Antecedentes

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) assists the host Government to implement a Global Environmental Facility (GEF) Full-Sized Project: “Sustainable natural resource use and forest management in key mountainous areas important for globally significant biodiversity”.

Uzbekistan is globally and regionally important in terms of its biodiversity due to its location between the European, Middle Eastern, and Asian biogeographical regions. Its varying landscapes of high mountain ranges, wide steppes, deserts, riparian wetlands, and the Aral Sea has results in a wide diversity of habitats. UNDP, for many years, have supported the Government of Uzbekistan in tackling environmental challenges, including in the area of biodiversity.

UNDP/GEF and Republic of Uzbekistan project on “Sustainable natural resource use and forest management in key mountainous areas important for globally significant biodiversity” will further support the country in addressing biodiversity conservation challenges, specifically with focusing on mountain ecosystems such as the western-most outliers of the western Tian Shan (Chatkal, Pskem, Ugam and Kuramin ranges) and Pamir-Alai (Gissar, Turkestan and Zaravshan ranges), which are home to the endangered snow leopard, and provide important habitat for its key prey species.

The project objective is ‘To enhance the conservation, and sustainable use, of natural resources in the biodiverse high-altitude mountain ecosystems of Uzbekistan’, and the project is structured into four components, with each component comprising a complementary suite of two to three outputs:

i)Component 1: Landscape level planning and management decision-making;

ii)Component 2: Strengthening key biodiversity areas;

iii)Component 3: Sustainable economic development incentives for communities;

iv)Component 4: Promoting cooperation and collaboration.

More information about the project is available through the following link:

http://www.uz.undp.org/content/uzbekistan/en/home/operations/projects/environment_and_energy/sustainable-natural-resource-and-forest-management-in-key-mounta.html

Deberes y responsabilidades

Outputs and deliverables presumed under this assignment will be elaborated under the overall guidance of the UNDP Programme Specialist on Environment and Climate Action, and direct supervision of the Project Manager in close collaboration with project Field Coordinator on Knowledge Management.

It is expected that to implement the set tasks, an international expert will actively involve in its work respective international and national consultants, national nature conservation agencies and other project partners.

The International consultant on conducting trainings on economic valuation of ecosystem services will bear responsibility for the following project outputs and will undertake the following functions:

1. Review and analyze available training tools on economic valuation of ecosystem services in the region (Central Asia), in particular in Uzbekistan, developed and/or introduced by other development agencies in the region.
2. Identify and analyze the current national capacity of Uzbekistan on economic valuation of ecosystem services based on review of national legislation, programmes, policies, initiatives, etc. on the subject.
3. Based on the analysis and the review, develop a training tool/module on economic valuation of ecosystem services. In case, there is a training tool available in the country on economic valuation of ecosystem services, adjust it based on review and analysis as necessary.
4. In discussion with the project, prepare a draft agenda and concept/outline for the training course, and review as necessary based on comments.
5. Prepare (or modify) presentations, handouts / notes, case studies and groupwork / exercises for training participants, tailored to the Uzbekistan context.
6. Liaise with the national consultant to discuss the course content and delivery, and to agree on responsibilities for delivery of training components.
7. Provide training sessions on economic valuation of ecosystem services for respective state agencies, e.g. nature conservation agencies, think-tanks, experts, etc. (both for TOT and trainees).
8. Collaborate with relevant national institutions to integrate training into standardized professional development curriculums within relevant institutions, and/or into coursework in relevant academic institutions.

Outputs

1. Summary report (5 pages maximum) on the current national capacity of Uzbekistan on economic valuation of ecosystem services based on review of national legislation, programmes, policies, initiatives, etc., and on available training tools on economic valuation of ecosystem services in the region (Central Asia), in particular in Uzbekistan
2. Draft agenda and concept/outline for the training course submitted;
3. Training materials: Presentations, handouts, notes, case studies, groupwork, exercises submitted;
4. Report on the review of regional and national training tools on economic valuation of ecosystem services (training modules annexed to the report as necessary) submitted;
5. Training session on economic valuation of ecosystem services conducted together with the report on the conducted sessions as well as with further recommendations submitted;
6. Training of Trainers session for individuals identified in Session 1 as potential trainers, with copies of training materials provided.

Location of work

Based on desk work in home-country with one mission (in 2020) to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, time for trip will be notified further.

Competencias

Ability to work in close collaboration with a group of national and international experts, to meet strict deadlines and plan the work according to priorities. Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Good analytical and writing skills.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

• Education: Master’s degree (equivalent or higher) in the field of environment, natural resources management, environmental economics, agricultural economic or biodiversity-related field.
• Experience: At least 5 years of direct contribution to ecological and economical research.
• Language Requirements: Fluent English, knowledge of Russian will be an asset.
• Computer skills: Proficiency in the work with Microsoft Packages.

Application Process:

Interested candidates need to apply online at www.jobs.undp.org and upload requested documents (Technical Proposal/Methodology, CV/P11 form, Offeror’s Letter of confirmation and Financial Proposal) in Part 5 of Procurement Notice no later than end of June 2, 2020 (New York time).  Please combine all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document. Your on-line applications submission will be acknowledged to your email address provided in application. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary.

You can review detailed Procurement Notice, Terms of Reference and download templates from the UNDP Procurement Notices Site following the link https://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=65977 

Application submitted via email, incomplete applications or received after the closing date (June 2, 2020) will not be given consideration.

For more detailed information about UNDP Uzbekistan please visit our website at www.uz.undp.org.  UNDP is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified female candidates, people with disabilities, and minorities are highly encouraged to apply. UNDP Balance in Manage Policy promotes achievement of gender balance among its staff at all levels.

Requests for clarification must be sent in writing to pu.uz@undp.org,  ensuring that the reference number above is included in the subject line. UNDP shall endeavor to provide such responses to clarifications in an expeditious manner, but any delay in such response shall not cause an obligation on the part of UNDP to extend the submission date of the Proposals, unless UNDP deems that such an extension is justified and necessary.