Antecedentes

Sixty-five countries have accessed Global Environmental Facility’s (GEF) Biodiversity Enabling Activities (BD EA) funding through UNDP with the aim of updating their Sixth National Reports (6NR) the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD). The “Support to Eligible Parties to Produce the Sixth National Report” (6NR) project objective is to provide financial and technical support to GEF-eligible Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in their work to develop high quality, data driven 6NR that will improve national decision-making processes for the implementation of NBSAPs; that report on progress towards achieving the Aichi Biodiversity Targets (ABTs) and inform both the fifth Global Biodiversity Outlook (GBO5) and the Global Biodiversity Strategy of 2021 – 2030.

The CBD Secretariat has prepared a reference manual that complements guidelines for the 6NR and is intended to assist Parties in preparing their 6NR by the reporting deadline, in accordance with decision XIII/X and Article 26 of the Convention. The reference manual provides suggestions on the types of information Parties may wish to include in their 6NR and sources of information they may wish to draw on. This includes other reporting and assessment processes related to biodiversity, such as those related to other biodiversity-related conventions and multilateral environmental agreements, as well as relevant information managed or maintained by international organizations. It was made available in UNEP/CBD/COP/13/21 and a revised version will be available shortly. 

The project will include trainings and capacity building opportunities that are based on the information provided in the 6NR reference manual, and that are developed and executed in close collaboration with the CBD Secretariat. The project will also support Parties to assess each national target using a stakeholder consultation process, and to participate in a technical peer review process. This will help to ensure the preparation of a comprehensive 6NR and create ownership of its conclusions.

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 Biodiversity Reports from more than 110 countries shows that NBSAPs contain an average of fewer than four maps, and National Biodiversity Reports 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 to 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 SDG delivery, and their ability to achieve the 2030 Global Agenda and their national sustainable development goals will be compromised. We are seeking a Spatial Planner to assist in addressing these gaps.  

MapX (https://www.mapx.org) is a collaborative venture between UNEP and GRID Geneva that supports the sustainable use of natural resources by increasing access to the best available geospatial information, technology and monitoring tools. In this project, UNDP and UN Environment are partnering with MapX and the University of Queensland to adapt the MapX platform provide on-demand data services for GEF-eligible countries to support their national biodiversity planning and reporting. The platform will: (1) allows parties to analyze spatial data layers to make conservation and development decisions; (2) produce spatial maps that clearly illustrate the information required for development of robust national conservation and development plans and reports.

Deberes y responsabilidades

The project is seeking a consultant to provide support to the 6NR Project Team by leading the spatial data tool’s technical design and development on the MapX platform, as well as the distribution of the tool to Parties. The consultant will also provide technical support to these Parties to use the tool to update their 6NR to the CBD. 

Expected Tasks:
Under the guidance and supervision of the 6NR Technical Project Advisor (TPA), the consultant will carry out the following key tasks: 

Data Management 

  • Coordinate and assist the project team in determining: (1) the minimum viable set of data layers that need to be incorporated into the MapX platform; and (2) important and available datasets beyond the initial minimum viable dataset requirements.
  • Conduct and maintain an inventory of current data that is available in the MapX platform.
  • Determine how frequently each dataset needs to be updated and develop a timeline. 
  • Facilitate and assist UNDP/MapX in obtaining any necessary data sharing agreements with data providers.
  • Gather, process and upload datasets, or correct data access parameters and settings (WMS: web map service), into the MapX platform, including correct available metadata. 
  • Perform any required GIS processing needed to render data into the formats needed by the MapX platform. These may not be limited to only data projection issues.
  • Carry out geoprocessing and analyses of data layers to pre-populate expected commonly desired pre-analyzed data layers for MapX users, as determined to be useful. For example, these analyses may include, but are not limited to identifying overlaps of important urban watersheds and forest. 

Platform design and development 

  • Determine required functionalities and interface requirements of the MapX platform. 
  • Assist the MapX developers with beta testing of the platform and functions.
  • Set up beta testing of the platform with pilot country stakeholders and users and support the pilots to use the platform and data outputs during the beta testing period. 
  • Based on the beta testing, work with the project team and partner organizations to develop case studies, MapX story boards, and user training materials.
  • Assist in continued feature and functionality development within the MapX platform. 

Stakeholder engagement and uptake

  • Identify and engage early adopters to use the tool, and the data within it, to complete their Sixth National Reports to the CBD. 
  • Design a training for all MapX users that is linked to the CBD reporting requirements, including development of the presentations and guidance material 
  • Beta test the tool with pilot countries through at least one regional workshop and one virtual workshop.  
  • Distribute the spatial data tool to GEF-eligible countries. 
  • Build community of users among GEF-eligible countries.

Key Outputs: 

  • Compilation of at least 20 global spatial data layers from existing sources into a single, compatible database;  
  • Development of a customized MapX spatial analysis support tool that allows the 64 countries supported by this project that have limited access to spatial data and/or limited capacity for analysis, to utilize this otherwise unavailable information to make spatialized decisions while preparing their national reports.
  • Improve the existing MapX functions and tailor them to the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity and related reporting requirements. This includes: improvement of the quality of maps that can be produced from MapX, extension of the list of export formats, development of a module for exporting metadata for each layer, consolidation of the existing user management system to allow uploading layers on a private space, application of a data integrity assessment framework to each layer before being uploaded, and improvement the module for exporting to different spatial projections. 
  • Utilization of spatial data layers to create a spatial data ‘sandbox’ portal where partners and participants can share spatial data and build a collaborative and scalable spatial data platform, including the capacity to capture and sharing of missing data including population, poverty and land rights; national resource productivity; land cover change; invasive alien species; climate vulnerability, human footprint; future footprint; sustainable land management; pollution; and essential ecosystem services. 
  • Improve the capacity of the UNDP Country Offices and national governments supported by this project to access, understand and utilize spatial data for inclusion in the 6th National Report by training decision-makers to use MapX and analyze the data within it when making their national conservation planning and reporting decisions. 
  • Support the 64 GEF-eligible countries supported by this project to will work with the project team to use the decision support tool to develop data summaries, evaluate condition and trend during NBSAP implementation and national reporting, and communicate this information to stakeholders to support policy. These data can be used, for example to report on trends in vital sign condition, analyze fragmentation and connectivity, assess the impact of conservation and development actions on species impacts analyses, and to develop maps and data summaries. 

Payment Method:

  • Payments will be made upon submission of a detailed time sheet and certification of payment form, and acceptance and confirmation by the 6 NR Project Manager on days worked (with a “day” calculated as 8 hours of work) and outputs delivered.

Institutional Arrangements:

  • Estimated level of effort: 200 days for one year 
  • At least 20 days of international travel are expected with possible travel to Egypt, Canada and other countries 
  • The Spatial Planner will be given access to relevant information necessary for execution of the tasks under this assignment;
  • The consultant will report to, and be directly supervised by 6NR Project Manager, Maxim Vergeichik. 
  • The Consultant will be responsible for providing her/his own working station (i.e. laptop, internet, phone, scanner/printer, etc.) and must have access to a reliable internet connection;
  • Given the global consultations to be undertaken during this assignment, the consultant is expected to be reasonably flexible with his/her availability for such consultations taking into consideration different time zones;

Competencias

Corporate competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity by modelling 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; 
  • 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;
  • Highly organized, detailed oriented.

Communication

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

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Academic Qualifications/Education: 

  • Criteria A: Master’s degree in environmental management/sciences, conservation biology/ecology geography, natural resource management, or in another related field 

Experience: 

  • Criteria B: At least four years’ analytical and practical experience using spatial data/Geographic Information Systems (GIS)/remote sensing for biodiversity conservation 
  • Criteria C: Two years of experience working with international institutions, civil societies or national, regional or local governmental authorities to use spatial data to inform government policy 
  • Criteria D: Four or more years of experience developing models and maps that indicate the conservation status of protected areas or threats to biodiversity 
  • Criteria E: 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. 
  • Criteria F: Experience working with the Human Footprint is an advantage 

Language skills: 

  • Criteria G: Fluent in English with excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Criteria H: Fluent in French is an advantage

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: a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and b) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical (P11 desk reviews and interviews) and financial criteria specific to the solicitation. 

Only the top 4 candidates who would be found qualified for the job will be considered for the Interview and further for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 100 points:

  • Criteria A – max points: 10
  • Criteria B – max points: 15
  • Criteria C – max points: 10
  • Criteria D – max points: 10
  • Criteria E – max points: 10
  • Criteria F – max points: 10
  • Criteria G- max points: 5
  • Criteria H – max points: 5
  • Interview I – (Technical skills using relevant technologies) - max points: 5
  • Interview J – (Ability to work in teams and communicate effectively) - max points: 5
  • Interview K – (Experience building and analyzing datasets for conservation purposes) - max points: 5
  • Interview L – (Experience with use of use spatial data) - max points: 5
  • Interview M – (Timeliness, planning skills) - max points: 5

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 43 points.

Application procedures

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* - specifying a daily fee in US dollars for the tasks specified in this announcement. The financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (number of anticipated working days and any other possible costs). Mission related costs MUST not be included. They will be covered separately as per UNDP rules and regulations.
  • Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials

Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner. 

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.