UNDP Jobs - 82919- International Consultant

International Consultant – Gender Expert on the role of women in the development of the value chain of genetic resources

Location :

home based, with one mission to Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

28-Jan-19 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

20 working days, with one mission to Tajikistan

Languages Required :

English Russian

Expected Duration of Assignment :

February – 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

The Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (ABS), an agreement under the Convention on Biological Diversity, was adopted on 29 October 2010 in Nagoya (Japan) and entered into force on 12 October 2014, it provides a transparent legal framework for the effective implementation of the 3rd objective of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The Protocol applies to genetic resources that are covered by the CBD and to the benefits arising from their utilization, it also covers traditional knowledge (TK) associated with genetic resources held by indigenous and local communities. Contracting parties to the Nagoya Protocol need to fulfil core obligations to take measures in relation to access to genetic resources, benefit-sharing and compliance.

The UNDP-GEF Global ABS Project “Strengthening human resources, legal frameworks, and institutional capacities to implement the Nagoya Protocol” is a 3-year project that specifically aims at assisting 24 countries in the development and strengthening of their national ABS frameworks, human resources, and administrative capabilities to implement the Nagoya Protocol. The project seeks to achieve this through its 4 components, namely:

Component 1: Strengthening the legal, policy and institutional capacity to develop national ABS frameworks;
Component 2: Building trust between users and providers of genetic resources to facilitate the identification of bio-discovery efforts;
Component 3: Strengthening the capacity of indigenous and local communities to contribute to the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol;
Component 4: Implementing a Community of Practice and South-South Cooperation Framework on ABS.

The implementation of the Nagoya Protocol in Tajikistan similarly to the other participating countries will unleash a wide range of monetary and non-monetary benefits for providers of genetic resources. Some of these benefits should be reinvested in the conservation and sustainable use of the biological resources from where the genetic resources were obtained. This will fulfil the three objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

As per the approved Multi-year Annual Work Plan for 2018-19 for Tajikistan, the project will proceed with the recruitment of a consultant to i) conduct an initial web-based seminar (webinar) aimed at introducing the methodology of Mind Your Step! gender mainstreaming analytical tool developed by the UNDP-GEF Global ABS Project, ii) performing a comprehensive gender analysis of the roles played by women and men in ABS value chain based on a selected genetic resource (Ferula), iii) conducting a final 1-day seminar for networking and inspiration with a purpose to spread the results and define further steps in the process.

Duties and Responsibilities

PURPOSE

UNDP in Tajikistan is seeking for an International Consultant, who, in close coordination with the project country team including, at minimum, the National Project Coordinator and relevant officers at NBBC, UNDP Country Office, the Gender Focal Point and the Regional Project Specialist from the Global ABS project team will provide a clear orientation and high-quality advisory services to mainstream gender into Access and Benefit Sharing Value Chains. The consultant should ensure that best international practices and principles of the Nagoya Protocol are incorporated when developing the value chain and conducting gender analysis at the national level.

THE SCOPE OF WORK

The consultant should ensure that best international practices and principles of the Nagoya Protocol are incorporated when developing the value chain and conducting gender analysis at the national level. The consultant will be responsible for the provision of the following services:

Conduct a desk-review of the available secondary data on the roles played by women and men in the management and conservation of the selected genetic resource;
Formulate a questionnaire/survey with a purpose to select primary data, targeted to focus groups who work within the framework of the ABS chosen value chain;
Provide a review of the questionnaire in a dialogue with the representative office in order to ensure the components of the chosen ABS value are appropriate and valid;
The country office conducts the interviews based on the questionnaire; the answers will be reviewed and necessary feedback for their finalization will be provided;
Conduct the analysis of the primary data provided from the survey answers by implementing the Mind Your Step! gender toolkit (in coordination with the Gender Focal Point of the Global ABS Project);
Propose a number of recommendations on how to mainstream gender onto ABS value chain components in Tajikistan (in coordination with the Gender Focal Point of the Global ABS Project);
Plan, organize and set up an agenda for the final 1-day seminar in coordination with the country office;
Present the results of the analysis and provide key recommendations as one of the activities during the seminar;
Provide further support to the engagement of civil society, local municipalities, and private sector representatives to ensure further meaningful contribution of the recommendations to facilitate the achievement of gender-responsive ABS value chains in the country.

For detailed information, please refer to annex 2- Terms of Reference of the below link.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Ability to provide recommendations on gender issues in the framework of the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and fair and equitable sharing of benefits from their use (ABS);
Knowledge of international and domestic gender issues, the concept and principles of approach to gender policy, as well as the possibility of implementation in strategic and / or practical situations;
Ability to work with several stakeholders on the development of the value chain and other disciplines related to genetic resources;
Ability to apply theoretical and practical skills in the specific context of the country to determine creative, practical approaches to overcome difficult situations;
Introduction of experience and skills / knowledge, information and best practices both inside and outside the project being implemented;
Maintaining relationships with partners, focusing on activities and results achieved and responds positively to feedback;
Efficiency in a team and independently.

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling 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 favoritism;
Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Minimum Master’s degree, experience and skills / knowledge in intercultural governance related to development in the field of human rights and gender equality issues.

Experience:

At least 3 years of experience in gender mainstreaming in the fields of environment, biodiversity and/or natural resources management. Specific experience with regards to gender mainstreaming into nature-based value chains is an advantage
A good understanding of the main issues facing the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol and the ABS regimes in the CIS region;
Experience in facilitating national discussions with key experts and stakeholders;
Excellent reporting skills;
Experience in planning, managing, and coordinating multinational or regional activities is an asset;
Previous work experience in the region of Central Asia or the CIS on issues related to access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing;
Experience in an international organization or knowledge of UN policies, procedures and practices is an asset.

Language:

Excellent writing, editing and oral communication skills in English and Russian are required. A very good working knowledge of the other language is an advantage.

Application Procedure:

Please follow the link to the Individual Consultant Procurement Notice: