International Consultant for National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

This project (National Biodiversity Planning to Support the implementation of the CBD 2011-2020 Strategic Plan in Egypt (NBSAP Project) is part of the second generation of Biodiversity Enabling Activities (BD EA) under the GEF. Egypt has been Party to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) since 2 June 1994. The project addresses the country’s need to continue to fulfill its obligations under the CBD, with particular focus on the Convention’s Article 6 and the CBD COP Decision X/2. Above all, the project is a significant contribution to Egypt’s efforts towards implementing the CBD Strategic Plan 2011-2020 at the national level. The project builds on the current status and achievements of Egypt with respect to biodiversity planning and reporting. It aims to integrate Egypt’s obligations under the CBD into its national development and sectoral planning frameworks through a renewed and participative ‘biodiversity planning’ and strategizing process. This process is expected to produce measurable targets for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use. It will equally ensure that the value of ecosystems’ goods and services, as well as the challenges and opportunities for ecosystem-based adaptation and resilience are taken into consideration in the process. The project will achieve its objective through the implementation of three components which are:

• A participative stocktaking exercise on biodiversity planning takes place and national biodiversity targets are developed in response to the global Aichi Targets; 
• The NBSAP is revised/updated and it fully integrates new aspects of the CBD strategic plan, such as mainstreaming and anchoring the implementation of the plan into national development frameworks, valuing ecosystem services and promoting ecosystem-based adaptation and resilience; and 
• National frameworks for resource mobilization, Convention reporting and exchange mechanisms are strengthened.

Objective of the assignment:  

The objective of the assignment is to provide technical assistance to Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA), which is the implementing agency under the Ministry of State for Environmental Affairs (MSEA), in preparation of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), to be submitted to the Government of Egypt. The international consultant will provide his expertise to ensure that the revised NBSAP is a relevant policy instrument, effectively integrated into development plans, development finance, as well as plans, strategies and policies aimed at managing climate risk, with technical quality. 

The international consultant will support the EEAA in the preparation of the NBSAP, focusing on the following tasks:

• Work closely with EEAA and national experts to develop detailed work plan for NBSAP development and NBSAP outline; 
• Cooperate with national experts to undertake an assessment of the causes and consequences of biodiversity loss, highlighting the value of biodiversity and ecosystem services and their contribution to human well-being including rapid stocktaking and review of relevant plans, policies and reports; 
• Coordinate with IUCN to access the latest species status assessments and identify major information gaps. 
• Liaise with local and international NGOs to capture the latest information and insights on biodiversity conditions and trends. 
• Review and synthesize key points from the thematic papers, prepared by the national consultants. 
• Draft the NBSAP, ensuring it is of high quality and consistent with the CBD and national policies and legislation related to biodiversity conservation. 
• Advise on the design of, and participate in, a national consultation process to receive recommendations/suggestions and comments from stakeholders. 
• Provide specific policy recommendations and advice for use in the NBSAP.  
• Advise EEAA and key stakeholders preparing the NBSAP on mainstreaming at provincial level. 
• Advise EEAA in the development of guidelines and tools/techniques for mainstreaming of biodiversity priorities into development and land-use planning. 
• Guide overall development of implementation plans and related activities. 
• Prepare and submit the final version of the NBSAP and Executive Summary, incorporating the feedback received from EEAA, the national consultative workshop and other stakeholders. 
• Ensure the quality of the final NBSAP, both in terms of its technical contents and the use of English.

Duration of assignment, duty station and expected places of travel:

The assignment covers four weeks, task to be conducted in Cairo, Egypt. The consultant needs to make 4 missions to Cairo (around 7 days for each mission) during the process of NBSAP development and to attend four consultation workshops. 

Final products:

Final products to be submitted in stages:

• Full draft of the national biodiversity agreed goals/targets and actions, ready by 30 October 2013; 
• Full draft of the NBSAP incorporating outputs from the reports of the Thematic Working Groups: Background, status of biodiversity, threats, ready by 30 December 2013; 
•  Final NBSAP and Executive Summary, incorporating comments from all sources, ready by 31 May 2014.

Provision of monitoring and progress controls:

The consultant will be supervised by Project Director and Project Manager, and the UNDP Programme Officer. A team of national consultants and EEAA working group will cooperate with the consultant in the process of NBSAP development/finalization.

Admin support and reference documents:

EEAA and the project team will assist the consultant in contacting partners when carrying out interviews and meetings; organize the consultation workshops with stakeholders; and provide administrative support to the selected consultant.

Payment term:

• First payment of 20% of the total contract amount will be made upon submission and UNDP’s approval of the work plan. 
• Second payment of 20% of the total contract amount will be paid upon satisfactory completion of the national biodiversity goals/targets. 
• Third payment of 40% of the total contract amount will be paid upon submission the draft NBSAP, with satisfactory acceptance by UNDP. 
• Last payment of 20% of total contract amount will be paid upon completion and UNDP’s satisfactory acceptance of final products under the contract. The final draft report will be provided to EEAA/UNDP CO for review two weeks prior to the end of the contract period.

Evaluation: 
 
The technical component will be evaluated using the following criteria:  
 
Consultant’s experiences/qualification related to the services (Criteria and Maximum Points)

• An advanced degree (PhD) in environmental or natural sciences, preferably with exposure to biodiversity conservation issues at the international level, in both the field and policy areas.(25)
• Ten (10) years of experience in the preparation of NBSAPs or similar strategic planning frameworks, assessment of biodiversity data and information, and training.(15)
• Experience with the IUCN Red List in the region is desirable.(10)
• Solid knowledge and understanding of the CBD decisions and processes.(20)
• Previous experience in the development of NBSAPs, especially at the international level, is an advantage. (20)
• Full proficiency in English is required and knowledge of Arabic an advantage.(10)

• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
• Ability to work under pressure and remains clam .
• Demonstrates strong leadership abilities.

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling 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 favoritism;
• Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

• An advanced degree (PhD) in environmental or natural sciences, preferably with exposure to biodiversity conservation issues at the international level, in both the field and policy areas.

• Ten (10) years of experience in the preparation of NBSAPs or similar strategic planning frameworks, assessment of biodiversity data and information, and training.
• Experience with the IUCN Red List in the region is desirable.   
• Proven track record of drafting relevant materials (publications, reports and related documentation) in the biodiversity and ecosystem-based adaptation and mitigation areas. 
• Proven ability to collect, verify and analyse information, and to finish and present work with a high degree of accuracy and technical quality. 
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, in order to communicate complex, technical information to both technical and general audiences. 
• Solid knowledge and understanding of the CBD decisions and processes. 
• Previous experience in the development of NBSAPs, especially at the international level, is an advantage. 

• Full proficiency in English is required and knowledge of Arabic an advantage.

FC: 62000