Background
Purpose
To provide substantive guidance and technical inputs to vulnerability assessments in biodiversity sector and substantive and technical guidance and inputs for climate change adaptation (CCA).
Objective
To improve capacities for climate change adaptation and enable proper management of natural resources and communities thus providing higher resilience to the effects of natural and man-made disasters
Background Information
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), acting as an implementing agency of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), is providing assistance to the Serbian Government in the preparation and implementation of the GCF funded project “Advancing medium and long-term adaptation planning in the Republic of Serbia (NAP project). The main objective of the project is to provide support for iterative improvements to the NDCs (Nationally Determined Contribution) under the enhanced transparency framework requirements, while enabling the Government of Serbia to build and strengthen capacities for mainstreaming CCA, produce actionable climate risk and vulnerability assessments, and implement effective methods, tools and information systems to better inform decision-making on climate risks.
Though CCA policies and measures have been, to a certain extent, recognized in the National Communications, the majority of sectorial strategic and regulatory documents contain only indirect and fragmentary references that relate to CCA. This indicates a need for further coordination, integration and progress monitoring across all sectors. The sectors whose documents some references to CCA include the agriculture, forestry, water management and health sectors. The new Law on Climate Change and the new Strategy for Climate Change with the Action Plan for the Republic of Serbia are key measures in improving the enabling environment.
The NAP process is expected to help create these much-needed linkages and supporting mechanisms by helping bridge sectorial ‘silos.’ These linkages will also need to be reflected in a planned, comprehensive climate change MRV system that will allow for incremental and more ambitious increases in sectorial targets and goals, per the Paris Agreement, leading to future revisions and improvements in the NDC.
The project builds on Serbia’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) commitments to advance medium and long-term adaptation planning in the Republic of Serbia with a National Adaptation Plan (NAP), providing support for iterative improvements to the NDCs under the enhanced transparency framework requirements, while enabling the Government of Serbia to build and strengthen capacities for mainstreaming climate change adaptation (CCA), produce actionable climate risk and vulnerability assessments, and implement effective methods, tools and information systems to better inform decision-making on climate risks.
Project activities will address the main barriers to the integration of CCA into national, sectorial and local government planning and budgeting and support the formulation of financing strategies and mechanisms for the scaling up of medium- and long-term adaptation.
The overall goal of the NAP will be to reduce climate change related risks throughout Serbia by strengthening institutional and technical capacities that support integrated CCA planning and programming.
UNDP is seeking for a short-term Biodiversity Expert to provide assistance to UNDP Climate Change Portfolio in initiating activities for the National Adaptation Planning for the Republic of Serbia.
Duties and Responsibilities
UNDP is seeking a qualified and experienced Biodiversity Expert to conduct a necessary set of activities aimed at improvement of capacities for climate change resilience and enabling management of natural resources and communities in a manner that provides their higher resilience to the effects of natural and man-made disasters. This will require clearly defined measures for addressing and overcoming specific barriers and weaknesses identified within the current climate change adaptation framework. The consultant shall conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments in the biodiversity sector and update sectorial development plan and relevant policy documents with the adaptation components.
Scope of Work
Under the guidance and direct supervision of the UNDP Portfolio Manager and in close cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management and Ministry of Environmental Protection of Serbia, the Biodiversity Expert shall provide technical guidance to the UNDP Project coordinator, the Project Board and other engaged consultants on the overall implementation of project activities. More specifically, the tasks should include:
1. Vulnerability and risk assessment in the biodiversity/nature protection sector, establishing climate and CCA knowledge-base and the inventory of CCA measures and integration of CCA into national and subnational development
In order to support integration of CCA into the medium and long-term planning processes the Biodiversity Expert shall conduct a comprehensive vulnerability and risk assessment in the biodiversity/nature protection sector. The selected bidder shall provide comprehensive multi-hazard risk and vulnerability assessments of biodiversity/nature protection sector in the Republic of Serbia. Where available, the Biodiversity Expert shall quantify the socioeconomic impact of climate change at national and sub-national levels and identify key capacities and resources required for CCA and integrated CCA-DRR planning. Where possible, specificities of risks, vulnerabilities and adaptation shall be assessed on the regional/local level.
For the purpose of vulnerability assessment, the Biodiversity Expert shall define objectively verifiable indicators and propose institutional structure for monitoring and reporting of those.
For vulnerability assessment the Biodiversity Expert shall use models that are publicly available and free of charge.
To identify gaps and opportunities for synergy with climate change related vulnerability assessments, the Biodiversity Expert shall review and assess existing disaster risk management practices as well as the risk and loss and damages assessments and recommend improvements.
In cooperation with relevant ministries and government institutions competent for the biodiversity sector (such as, but not limited to: Ministry of Environmental Protection, Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, Institute for nature conservation of Serbia, Institute for Nature Conservation of Vojvodina, National Parks, etc.), from climate change perspective the Biodiversity Expert shall review and assess quality of evidence-based local level (i.e., sub-national and municipal) risk and vulnerability assessments.
Based on risk and vulnerability assessment, the Biodiversity Expert shall develop a set of adaptation measures, prioritize these measures and develop targets and indicators for the priority measures (in line with requirements of monitoring, reporting and verification system).
Among else the CCA Expert shall also:
- Develop and Integrate climate change impacts and vulnerabilities into biodiversity sector risk-based planning processes as well as into methodologies for disaster risk and loss and damage assessments;
- Assess the status and progress in adaptation finance flows, with recommendations for better financial planning and reporting in the biodiversity sector;
- Assessment of the spatial context of biodiversity (e.g. possible application of mapping / assessment of ecosystem services;
- Prepare an inventory of existing sectorial, territorial and international adaptation projects for biodiversity sector;
- Establish knowledge base. The knowledge base shall include relevant climate data, risk & vulnerability assessments and the information on the existing sectorial & territorial measures and projects, including also CSO driven. Such knowledge base will assist broad range of stakeholders to improve their knowledge, to analyse lessons learned, to share their experiences;
- Develop inventory of climate change related data, impacts of climate change, vulnerabilities and adaptation policies, actions and measures for biodiversity. The inventory shall serve as a basis for all climate-related initiatives, to improve understanding of the baseline situation, strengthen justification for CCA interventions and improve decision-making and other stakeholders’ capacities in biodiversity sector. The Biodiversity Expert shall establish inventory based on official information provided by the relevant ministries and experts.
2. Strengthening policy, regulatory and institutional framework for CCA
In order to strengthen policy, regulatory and institutional framework for vulnerability assessment and CCA planning, the Biodiversity Expert shall conduct analysis for biodiversity and nature protection sector. Also, the Biodiversity Expert shall provide recommendations for the improvement of the policy, regulatory and institutional framework by inclusion of climate change and CCA, DRR and reduction of the loss and damages (L&D).
The assignment shall encompass review and assessment of the existing policy, regulatory and institutional frameworks for climate change adaptation, DRR and L&D, taking into account their compliance with the UNFCCC, Paris agreement, the Agenda 2030/SDGs and the Sendai Framework, as well as the EU acquis.
The Biodiversity Expert shall develop detailed policy and legal recommendations to address identified gaps, as well as recommendations for institutional organization and functioning, including, but not limited to: number and capacities of employees, structure and responsibilities of institutions & reorganization of institutional responsibilities and scope of work.
In accordance with identified needs, the Biodiversity Expert shall develop recommendations for amendment of policy & regulatory documents, including legal acts, agreements, regulations, rules of procedures, toolkits/manuals, publications etc. for the biodiversity sector. Such documents and materials shall be integral part of the methodologies, procedures, and guidelines (the MPGs) for the responsible institutions and stakeholders.
3. Presentation of analyses
Conduct a stakeholder presentations for at least 30 participants, representatives of UNDP and relevant institutions such as, but not limited to: Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, Ministry of Environmental Protection, Institute for nature conservation of Serbia, Institute for Nature Conservation of Vojvodina, Natural Parks of the Republic of Serbia, etc. Venue and refreshments shall be provided by UNDP. If presentation is held live, accommodation and travel expenses shall be covered for the participants.
In addition, the Consultant shall present the Biodiversity chapter of NAP document on at least one training session and for stakeholders, such as representatives of local self-governments, academia and research institutions, private sector and civil sector. UNDP shall provide accommodation, venue and refreshments including travel costs.
4. Final Report
Biodiversity Expert shall provide a comprehensive Final Report on maximum 20 pages (excluding annexes) consisting of activities performed under the contract.
All reports shall be submitted in both Serbian and English.
Deliverable Description | Deadline |
|---|---|
Multi-hazard comprehensive risk and vulnerability assessments and set of prioritized measures (up to 30 pages) for biodiversity sector prepared, submitted and accepted by UNDP | 27 April 2022 |
Recommendations for incorporating CCA components (and defined adapation measures) into at least 3 existing policy and regulatory documents related to biodiversity, including Biodiversity sectorial development plan, based on the findings from conducted risk and climate vulnerability assessments, submitted and accepted by UNDP | 9 May 2022 |
Presentation of assessment and development plan component for biodiversity sector to the representatives of relevant institutions | 20 May 2022 |
Presentation of assessment and development plan component for biodiversity sector to stakeholders | 20 May 2022 |
Final Report (up to 20 pages) on integration of CCA tools into biodiversity, prepared and accepted by UNDP | 13 June 2022 |
NOTE: All deliverables have to be quality reviewed and accepted by the UNDP Portfolio Manager in consultations with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water management. None of the materials, reports, designs, brochures and articles produced under this Contract may be used, released, and/or disseminated without prior approval by UNDP. |
Competencies
- Excellent analytical skills;
- Displays ability to synthesize research and reach empirically based conclusions on related subject;
- Strong writing skills;
- Proven capacity to produce reports;
- Displays capacity to provide experienced advice on best practices;
- Possesses knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
- Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
- Good application of Results-Based Management;
- Good communication, coordination and facilitation skills;
- Consistently ensures timeliness and quality of work;
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
- Demonstrates integrity by modelling ethical standards.
Required Skills and Experience
Education
Experience
Language
Application Procedure Application should include:
In order to apply please merge above listed documents into a single PDF file. The system does not allow for more than one attachment to be uploaded.
The shortlisted candidates may be asked to provide copies of diplomas and any other certificates providing evidence of their education and experience in relevant fields.
Any request for clarification must be sent by standard electronic communication to the e-mail vacancy.rs@undp.org. The procuring UNDP entity will respond by standard electronic mail and will send response, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to all consultants.
Financial Proposal:
The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in installments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including travel, per diems, and number of anticipated working days).
Travel
This is home-based engagement therefore no travel envisaged under this Terms of Reference. In case of travel, costs incurred will be covered by project. In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.
Evaluation
Additional Information:
In the case of engagement of Civil servants under IC contract modality a no-objection letter should be provided by the Government entity. The ‘no-objection’ letter must also state that the employer formally certifies that their employees are allowed to receive short-term consultancy assignment from another entity without being on “leave-without-pay” status (if applicable), and include any conditions and restrictions on granting such permission, if any. If the previous is not applicable ‘leave-without-pay’ confirmation should be submitted. Engagement of Government Officials and Employees
(i) A “No-objection” letter in respect of the individual is received from the Government employing him/her, and; (ii) The individual must provide an official documentation from his/her employer formally certifying his or her status as being on “official leave without pay” for the duration of the IC.
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