Background

The objective of UNDP/GEF project named «Landscape approach to management of peatlands aiming at multiple ecological benefits», Atlas ID 00082884, is to promote a landscape approach to management of peatlands so as to conserve biodiversity, enhance carbon stocks, and secure multiple ecosystem services with demonstration in the Poozerie landscape. The project proposes an integrated approach to decision-making on peatland use that takes into account ecological as well as economic criteria, and considers carbon benefits that may be derived from participation in the voluntary and compliance markets, in addition to biodiversity, land degradation and SFM benefits. A National Strategy for Weatlands Management including a scheme for peatlands management will be developed as a consensus policy document and demonstrations of the restoration and sustainable use of peatlands will take place in a number of sites ranging from protected areas, to agricultural and forested peatlands. The existing MRV protocol for emission reductions from peatlands will be extended to agriculture and forestry biotopes.

One of the key goals of the project is to develop policy framework and institutional capacities for a landscape approach to peatlands management. This outcome will focus on creating an enabling environment for a landscape approach to peatlands management, wherein threats to peatlands and associated management responses are considered at the landscape level and peatlands use is not driven solely by short-term economic needs but also by needs of biodiversity conservation, soil conservation, and minimization of carbon emissions. Given that peatlands are used by many stakeholders for agriculture, forestry, fuel production, recreation, nature conservation, scientific research, and meeting the needs of local communities, multiple stakeholders need to be involved in developing this landscape approach. Therefore, this outcome will focus on creating a platform for cross-sectoral dialogue on a landscape approach to peatlands management, developing associated capacities within the different entities responsible for peatlands management, developing the tools to support ecologically optimal decision-making on the use of peatlands, and securing approval of a strategic plan on peatlands management namely, the National Strategy on Peatlands (NSP.

Cross-sectoral dialogue will be critical for the development and implementation of a landscape approach to peatlands management. Such a dialogue will help to ensure (i) coordination and information-sharing among the sectors related specifically to the development and implementation of the NSP, (ii) that technical expertise from each Ministry/ sector is made available to the process, (iii) that planning by each individual sector is in line with the recommendations of the NSP on the use of Belarusian peatlands, (iv) identification of any jurisdictional overlaps, (v) identification and resolution of conflicting interests, and (vi) harmonization of sector-based actions to remove duplication of effort.

 

Based on the criteria and methodology for assessing the state, function, and ecosystem services of peatlands a draft National Strategy for Peatlands will be designed. The NSP will adopt a landscape approach to addressing threats to peatlands and will emphasize ecologically optimal management regimes for all peatland landscapes. The NSP will include (a) an overall description of peatlands’ condition and evaluation of their further use, (b) a list of all Belarusian peatlands with recommendations on their further use, and (c) identification of institutional roles for wise management of peatland landscapes. The recommendations on peatland use will be based on an analysis of all economic and ecological strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for each peatland included in the inventory. Recommended uses will be as follows: nature conservation (protected areas of local or national importance and their buffer zones, special protected sites, rest zones for hunting species), peat extraction, agriculture, and forestry. The NSP will undergo multiple public consultations, including with non-government organizations and landowners. After consultations, it will be submitted for adoption to the Government.

The Strategy development has to be undertaken with consideration of respective international experience, as well as preparing of national Strategies for peatlands using and protection. International Peatlands Specialist will conduct a capacity building workshop at the beginning of the Interministerial Working Group (IMWG) functioning, and will peer-review the outputs of the IMWG.

Duties and Responsibilities

The work shall be performed in line with the Project Detailed Work Plan and include the principal activities as follows:
  • To conduct analysis of legal framework of European countries and Belarus with respect to sustainable peatlands management;
  • To develop in cooperation with the Project Manager and the Project Scientific Coordinator proposals aimed at reforming the regulatory framework for sustainable peatlands management in Belarus;
  • To analyze international and national strategies for sustainable peatlands management. To work out proposals based on the best available principles and approaches for developing NPS in Belarus;
  • Prepare and present 3 presentations at the IMWG meetings in order to increase the capacity of the parties involved in the strategy development: (i) review European regulatory framework for the sustainable peatlands management; (ii) the best and worst examples of peatlands management in different countries, the prospects for development of the peat industry in Europe; (iii) proposals for the principles and approaches in relation to NSP development in Belarus.
For detailed information, please refer to Annex 1- Terms of Reference.

Competencies

Functional competencies:
  • Strong report writing skills and experience in writing and presenting reports to a high professional level (including graphs, pictures, diagrams, figures, and other illustrative tools for enhancing quality of reporting;
  • Good analytical skills;
  • Ability to meet deadlines and prioritize multiple tasks;
  • Familiarity with UNDP guidelines is an advantage.
Corporate Competencies:
  • 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.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
  • Advanced university degree (at least Master level) in any of the following fields: Biology, Geography, Ecology;
  • PhD degree (or equivalent) is preferable and will be considered as an asset.
Experience:
  • At least 5 years of practical experience in the field of sustainable peatlands management at international level;
  • Demonstrated practical experience and success in performing similar assignments in the framework of at least 3 similar international projects or its relevant sub-components in Belarus and/or any CIS country;
  • Solid knowledge, demonstrated by at least 10 relevant publications and/or at least 10 evidences in professional experience records, about state-of-the-art approaches and best international and European practices in sustainable peatlands management;
  • Familiarity with relevant Belarusian regulations and standards is an asset;

Language requirements:

  • Excellent written and spoken English is a must;
  • Working knowledge of written and spoken Belarusian or Russian is a plus.
Proposals for tender reference number 775/2013 should be submitted on-line or to e-mail tenders.by@undp.by no later than 18.00 “  9“ September 2013 (Minsk time) or by fax +375 17 326 03 40 or to the following address: UNDP Office, Kirau Street 17, 6th floor, 220050 Minsk, Belarus (reference number 775/2013 of the tender should be indicated on the envelope).
Any request for clarification must be sent in writing, or by standard electronic communication to the e-mail aliaksei.artsiusheuski@undp.org  will respond in writing or by standard electronic mail and will send written copies of the response, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to all consultants.

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals
Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:
  • Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability - Please fill in the Annex V;
  • Financial proposal – please fill in the Annex II;
  • Personal CV or P11 form (UNDP Personal History Form) including past experience in similar projects and at least 2 references (or contact information of at least 2 people who could provide a reference upon request). CV shall include the following information: applicant’s name, address and contact details, educational background, experience in the related to the assignment fields, competencies and professional skills.
All documents required (Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability, CV or P11 and Financial Proposal) shall be presented altogether in just one (1) envelope, if submitted by courier, or in one email transmission, or as an attachment to an on-line application, without password encryption. 

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.

Annexes

Annex I – Terms of ReferenceAnnex II – Finance proposalAnnex III – IC contract formAnnex IV – General Terms for IC contractsAnnex V - Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and AvailabilityAnnex VI - Procurement Notice