International Consultant – Chief Technical Advisor- Invasive Alien Species Project

UNDP supports the Biodiversity Secretariat of the Ministry of Environment to implement a number of projects funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), of which one such project is the Invasive Alien Species (IAS) project for which assistance is sort.

Invasive Alien Species Project: Sri Lanka’s geographic location, varied climatic conditions and topography have given rise to its unique biological diversity. The country’s globally significant biodiversity is being threatened by increasing introduction, establishment and spread of invasive alien fauna and flora. As Sri Lankan markets become increasingly integrated into the global economy and in the face of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation, it is likely that the threats posed by invasion will worsen in the future as would their impacts on the natural environment, human production systems and pro-poor economic growth.

Weak and overlapping legislative and institutional mandates, the lack of a coherent or integrated strategic planning and management framework combined with limited information base and awareness of the threat posed by invasive alien species (IAS) are contributing to the loss of biodiversity as well as undermining associated economic processes and human well-being. The project will support the development of an enabling policy and legal environment for effective IAS control. It will assist in finalizing the National IAS Policy, develop the National IAS Control Act for approval by the Cabinet of Ministers and finalize the National IAS Strategy and Action Plan through stakeholder participation and technical assistance. The project will also enhance integrated management planning and action, with corresponding budgetary and technical support for the prevention, detection, and management of IAS. It will build capacities of the National Focal Point for IAS and other stakeholders, especially those involved in enforcement and of local communities, to encourage their support for IAS control activities. Information related to IAS will be assembled and managed through a national database that will be made widely accessible through the internet. For this, the project will support the finalization of the National IAS Communication Strategy to create awareness and further strengthen the understanding of IAS control and establish site-specific, cost-effective IAS control mechanisms through public-private partnerships.

The project will be executed by the Biodiversity Secretariat of the Ministry of Environment of Sri Lanka in close cooperation with national level line agencies and research institutes, provincial governments and directorates, national and local NGOs and community representatives.

Scope and Objectives

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical guidance to the project, biodiversity secretariat, and supervise technical assignments. Further, the Consultant needs to transfer knowledge and build capacities among local public authorities and other stakeholders through training workshops and discussions organized by the project.

The Chief Technical Advisor (IAS) will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Support the  National Project Director (NPD) to manage technical inputs and project risks and monitor project outcomes and results;
• Overall guidance of the IAS project technical actions;
• Support the project to formulate policies, regulations and guidelines required to implement IAS control and management at national, district, and local levels;
• Support implementing agencies to develop best practice project proposals to achieve outputs in strategic areas and submit for approval;
• Review and guide BDS and related professionals and consultants to develop various  manuals, guidelines, fact sheets, assessment reports under related IAS themes;
• Provide high quality technical advisory services to state sector and non-state sector agencies to develop IAS control and management plans;
• Review and guide relevant agencies and consultants on technical aspects of their work and ensure timely delivery of results;
• With the assistance of technical coordinator, monitor the project results, and train the Ministry staff attached to the Project Implementation Unit;
• Review awareness and effective communication of project actions for key stakeholders related to IAS;
• Review TORs and necessary documents for the procurement of any specialist services required to implement project activities;
• Perform any other duties that fall under incumbents’ expertise and as reasonably required by the project.

Expected Deliverables

The key products to be delivered are as follows:

• Individual Work Plan with clear milestones and time bound targets for the technical aspects of the project;
• Report on strategy and action plan related to filling knowledge related gaps;
• Report on strategy and action plan related to completion of regulatory framework;
• Evaluation report on results achieved against work plan, knowledge and regulatory framework related action plans.

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Functional Competencies:

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
• Ability to lead formulation and monitoring of management projects;
• Solid knowledge in financial resources and human resources management, contract, asset and procurement, information and communication technology, general administration;
• Good analytical and problem solving skills and related ability for adaptive management;
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment, to effectively manage it and to motivate its members and other project counterparts to effectively work towards the project’s objective and expected outcomes;
• Good communication skills and competence in handling project’s external relations at all levels.

Management and Leadership:

• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Leads teams effectively and shows mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills.

Knowledge Management and Learning:

• Promotes knowledge management in a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Education:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Natural Science, Environment, Development Studies, or  related field.

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years post-masters work experience in environmental sector, with particular emphasis on IAS and advocacy for developing national plans/programmes with state sector and non-state sector  stakeholder engagement;
• Familiarity and prior experience with the Government and UNDP policies and guidelines are considered as an asset.

Language:

• Fluency in written and spoken English.

How to Apply:

• Updated CV to include qualifications/competencies and relevant past experience in similar projects and contact details of 2 professional referees who can certify your competencies, professionalism, quality of writing, presentation and overall suitability to this TOR;
• Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a combination of factors including cover letter, the credentials on offer and brief interview (optional) and the offer which gives the best value for money for UNDP;
• Please duly fill the below financial proposal and attach to the last page of the CV along with all other required documentation above.

 Financial Proposal

Please provide a breakdown of the all-inclusive cost as per schedule below:

• All inclusive lump sum fee for carrying out the tasks spell out in this TOR: USD - ;
• Tickets for two missions; USD - ;
• (Air Ticket: to and from the home country of the consultant in economy class via the most economical/direct route).

Since Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) applicable for the 3 star class of hotels in Colombo, Sri Lanka which under ‘elsewhere’ rate applies to USD 113/day is payable for mission in Sri Lanka it should not capture in the financial proposal.

• Total lump sum amount (a+b): USD - ;
• Amount in words: USD - ;

Note:

Payments will be based on invoices on achievement of agreed milestones i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR and certification by the UNDP. The applicant must factor in all possible costs in his/her “All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee” financial proposal including his/her consultancy and professional fee, Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) applicable for the 3 star class of hotels in Colombo, Sri Lanka which under ‘elsewhere’ rate applies to USD 113/day, airfare (to and from the home country of the consultant in economy class via the most economical/direct route), communication cost such as telephone/internet usage, ad-hoc costs, stationery costs. No costs other than what has been indicated in the financial proposal will be paid or reimbursed to the consultant. While in Sri Lanka, any travel outside of the duty station will be with prior approval of the Assistant Country Director.

The costs for project related travelling within Sri Lanka (excluding daily travel within Colombo), organizing and logistics of conducting training events, workshops and the seminar, making photocopies of the course material to be distributed among participants, etc. are borne by the implementing agency project. Therefore, those costs should not be included in the above budget.

For an Individual Contractor who is of 62 years of age or older, and on an assignment requiring travel, be it for the purpose of arriving at the duty station or as an integral duty required under the TOR, a full medical examination and statement of fitness to work must be provided.  Such medical examination costs must be factored in to the financial proposal above.

Payment for Services

The International Chief Technical Advisor shall receive payment in 4 instalments from UNDP as follows:

• 20% - Individual Work Plan with clear milestones and time bound targets for the technical aspects of the project;
• 20% - Report on strategy and action plan related to filling knowledge related gaps;
• 20% - Report on strategy and action plan related to completion of regulatory framework;
• 40% - Evaluation report on results achieved against work plan, knowledge and regulatory framework related action plans.