Background

Accurate spatial data on the status and trends of biodiversity, ecosystems and essential ecosystem services is of paramount importance for UNDP and the decision makers and governments it works with. Yet the ability of countries to access and use spatial data to develop plans, take actions and report results is extremely low. A recent study of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAPS) and 5th National Reports (NR) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) from more than 110 countries shows that NBSAPs contain an average of fewer than four maps, and NRs fewer than five. Moreover, the study revealed critical gaps – less than 4% of all maps (and only 8 countries) included ecosystem services. These findings reflect similar results to a survey conducted 18 months ago for 100+ countries. Without accurate data on the status and trends of biodiversity, ecosystems and ecosystem services, decision makers will continue to be unable to fully understand the consequences of biodiversity loss to sustainable development. Therefore, their ability to achieve the 2030 Agenda and their national Sustainable Development Goals will be compromised. For example, countries may need support with geospatial data analyses to prepare a comprehensive, data-driven national report, or to determine where to implement a conservation strategy or action and assess its impact. We are seeking spatial data experts worldwide with knowledge of English, and French and/or Spanish languages to assist in addressing these gaps.

Duties and Responsibilities

The scope of work will vary depending on the assignment but would include one or various of the below services within national, regional and global programmes or projects led by the Istanbul Regional Hub (IRH), UNDP Headquarters in New York, and UNDP Country Offices:

The spatial data experts will provide assistance to countries in the collection and analysis of geospatial data related to biodiversity, natural resource management, and sustainable development. Tasks can include:

• Producing geospatial maps to support the development and/or implementation of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAPs), National Reports to the Convention of Biological Diversity, the UN Sustainable Goals, or other Multilateral Environmental Agreements;
• Training and/or supporting countries to analyze geospatial data layers to make biodiversity conservation, natural resource management, and sustainable development decisions;
• Providing technical support to countries in the management of GIS layers; 
• Working with UNDP staff and partner organizations to develop case studies and story maps about the value of geospatial data to biodiversity conservation, natural resource management, and sustainable development decision-making;
• Supporting teams to identify the minimum viable set of data layers that need to be analyzed to address a conservation or development challenge and to find important available datasets beyond the initial minimum viable dataset requirements;
• Conducting and maintaining an inventory of current data that are available in a subject area or a geography, as well as determining how frequently each dataset needs to be updated, what data sharing agreements need to be in place to use it, and how frequently they need to be maintained;
• Performing any required GIS processing needed to render data into the formats needed;
• Gathering, processing and uploading datasets, or correct data access parameters and settings (WMS: web map service), into the UN Biodiversity Lab platform, including correct available metadata;
• Carrying out geoprocessing and analyses of data layers, as determined to be useful. For example, identifying overlaps of important urban watersheds and forest; and
• Completing customized geospatial data analyses as requested by UNDP

Competencies

Corporate

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling 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; and
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Professionalism

• Works toward creative solutions by analysing problems carefully and logically – inspires and fosters innovation;
• Has a dynamic, positive and adaptive attitude towards work-related challenges, bringing innovative and effective solutions to them;
• Facilitates meetings effectively and efficiently;
• Resolves conflicts as they arise;
• Sets priorities, produces quality outputs, meets deadlines and manages time efficiently; and
• Is highly organized and detailed oriented.

Communication

• Writes and presents clearly and convincingly.
• Client Orientation
• Maintains strong relationships with partners and clients.

Technical skills:

• Knowledge of geospatial data;
• Data management and quality assurance;
• Excellent overall computer skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications/Education: 

• Minimum Bachelor Degree in a discipline related to the analysis of geospatial data for natural resource management or biodiversity conservation. Degrees could include natural resources management, biological sciences, forestry, agriculture, agro-economics, geography, climate sciences, international development, public policy, social sciences, economics, public administration, finance or other closely related fields. Master’s degree or higher is preferred. 

Experience: 

• Three years of working experience applying GIS in the following types of subject areas: biodiversity, conservation, access and benefit sharing (genetic resources), combating poaching and illegal wildlife trafficking, ecosystem-based adaptation or mitigation, ecosystem restoration or rehabilitation, sustainable natural resource and land management and agriculture, deforestation-free commodities, protected areas, watershed management, biodiversity-compatible supply chains, freshwater ecosystems, marine and coastal ecosystems, national biodiversity planning and reporting.  
• Three or more years of experience developing models and maps that indicate the conservation status of protected areas or threats to biodiversity. 
• Experience working with international institutions, civil societies and/or governmental authorities, and experience working with and in developing countries is an advantage
• One or more years of experience with open-source GIS and spatial database software, including Linux, PostgresSQL/PostGIS, R and R-shiny or GDAL/OGR is an advantage.

Language skills: 

• Working level of English is required. 
• Excellent oral and writing skills in Spanish or French or English is a requirement. 

Evaluation of Applicants

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.
The award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:
responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation. 

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation - max points: 90

• Criteria A (desk review - Education) – max. 15 points
• Criteria B (desk review - Experience applying GIS in the following types of subject areas: biodiversity, conservation, access and benefit sharing (genetic resources), combating poaching and illegal wildlife trafficking, ecosystem-based adaptation or mitigation, ecosystem restoration or rehabilitation, sustainable natural resource and land management and agriculture, deforestation-free commodities, protected areas, watershed management, biodiversity-compatible supply chains, freshwater ecosystems, marine and coastal ecosystems, national biodiversity planning and reporting.) – max. 20 points
• Criteria C (desk review -  Experience developing models and maps that indicate the conservation status of protected areas or threats to biodiversity) – max. 20 points
• Criteria D (desk review - Experience working with international institutions, civil societies and/or governmental authorities, and experience working with and in developing countries) – max. 5 points
• Criteria E (desk review – language skills) -  max. 5 points
• Criteria F (written test- Experience with open-source GIS and spatial database software, including Linux, PostgresSQL/PostGIS, R and R-shiny or GDAL/OGR) – max. 20 points
• Criteria G (written test– Language skills) –max. 5 points 

Only candidates who will obtain min. 70% of points in desk review will be invited for written tests.

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation - max points: 38.6

Contracting Arrangements:

Successful candidates will be included into UNDP Vetted Experts Roster for the period of 3 years. Entry into the expert roster system does not necessarily mean that contract with UNDP is guaranteed. This will depend on forthcoming needs. During this period, IRH which manages the roster, can regularly follow up with consultants as well as UNDP offices in ECIS on their assignments. Financial proposal (daily fee in USD) provided by the consultant is the all-inclusive maximum daily fee payable and is bound to the period of 3 years (unless the consultant applies to the roster during its re-opening.

Profiles of roster members will be published at UNDP internal platform and accessible to UNDP IRH and Country Offices.

Where a request for services arises, the UNDP IRH or UNDP office will share a specific Terms of Reference (TOR) outlining specific services, outputs and timeline for that assignment with consultant(s) matching the requested profile and consultants will be requested to provide a price offer. A consultant offering a best value for money will be contracted.

Application procedure:

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website. 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. 
• Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from http://www.eurasia.undp.org/content/dam/rbec/docs/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc); please upload the P11 instead of your CV. 
• Financial Proposal* in USD – specifying all-inclusive maximum daily fee
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials

*Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor (e.g. fee, health insurance, office supplies, communications, vaccination, personal security needs and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...). 

Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org
General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://on.undp.org/t7fJs.

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.
Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.