Background

1. PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

Biodiversity is currently being lost at unprecedented rates due to human activities around the globe. To address this problem, the CBD COP adopted a Strategic Plan in 2002 (Decision VI/26). In its mission statement, CBD Parties committed themselves to more effective and coherent implementation of the three CBD objectives with the purpose of achieving a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss at the global, regional and national level by the year 2010, as a contribution to poverty alleviation and to the benefit of all life on earth.  

The targets associated with the 2010 Biodiversity Commitments inspired action at many levels, however, they were not achieved at a sufficient enough scale to successfully address the pressures on biodiversity. While the commitments did result in some understanding of the linkages between biodiversity, ecosystem services and human well-being, biodiversity issues were insufficiently integrated and generally not reflected into broader policies, strategies, programmes, actions and incentive structures. 

COP 10 decisions recognize that achieving positive outcomes for biodiversity requires actions at multiple entry points. The new Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 (CBD COP decision XI/2) reflects this perspective by including 20 headline targets for 2015 or 2020, which are referred to as the Aichi Biodiversity Targets (ABT) and are organized under five strategic goals. The goals and targets comprise aspirations for achievement at the global level and a flexible framework for the establishment of national or regional targets. The decision invites Parties to set their own targets within this flexible framework, taking into account national needs and priorities, while also considering how national actions contribute to the achievement of the global targets. NBSAPs are the key conduit for implementing the Strategic Plan and achieving the ABTs at a national level and are a central policy-making tool for national biodiversity management. The Convention requires countries to prepare a national biodiversity strategy, or equivalent instrument, and to ensure that it, and the principles of conservation and sustainable use, are integrated into the planning and activities of those sectors whose activities can have an impact (positive and negative) on biodiversity. Consequently, post-2010, countries were called to revise their NBSAPs, or equivalent documents, with the purpose of setting national targets to attain the Strategic Plan and prescribe national strategies and actions to achieve them. It is these targets whose implementation and attainment will be assessed during the 6NR process.

Parties are required by Article 26 of the Convention to submit national reports to the COP on measures taken to implement it, and the effectiveness of those actions in meeting the Convention’s objectives. The 6NR will focus on monitoring the effectiveness of national strategies and actions in achieving National and ABTs and related biodiversity outcomes. This will require an assessment of progress on achieving national targets, using the global and/or national indicators of biodiversity status and trends. However, reporting places a significant burden on countries and results are generally superficial.  A lack of spatial data analysis, root cause analysis, and monitoring changes in the status and trends of biodiversity at regular intervals are resulting a pervasive lack of evidence-based reporting and decision making. Additionally, biodiversity and climate change are closely interconnected. Global climate change is a root cause of biodiversity loss, while healthy ecosystems help to mitigate climate change and enhance adaptation capacities. The same data and monitoring gaps are limiting the ability of Parties to asses, plan for, and take action to mitigate the current and future impacts of climate change on biodiversity; to fully understand the role of ecosystems in addressing global climate change; to take related actions to protect them; and to including climate change adaptation as a strategy in NBSAPs and National Reports.

Duties and Responsibilities

Competencies

1. INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

The selected consultant will work under Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) for the 6th National Report to CBD and UNDP Country Office . The[ads1]  consultant should use his/her own computer/laptop for the assignment, the office will provide access to internet to facilitate communication. Other logistical costs (local transport, communication, logging, etc. must be included as part of the financial proposal of the consultant). 

1. DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT

The assignment will be for a period of 60  effective working days between March 2019 to June 2019 in Timor-Leste.

The consultant must be available for regular meetings with the project manager and programme unit at the CO as well as line government Ministries for consultation and discussion purposes. Arrangement for such visits will be coordinated by the consultant with the project team based on project work plan/schedule.

1. DUTY STATION

Dili, Timor-Leste with travel to other municipalities.

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Required Skills and Experience

A.QUALIFICATIONS OF THE SUCCESSFUL INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTOR

Education:

Master’s degree, PhD preferred, in environmental management/sciences, geography, conservation biology/ecology, natural resource management, or other related field

At least five years’ experience in spatial data/GIS/remote sensing or in analytical and practical experiences in biodiversity conservation/spatial analysis/ technical process of GIS;

Proficiency in using GIS software and spreadsheet software;

Professional Experience:

• At least two years of experience with measuring the conservation status of protected areas and/or threats to biodiversity is an advantage;

Language Requirements:

• Full command of the English language is required for this post.

Other Competencies:

• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills, including the ability to liaise effectively at project management levels;
• Ability to communicate and function effectively in an international, multicultural environment;
• Ability to work effectively in a team.

1. SCOPE OF PRICE PROPOSAL AND SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS

Lump Sum Contract

The financial proposal must be expressed in the form of a LUMP SUM amount that is all-inclusive of all costs, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per the template provided. The amount should be inclusive of professional fees, travel costs (travel to duty station and repatriation), living allowance, insurance, communication etc.

In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the Consultant wish to travel business class he/she should do so using their own resources. In case of unforeseeable travel, payment of costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between UNDP and Consultant, prior to travel, and will be reimbursed. If a Consultant is employed by an organization or company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under a Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Consultant must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP.

Schedule of payments

1. April: 30% of payment upon completion of deliverables #1
2. May: 30% of payment upon completion of deliverables #2
3. May: 20% of payment upon completion of deliverables #3
4. June: 20% of payment upon completion of deliverables #4

C.RECOMMENDED PRESENTATION OF OFFER

The candidate must submit the following documents to demonstrate their qualification:

1. Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and availability. (template can be downloaded here http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=53774)
2. Personal CV or P11 form, indicating all past experience from similar projects as well as contact details including e-mail and phone number of the candidate and at least three professional references. (template can be downloaded here http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=53774)
3. Financial proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price. A break-down of this lump sum amount be provided by the candidates

D.CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF THE BEST OFFER

Combined score method including 70% of qualification criteria and 30% price offer.   

1. APPROVAL

This TOR is approved by: