UNDP Jobs - 75969- Biodiversity Intactness Index Specialist

Biodiversity Intactness Index Specialist

Location :

Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

02-Jan-2018

Application Deadline :

01-Jan-18 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

80 person-day over 12 months (2 January 2018 – 1 April 2019)

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

80 person-day over 12 months (2 January 2018 – 1 April 2019)

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Central Forest Spine is an important natural landscape of Malaysia providing at least 90% of the population’s water supply, harbouring the remaining populations of Malayan tigers and elephants in its forests, and where majority of the Orang Asli (indigenous) communities reside. Improving Connectivity in the Central Forest Spine Landscape (IC-CFS) Project supported by UNDP with GEF grant financing supports the implementation of Government of Malaysia’s National Central Forest Spine (CFS) Master Plan and National Tiger Conservation Action Plan to restore connectivity between forest complexes in the Peninsular Malaysia.

The project aims to increase federal and state level capacity to implement sustainable forest landscape management plans in three priority sites, financed sustainably through the diversification and increased allocation of funds for conservation. The three priority areas are Belum Temengor Forest Complex in the State of Perak, Taman Negara Forest Complex in the State of Pahang and Endau Rompin Forest Complex in the States of Pahang and Johor.

The project comprises of three components, each addresses different barriers and has discrete outcomes, as follows:

Component 1. Planning, compliance monitoring and enforcement framework for integrated forest landscape management;

Component 2. Sustainable forest landscape management of three priority forest landscapes within the CFS; and

Component 3. Diversification of financing sources for conservation.

Under component 1, the project supports the establishment of a biodiversity indicator task force which will collate species data from Malaysia Biodiversity Information System (MyBIS) and other sources in order to accurately calculate the Biodiversity Intactness Index (BII) for the Central Forest Spine. The BII measurement will provide critical inputs to the planning and management of the Central Forest Spine landscape at the sub-national and local level.

Duties and Responsibilities

The purpose of this assignment is to engage a Biodiversity Intactness Index Specialist to provide specific technical expertise to the development and/or customisation of Biodiversity Intactness Index (BII) as a biodiversity measurement/indicator for the Central Forest Spine landscape, in addition to the preparation of BII training modules and outreach activities to national experts and stakeholders.

The BII Specialist will report to UNDP Programme Officer in close liaise with the Chair of IC-CFS Project’s Technical Working Group on Biodiversity Intactness Index (TWG BII) led by Forest Research Institute Malaysia and IC-CFS project team.

He/she will undertake the following tasks:

Provision of expertise and knowledge in the use of Biodiversity Intactness Index for Central Forest Spine Landscape in Peninsular Malaysia:

Provide technical input to facilitate the use of Biodiversity Intactness Index for Central Forest Spine landscape in Peninsular Malaysia; and
Provide technical and analytical/statistical support on Biodiversity Intactness Index to TWG BII, federal and state agencies responsible for the implementation of National Central Forest Spine Master Plan.

Development of Biodiversity Intactness Index training modules and provision of expertise and knowledge in the conduct of training:

Prepare training modules and materials for Biodiversity Intactness Index for two target audiences, i.e., biodiversity indicator task force consists of scientists, and federal and state agencies responsible for the implementation of National Central Forest Spine Master Plan;
Conduct workshops/training sessions for the two target groups;
Prepare tutorial presentations for the use of Biodiversity Intactness Index in Malaysia; and
Prepare necessary reports.

Generation of Biodiversity Intactness Index values for IC-CFS Malaysia:

Based on the biological and spatial data gathered from the selected sites in the States of Perak, Pahang and Johor, generate the Biodiversity Intactness Index value for each site; and
Prepare and submit reports including aspects such as lessons learned, scientific or other relevant gaps that need to be addressed for each site.

Methodology:

The consultant will employ a number of analytical, statistical and consultative methods and tools to complete his/her tasks:

Data collection from public domains and official documents.
Desktop research
Facilitate training, workshop or write shop for TWG BII and the 9 taxa groups.

Handling of Data, Information and Documents:

All data, information and documents obtained under this assignment is the property of the Government of Malaysia and be treated as strictly confidential.

No such information shall be used by the expert for any other purpose other than the preparation of Biodiversity Intactness Index.

All soft and hard copies of the data, information and documents must be returned to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and UNDP upon completion of this assignment.

Duration:

The assignment will require 80 person-day starting from 2 January 2018 to 1 April 2019.

Travel:

International and domestic travel will be required and on self-arrangement to Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, States of Johor, Perak, Pahang, Malaysia during the assignment;
The Basic Security in the Field II and Advanced Security in the Field courses must be successfully completed prior to commencement of travel;
Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director.
Consultants are required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under https://dss.un.org/dssweb/.

Deliverables and Timeline:

Please indicate working days and alternative timeline needed to complete each key deliverable (a total of 5 main deliverables).

Submission and acceptance of detailed work plan within 7 working days from the date of contract: due date on 9 January 2018.
Submission and acceptance of Biodiversity Intactness Index training modules for the different target groups and conduct of workshops/training sessions within 3 months from the date of contract: due date on 1 April 2018.
Submission and acceptance of tutorial presentations of training modules on the use of Biodiversity Intactness Index within 3 months from the date of contract: due date on 1 April 2018.
Submission and acceptance of Biodiversity Intactness Index value for the three selected within 10 months from the date of contract: due date on 1 November 2018.
Submission and acceptance of reports including aspects such as lessons learned and scientific or other relevant gaps that need to be addressed for each site within 13 months from the date of contract: due date on 1 February 2018.

Terms of Payment:

The contract and payments will be performance-based and regularly assessed by the UNDP Malaysia Country Office and IC-CFS Project Management Unit (PMU).

10% upon submission and acceptance of detailed work plan by UNDP Malaysia Country Office in consultation with IC-CFS PMU
20% upon submission and acceptance of BII value(s) for each of the three sites identified in the project by UNDP Malaysia Country Office in consultation with IC-CFS PMU
30% upon submission and acceptance of the training modules by UNDP Malaysia Country Office in consultation with IC-CFS PMU
20% upon the successful completion/conduct of the training sessions
20% upon submission and acceptance of video tutorials by UNDP Malaysia Country Office in consultation with IC-CFS PMU

Liquidated damages will be applied for late submission of deliverables.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates high moral integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favouritism;
Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Functional competencies:

Excellent organizational skills;
Strong analytical and statistical skills;
Strong writing and communication skills;
Ability to prepare publications, reports and presentations;
Ability to manage and work with a multidisciplinary and multicultural team;
Strong motivation and ability to work and deliver under short deadlines;
Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to critical feedback;
Able to work independently with little or no supervision;
Familiarity with government strongly desired.

Required Skills and Experience

Masters or higher degree in Ecology, Conservation Biology, Ecological/Environmental Statistics, Applied Geographical Information System (GIS) or related discipline.
First degree in Ecology, Conservation Biology, Ecological/Environmental Statistics, Applied Geographical Information System (GIS) or related disciplines with minimum 10 years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:

At least 5 years of experience in calculation and application of Biodiversity Intactness Index or other biodiversity indicators and/or indices.
Strong knowledge of biodiversity measurement for tropical rainforest is essential.
At least 3 years of working knowledge of biodiversity indicator taxa for tropical rainforest. Knowledge of tropical rainforest in Malaysia is preferable.
At least 5 years of experience in dealing with government agencies and international organizations.

Language Requirement:

English

Documents to be included when submitting proposals:

Interested individual applicants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

Completed Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability (Annex 1) provided by UNDP.
Technical Proposal on how your qualifications and experience can lead towards the successful deliverable of this assignment within the required timeframe, and provide a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the assignment.
Financial Proposal should specify a total lump sum amount including a breakdown of working days, travel and relevant costs using the financial proposal template in Annex II.
Personal CV including areas of expertise and past experience in similar projects and at least three (3) references in the format of UN Personal History Form (P11 form). The UN Personal History Form (P11) is available below.

How to Apply:

Kindly download the Letter of Confirmation of interest and availability, Financial Proposal Template, P11 form and General Terms & Conditions mentioned below;
Read and agree to the General Terms & Conditions;
Click the ‘apply’icon and complete what is required;
Scan all documents into 1 pdf folder and then upload;
For clarification question, please email to procurement.my@undp.org. The clarification question deadline is three (3) days before the closing. When emailing for clarification questions, please put "MyIC/2017/043" as the subject matter.

Forms and General terms & conditions to be downloaded:

The UN Personal History Form (P11) is available at:http://www.my.undp.org/content/dam/malaysia/docs/Procurement/P11%20for%20SC%20&%20IC.doc?download
The Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Financial Proposal Template at: http://www.my.undp.org/content/dam/malaysia/docs/Procurement/MyIC_2017_043%20Annex%20I%20and%20II.docx?download
The General Terms & Conditions for Individual contract is available at:http://www.my.undp.org/content/dam/malaysia/docs/Procurement/General%20Conditions%20of%20Contract%20for%20IC.pdf?download
The General Terms & Conditions for Reimbursement Loan Agreement is available at:http://www.my.undp.org/content/dam/malaysia/docs/Procurement/Reimbursable%20Loan%20Agreement%20_%20Terms%20&%20Conditions.pdf?download

Criteria for Selection of the best offer:

The award of the contract will be made to the Individual Consultant who has obtained the highest Combined Score and has accepted UNDP’s General Terms and Conditions. Only those applications which are responsive and compliant will be evaluated. The offers will be evaluated using the “Combined Scoring method” where:

The technical proposal including educational background and experience on similar assignments will be weighted a max. of 70%;

Criteria are:

Experience in calculation and application of Biodiversity Intactness Index or other biodiversity indicators and/or indices.
Strong knowledge of biodiversity measurement for tropical rainforest is essential.
Working knowledge on biodiversity indicator taxa for tropical rainforest. Knowledge for tropical rainforest in Malaysia is preferable.
Experience in dealing with government agencies and international organizations.

The financial proposal will weigh as 30% of the total scoring.