National Consultant - Summary Reports Developer - BIOFIN

Background

BACKGROUND

National governments have demonstrated clear commitment to fulfil their mandates for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use, in ways compatible with national development goals, and to identify a diverse range of financing solutions for biodiversity management. UNDP believes a transformation is needed in the way biodiversity finance is planned and managed to unlock the resources required to meet the Aichi Targets defined in the CBD’s Strategic Plan 2011-2020 in a manner that promotes sustainable development and the eradication of poverty.

The global Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) is managed by UNDP, in partnership with the European Commission and the Governments of Germany, Switzerland, Norway and Flanders. Guided by a global steering committee representing its partners, BIOFIN aims to develop a methodology for quantifying the biodiversity finance gap at national level, for improving cost-effectiveness through mainstreaming of biodiversity into national development and sectoral planning, and for developing comprehensive national finance plans. BIOFIN will thus provide a framework for undertaking “bottom-up” analyses and resource mobilisation strategies, embedded in a transformative process led by national stakeholders, aimed at allowing countries to implement their NBSAPs and achieve national biodiversity targets. BIOFIN will feed into the development of National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan (NBSAP) while the NBSAP projects in turn will provide a platform for integration into decision-making processes.

Sri Lanka, as one of the participating countries in the BIOFIN process, has already completed its Biodiversity Finance Policy and Institutional Review (PIR), Biodiversity Expenditure Review (BER) and Financial Needs Assessment.

SCOPE AND OBJECTIVES   

Scope

Three teams of experts have completed the PIR, BER and FNA already. The content needs to be summarized and presented in a uniform manner according to the instructions provided in the BIOFIN Work Book for 2016. (http://www.biodiversityfinance.net/sites/default/files/content/publications/undp-biofin-web 0.pdf) the summerized version needs to be finalized with the inputs of the original authors of the report and UNDP. Final summaries need to be formatted in MS Word.

Objective

Objective of this assignment is to develop summarized version of the PIR, BER and FNA which are ready to be printed and shared with wider stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Consultant will be responsible to complete the summary versions of Policies and Institutional Review (PIR), Biodiversity Expenditure Review (BER) and the Biodiversity Finance Needs Assessment (FNA) following the guidance provided by the current version of the BIOFIN Workbook and the Lead Finance Expert of the project.

Expected Output/Deliverables

1. Summary of the Policies and Institutional Review;
2. Summary of the Biodiversity Expenditure Review;
3. Summary of the Finance Needs Assessment.

TIMEFRAME

The envisaged time frame  of the Consultancy is two months starting from 6 April 2018 to 5 June 2018.

Competencies

CONSULTANT PROFILE    

The prospective Consultant should have the following competencies and qualifications.

COMPETENCIES  

Technical

• Excellent organizational skills;
• Strong analytical, writing and communication skills;
• Ability to prepare publications, reports and presentations;
• Ability to manage and work with a multidisciplinary and multicultural team.

 Partnerships

• Ability to seek and apply knowledge, information and best practices from multiple sectors;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Excellent written communication skills, with analytic capacity and ability to synthesize relevant collected data and findings for the preparation of case studies and progress reports;
• Excellent leadership, coordination and team working skills.

Results

• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Good team player who has ability to maintain good relationships.

Required Skills and Experience

QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced Degree (Masters or higher) in finance, economics, business management or a closely related field, or equivalent relevant work experience, preferably with an environment / biodiversity focus;
• At least 5 years of experience, preferably in environmental finance, accounting, economics, management or related field;
• Experience in collaborating with international and national experts and institutions;
• Exposure to environmental issues or biodiversity desirable;
• Sound understanding of key software packages (MS Office);
• Previous experience with synthesizing reports would be an asset;
• Good command of English.

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply please access UNDP Jobs site http://jobs.undp.org.

The application should contain:

• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position and a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work;
• Updated CV to include qualifications/competencies and relevant past experience in similar projects and contact details of 3 professional referees who can certify your competencies, professionalism, quality of writing, presentation and overall suitability to this TOR;
• Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a combimation of factors including cover letter, the credentials on offer and brief interview (optional) and the offer which gives the best value for money for the UNDP;
• Please send the Financial Proposal separately to the following e-mail address: procurement.lk@undp.org stating the vacancy number/position  in the subject line.

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL  

All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee: LKR

Or

All Inclusive Daily Fee: LKR

Amount in words: Rs.

Note: Payments will be based on invoices on achievement of agreed milestones i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR and certification of acceptance by the UNDP. The applicant must factor in all possible costs in his/her “All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee” including his/her consultancy and professional fee, travel (economy class flights is required to and from the Duty Station) honorarium, board and lodging, and any other foreseeable costs in this exercise. No costs other than what has been indicated in the financial proposal will be paid or reimbursed to the consultant. UNDP will only pay for any unplanned travel outside of this TOR and Duty Station on actual basis and on submission of original bills/invoices and on prior agreement with UNDP officials. Daily perdiums and costs for accommodation/meals/incidental expenses for such travel shall not exceed established local UNDP DSA rates.

For an Individual Contractor who is 62 years of age or older, and on an assignment requiring travel, be it for the purpose of arriving at the duty station or as an integral duty required travel under the TOR, a full medical examination and statement of fitness to work must be provided.  Such medical examination costs must be factored in to the financial proposal above. Medical examination is not a requirement for individuals on RLA contracts. 

PAYMENT FOR SERVICES

Payment Milestones will be as follows:

30% of the total on the submission of draft summaries of the three reports;

70% of the total on the submission of the final drafts.