Background

Land Degradation Neutrality Target Setting Process in Somalia

Desertification, along with climate change and the loss of biodiversity were identified as the greatest challenges to sustainable development during the 1992 Rio Earth Summit. Established in 1994, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management. The Convention addresses specifically the arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas, known as the drylands, where some of the most vulnerable ecosystems and peoples can be found. In the 10-Year Strategy of the UNCCD (2008-2018) Parties to the Convention further specified their goals: "to forge a global partnership to reverse and prevent desertification/land degradation and to mitigate the effects of drought in affected areas in order to support poverty reduction and environmental sustainability".

In September 2015, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Sustainable Development Goals, including goal 15, which aims to “protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss”. As main expected results it defines under target 15.3 to “combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world” by 2030.

In October 2015, the 12th session of the Conference of Parties (COP) of the UNCCD, organized in Ankara, Turkey, agreed to:

  • Define Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) and endorse the concept as a strong vehicle for driving implementation of the UNCCD;
  • Invite country Parties to formulate national voluntary targets to achieve LDN and to integrate LDN targets into UNCCD National Action Programmes; and
  • Establish LDN partnerships recognizing the unique role of UNCCD in addressing target 15.3 and the contributions required from other bodies, agencies and Conventions to achieve LDN.

In September 2017, the 13th session of the COP of the UNCCD further decided to:

  • Continue to support Parties in their efforts to achieve land degradation neutrality, including the formulation and implementation of voluntary land degradation neutrality targets and the alignment of national action programmes with the UNCCD 2018–2030 Strategic Framework, and
  • Continue to strengthen international cooperation for the achievement of land degradation neutrality, including inter alia, by fostering synergies and increasing coherence among the three Rio conventions and other related initiatives contributing to the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development.

In response to the above decisions, the Global Mechanism of the UNCCD (GM) has established a global initiative in support of Voluntary Target Setting for LDN – i.e. LDN Target Setting Programme (LDN/TSP) - to enable Country Parties to define national baselines and identify targets and measures to achieve LDN. As of 31 August 2018, 118 countries have committed to set LDN targets and are supported by the LDN/TSP. The UNDP Global Policy Centre on Resilient Ecosystems and Desertification (GC-RED) is a partner of the LDN/TSP, supporting its implementation of several countries including Somalia.

The LDN/TSP is based on four “Building Blocks” which form the basis for LDN target setting:

  1. Leveraging LDN: To identify country-specific opportunities and mobilize a wide range of stakeholders and sectors for LDN target setting and implementation;
  2. Assessing LDN: To establish a baseline on the state of land degradation and assess the legal and institutional framework for sustainable land management and restoration;
  3. Setting LDN Targets: To define national and sub-national targets to achieve LDN by 2030; and
  4. Achieving LDN: To identify transformative projects/programs and potential financing to achieve the agreed LDN targets.

The country consultant will support the implementation of the LDN/TSP by providing technical backstopping to the national LDN target setting process in Somalia.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the UNDP/GC-RED Senior Technical Advisor, the direct supervision of the UNDP-Somalia Portfolio Manager – Resilience & Climate Change, and with the technical backstopping of the LDN Specialist of the UNCCD/GM, the national consultant will support the National Focal Point of the UNCCD throughout the implementation of the LDN target setting process at national level, including in particular:

  1. Drafting country-specific work plan and detailed budget;
  2. Supporting the establishment/functioning of the LDN National Working Group, including;
    • ensuring a balanced representation and effective participation of government, science, private sector, development partners and civil society, focusing on land-related sectors;
    • ensuring the alignment of the LDN target setting process to the national SDG process and other development priorities; and
    • acting, as appropriate, as secretary of the LDN National Working Group during meetings and consultations with stakeholders, performing relevant facilitation support services on demand.
  3. Leading the country analysis (desk review) of LDN enabling environment, assessing the interlinkages with other national development priorities (e.g., UNCCD’s National Action Plan SWOT analysis and alignment process, Integrated Investment Frameworks for Sustainable Land Management, National Development Plans, UNFCCC’s Nationally Determined Contributions, CBD’s National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans) and supporting actions to mainstream LDN into the national development agenda;
  4. Effectively supporting the establishment of LDN baseline and the assessment of LDN trends and drivers at national and subnational levels in order to inform the LDN target setting process;
  5. Identifying priority areas for immediate LDN actions (“LDN hot spots”), covering all land degradation processes significantly present in the country;
  6. Articulating, as appropriate, national voluntary targets and associated measures for review and validation by the LDN National Working Group;
  7. Drafting technical and analytical reports as requested (e.g., LDN leverage plan; national LDN baseline, established targets and identified measures; LDN legal/institutional environment, LDN trends and drivers; synthesis report on the LDN target setting process to be shared at UNCCD/COP14); and
  8. Perform other duties as requested.

Competencies

  • Extensive knowledge on NRM monitoring, including methodologies on monitoring and assessing land use change, land productivity and soil organic carbon;
  • Demonstrated technical knowledge of GIS and remote sensing applied to natural resources monitoring and assessment at (sub)national level;
  • Substantial knowledge on project management and monitoring, including results-based management and result based budgeting;
  • Demonstrated knowledge in the effective facilitation of complex multi stakeholder processes;
  • Knowledge on the UNCCD or related Conventions. Experience in working with UNCCD stakeholders in the country an asset;
  • Knowledge of English is required. Somalia language would be an asset; and
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently, handle multiple tasks, work under pressure and deliver assignments on time.

Required Skills and Experience

  • Advanced university degree in environmental engineering, natural resource management, development economics, or related disciplines; and
  • A minimum of 5 years working experience related to natural resource management (NRM).

APPLICATION PROCEDURES: Candidates wishing to be considered for this assignment are required to submit the following documents to demonstrate their qualifications:

  • CV using Personal History Form (P11), indicating all relevant past experiences and the contact details of at least three (3) professional referees (Blank P11 form can be downloaded from http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/corporate/Careers/P11_Personal_history_form.doc); 
  • A brief cover write-up explaining why you are the most suitable for the advertised position and describing a methodology on how they will approach and complete the assignment; and
  • Financial Proposal that indicates the daily rate/fee of the candidate in US dollars, using the Offeror’s letter to UNDP confirming interest and availability

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF THE BEST OFFER: Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicant's qualifications and financial proposal. The contract will be awarded to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

  • Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
  • Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Only those candidates who obtained at least 70% of points in each step of the technical process (CV/P11 desk reviews) will be considered for financial proposal evaluation.

Technical Criteria (70% of total evaluation; maximum 70 points):

  • Demonstrated academic qualification (Max. 5);
  • Demonstrated responsible work experience in relevant fields (Max. 15);
  • Demonstrated practical experiences in natural resource management (Max 15)
  • Practical experience/knowledge of sustainable land management (Max. 15) 
  • Skills in report writing using relevant software web-based management systems (Max. 10)
  • Past experience/familiarity with UNDP’s programmatic work (Max. 5)
  • Fluency in both written and oral English (Max. 5)

Financial Criteria (30% of total evaluation; maximum 30 points)