line ministries such as the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change (MEECC), the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture and now the National Institute of Science Technology and Innovation (NISTI) have more of the decision-making roles.

The Department of Environment, under the MEECC is the designated institution where the Nagoya Protocol on ABS focal point is hosted.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of work

This national consultancy aims to support:

the identification, the drafting and assist the validation process of national legal instruments on ABS in Seychelles. These national instruments should be simple, efficient, adapted to national and local circumstances and coherent with existing mechanisms in complementarity with other national or global ABS related instrument.
the Seychelles in drafting country specific processes and guidelines, in line with national and local circumstances of local communities, to access their knowledge, innovation and practices related to genetic resources and to ensure a fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their utilization, for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

The national legal instruments to be developed, should be compliant with the provisions and obligation set out Nagoya Protocol and in the CBD. In line with national and local circumstances, the instruments shall include both a legislative and full-fledged regulations.

The legislative output shall refer to the drafting and/or the amendment of one or several laws being specific to or inclusive of ABS. The ABS regulations will need to be sector specific reflecting on national priorities.

The national consultant(s) will be aided by the international consultant who will provide clear orientations and high quality advisory services to guide the work of the national consultants, covered by this consultation throughout the process of design, drafting and the validation process of nationally appropriate ABS instruments in compliance with the Nagoya protocol and the CBD.

The national instruments should be:

based on the findings and recommendations of the national assessments, gap analyses and consultations with key national and local stakeholders as indicated in the Project Document of the Global ABS Project.
simple, efficient, adapted to national and local circumstances and coherent with other national and global ABS instruments such as the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA).

Key Responsibilities

The consultant(s) will adhere to National procedures for development and adoption of National guidelines, regulations, policies and legislative mechanisms.

The consultant will be responsible to undertake the following specific tasks and services:

The national consultants will be given the necessary guidance, methodology and technical inputs by the International Consultant (referred to from here on as IC) to assess the existing national legal frameworks and deliver national gaps’ analyses for the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol.
Within this gap analysis provide an analysis of existing and evolving legislations and regulations related to TK (traditional knowledge), GR (genetic resources) and ABS in Seychelles.
Draft the appropriate legal instrument(s) and amendments of the legislative and regulatory components (depending on national and local circumstances and while ensuring compliance with the provisions of the Nagoya Protocol and the CBD (the proposed instruments should provide a clear description of the operational mechanisms for Monitoring the use of GR/TK and dispute management including penalties. It should also provide standard clauses for Prior Informed Consent (PIC) and Mutually Agreed Terms (MAT).

Expected outputs and deliverables

Deliverables: Submission of work plan;
Tentative Date: Friday 30th March 2018;
% Fees: 10;
Review and Approvals required: UNDP Country Office.

Deliverables: Deliverable 1 ¬ Assess existing laws relevant to ABS and the Nagoya Protocol, including a gap analysis conducted on the 2005 Bill on Access and Benefit Sharing with regard to the obligations set forth in the Nagoya Protocol; work alongside the TKC to see there are any existing and evolving legislations and regulations related to TK (traditional knowledge), GR (genetic resources) and ABS in Seychelles. Culminate this gap analysis in a report and a workshop to be presented to stakeholders during the IC’s country mission;
Tentative Date: Friday 13th April 2018;
% Fees: 15;
Review and Approvals required: UNDP Country Office/ ABS National Focal Point (ABS NFP).

Deliverables: Deliverable 2 ¬ Develop a comprehensive ABS policy, including policy instruments for the protection of TK and GR;
Tentative Date: Friday 27th April 2018;
% Fees: 10;
Review and Approvals required: UNDP Country Office/ABS National Focal Point (ABS NFP)/MEECC.

Deliverables: Deliverable 3 ¬ ¬ Conduct consultations with the relevant ministries and stakeholders regarding the ABS Policy and legislation;
Tentative Date: Wednesday 6th June 2018;
% Fees: 10;
Review and Approvals required: UNDP Country Office/ ABS National Focal Point (ABS NFP).

Deliverables: Deliverable 4 ¬ Present the ABS Policy alongside relevant ministry, to the Cabinet for its endorsement (this is a prerequisite for the Cabinet to instruct the Attorney General’s office to begin drafting the law).
Tentative Date: Thursday 6th June 2018;
% Fees: 10;
Review and Approvals required: UNDP Country Office / ABS National Focal Point (ABS NFP)/ MEECC.

Deliverables: Deliverable 5 ¬ Draft a national law on ABS for review and endorsement by the National Assembly.(from 2018) - The draft law might run in parallel with policy documentation but will be reviewed only upon approval of the Policy;
Tentative Date: Wednesday 28th August 2018;
% Fees: 15;
Review and Approvals required: UNDP Country Office/ABS National Focal Point (ABS NFP)/ MEECC.

Deliverables: Deliverable 6 Draft ABS regulations under the ABS Act Guidelines for future access of the genetic resources;
Tentative Date: Wednesday 7th November 2018;
% Fees: 15;
Review and Approvals required: UNDP Country Office/ ABS National Focal Point (ABS NFP)/ MEECC.

Deliverables: Deliverable 7 Finalized Act;
Tentative Date: Wednesday 19th December 2018;
% Fees: 15;
Review and Approvals required: UNDP Country Office/ ABS National Focal Point (ABS NFP).

Deliverables: Total;
% Fees: 100%.

Institutional Arrangement

The Consultant shall work under the supervision of the UNDP Country Office, National Project Coordinator and the ABS Focal Point and shall report to them for the fulfillment of his/her duties. The consultant is expected to be a part/host any relevant workshops/ presentations that may occur during the contract time. The Consultant is expected to liaise, interact and meet with government, UNDP, relevant ministries and all stakeholders involved with the project. The identified ministries and stakeholders for are as follows:

The Seychelles Bureau of Standards (SBS), through its parent ministry, the Ministry of Industries and International Business;
The Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change (MEECC);
The Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture;
Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture – Research Unit and National Heritage Research Section;
National Institute of Science Technology and Innovation (NISTI) - decision-making roles;
Attorney General’s Office;
Seychelles Heritage Foundation;
Blue Economy;
University of Seychelles- BERI;
National Biosecurity Agency;
CEPS;
Seychelles Island Foundation;
Marine Conservation Society of Seychelles;
Nature Seychelles;
PCA;
ICCS.

Duration

The contract will start in March 2018 and will end (expected) 31st December 2018. The total working days estimated are 73.

Duty Station

Home based (Seychelles).

Competencies

Knowledge of environmental issues, environmental law and policy concept and principles and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations;
Ability to work with multiple stakeholders across a wide range of disciplines;
Demonstrates practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of UNDP;
Maintains relationships with stakeholders, focuses on impact and result for the project and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills.

Professionalism

Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.

Required Skills and Experience

Qualifications of the Successful Individual Contractor

Education

Minimum Bachelor’s degree (LLB) in environmental law or policy, multi-lateral environmental agreements, or other related field.

Experience

5 years of experience in drafting legal documents in similar environmental areas;
Experience in environmental law and regulations;
A good knowledge and understanding of the main challenges facing the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol and ABS regimes in Africa region;
Experience in facilitation to lead national discussions involving key experts and stakeholders from relevant national institutions;
Excellent reporting skills;
Working experience in an international organization or knowledge of UN policies, procedures and practices is an asset.

Language

Excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills in English, Creole and French.

Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

The financial offer should be quoted as a lump sum amount, all-inclusive (professional fee, insurance). Fees will not include duty related travel outside of Mauritius which will be borne by the project or from the Global Budget.

The contract price is fixed regardless of changes in the cost components. Payments will be effected based on deliverables as per section D above.