National Consultant (Biodiversity Planning and Reporting Expert)

Background

UNDP Global Mission Statement:

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with national counterparts on their own solutions to global and national development challenges.

UNDP Afghanistan Mission Statement:

UNDP supports stabilization, state-building, governance and development priorities in Afghanistan. UNDP support, in partnership with the Government, the United Nations system, the donor community and other development stakeholders, has contributed to institutional development efforts leading to positive impact on the lives of Afghan citizens. Over the years UNDP support has spanned such milestone efforts as the adoption of the Constitution; Presidential, Parliamentary and Provincial Council elections; institutional development through capacity-building to the legislative, the judicial and executive arms of the state, and key ministries, Government agencies and commissions at the national and subnational levels. UNDP has played a key role in the management of the Law and Order Trust Fund, which supports the Government in developing and maintaining the national police force and in efforts to stabilize the internal security environment.

UNDP Livelihoods and Resilience Unit:

The UNDP Livelihoods and Resilience Unit supports the government of Afghanistan to create livelihood opportunities and reduce poverty, especially among the most vulnerable groups. It works work with businesses to create jobs and economic growth, and with government to build infrastructure, link rural areas to markets and develop new forms of employment, including in the sustainable mining sector. Since most people depend on the land for an income, the Unit works on livelihoods is closely linked with efforts to protect the environment, bring sustainable energy to rural areas, and prepare for natural disasters.  The Unit works closely with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) that finances environment projects focusing on climate change and adaption, climate change induced risks and biodiversity.

Assignment Context

Some 140+ countries have accessed the Global Environmental Facility’s (GEF) Biodiversity Enabling Activities (BD EA) with the aim of updating their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) and fulfilling other related obligations under the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD). A new generation of NBSAPs have been produced to align with the Aichi Biodiversity Targets (ABT) that were agreed upon by CBD Parties during the COP10 in Nagoya, as part of the CBD’s Strategic Plan. They are now being implemented.

The “Global Support to NBSAP” project relates to ABT 17, which emphasizes that each Party should develop, adopt as a policy instrument, and commence implementing an effective, participatory and updated NBSAP. UNDP would like to engage a consultant to carry out a number of tasks to support its work to create mechanisms and pathways for increasing the engagement of NBSAP practitioners in facilitated learning opportunities that are hosted through the NBSAP Forum, and in documenting case studies that are related to the efforts of federal, regional and local governments and policy makers, as well as women, local communities and indigenous populations, women and local communities in key policies that affect them, with an emphasis on the intersection between biodiversity and development during NBSAP revision and implementation.

UNDP-GEF is seeking a professional to support the development of indicators and the use of scientifically sound data during NBSAP implementation and reporting, and during assessments of progress in the achievement of national biodiversity targets. This information will assist countries during the implementation of NBSAPs and the development of national reports as a contribution towards achieving the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the Sustainable Development Goals. These materials will help improve the enabling policy environment to meet these global commitments in GEF-Eligible countries.

Objective of the Assignment:

The National Biodiversity Planning and Reporting Specialist will support the development of indicators and the use of scientifically sound data during NBSAP implementation and reporting, and during assessments of progress in the achievement of national biodiversity targets.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work and Deliverable:

The consultant will carry out the following tasks:

• Formulate knowledge products that support: the development of indicators; the use of scientifically sound data during NBSAP implementation and reporting; and assessments of progress in the achievement of national biodiversity targets;

• Support and facilitate, as required, the development of training materials and delivery of training events specifically focused on the knowledge products that support the development of indicators, the use of scientifically sound data during NBSAP implementation and reporting, and the assessments of progress in the achievement of national biodiversity targets;

• Develop a scoping report/zero draft for each ABT and/or national equivalent including: (a) preparing the initial draft elements of the national report, including data and progress assessments that are already available for each ABT and/or national equivalent; (b) identifying information gaps for each ABT and/or national equivalent that is required to undertake the assessment of implementation measures and the assessment of progress towards national targets required in 6NR sections II and III;

• Develop reports for each ABT and/or national equivalent are developed, which strive to be gender responsive, considering the resources and timeframe of the project in each country;

• Coordinate overall workflow, conduct research, and create content around emerging issues and programmatic needs specifically related to measuring the results of NBSAP implementation, as a contribution towards achieving the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the Sustainable Development Goals;

• Support the Activities Coordinator and work with the Knowledge Management, E-learning and Technical Capacity Building Specialist to develop guidance for stakeholders on adopting best practices related to the scientifically sound data during NBSAP implementation and reporting;

• Participate and substantively support other team members in the coordination of efforts to support countries during early NBSAP implementation and reporting and provide substantive inputs if necessary;

• Critically assesses approaches and develops processes that improve the value of NBSAPs during implementation, adopting best practices related to the use of data;

• Coordinate with government Technical and Political Focal Points as well as the Project Steering Committee (PSC) for project implementation.

Expected Outputs/Deliverables; Timelines and Payment Percentage:

The following key deliverables are expected from this assignment:

• Deliverable 1: Submission and Approval of inception report (including establishment of steering committee, training and capacity building opportunities provided on the use of the CBD online reporting tool and the development of data that reports on progress in achieving the targets and activities in the post-2010 NBSAP). 40 working days; 20%

• Deliverable 2: Submission and Approval of Assessment of progress towards each ABT and/or national equivalent (including: Scoping report/zero draft for each ABT and/or national equivalent is prepared, Consultations with stakeholders are undertaken, Reports for each ABT and/or national equivalent are developed). 80 working days; 40%

• Deliverable 3: Submission and Approval of 6th National Report (including: The draft 6NR is compiled, undergoes a technical peer review, revised and finalized, Technology needs assessment, the 6NR is validated and officially submitted to the CBD). 80 working days; 40%

Payment Modality:

Payment to the consultant will be made in three installments upon submission and acceptance of deliverables as indicated above.

Competencies

Competencies:

Corporate:

• 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 favoritism.

Technical:

• Demonstrates sufficient technical knowledge to perform effectively in own specialty.

Professionalism:

• Focuses on achieving results;

• Sets priorities, produces quality outputs, meets deadlines and manages time efficiently;

• Works toward creative solutions by analyzing problems carefully and logically;

• Has a dynamic, positive and adaptive attitude towards work-related challenges, bringing innovative and effective solutions to them;

• Leads and supports team decisions;

• Facilitates meetings effectively and efficiently;

• Resolves conflicts as they arise.

Communication:

• Writes and presents clearly and convincingly;

• Able to communicate effectively verbally and/or in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience to convey information effectively.

Knowledge Management:

• Shares knowledge and is willing to provide support to others who request advice or help.

Client Orientation:

• Maintains strong relationships with partners and clients.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications:

• Bachelors’ degree in environmental management/sciences, sustainable development (such as water/energy/food), international relations, development studies, social/political sciences and/or other relevant field for biodiversity planning.

Years of experience:

• At least four (4) years of working experience in project and knowledge management in issues of ?environmental management and/or related areas;

• At least two years of experience working to support the engagement of stakeholders in issues of environmental management;

• Experience developing and using indicators and other metrics to measure conservation or project success;

• Experience working with governments is an advantage.

Language skills:

• Fluent in English with excellent oral and written communication skills.

Working Arrangements

Institutional Arrangements:

• The national consultant will be responsible for providing the above products and actions at the latest (unless the dates are mutually adjusted).

Duration of the Work:

• April 2018 to September 2019 with maximum 200 Working Days.

Duty Station:

• Kabul Afghanistan with possibility for provincial travel in consultation with NEPA.

Price proposal and Schedule of Payments

The contractor shall submit a price proposal as below:

• Daily Fee – The contractor shall propose a daily fee, which should be inclusive of his/her professional fee, local communication and transportation costs. The number of working days for which the daily fee shall be payable under the contract is 200 working days;

The total professional fee, shall be converted into a lump-sum contract and payments under the contract shall be made on submission and acceptance of deliverables under the contract in accordance with the schedule of payment linked with deliverables.

Evaluation Method and Criteria:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

• Cumulative analysis

The award of the contract shall be made 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.

* Technical Criteria weight 70%

* Financial Criteria weight 30%

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical Criteria 70 points

• Technical Proposal (40 marks)

  • Technical Approach & Methodology (20 marks) – This explain the understanding of the objectives of the assignment, approach to the services, methodology for carrying out the activities and obtaining the expected output, and the degree of detail of such output. The Applicant should also explain the methodologies proposed to adopt and highlight the compatibility of those methodologies with the proposed approach.

  • Work Plan (10 marks) – The Applicant should propose the main activities of the assignment, their content and duration, phasing and interrelations, milestones (including interim approvals by the Client), and delivery dates. The proposed work plan should be consistent with the technical approach and methodology, showing understanding of the TOR and ability to translate them into a feasible working plan.

  • Interview (10 Marks).

• Qualification and Experience (30 marks) [evaluation of CV for shortlisting]

  • Relevant education (10 marks).

  • Work experience within public sector institutions and projects funded by UNDP (20 marks).

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications in one single PDF document:

• Duly accomplished Confirmation of Interest and Submission of Financial Proposal Template using the template provided by UNDP (Annex II);

• Personal CV or P11, indicating all experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references.

Technical proposal:

• Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment;

• A methodology, on how they will approach and complete the assignment and work plan as indicated above.