| Description |
BIODIVERSITY PROJECT DEVELOPMENT/PA MANAGEMENT EXPERT
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| Location : |
Home-based consultancy and with two missions to Tbilisi & Batumi (Machakhela) in July and Sept/Oct of 2012, GEORGIA |
| Application Deadline : |
24-May-12 |
| Type of Contract : |
Individual Contract |
| Post Level : |
International Consultant |
Languages Required :
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English |
Starting Date :
(date when the selected candidate is expected to start) |
02-Jul-2012 |
| Expected Duration of Assignment : |
60 days spread over a 6-month period |
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Background
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The Government of Georgia is requesting Global Environmental Facility support through the Project "Expansion and Improved Management Effectiveness of Ajara Region's Protected Areas" to remove, in an incremental manner, the existing barriers to promoting a viable, representative and effectively managed PA-approach to the conservation of biodiversity. The requested investment is strategic, targeting the most urgent needs. There are two components planned within this project:
Component 1: Enhancing PA Management Effectiveness in the Ajara Region; and
Component 2: PA system Expansion to increase functional connectivity of PAs in the West Lesser Caucasus.
Currently the Project is at the Project Prepatory Grant (PPG)-stage. Within the framwork of this period (planned completion of the PPG stage is anticipated by the end of 2012), a team of consultants (including one international and 3-4 national experts) will engage stakeholders and support activities that will result in the preparation of the complete project document and CEO Endorsement Request for the Full-Size Project (FSP) “Expansion and Improved Management Effectiveness of Ajara Region’s Protected Areas”. This document will be submitted to the GEF following further information gathering and stakeholder consultation, and will be accompanied by co-financing letters in line with pledges made in the project initiation (PIF) stage. The respective partners and co-financers will be fully engaged in the project design phase; one-on-one consultations, working group meetings, and project development workshops will be convened for the purpose, as appropriate. The PPG will address comments of the GEF Secretariat made at the PIF stage. The PPG activities will take into account the lessons learnt from previous UNDP-GEF projects in Georgia, and initiatives of other agencies and donors relevant to the subject matter of the project. The project’s technical feasibility and economic viability will be assessed, as will the risks associated with its implementation. In order to achieve these objectives, the PPG has been organized into the following activities:
- Elaborate on and analyse the ‘baseline project investments’ -- with particular focus on the policy, regulatory and methodological setting of the project for the expansion and improved protected areas management in the Ajara region of Georgia;
- Assessment of the capacity of different agencies to support the implementation of project activities;
- Complete baseline assessment for sites to be targeted by the project for enhancing management effectiveness (PA site-level survey);
- Feasibility and risk analysis, strategy development and budget.
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Duties and Responsibilities
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The overall objective of the assignment is to prepare the Full-size Project Document "Expansion and Improved Management Effectiveness of Ajara Region's Protected Areas" for approval by the Global Environment Facility. The Expert will work directly under the supervision of and reporting to UNDP-Georgia Energy & Environment Portfolio Manager.
Duties and Responsibilities[1]:
- Define operational strategies and resource needs, and providing administrative support for effective project design;
- Provide an overall orientation to the PPG team in relation to GEF requirements for project planning and monitoring;
- Provide methodological guidance for data collection related to project planning and monitoring with particular attention given to the description and quantification of the baseline investments;
- Conduct feasibility analysis of different options for the implementation of project activities and project governance. Assess governance frameworks for the management of sites;
- Define and validate the project outcomes, outputs, and activities based on a logical framework analysis and the results of the PPG studies undertaken by the team of experts;
- Collate relevant information on existing policies, legal, regulatory, institutional and financial frameworks for PA System management in Georgia and compose an analysis of it providing the ‘baseline’ picture and the justification for the project;
- Determine the needs for effective PA management in target sites and in the entire and expanded PA estate, building this analysis into proposed activities and outputs;
- Assess existing monitoring and evaluation systems of relevant institutions for biodiversity in Georgia and providing guidance and orientation to define indicators and quantify targets to track project progress and effectiveness;
- Develop the results framework of the project;
- Compile the final baseline/situational analysis for the project based on the inputs from local experts and in close cooperation with the key national stakeholders. This will include a precise definition of baseline projects, activities, budgets, goals, and co-financing links to GEF outcomes; definition of GEF incremental value per outcome and output; and development of incremental cost matrices, describing and evaluating (costing) any alternative means of achieving the goals of the project;
- Define overall Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for the Project;
- Prepare a quantified assessment of the project’s global environmental benefits for biodiversity conservation based on inputs from local experts and international standard criteria for effective PA management;
- Review and comment on the application of relevant tools, in particular the METT;
- Drafting ToRs for the key consultants/contracts to be employed by the project;
- Define recommended project monitoring and evaluation indicators;
- Perform final reviews of the required project documentation.
[1] A detailed workplan and deliverables will be confirmed within the first month of the contract in a joint workplan prepared by the Lead International and National Consultants and approved by UNDP-Georgia.
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Competencies
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- Proven ability to prepare project documents under biodiversity focal area for GEF on time;
- Proven ability to interact with and relate to people at all levels and in the field working conditions with different stakeholders;
- Proven ability to work flexibly and independently with limited supervision and deliver quality results against tight deadlines; and supervise a small team at a distance;
- Strong planning, communications, research and analytical skills. Up-to-date knowledge of protected area management an advantage;
- Excellent communication skills, cultural sensitivity;
- Proven strong analytical abilities;
- An innovative, pro-active approach to problem-solving.
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Required Skills and Experience
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Education:
- Master’s or equivalent degree in natural or environmental sciences or other related to the expertise areas.
Experience:
- Minimum 7 years work experience in protected areas management;
- Proven record of projects developed under BD and approved by GEF;
- Experience in community mobilization and financial sustainability of PAs considered an asset;
- Experience in working with government institutions as well as civil society organizations.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in English;
- Excellent English writing skills.
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UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
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