IC/UNDP/BIOFIN/101/2021 - Expert for Feasibility and Option Implementation of Debt-for Nature Swap [Re-advertise]

Background

Interest candidate has to access procurement notice Ref.: IC/UNDP/BIOFIN/101/2021 - Expert for Feasibility and Option Implementation of Debt-for Nature Swap [Re-advertise] (National Consultant) at the following link: https://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=79254

We encourage you to submit your application through this website and send the complete application to bids.id@undp.org (only application with complete supporting document received in bids.id@undp.org before or at the closing date will be proceed).

Background

National government have demonstrated a clear commitment to fulfil their mandates for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use in ways compatible with national development goals and 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 to promote sustainable development and the eradication of poverty. 

BIOFIN aims to develop a methodology for quantifying the biodiversity finance gap at the national level to improve cost-effectiveness by mainstreaming biodiversity into national development and sectoral planning, developing comprehensive national finance plans. BIOFIN provides a framework for undertaking "bottom-up" analyses and resource mobilization strategies, embedded in a transformative process led by national stakeholders to allow countries to implement their National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan (NBSAPs) and achieve national biodiversity targets. BIOFIN will feed into the development of NBSAPs, while the NBSAP projects, in turn, will provide a platform for integration into decision-making processes.

National teams work with the global BIOFIN team on the following components: 1) Policy and Institutional Review (PIR); 2) Biodiversity Expenditure Review (BER); and 3) Finance needs assessment (cost and gap analysis); 4) Biodiversity Finance Plan (BFP); and (5) Implementation of Financial Solutions.

Based on insights gained from BIOFIN assessments, it acknowledges the importance of tapping additional financing to support the biodiversity agenda of Indonesia. The evaluation reveals that generating financing alone could not address the challenges. Thus, it transcends the focus on developing additional resources and identifies a range of "finance solutions" that leverage finance, fiscal and economic tools, and strategies to improve the country's biodiversity objectives. Financing solutions include a range of transformative actions:

• generating more financing to fund the NBSAPs or associated planning documents
• appropriate attribution of biodiversity expenditures in the budget
• attaining cost-effective budget execution by eradicating overlaps in biodiversity functions
• eliminating expenses that continue to or aggravate dissipation of biodiversity resources
• paving the groundwork for a responsive policy environment through greater awareness on biodiversity and biodiversity financing and enhancing institutional support towards monitoring of NBSAPs

Meanwhile, The Biodiversity Finance Plan identified 74 existing finance mechanism and 83 potential finance solutions for scale-up and implementation. One of the finance solutions is debt-for-nature-swap. Debt ­for­nature swaps (DNS) can mobilize resources for protecting nature while reducing the debt burden of developing countries. In exchange for debt forgiveness, the ­government commits to invest the accrued savings in conservation and/or climate related expenditures.[1] 

Indonesia implemented the debt swap model for the first time with the Government of Germany in 2000. Indonesia had implemented two models for DFNS in Indonesia. First, the line ministry implemented a specific program specific to the swap agreement. Second, the fund manager managed the swap fund and channelled through a grant-making organization and then solicited the proposal from NGOs/community groups for program implementation in the field.

In the absence of credible fund managers, the first model will be less acceptable by the creditor. However, Indonesia is now operationalizing environmental trust fund (BPDLH), which is instrumental in mediating large financial transactions with accountability such as DFNS. In this light, the BIOFIN will facilitate the feasibility and option for DFNS implementation and capacity building and policy advocacy for the government and the BPDLH.

Duties and Responsibilities

Interest candidate has to access procurement notice Ref.: IC/UNDP/BIOFIN/101/2021 - Expert for Feasibility and Option Implementation of Debt-for Nature Swap [Re-advertise] (National Consultant) at the following link: https://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=79254

We encourage you to submit your application through this website and send the complete application to bids.id@undp.org (only application with complete supporting document received in bids.id@undp.org before or at the closing date will be proceed).

Scope of Work

The consultant will work with the BIOFIN Project Management Team and UNDP Technical Adviser for Natural Resources and Governance. Consultant will undertake feasibility and option for DFNS implementation as well as capacity building and policy advocacy for the government and the BPDLH.

Scope of work of the assignment are as follows:

• Review and update of the foreign debt profile, creditors’ policies, policy and regulatory, risks analysis, credit rating and financial elements for debt for nature swap
• Review and assess the current and past implementation of debt swap and distil lesson learnt and recommend future improvement
• Based on the review and assessment, provision of the executive actions and decisions to pursue debt for nature swap based on the risk  analysis: the opportunity for debt swap; implementation options; financial design mechanism, preparation of proposal and selection of focal area of conservation (e.g., flagship species, ecosystem service etc.)
• Lead the development of policy paper and/or brief necessary to support the key ministries during debt swap preparation, design and implementation
• Identify the most appropriate mechanism of debt for nature swap from selected creditor countries particularly USA, UK, Germany 
• Review and analysis of the readiness level and required institutional capacity of BPLDH to receive and manage the received debt swap for nature
• Support policy advocacy on debt for nature swap to key stakeholders including technical ministries and BPDLH
• Support design and develop activities for further institutionalization of debt for nature swap
• Support capacity building on debt for nature swap implementation option to key government officials

Competencies

Interest candidate has to access procurement notice Ref.: IC/UNDP/BIOFIN/101/2021 - Expert for Feasibility and Option Implementation of Debt-for Nature Swap [Re-advertise] (National Consultant) at the following link: https://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=79254

We encourage you to submit your application through this website and send the complete application to bids.id@undp.org (only application with complete supporting document received in bids.id@undp.org before or at the closing date will be proceed).

Competencies and special skills requirement:

• A solid experience in the areas of economic development, policy analysis, development and planning, strategic planning of the projects focused on economic development through providing evidence-based policy advice;
• Ability in formulating development strategies and policies;
• Strong analytical, reporting and writing skills.
• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback.
• Ability to plan, organize, implement, and report on work.
• Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines.
• Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards.
• Positive, constructive attitude to work.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Fluency in English with excellent written communication skills, and strong experience writing reports

Required Skills and Experience

Interest candidate has to access procurement notice Ref.: IC/UNDP/BIOFIN/101/2021 - Expert for Feasibility and Option Implementation of Debt-for Nature Swap [Re-advertise] (National Consultant) at the following link: https://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=79254

We encourage you to submit your application through this website and send the complete application to bids.id@undp.org (only application with complete supporting document received in bids.id@undp.org before or at the closing date will be proceed).

Academic Qualifications:

Master’s degree or equivalent in international development, environment, development studies, economy, or other equivalent relevant fields.

Years of experience:

• At least 8 (eight) years experiences in environmental studies, natural resource management, public policy, social science, natural science, development, or another related field
• Experience in any financial tools/mechanism for sustainable development
• Experience in Economics/financing of biodiversity is desirable