International Consultant: Protected Areas Finance Expert

The total area of protected areas of Kazakhstan is 22, 613,150 ha that is over 8% of overall area of Kazakhstan.

The proposed long-term solution on biodiversity conservation in ecological zones of Kazakhstan implies development of a strategic landscape-level approach to expansion and management of protected areas. The solution is based on a number of key elements. Firstly ? establishment of a system of financially sustainable protected areas with various protection regimes. Secondly, the solution depends on efficient integration of these protected areas with buffer zones, wildlife corridors and other samples of landscape. Finally, the solution depends on required abilities of a wide range of stakeholders in relation to protected areas management, as well as key landscape area management, and particularly in relation to use of considered management tools, i.e. protected areas, wildlife corridors, knowledge management system and etc. One of the main barriers to realization of a long-term solution is a focus on a traditional and complicated approach to PA expansion, which is inefficient for achievement of steppe ecosystem conservation goals. The efficiency of expansion system mostly depends not only on the number of hectares of protected land, but also on the species of protected areas being established. Unfortunately, the basic approach remains inflexible and non-innovational in this respect and no investment opportunity of capital in innovation methods differing from classical PA models applied so far. In this context, external financing may play an important role in demonstration of practicability of new approaches, which may be integrated into a regular financing process.

The tools required for efficient biodiversity conservation at landscape level and for the assessment of landscape management financial sustainability are underdeveloped.
And also they include limited capacity at systemic, institutional and individual level in relation to the development and implementation of PA sustainable financial models.

At the initial stage of the project implementation UNDP is searching for a highly qualified and experienced consultant on PA financial issues, who will promote the achievement of project goals and define mid-terms and long-term objectives and demonstate models of their implementation.

• The consultant or the organization will report to the Project Manager.
• The expert is responsible for reliability and correctness of the submitted data.
• A range of duties is specified in accordance with the Terms of Reference.
• The Salary is paid from the project funds upon satisfactory performance of the duties and achievement of the results upon approval of the Project Manager and the Head of UNDP Energy and Environment Unit.
• In case of making any changes in the report, they will be made at the Expert`s expense.

• Experience in development of strategies on PA financial sustainability; 
• Experience in development of models on landscape management financial sustainability; 
• Experience in development of a sustainable conservation mechanism scheme with participation of PAs, local communities and administrations; 
• Experience in preparation of models of steppe PA alternative financing 
• Experience in development and implementation of financial/business plans and training programs; 
• Excellent computer literacy

Education:

• Post graduate qualification in Finance

Work Experience:

• At least 10 years of ground experience in leading the processes of sustainable financing on PA and productive landscapes.

Language:

• Proficiency in both written and oral English