Environmental Scientist cum Management Plan Developer - Sri Lankan Nationals only

Background

The Project "Enhancing Biodiversity Conservation and Sustenance of Ecosystems services in Environmentally Sensitive Areas" is a GEF funded project, implemented by the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment (MMDE) and supported by UNDP. The Project would contribute to safeguarding globally significant biodiversity on production lands of high interest for conservation. This phase of project will greatly strengthen the country's ability to safeguard biodiversity outside protected areas in special Environmentally Sensitive areas, through a new land use governance framework. Project activities will provide a vehicle for safeguarding globally significant biodiversity on multiple-use lands of high conservation values.

The primary objective of this project is "To operationalize Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA), as a mechanism for mainstreaming biodiversity management into development in areas of high conservation significance, outside  Protected Area network".  To achieve this objective, the project has two major outcomes:

1) National enabling framework strengthened to designatre and manage ESAs;

2) Biodiversity-firendly ESA management for long term integrity and resilience ensured at sites identified in the Kala Oya river basin.

The Project adopts Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA) as a tool to manage a landscape or seascape from an ecological perspective. ESA is an area that is vital for the long-term maintenance of biodiversity and its evolutionary potential and/or the productivity of water, soil and other natural resources that provides ecological, environmental, economical and/or cultural benefits/services primarily to a local community which requires co-management as applicable. The project developed a clear articulation of the ESA concept and based on that identified three ESA sites. As per cumulative scores against ecological criteria and eco system services derived from scorecard of baseline survey conducted in Kala Oya River Basin; the first site is identified towards lower part of river basin and named ESA 01: Kala Oya River Mouth ESA within Wanathawilluwa Divisional Secretariat Division (DSD). The second site is in upper part of the basin and covers ESA 02: Manawekanda ESA within Ipalogama DSD and third site is ESA 03: Galnewa is in Galnewa DSD.

The project will demonstrate ESA implementation with co management within these ESAs and will develop the national scale up mechanism based on the experience on the proved concepts at the o3 ESA sites.

Scope of Services

Scope of this assignment is to provide consultative and operational services to the ESA Project to design and develop comprehensive Co- Management Plan for conservation of biodiversity in ESA 01 in Vanathawilluwa Divisional Secretariat Division and ESA 03 in Galnewa- Palagala Divisional Secretariat Divisions in consultation of relevant stakeholders including communities. 

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Thoroughly study of and familiarize with the objectives, concepts and approaches of Environmental Sensitive Area and ESA Project by studying of relevant Project documents including of the guideline on ESA Co-Management Plan Development; 
2. Review secondary data on socioeconomic, environmental and ecological, disaster and development, biodiversity and threats to biodiversity, and develop fact sheets/reports as per the guideline on ESA Co-Management Plan Development;
3. Assess sector Management Plans and actively engage in stakeholder consultation process to identify and understand biodiversity values, available and forecasted threats to biodiversity, solutions and strategies to mitigate such conditions;
4. Assist the Project Advisor to design and engage in community consultations as it is required to identify community aspects of co-management for conservation of biodiversity; 
5. Conduct Key Informant Interviews as per the guidance of Project Advisor, with relevant stakeholders to validate findings of stakeholder and community consultation for preparation of co-management plans;
6. Develop results based and right based co-management plan on conservation of biodiversity in Ipalogama Divisional Secretariat Division as per the guideline on ESA Co-Management Plan Development, present for validation, and submit final Co-Management Plan.

The consultant’s duty station/location during the contract will be Colombo based with extensive field works in pursuit of other relevant activities, especially where traveling will be required. The contractor will be required to report for the progress review meetings and any other meetings related to this assignment convened by the PMU even if intermittent.

Expected Outputs & Target Completion

The following results are expected from the work of the service provider: 

1. The Interim Report No.1: on stakeholder assessment and problem analysis focusing on mandates, programmes including of community conservation plans, sectoral management plans, and possibilities for co-management for ESA 01;     15/ 09/ 2019
2. First Draft of the Co- Management Plan for ESA 01 that developed in accordance with guideline on ESA Co-Management Plan Development, and present for validation;  20/ 09/ 2019
3. The Interim Report No.2: on stakeholder assessment and problem analysis focusing on mandates, programmes including of community conservation plans, sectoral management plans, and possibilities for co-management for ESA 03;                               25/ 09/ 2019
4. The Final Co-Management Plan of ESA 01 that is based on the comments of the validation process, with relevant reports and records.  (English & Local languages);  10/10/2019
5. First Draft of the Co- Management Plan for ESA 03 that developed in accordance with guideline on ESA Co-Management Plan Development, and present for validation;  15/ 10/ 2019
6. The Final Co-Management Plan OF ESA 03 that is based on the comments of the validation process, with relevant reports and records.  (English & Local languages);  25/ 10/2019

Competencies

Consultant Profile

The prospective consultant should, as a minimum, have the following competencies and qualifications;

Competencies

1. Technical

• Demonstrated experience in the environmental conservation research/ programme developments;
• Strong understanding in regional planning their ecological, financial and economic impacts and a good background knowledge on management plan preparation;
• Strong understanding about global and national climate change, biodiversity and environmental issues.

2. Partnerships

• Maturity and confidence in dealing with senior members of national and private sector institutions;
• 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 quality analysis for the development of the report;
• Excellent coordination skills and result oriented collaboration with personnel with different age groups, educational levels, backgrounds – especially for this case, the players in the district, divisional and community level;
• Excellent communication (both oral and written) and partnership building skills with multi-dimension partners.

3. Results

• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• 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

Education

• Masters’ Degree in Environmental Sciences or related field and with highest studies in Development Planning, Project Management and any other related field; 

Experience

• Minimum of 3 years of work experience on planning & management in environmental field;
• Thorough understanding and experience on Environmentally Sensitive Areas concept and practical applications.

Languages/ Other

• Excellent English language skills, working knowledge in Sinhala/ Tamil.

Timeframe of the assignment

• The envisaged time frame of the consultancy is starting from 10th September 2019 and ending in 10th November 2019.

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 combination 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: consultants.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: LKR

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 65 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

Payments will be based on milestones certified by the Project Management Unit.

The National Consultant shall receive payments in four installments from UNDP as follows:

1. Submission of Output 01:The Interim Report No.1;
2. Submission of Output 02: First Draft of the Co- Management Plan of ESA 01;
3. Submission of Output 03: The Interim Report No.2;
4. Submission of Output 04: Final Co-Management Plan of ESA 01;
5. Submission of Output 05: First Draft of the Co- Management Plan of ESA 02;
6. Submission of Output 06: Final Co-Management Plan of ESA 02.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.