<< Back

This job listing is no longer active.
Please use our Environment Jobs Search to find current vacancies.

Title

Biodiversity Mainstreaming Policy and Capacity Development Specialist
Posted
Reference   (Please mention Stopdodo/Environment Jobs in your application)
Sectors Terrestrial / Aquatic Ecology & Conservation
Location Nigeria - Africa
Type Temporary / Contract / Seasonal
Status Full Time
Level Senior Level
Deadline 22/05/2010
Company Name United Nations Development Program
Contact Name Human Resources
Website Further Details / Applications
United Nations Development Program logo
Directory Entry : 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 them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. For environmental jobs with UNDP visit their website. Or for more environmental jobs search environmentjobs.com
Also Listing:
Description
The GEF has approved a Project Preparation Grant (PPG) for Nigeria in order to produce a UNDP Project Document and a GEF CEO Endorsement Request (both using the appropriate templates) under the guidance of UNDP-GEF and working in close collaboration with key government officials, donors, NGOs, CBOs and the private sector.
 
The project, budgeted for $3.6 million in GEF funding and $6.2 million 5,265,000 million in co-financing to be mobilized, will conserve globally important biodiversity in Nigeria by mainstreaming biodiversity management priorities into the Niger Delta oil and gas (O&G) sector development policies and operations. This process will contribute to averting threats and risks to biodiversity linked to O&G operations in priority Niger Delta ecosystems within a spatial area of 4,600,000 hectares. This will be achieved through the following three components: 
 
1)      Governance framework for the mainstreaming of biodiversity conservation into the O&G sector in the Niger Delta
2)      O&G industry and community engagement in biodiversity management in the Niger Delta
3)      Financial mechanisms for O&G sector support to biodiversity conservation
 
The PPG process is to be implemented between May and November 2010 and will focus on the activities necessary for approving and finalizing the proposed project. The focal points for the project in government and the PPG team of consultants will work in collaboration with existing related initiatives to carry out the following activities:
 
1. Baseline data collection and information gap analysis
  • Analyze the Niger Delta Regional Development Master Plan’s Biodiversity Sector Report.
  • Collect and collate available ecological data on the biological and ecological diversity of the Delta (threats, impacts and barrier analysis)
  • Prepare a preliminary biodiversity valuation exercise for biodiversity in the Niger Delta.
  • Prepare comprehensive activity/output component and Terms of Reference for the development of an application of the IBAT for the Niger Delta that is useful to the O&G industry and useful for guiding conservation planning.
  • Analyse existing legal and policy frameworks governing the O&G sector and their ability to support the incorporation of biodiversity conservation imperatives into them (concessions, EIAs, O&G siting agreements, biodiversity offsets)
  • Baseline Capacity Assessment. (1) At the federal level: FMoE, NDCC, MNDA, NOSDRA and NESREA). (2) At the state level: Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross Rivers.
  • Baseline Capacity Assessment at local level.
  • Map and estimate the spatial mainstreaming targets will be better
2. Industry Assessment and Initial Industry Engagement Plan
  • Identify and map the O&G industry players in the Niger Delta,
  • Assess whether these companies have (or plan to have) CSR plans or policies, oil spill contingency plans, and their positions on biodiversity conservation; assess the adequacy of these.
  • Assess companies willingness to join together in a compact to contribute to a Biodiversity Trust Fund and to establish biodiversity-maintreamed siting agreements
  • Identify potential incentive mechanisms for engaging the industry in the project
  • Outline a capitalization plan for the Trust Fund proposed under the project’s component 3
  • Compile the Initial Industry Engagement Plan: Propose a plan with clear recommendations for the engagement of the O&G industry in the project and in its objectives
3. Delta Biodiversity Conservation Financing Assessment
  • Assess relevant laws, policies, and institutional baseline for the Delta Biodiversity Trust Fund in Nigeria.
  • Apply the GEF’s checklist of eligibility requirements for GEF funding of Trust Funds
  • Consider how the Trust Fund could be designed (i.e. financial and administrative aspects) with measures to ensure the security of assets, from invasion, currency devaluation and attachment, and to manage investment risks.
  • Confirm whether co-financing targets can be satisfied, and development of a preliminary fund raising strategy
4. Stakeholder consultation and engagement
  • Identification of related projects, programmes and initiatives
  • Site selection and a strategic assessment of what is required to enable local communities chosen for pilot work to become more involved in biodiversity conservation planning, monitoring and activities in the Delta area. 
  • Identification of groups that will be targeted to participate in training seminars
  • Planning of these seminars within the framework of the project’s work plan and propose the most appropriate and cost-effective way of delivering them
  • As a final result of this activity, production of a report containing a ‘Stakeholder Matrix’, a ‘Stakeholder Involvement and Capacity Building Plan’, and ‘Recommendations for the full-size project on stakeholder involvement’.
  • Identification and confirmation of potential sources of co-financing, through the activities of stakeholder and industry engagement as a whole.
5. Project Scoping, Costing, Risk Assessment and M&E Planning
  • Summary of the local, national and global biodiversity benefits of the project;
  • A thorough analysis of the barriers to achieving the proposed project outcomes
  • Appropriate scoping of the project, based on the conceptual elements outlined in the PIF and the results of the PPG studies, where comments from GEF Council, GEF Secretariat and STAP will be specifically taken into account;
  • Identification of lead implementing partners and implementation arrangements, and a complementary strategy for partnerships and co-funding;
  • A learning (adaptive management) plan, including potential lessons and knowledge products;
  • A replication plan to ensure that project interventions are geared towards ensuring replication, following the removal of barriers;
  • An analysis of project risks and risk mitigation measures, including (if applicable) climate change associated risks;
  • Costing of expected project outcomes through detailed inputs-budgeting, including where applicable in-cash co-financing sources and co-financing commitments in compliance with the GEF incrementality principle;
  • A cost effectiveness analysis to identify the most effective project alternatives;
  • Analysis of the social, institutional, economic and financial sustainability of proposed project activities; and
  • An overall project Monitoring and Evaluation Plan, with recommendations on how to track the project’s progress and effectiveness, and the baseline and target values on indicators.
 

 

Duties and Responsibilities
Encompassing 88 effective days (or ~16 weeks) of work throughout the duration of the PPG the BD Mainstreaming Policy and Capacity Development Specialist will complete three missions to Nigeria (if funds permit) complemented by support from home base.
 
The International Specialist will play a pivotal role in the task of scoping and preparing the GEF project for submission in collaboration with the other national and international experts/specialist, the UNDP/GEF Regional Technical Advisor, the UNDP Country Office Environment Focal Point and the team of national consultants.  
 
The consultant will function as Technical Team Leader and will play a pivotal role in project development by guiding, coaching and assisting other consultants in the production of their deliverables, ensuring the alignment of the project with the best practices in GEF project design. This will include working closely with the Activity Coordinator in structuring and planning PPG implementation, and taking lead responsibility for the drafting of the required documents, namely the UNDP PRODOC and the GEF CEO Endorsement Request, for review by both the UNDP Country Office and the Regional Technical Advisor (RTA) responsible for the project at the UNDP Environment and Energy Group (EEG).
 
Through at least 2 missions to Nigeria, the BD mainstreaming policy and capacity development specialist will:
i)        Compile and share with the national PPG team and stakeholders the international best experience in policy development, legal and regulatory frameworks and enforcement systems for effective mainstreaming of biodiversity conservation objectives into energy sector; including analysis of the UNDP/GEF projects in South Africa and Mauritania.
 
ii)       Compile and share with the national PPG team and stakeholders the international best practice and experience in sector-specific practices, tools and technical solutions for effective mainstreaming of biodiversity conservation objectives into the O&G sector.
 
iii)     Based on the inputs from national experts and in close cooperation with the lead national expert on BD mainstreaming and baseline assessment compile final baseline/situational analysis for the full project. Lead the task of producing baseline data and determining through appropriate tools the capacity of: (i) the FMoE to monitor and regulate the O&G sector’s activities, as well as to monitor and manage Delta ecosystems, specifically to determine the threats and prevent/mitigate the impacts of O&G development; (ii) the NESREA, NOSDRA to monitor and report on O&G sector’s activities, specifically to incorporate biodiversity considerations into EIAs and siting agreements; and (iii) local government in targeted coastal communities (also extending this part of the study to key community members) to gauge, assess and manage risks to biodiversity posed by O&G industry development and work in partnership with O&G companies for developing plans to conserve marine biodiversity.
 
iv)     Based on the international experience assist in reconfirming/specifying the project strategy, finalizing project sections on: (a) An assessment of the social, economic and financial sustainability of proposed project activities; (b) Assessment of alternatives to the project strategy and establishing the cost effectiveness of the preferred strategy and suite of activities; (c) A replication strategy for project activities; (d) Assessment of the risks to the proposed project activities and identifying measure to mitigate these risks; (e) incremental cost analysis.
 
v)      Consolidate and synthesize the analysis and documentation of the threats to biodiversity emanating from O&G development plans and operations. This work will focus on the state of technology, operational practices, know-how and information barriers for BD mainstreaming into the O&G sector and their root causes;
 
vi)     Identify/confirm the technical and knowledge barriers to effective mainstreaming of conservation objectives into energy development plans and operations; [this material will be critical to defining the project’s barrier-removal strategy];
 
vii)   Review sectoral risk assessment and risk mitigation schemes with the view of incorporating biodiversity elements.
 
viii)    Extract lessons from the UNDP/GEF South Africa Grasslands project on mapping of areas where (a) energy development is to be avoided altogether; (b) energy projects are allowed, but should have mitigation measures to reduce biodiversity impacts; and (c) restoration is needed. Develop a strategy for the project to implement a similar approach in the Russian context.
 
ix)       In addition and in close collaboration with the O&G specialist and the remainder of the PPG team members, assess technical feasibility of recommended activities; assess cost-effectiveness and incrementality of proposed MSP activities; assess sustainability of proposed MSP activities and provide recommendations for ensuring sustainability of project outcomes; provide recommendations for capacity building and stakeholder engagement activities planned for the MSP; define full project logical framework and a set of logframe indicators.
 
PRODOC preparation tasks:
  • Compose the narrative part of the PRODOC and organize the annexes, maps, scorecards and co-financing letters in a logical manner;
  • Prepare the project strategy, including, the GEF-specific chapters, but not restricted to them;
  • Finalize the project monitoring and evaluation system for the full project;
  • Generate a logical framework for the project (SRF), including a set of biodiversity indicators with baseline values and end-project targets;
  • Generate a M&E plan and a complete UNDP-compliant inputs-budget with thorough budget notes;
  • Draft the completion key tables in the CEO Endorsement Request in MS Excel.
 The incumbent is expected to submit weekly a time sheet indicating the number of days worked (broken down to half a day, if necessary). This will serve as a basis for remuneration against the foreseen number of effective working days, in this case 88. Any number of days worked beyond the expected will not be remunerated as extra unless with previous agreement from the UNDP Country Office.
 
Missions to Nigeria
Three mission in total:
  • 1st mission of 2-3 weeks in June 2010 with the purpose of guiding national consultants, interacting with the other international consultant and participating in the PPG inception workshop. Interviews with key industry players will be organized. with the purpose of guiding national consultants, interacting with the other international consultant and participating in the PPG inception workshop. Interviews with key industry players will be organized.
  • 2nd mission of 2 weeks in Aug 2010 (t.b.d.) with the purpose of advancing in PRODOC writing, wrapping on the key PPG products. Another field visit may also be organized.
  • 3rd mission of one week may be organized in early Oct 2010 for participating in the PPG PRODOC validation workshop.

 

Competencies
  • Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing in order to communicate complex, technical information to technical and general audiences
  • Skill in negotiating effectively in sensitive situations
  • Skill in achieving results through persuading, influencing and working with others
  • Skill in facilitating meetings effectively and efficiently and to resolve conflicts as they arise

 

Required Skills and Experience
  • Extensive knowledge of biodiversity mainstreaming issues, including legal and policy frameworks, capacity issues, private sector engagement and ecological monitoring systems.
  • Previous experience with GEF development projects is an important qualification for this position
  • Hold an advanced degree in a relevant field for conservation work (either with ecological or socio-economic background) with consistent professional specialization in issues of biodiversity mainstreaming
  • Have at least 8 years of proven experience in the mentioned field; and
  • Demonstrated track record of relevant production in the mentioned area (publications, project proposals, reports)
  • Excellent mastery of written English is a requirement
Add to My Account
<< Back