| Description |
CONSULTANT FOR GEF MID TERM EVALUATION OF BIOSECURITY PROJECT IN SEYCHELLES
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| Location : |
SEYCHELLES, SEYCHELLES |
| Application Deadline : |
08-Aug-12 |
| Additional Category |
Environment and Energy |
| 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) |
20-Aug-2012 |
| Duration of Initial Contract : |
30 October 2012 |
| Expected Duration of Assignment : |
25 working days |
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Background
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The Government of Seychelles (GOS), in partnership with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is currently implementing a programme of mainstreaming biodiversity management, in particular the prevention and control measures for Invasive Alien Species, across the Production Landscape of Seychelles.
Isolated from the continents for 65 million years, the fauna and flora of the Seychelles have evolved into unique forms with ancient Gondwanan lineage. The archipelago is a repository of globally important terrestrial diversity. It is also a storehouse of marine biodiversity. The Seychelles is part of one of the major biodiversity hotspots in the world: Madagascar and the Indian Ocean Islands. Its biodiversity is at risk of extirpation, and in some instances outright extinction, from a variety of human induced pressures. Seychelles faces the typical constraints of a SIDS, with its small land area and population, remoteness from major markets, limited natural resources and environmental vulnerability. Its most important assets are the truly rare beauty of the environment, and a significant fishery resource including pelagic and various coastal stocks.
Seychelles is typical of remote islands in the ecological susceptibility of its terrestrial biodiversity to IAS. IAS out-compete and replace indigenous fauna and flora through predation, elimination of natural regeneration, introduction of diseases and smothering by creepers. Animal IAS, like rats, feral cats and other predators, can be devastating to the avifauna and small fauna, reducing levels of recruitment. IAS also pose a threat of unquantified magnitude to Seychelles’ marine biodiversity. Most of the terrestrial ecosystems of Seychelles have been heavily affected by certain invasive alien species. The introduction of IAS into Seychelles has long been associated with trade, agriculture, and movement of people. The nature of the IAS threat has changed dramatically as a result of the increased trade and movement of people associated with the development of tourism and industrial off-shore fisheries. This has increased the number of pathways for IAS introductions. Three sets of barriers are impeding efforts to remediate the threats posed by invasive alien species. These are 1) capacity deficits at the systemic level; 2) limited capacities at the institutional level; and 3) technical capability.
The “Mainstreaming Prevention and Control Measures for Invasive Alien Species into Trade, Transport and Travel across the Production Landscape” project will contribute to the achievement of the following goal: “The functional integrity of the terrestrial and coastal ecosystems is secured now and into the future, thus providing a base for sustainable development”. The project will be responsible for achieving 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”. The project is divided into three outcomes, namely:
- 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.
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Duties and Responsibilities
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- The use of the logical framework as a management tool during implementation and any changes made to this as a response to changing conditions and/or feedback from M and E activities if required. The project adjusted certain activities and indicators within the logical framework and this should be reviewed against the original logical framework and assessed. Other elements of adaptive management such as comprehensive work plans routinely developed that reflect adaptive management and /or changes in management arrangements to enhance implementation;
- An assessment of the adequacy of the project institutional and management arrangements within the context of the project being managed as part of a portfolio of projects by a Programme Coordination Unit;
- An assessment and analysis of the outputs: Whether these are being achieved as per schedule and/or whether there is a need to modify or change some of these; reasons for any shortfalls and whether there are any unexpected results.
- An assessment and analysis of the outcome: Whether these are being achieved; reasons for any shortfalls and whether there are any unexpected results;
- An analysis of factors within and beyond DOE and PCU’s control that are influencing performance and success of the project (including the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) in contributing to the realization of the outputs and outcomes;
- An analysis of whether the project’s interventions can be credibly linked to achievement of the outcome, including the key outputs and assistance provided, both soft and hard.
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Competencies
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- A Consultant - an internationally respected development specialist with experience in biodiversity conservation, mainstreaming, project cycle management, in particular monitoring and evaluation;
- Previous experience in evaluation, preferably of UNDP/GEF projects, will be sought after in the selection process;
- Specific knowledge of the management of IAS in SIDS’ context is an added plus.
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Required Skills and Experience
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- Recent knowledge of result-based management evaluation methodologies
- Recent knowledge of participatory monitoring approaches
- Experience applying SMART indicators and reconstructing or validating baseline scenarios
- Experience with the GEF Monitoring and Evaluation Policy
- Experience applying UNDP’s results-based evaluation policies and procedures
- Competence in Adaptive Management, as applied to natural resource management projects
- Demonstrated analytical skills
- Experience with multilateral or bilateral conservation projects, including in SIDS and preferably in the Indian Ocean region
- Fluency in English is essential
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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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