Background

Biodiversity is currently being lost at unprecedented rates due to human activities around the globe. To address this problem, the Conference of Parties (COP) of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) adopted a Strategic Plan in 2002 (Decision VI/26). Parties are required to submit national reports to the COP on measures taken by national governments to implement biodiversity conservation measures, and the effectiveness of those actions in meeting the Convention’s objectives. The national reports represent a tool for reviewing progress in the implementation of the Convention at the national level and in particular, the implementation of the national biodiversity strategies and action plans. The preparation of the national report also presents an opportunity to reflect on successes and/or obstacles. National reports can also be used as an outreach tool. As such, the content of the national report should reflect national circumstances and priorities. The 6th National Report (6NR) will focus on monitoring the effectiveness of national strategies and actions in achieving National and Aichi Biodiversity Targets (ABT) and related biodiversity outcomes. The 6NR is due on 31 December 2018. A Resource Manual containing the Report Template is available at: https://www.cbd.int/doc/nr/nr-06/cop-13-21-en-rev.pdf.

In Malaysia, UNDP is implementing a project to support the completion and submission of the Sixth National Report to the CBD in close collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment. The Project is funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), whose mandate is to generate global benefits by paying for the incremental costs of planning and foundational enabling activities that countries implement to generate global biodiversity benefits. This project has the following components and outcomes:

Component 1: Project Inception Meeting & Identification of Funding Resources

Outcome 1: A functional steering committee is formed in each country to prepare the 6NR, project timelines and methods are developed, funding is mobilized, where necessary, and training and capacity building activities are complete.

Component 2: Assessment of Progress towards each National Target

Outcome 2. Stakeholder owned reports for each ABT and/or national equivalent are produced and compiled [Parties are requested to report on both achievement of each identified national target (Section III), and on achievement of each ABT (Section IV)].

Component 3: Sixth National Report (6NR) Production and Submission

Outcome 3: A stakeholder owned 6th National Report is produced and submitted to the CBD.

The project supports the assessment of progress towards the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and targets contained in the National Policy on Biological Diversity 2016 – 2025 through a stakeholder consultation process, and subsequently the report will be subjected to a technical peer review process. This will help to ensure the preparation of a comprehensive 6NR and create ownership of its conclusions. 

Duties and Responsibilities

UNDP is seeking a Technical Expert and Team Leader to assess and report the progress of Malaysia’s achievement towards the NBSAP (known as National Policy on Biological Diversity 2016 – 2025) and Global Aichi Biodiversity Targets. The purpose of this assignment is to review, update and consolidate relevant data & information and produce the 6th National Report for submission to CBD, with emphasis on the changes that have occurred since the 5th National Report.

The Technical Expert cum Team Leader will report to UNDP Project Coordinator.

The scope of work includes:

• Lead and assign division of work for a team of two experts including Gender Specialist and Geospatial/GIS Specialist who will jointly complete and submit the deliverables under this assignment;
• Review documentation and literature including both official and non-official sources that assess and report on the progress in the achievement of Malaysia NBSAP implementation; as a contribution towards achieving the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the Sustainable Development Goals;
• Coordinate overall workflow, conduct research, and create content around emerging issues and programmatic needs specifically related to measuring the results of NBSAP implementation, in accordance to the 6NR Resource Template of CBD; 
• Plan and facilitate at least 4 workshops and 30 – 40 consultation sessions/meetings to produce the 6th National Report;
• Provide information on the targets being pursued at the national level; including Implementation measures taken, assessment of their effectiveness, and associated obstacles and scientific and technical needs to achieve national targets;
• Assess progress towards each national target in the National Policy on Biological Diversity 2016 – 2025;
• Describe national contribution to the achievement of each global Aichi Biodiversity Target;
• Gather additional information and report on the contribution of indigenous peoples and local communities to the achievement of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets;
• Assess approaches and develops processes that improve the value of NBSAPs during implementation, and adopt best practices related to the use of data;
• Prepare and submit an unabridged version of 6th National Report citing both official and non-official sources to UNDP, with charts, graphics and pictures;
• Prepare and finalize the official version of 6th National Report in written and online format with charts, graphics and pictures ready for publication;
• Responsible for the delivery, content, technical quality and accuracy of the 6th National Report including chapters/sections prepared by team members.

Key Deliverables:

• A stock-take report capturing the existing information on the targets being pursued at the national level and produce an update of the country biodiversity profile from the Fifth National Report;
• Workshop reports and/or proceedings for 4 workshops including introductory/inception workshop, 2 workshops in Sabah and Sarawak and validation workshop;
• Meeting notes for all meetings/consultation sessions;
• Online reporting using the 6NR Online Reporting Tool accessible via: https://chm.cbd.int/;
• 6th National Report in both unabridged and official version, structured along the outline indicated in the CBD 6NR Resource Manual and UNDP-UNEP-CBD 6NR Technical Guidance. A detailed record of consultations with stakeholders will need to be kept and provided, as an annex to the main report;
• A Power Point presentation covering the key points of the report;
• An executive summary in English and Bahasa Malaysia of not more than 10 pages.

Methodology:

The expert will employ a combination of investigative, analytical and consultative methods and tools to complete his/her tasks, guiding by the CBD Resource Template, CBD 6NR Resource Manual and UNDP-UNEP-CBD 6NR Technical Guidance. This includes:

• Desktop research;
• Interviews with key stakeholders (ministries/departments/agencies, owners and beneficiaries of initiatives/programmes; private sector and corporations; international agencies);
• Stakeholder consultations through dialogues/meetings/discussions;
• Facilitate workshop or consultation sessions.

Handling of Data, Information and Documents

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

No information shall be used by the expert for any other purpose other than the preparation of the 6NR deliverables.

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

Duration:

The assignment will require 60 days – 80 days starting from 23 April 2018 to 22 February 2019. The expert is required to specify the number of days required in his/her technical and financial proposal.

Deliverables and Timeline:

1. Detailed work plan outlining key tasks, work flow, output delivery timeline, stakeholder engagement plan, and data analyzing process: due by 4 May 2018;
2. 1st, 2nd and 3rd workshop reports: due by 15 June 2018;
3. 1st draft 6th National Report to CBD and 6NR online reporting: due by 31 July 2018;
4. Final draft 6th National Report to CBD and 6NR online reporting: due by 15 September 2018;
5. 4th workshop report for 6NR validation: due by 15 October 2018;
6. Final and official version of 6th National Report with executive summary and PowerPoint presentation ready for publication: due by 30 November 2018;
7. Final and unabridged version of 6th National Report: due by 15 January 2019;

Terms of Payment:

The payments will be performance-based and regularly assessed by UNDP Malaysia Country Office. The breakdown of payment is as follow:

• 10% upon submission and acceptance of detailed work plan;
• 10% upon submission and acceptance of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd workshop reports;
• 20% upon submission and acceptance of the 1st draft 6th National Report to CBD and 6NR online reporting;
• 20% upon submission and acceptance of the final draft 6th National Report to CBD and 6NR online reporting;
• 10% upon submission and acceptance of 4th workshop report for 6NR validation;
• 20% upon submission and acceptance of final and official version of 6th National Report with executive summary and PowerPoint presentation ready for publication;
• 10% upon submission and acceptance of final and unabridged version of 6th National Report.

Competencies

Functional competencies:

• Extensive knowledge in biodiversity and ecosystems in Malaysia;
• Familiar with Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD);
• Sound analytical and organisational skills;
• Excellent communication and writing skills.

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;
• Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment;
• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards.

Required Skills and Experience

Post-graduate degree in conservation biology, ecology, environmental studies (science and/or management), environmental economics, environmental law or policy, natural resources or biodiversity conservation.

Experience:

The consultant should ideally have the following expertise and experience:

• Minimum of 8 years extensive working experience in any one of the following fields of study: Conservation biology, Ecology, Environmental studies (science and/or management), Environmental Economics, Environmental law or policy and Natural resources or biodiversity conservation.
• Demonstrated working experience of minimum 5 years in biodiversity assessments or national reporting to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and multilateral environmental agreements.
• Track record of authored at least 3 evidence-based reports or assessments related to environment and biodiversity (please attach reports or provide links to download the reports).
• A good understanding of biodiversity and conservation issues in Malaysia.
• Demonstrated the understanding of policy, law and institutions related to biodiversity and sustainable development in Malaysia.

Language Requirements:

• Excellent command of English and Malay.

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:

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

1. Completed Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability (Annex 1) provided by UNDP;
2. Technical Proposal on how your qualifications and experience can lead towards the successful deliverable of this assignment within the required timeframe, and provide a detailed methodology on how you will approach and conduct the assignment;
3. 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 2;
4. 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 at: http://www.undp.org.my/uploads/p11%20personal%20history%20form.doc.

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:

a) Technical proposal including educational background and experience on similar assignments will be weighted a max. of 70%. The evaluation criteria are:

• Minimum of 8 years extensive working experience in any one of the following fields of study: Conservation biology, Ecology, Environmental studies (science and/or management), Environmental Economics, Environmental law or policy and Natural resources or biodiversity conservation.
• Demonstrated working experience of minimum 5 years in biodiversity assessments or national reporting to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and multilateral environmental agreements.
• Track record of authored at least 3 evidence-based reports or assessments related to environment and biodiversity (please attach reports or provide links to download the reports).
• A good understanding of biodiversity and conservation issues in Malaysia.
• Demonstrated the understanding of policy, law and institutions related to biodiversity and sustainable development in Malaysia.

b) Financial proposal will weigh as 30% of the total scoring.

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/2018/005" 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_2018_005%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