Ref.2017-0053_International Expert in the Resource Mobilization

Background

Please note!

Proposal (max 10 MB) may be submitted by email to:  procurement.kz@undp.org  with the indication of Ref.2017-0053 in the subject line not later than September 21, 2017

For detailed information on the position, please refer to the Procurement Notice and Terms of Reference

Any request for clarification must be sent in writing or by standard electronic communication to the following e-mail assel.zhakupbekova@undp.org copying meruyert.bolyssayeva@undp.org

Background:

The UNDP-supported GEF-financed project CB2 is implemented in Kazakhstan in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture’s Forestry and Wildlife Committee. The goal of this project is to put in place new approaches that will facilitate better development decisions for the global environment.  To that end, the project objective will undertake a targeted set of activities to develop technical and institutional capacities for undertaking an economic valuation of global environmental goods and services as potentially impacted by proposed development policies, programmes, plans and projects.  Specifically, the project will develop natural resource valuation tools for valuing global environmental benefits; provide training and learn-by-doing exercises on their use; and help institutionalize natural resource valuation.

It was decided at the inception stage of the project that the project would be focused on biological resources, which are a physical manifestation of the biological diversity, defined in accordance with the Convention on Biological Diversity. The decision was made taking into account the duration, resources, focus of the Rio Conventions and current level of systematic, institutional and individual opportunities of the key actors.

The need to integrate economic valuation of ecosystem services (EVES) into national sustainable policy of the country is associated with the fact that nature resources play significant role in the economy of Kazakhstan, but benefits obtained from them in the long perspective, are not considered by economic parameters. State policy should consider benefits from ES, and EV is targeted at the inclusion of basic biodiversity and ecosystem parameters in the country’s economic system, creation of legal framework for the formation of environmentally oriented national accounts in order to incorporate biodiversity and ecosystem value in the national macroeconomic indicators (GDP) and international offset system.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objective:

The economic valuation of biological resources has multiple goals – from awareness-raising to changing the structure of microeconomic indicators of the country. The relevance is that the process of economic valuation of biological resources itself requires an integrated approach for making ecologically and economically balanced solutions. It is a legislative, institutional, human resource and financial support for the valuation process. The project is aimed to develop the resource mobilization strategy where necessary conditions of conducting the natural resource valuation are thoroughly addressed so that the long-term use of the mechanism of the economic valuation of biological resource is ensured. Therefore, the purpose of the work is to prepare the Resource Mobilization Plan, which offers a range of financing solutions as well as steps to implement such solutions that will help to enlarge the field of application of the natural resource valuation.

Scope of Work:

The expert:

1. Studies materials on valuation of biological resources of Kazakhstan, reports prepared under the CB2 project, results of researches of the BIOFIN project relating to biodiversity financing trends, draft Concept on Conservation and  Sustainable Use of the Biodiversity in the Republic of Kazakhstan until 2030 and other related materials. Prepares summary and expert recommendations on establishing of the system of valuation of biological resources in Kazakhstan as part of the country’s transition to green economy and fulfilment of international environmental obligations;
2. Develops and agrees the structure of “The resource mobilization plan to ensure integrated use of the natural resource valuation in the long term in the Republic of Kazakhstan until 2030” with the project team.

While developing the structure of the resource mobilization plan, it is necessary to:

• enlarge the field of application of the natural resource valuation in order to identify new sources of financing;
• not be limited to the public sector and include the participation of the private sector and civil society;
• include the issues of building capacity of national sectoral experts;
• include the gender equality issues.

1. In accordance with the developed structure prepares the draft “Resource mobilization plan to ensure integrated use of the natural resource valuation in the long term in the Republic of Kazakhstan until 2030” in the form of the extremely informative document so that it can be presented to the Government of Kazakhstan;

The resource mobilization plan should reflect a coherent and integrated national approach to the use of the natural resource valuation in the decision-making process in the long term. The plan should not be limited to the mobilization of new and additional resources, it should also include the full set of reforms, enabling to include the value of biodiversity to the national and local development strategies and planning processes;

Conducts online consultations and presentations of the work results for the project team.

Competencies

• Demonstrable analytical skills;
• Planning and organization skills;
• Excellent communication skills
• Competence in adaptive management

Required Skills and Experience

• MSc. (PhD would be an asset) in Environment and/or Economics;
• At least 5-year work experience in environment and/or environmental economics; 
• Knowledge of the specific character of natural resources management in Central Asia;
• Experience of individual or team preparation of strategic environmental documents for Central Asia countries;
• Knowledge of specifics of biological resource valuation through the EIA, Feasibility Study (FS), cadaster.
• Language requirements: fluency in the English language, knowledge of Russian would be an asset.

  Application Procedure:

  The application of the candidate shall include:

• Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;
• Personal CV and/or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate;
• Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, and a methodology, if applicable, on how they will approach and complete the assignment; 
• Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided. 

Important Note!

The applications (max. 10 MB) may be sent to procurement.kz@undp.org indicating Ref.2017-0053 in the subject line of your e-mail.