Historique

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India along with UNDP is implementing a new GEF funded project: SECURE Himalaya (Securing livelihoods, conservation, sustainable use and restoration of high range Himalayan ecosystems) in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim.

The project aims to support the Government of India to effectively promote sustainable land and forest management in alpine pastures and forests in high range Indian Himalayan ecosystems that secure sustainable livelihoods and community resilience and ensures conservation of globally significant biodiversity and threatened species. It will engineer a paradigm shift from the current approach of conservation to demonstrate a new approach of landscape based conservation. This is an integrated approach, which focuses on working with various sectors and partners in areas within and outside protected areas, to effectively reduce threats to biodiversity of local, national and global significance.

The project builds up on the existing socio-economic development efforts in the region, for evolving innovative and participatory models for sustainable use of natural resources. It aims to achieve the objective of conservation by engaging local communities and collaborating with government and non-government agencies for conservation and promotion of sustainable resource use and livelihood.

The project would be implemented over a period of six years in the high altitude trans-Himalayan region and has the following major outcomes: (1) Improved management of high range Himalayan landscapes for conservation of Snow Leopard and other endangered species and their habitats and sustaining ecosystem services; (2) Improved and diversified livelihood strategies and improved capacities of community and government institutions for sustainable natural resource management and conservation; (3) Enhanced enforcement, monitoring and cooperation to reduce wildlife crime and related threats; (4) Effective knowledge management and information systems established for promotion of sustainable management practices in the High range Himalayan ecosystems.

The project falls under GEF-6, Global Partnership on Wildlife Conservation and Crime Prevention for Sustainable Development, comprising one global coordination project and a series of national projects. The project will be led by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and UNDP with the state governments of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim.

In order to reduce the impact and burden of resource use in the selected snow leopard landscapes, under outcome 2, the project would support strategies to enhance existing livelihoods, promote alternate and new options of livelihood and support skill-based employment opportunities to achieve sustainable natural resource management.

For the achievement of the abovementioned goal, UNDP seeks to engage a consultant to develop two proposals on the behalf of SMPB and BMCs for submission to the NMPB. This will have co-finance to the Secure Himalaya project. The consultant will conduct a primary survey at the project landscapes in Himachal Pradesh, for assessing livelihood opportunities and value chains of NTFPs and Medicinal Plants. The proposed area is Lahaul, Pangi, Kinnaur and surrounding districts. The consultant will conduct the surveys and build baselines for the preparation of project proposals to be submitted to the National Medicinal Plant Board (NMPB) and conduct a situation analysis in terms of benefit sharing of GI products. The proposals will be contribute to enhancing livelihood opportunities and value chains for local communities with respect to the sustainable use of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) and other Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs). The field consultant will work closely with the consultant (Policy and Programme) in developing the deliverables.

Devoirs et responsabilités

In this role, the consultant will be responsible for execution of field research for the abovementioned proposals by conducting the following activities:

1. Draft a Work Plan along with the consultant (Policy and Programme)
2. Conduct a primary survey in the proposed areas of Lahaul/ Pangi/ Kinnaur for the following:
   1. Selection of MAP species for collection and value addition.
   2. Policy/ legal requirements for extraction of NTFPs for livelihood.
   3. Socio economic data of the project landscape.
   4. Supporting documents to corroborate availability of select species of MAPs in the quantities proposed for sustainable harvesting (to achieve the desirable scale for value added products).
3. Conduct market assessment consisting of:

1. Existing demand-supply gap for the selected species and value-added products.
2. Existing trade scenario of select species mentioned in the project proposals (legal/ illegal trade/ local haats/ markets etc.

1. Research on proposed and existing market linkages for value-added products identified in the selected project landscape.
2. Propose a sustainable business model for livelihood generation and flow of benefit to the local communities.
3. Coordinate with consultant working on preparation of proposals for submission to NMPB as per section 4.2 of its operational guidelines for Central Sector Scheme on Conservation.
4. Identify all Geographical Indication (GI) registered products, relevant to the proposed area, incorporating a detailed study and situational analysis of two GI registered products including identification of stakeholders in the value chain, impacts on different stakeholders; specifically, the authorized users, current status, recommendations for improvement of the value chain.
5. Identify products that have a potential for GI registration, relevant to the proposed area, for two products, with the aim of applying for GI registration. 

Expected Deliverables

1. Submission of a Work Plan, drafted in consultation with consultant (Policy and Programme).
2. Submission of report on selected MAPs for value addition consisting of its availability, legal requirements for collection and value addition, socio economic data of the proposed area. The report should also contain supporting documents, to corroborate availability of the select species of the MAPs in the quantities proposed for sustainable harvesting
3. Submission of report on Market assessment of the selected MAP and its value-added products. The report should also contain information pertaining to existing and proposed market linkages for value added products identified in the proposed area.
4. Submission of a report that lists all (GI) registered products, relevant to the proposed area. The report should include a detailed study and situational analysis of two GI registered products, sustainable business models for livelihood generation and flow of benefit to the local communities.
5. Satisfactory submission of all outputs.

Compétences

Functional Competencies:    

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

• Minimum 10 years of work experience in medicinal plants sector of cultivation and trade & market of medicinal plants.
• Good Understanding of process of registration under Geographical indications as natural products.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.

Communication skills

• Good communication and interpersonal skills, to work in the field with local stakeholders, farmers, local government officers, front line staff.

Core Competencies: 

• Demonstrates/safeguards ethics and integrity
• Works as a team member

Language Requirements:  

Fluency in Hindi is essential.

Qualifications et expériences requises

Bachelor’s degree in Science and Master’s degree in Management.

Duration of the Assignment

The duration of the assignment is from 10th July 2018 to 31st December 2018.

Deliverables and Schedule of Payment:

Project Location:

The assignment will be home as well as field based. It will include travel to districts in Himachal Pradesh and the assignment will be home and field based. It may also require travel to UNDP Country Office in New Delhi to meet with project team members. 100 days field visit is expected for this assignment.

Kindly note: Only outstation travel with prior approval, boarding & lodging expense will be reimbursed as per actuals in line with UNDP rules.

Evaluation Method and Criteria:

The consultant would be selected based on the following criteria:

Technical: 70 points

Financial: 30 points

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Criteria for Technical Evaluation would be as under:

* Educational Qualification - 20 Marks;

* Relevant Experience - 35 Marks;

* Suitability for the assignment - 15 Marks.

Reporting requirements:    

The Consultant will report to the Programme Manager, Natural Resource Management Unit, UNDP.

Documents to be submitted

Detailed CV with contact details of three references;

Financial Proposal

For any clarifications, please write to: ic.india@undp.org

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