Consultant: Economic valuation of the influence of invasive alien species (IAS) on the national economy

The ‘Mainstreaming Prevention and Control Measures for Invasive Alien Species into Trade, Transport And Travel Across The Production Landscape” (or “Biosecurity”) Full sized Project, was signed in December 2007 between the Government of Seychelles (GOS) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and is funded by a Global Environment Facility (GEF) grant of US$2,000,000. The project is part of the UNDP-GEF Portfolio in Seychelles and is implemented under a Programme Coordination Unit (PCU), and headed by a Biodiversity Programme Manager. The project started in February 2008 with the recruitment of the Programme Manager, and has recently completed its Inception Phase. The Project is of a duration of 5 years, and has the following Project Objective: “Increased capacities to prevent and control the introduction and spread of Invasive Alien Species through Trade, Travel and Transport across the Production landscape”.

This Objective is to be attained through the following Outcomes:

• Outcome 1: “Policy and regulatory framework for effective control of the introduction and spread of IAS in place”.
• Outcome 2: “Strengthened Institutional capacity to prevent and control the introduction and spread of IAS”.
• Outcome 3: “Improved knowledge and learning capacities to control the introduction, establishment and spread of IAS”.

These Outcomes are subdivided in different Outputs (2 – 3 under each Outcome) and Activities (3 – 7 under each Output). The Project is currently seeking a consultant to undertake Project Activity 1.1.3: Economic valuation of the influence of IAS on the national economy undertaken.

2. CONTEXT

Invasive Alien Species are reported to be the single greatest threat to native species and habitats in Seychelles. Seychelles has taken impressive steps to eradicate invasive alien species from small islands and to restore small island ecosystems. It is also taking a number of actions to eradicate invasive fauna and control weeds on larger islands, where technology and/or costs permits. A major barrier in terms of IAS management is that no economic evaluation has so far been made of the effects of IAS, mainly because the biodiversity or ecosystems services impacted by IAS are often not valued. Policy makers often do not see the need to manage IAS, as it is not considered “economical”, especially given the very high financial cost of control / eradication measures . Also, absence of economic data on the relative costs and benefits of IAS control is a constraint for the effective mainstreaming of prevention and control efforts in production activities. The production sectors and the general public do not realize the total cost of the impacts of IAS, and may therefore not support or implement requisite prevention and control measures.

In general, little economic valuation of Biodiversity has been done in Seychelles, and not in a very systematic manner . A rudimentary biodiversity valuation was done during the development of the UNDP-GEF Mainstreaming Biodiversity Project , taking into account the Direct and Indirect Use Values, as well as Option and Existence Values, of biodiversity in different sectors. This study came up with a total approximate biodiversity value of 2 billion rupees in the Seychelles. The report confirms that Biodiversity underpins most economic activities in the Seychelles, and loss of biodiversity as a result of Invasive Alien Species could have major negative economic impacts for the country. This is expected to worsen, in particular against the backdrop of increasing trade and transport, as well as further compounding effects of climate change.

3. OBJECTIVE

The overall objective of the assignment is to prepare an economic valuation of the influence of IAS on the national economy, including assessments of Total Economic Values of biodiversity and ecosystem services (comprising of direct and indirect use; option; non-use values). This valuation will inform and guide policy, regulatory, and institutional decisions concerning IAS management.

This valuation will also support most of the other outputs and activities of the Project, especially under Outcome 1 (Policy and regulatory framework for effective control of the introduction and spread of IAS in place) and Outcome 2 (Strengthened institutional capacity to prevent and control the introduction and spread of IAS).

 4. TYPE OF CONTRACT

Short-term International consultancy, mostly undertaken in Seychelles, with completion of Final Report home based.
The short-term International consultancy, to which these TOR apply, will be carried out in collaboration with a National Consultant, for which separate TOR are issued and a separate contract will be established (see ANNEX).

5.  DURATION AND TIMELINE

The assignment is envisaged to take place over the period October – December 2008.

6. RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

The Consultant reports to the UNDP-GEF Biodiversity Programme Manager (PM). The PM is responsible for the effective implementation of the assignment and he in turn reports to the UNDP-GEF Programme Coordinator (PC) and UNDP-GEF Biodiversity Programme Steering Committee. The International Consultant is Team Leader for this Assignment, working together with and supervising the local consultant (see separate TOR for Local Consultant), and is responsible for the deliverables under this TOR. A Second Draft Report will be submitted to the Biodiversity Programme Manager for further comments and approval, before departure. Final payment will be made after receipt of approved Final Report, as per specifications in the contract.

1. ACTIVITIES/TASKS

The Main tasks of the assignment consist of the following:

1. Review previous and on-going economic assessments, as collected and collated by the National Consultant, with particular relevance to environmental / biodiversity valuation

2. Assess in detail the biodiversity value of Seychelles resources, in relation to the general economy (GDP), based on earlier analyses and using internationally recognized valuation methods ,

3. Assess and value the effects of IAS on biodiversity / natural resources and the national economy, using Total Economic Value principles.

4. Review and assess the costs of IAS Management (Prevention, Control, Mitigation, Eradication) in Seychelles, as collected and collated by the National Consultant, also comparing to international examples.

5. Perform a Cost / Benefit Analysis of IAS Management in Seychelles, taking into account Total Economic Values.

6. Impart knowledge and build capacity of the local consultant with whom the Int. consultant cooperates during this assignment, specifically on best international practices and techniques in environmental economics, through on the job training and small briefing sessions.

7. Develop a Draft IAS Economic Valuation Report, including recommendations for adopting cost effective measures in policy, regulatory change, decision-making and project activities.

8. Present findings to stakeholders (decision-makers, practitioners) in an appropriate forum and manner (Stakeholder Workshop; diverse focus group sessions; briefings / presentations), and derive pertinent comments for inclusion in

Second Draft Document

9. Complete Second Draft IAS Economic Valuation Report, including recommendations for adopting cost effective measures and comments from stakeholders / decision-makers, and submit to PCU.

10. Complete Final IAS Economic Valuation Report, including comments from PCU / Experts / Steering Committee.

2. DELIVERABLES / OUTPUTS 

•  A short Workplan, describing how the Consultant / Contractor plans to implement the Assignment, to be submitted 3 days after start of the assignment, and discussed with the Programme Manager. 
• Draft Document, to be submitted to and discussed with the Programme Manager at 3 weeks in the assignment, before presentation to stakeholders, experts, etc. 
• Second Draft Document, integrating comments from stakeholders 
• Final Document, including comments from PCU, Experts, Steering Committee, etc.

• Experience in valuation of natural resources / biodiversity; 
• Experience with diverse environmental valuation techniques / best practices; 
• Training skills and experience; 
• Knowledge of UNDP and GEF projects and procedures an advantage; 
• Excellent reporting skills; 
  

• University Degree in economics, with specialization in environmental economics; 
• Fluent written and oral communication in English. Knowledge of Creole and French an advantage