2583 Consultant on Biodiversity Assessment-Forest Landscape Restoration

Background

Purpose

 

To prepare inputs for the Landscape Assessment and Analysis and prepare biodiversity, land and vegetation-related inputs for identification of at least three priority areas for forest landscape restoration, and further development of three pilot Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) plans.

 

Objective

 

To support UNDP in developing and publishing three Forest Landscape Restoration plans as part of the Pillar 4: Forests and green infrastructure for improving natural capital and resilience to climate change, under the project “EU for Green Agenda in Serbia”.  

 

Background Information

 

UNDP Serbia supports the Government of Serbia to comply with international conventions and European Union regulations on climate change, adaptation and mitigation, emission-reduction, and promotion of the transition to low-emission and climate-resilient development.

 

The European Green Deal and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans offer a blueprint for joint action to tackle the challenges of the green transition. The Green Agenda was shaped into regional action through the Sofia Declaration and the Action Plan for the Implementation of the Sofia Declaration on the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans 2021 – 2030.

The green transition requires a cross-sectoral approach and broad societal participation to trigger transformative change. In line with this ambition, the “Green Agenda for Serbia” project funded by the EU, was designed to build broader engagement and participation. The project objective is to contribute to the efficient, inclusive, and sustainable implementation of the Green Agenda by improving the strategic and legislative framework, co-financing the implementation of innovative pilot projects, and mobilizing additional financing for scale-up investments. In this way, the project will contribute to the green transformation of the economy and society in Serbia. The project will also contribute to the decarbonization of the economy and achievement of the Paris Agreement goals, reducing environmental pollution (air, soil, and water) and support the alignment of Serbia’s regulatory framework with the EU acquis in following five pillars of the Green Agenda:

 

1. Climate action, decarbonisation, energy efficiency, and green industries;
2. Circular economy for resource efficiency and industrial symbiosis;
3. Depollution of the environment with a strong focus on air quality;
4. Protecting and investing in biodiversity and ecosystems;
5. Sustainable food systems for sustainable rural livelihood.

Under Pillar 4 of the Green Agenda, the implemented actions shall contribute to restoring forest ecosystems and afforestation and contribute to achieving Serbia’s Land Degradation Neutrality Targets by 2030. The Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) approach aims to regain ecological integrity and enhance human well-being in deforested and degraded forest landscapes through a variety of place-based interventions, involving trees and other woody plants, including for example tree planting, managed natural regeneration, erosion control, riparian restoration, or improved land management. FLR relies on active stakeholder engagement and can accommodate a mosaic of different land uses, including agriculture, agroforestry, regenerated forests, managed plantations, riverside plantings to protect waterways, etc.

 

UNDP is seeking a Consultant on Landscape planning and arrangement within the "EU for Green Agenda in Serbia: Get Started, Take Action, Scale-up" project to prepare inputs for Landscape Assessment and Analysis and prepare biodiversity, land and vegetation-related inputs for identification of at least three priority areas for forest landscape restoration. The consultant shall be required to comply with standard UNDP rules and regulations and previously agreed deadlines per individual services/deliverables provided in the area of the requested services.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of work:

 

The activities shall mainly focus on identifying and assessing restoration opportunities for the pilot areas that shall be identified. The Consultant shall provide key inputs for the identified areas, seeking to accelerate and implement restoration as part of the FLR and to scale up climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction, while facilitating the achievement of local objectives and goals, such as water security, diversifying livelihood options, preserving key biodiversity, inclusive planning, etc.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

 

Under the direct supervision of Portfolio Manager, the consultant will be required to perform the following duties:

1. Prepare inputs for Landscape Assessment and Analysis

• Conduct analysis for the proposed pilot areas including but not limited to analysis on local stakeholders, land use, vegetation cover, biodiversity, land degradation and other eco systems-related data;
• Collect information for proposed pilot areas on the biological diversity, eco-system restoration, land erosion (and land degradation overall).

In cooperation with governmental institutions, UNDP project team will select at least three pilot areas for FLR.

2. Prepare Inputs for the development of FLR plans

• Collect inputs from local stakeholders and collate existing information on land use & vegetation cover, biodiversity (including potentially the ranges and landscape requirements of key species), climate vulnerability (particularly mapping of flooding and landslide risk), land degradation (including erosion risk mapping, if not already available), and major ecosystem services;
• Prepare recommendations for improvement and strengthening of the biodiversity in at least three selected pilot areas. The inputs shall include all three main components of biodiversity: genes, species and ecosystems across landscapes;
• Participate in bi-weekly meetings organized by the FLR team coordinator, as well as in meetings with key stakeholders, if needed.

The consultant shall work closely with FLR team: Consultant on FLR, Biodiversity consultant and Socio-economic analysis consultant. Key element of consultant’s work shall be effective interdisciplinary coordination.

 

Deliverables and timelines

The Contractor will be responsible for the following deliverables:

No.	Deliverables	Deadline
1	Report on prepared biodiversity, land and vegetation-related related inputs for Landscape Assessment and Analysis, submitted and approved by UNDP	16 May 2023
2	Report on draft inputs for at least three FLR plans, for 3 pilot areas, submitted and approved by UNDP	15 June 2023
3	Report on final inputs for at least three FLR plans, for 3 pilot areas, submitted and approved by UNDP	26 July 2023

 

All deliverables shall be submitted in English. All deliverables shall be quality reviewed and accepted by the UNDP Portfolio Manager.

Competencies

• Ability to summarize and systematize complex information and present findings clearly;
• Ability to produce reports;
• Excellent analytical, organizational and interpersonal skills;
• Consistently ensures timeliness and quality of project work;
• Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Demonstrates integrity by modelling ethical standards;
• Ability to work independently and in a team;
• Strong ability to demonstrate high-quality performance/products working under pressure and short deadlines;
• Cultural sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• University Degree in Biology, Forestry, Agriculture, Environmental Sciences or other related field;
• Advanced university degree shall be considered as an asset.

Work Experience:

• At least 7 years of experience in biodiversity sector;
• At least 5 years of experience in ecosystem preservation and restoration, and/or nature-based solution;
• Excellent understanding of national and EU biodiversity-related policies and legislation;
• Experience in working with a wide variety of stakeholders (national and local governments, private sector, CSOs, academia, etc.);
• Experience in working with international organizations shall be considered as an asset.
• Experience in writing FLR plans shall be considered as an asset.

Language:

• Fluency in both Serbian and English.

Intellectual Property:

 

All information and production of materials pertaining to the assignments as well as outputs produced under this contract shall remain the property of the UNDP who shall have exclusive rights over their use. The products shall not be disclosed to the public nor used in whatever format without written permission of UNDP in line with the national and International Copyright Laws applicable.

 

Application procedure:

 

Qualified and interested candidates are asked to submit their applications via UNDP Web site: UNDP in Serbia under section “Jobs” no later than 6 April, 2023.

 

Application should include: 

• CV in English language containing date of birth, contact information (home address, phone number, e-mail) and timeline of work experience (including description of duties).
• Offeror’s Letter confirming Interest and availability for the Individual Contractor (IC) Assignment. Can be downloaded from the following link https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2022-07/confirmation.docx.The Offeror’s Letter shall include financial proposal specifying a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this announcement with a breakdown of costs (Offeror’s Letter, including Annex 2, Table A: Breakdown of costs & Table B: Breakdown of costs by deliverables).
• Cover letter explaining applicant’s motivation for applying for the subject position.

In order to apply please merge above listed documents into a single PDF file. The system does not allow for more than one attachment to be uploaded.

 

Any request for clarification must be sent by standard electronic communication to the e-mail: vacancy.rs@undp.org .

 

The UNDP will respond by standard electronic mail and will send a response, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to all consultants.

 

The shortlisted candidates may be asked to provide copies of diplomas and any other certificates providing evidence of their education and experience in relevant fields.

 

Financial Proposal

• Lump sum contracts

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount in USD currency, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in instalments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon approval of each deliverable. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, financial proposal shall specifying a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this announcement with a breakdown of costs (including Annex 2, Table A: Breakdown of costs & Table B: Breakdown of costs by deliverables).

 

Travel

 

Home-based with mission to at least 3 pilot sites in Serbia envisaged. All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. It will be the responsibility of a consultant to logistically and financially arrange travel to and from relevant pilot sites and all other travel related costs (transportation, accommodation). In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed. In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.

 

Evaluation

 

1. Cumulative analysis When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and      b) 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 would be considered for the Financial Evaluation Criteria Weight Max. Point Technical -desk review 70% 70 points Criteria A Review of CVs based on the experience in assessment and analysis of climate vulnerability, land degradation, ecosystem services. 35 Criteria B Review of CVs based on experience in preparation of analysis and recommendations regarding three main components of biodiversity: genes, species and ecosystems across landscapes. 25 Criteria C Review on CV based on experience in development and/or implementation of Forest Landscape Restoration Plans. 10 Financial 30% 30 points

 

Additional Information:

 

• Individual Contract (IC) will be applicable for individual consultants applying in their own capacity.  If the applicant is employed by any legal entity, IC would be issued upon submission of Consent letter from the employer acknowledging the engagement with UNDP. Template of General Conditions on IC could be found on: Template of General Conditions on IC could be found on: https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2022-07/General_Conditions_for_Individual_Contracts.pdf 
• Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA) will be applicable for applicants employed by any legal entity. Template of RLA with General Terms and Conditions could be found on: https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2022-07/PSU_Individual%20Contract_Model%20Reimbursable%20Loan%20Agreement.docx

In the case of engagement of Civil servants under IC contract modality a no-objection letter should be provided by the Government entity. The ‘no-objection’ letter must also state that the employer formally certifies that their employees are allowed to receive short-term consultancy assignment from another entity without being on “leave-without-pay” status (if applicable), and include any conditions and restrictions on granting such permission, if any. If the previous is not applicable ‘leave-without-pay’ confirmation should be submitted.

Engagement of Government Officials and Employees

 

• Government Officials or Employees are civil servants of UN Member States.  As such, if they will be engaged by UNDP under an IC which they will be signing in their individual capacity (i.e., engagement is not done through RLA signed by their government employer), the following conditions must be met prior to the award of contract:

(i)       A “No-objection” letter in respect of the individual is received from the Government employing him/her, and;

(ii)     The individual must provide an official documentation from his/her employer formally certifying his or her status as being on “official leave without pay” for the duration of the IC.

• The above requirements are also applicable to Government-owned and controlled enterprises and well as other semi/partially or fully owned Government entities, whether or not the Government ownership is of majority or minority status.   
• UNDP recognizes the possibility that there are situations when the Government entity employing the individual that UNDP wishes to engage is one that allows its employees to receive external short-term consultancy assignments (including but not limited to research institutions, state-owned colleges/universities, etc.), whereby a status of “on-leave-without-pay” is not required.  Under such circumstance, the individual entering into an IC with UNDP must still provide a “No-objection” letter from the Government employing him/her.  The “no objection” letter required under (i) above must also state that the employer formally certifies that their employees are allowed to receive short-term consultancy assignment from another entity without being on “leave-without-pay” status and include any conditions and restrictions on granting such permission, if any.  The said document may be obtained by, and put on record of, UNDP, in lieu of the document (ii) listed above.