UNDP Jobs - 68167- National Expert on Zoology (Annual and bi-annual m

National Expert on Zoology (Annual and bi-annual monitoring of bird and butterfly species in North-Eastern Armenia)

Location :

Yerevan and project target regions, ARMENIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

20-Sep-2016

Application Deadline :

01-Sep-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Tentatively 120 working days (for the period 2016-2019)

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Project description:

The long-term solution sought is to facilitate shift from unsustainable to sustainable forest management in North-Eastern (NE) Armenia. The target area contains 65% of Armenia’s forest resources and provides essential ecosystem services including water provision (for urban use and food production), land slide control and carbon storage and sequestration. The project will promote an integrated approach towards fostering sustainable forest management – seeking to balance environmental management with development and community needs.

The project major objective is sustainable land and forest management in the North-eastern Armenia to secure continued flow of multiple ecosystem services (such as water provision, land slide control and carbon storage /sequestration) and to ensure conservation of critical wildlife habitats through the removal of the aforementioned barriers will ensure sustainable land and forest management to secure continued flow of multiple ecosystem services. This would be achieved during the four years of implementation through two main components, namely: (i) Integration of sustainable forest and land management objectives into planning and management of forest ecosystems to reduce degradation and enhance ecosystem services in two marzes covering 0.65 million hectares; and (ii) Sustainable Forest Management practices effectively demonstrating reduced pressure on high conservation forests and maintaining flow of ecosystem services.

It will attempt to reduce conflicting forest land-uses and improve the sustainability of forest management so as to maintain the flow of vital ecosystem services and sustain the livelihoods of local forest-dependent communities (and downstream users). This platform will be underpinned by a robust forest management planning support system and monitoring framework that will inform plans for the forest estate.

The context of the required contractual service is establishment of regular monitoring system on bird and butterfly species in north-eastern Armenian mountain forest ecosystems with the aim to trace dynamics in protected and managed forest ecosystems.? Such a regular monitoring system would serve as an indicator to ensure the measures taken for sustainable forest management practices.

Scope of work:

National Expert on Zoology will be recruited to support the project component 2 output 2.1 dedicated to annual and bi-annual monitoring of bird and butterfly species respectively that would help to assess impact of conservation measures in the existing protected areas and set-asides. Particularly expert will be responsible for identification of bird and butterfly monitoring sample sites and transects, provision of trainings on annual and bi-annual monitoring of bird and butterfly species for forest enterprises staff and local community members, institutionalization of selected bird and butterfly inventory and monitoring systems, recommendations on biodiversity aspects of sustainable land and forest management. The expected major activities are listed below:

Identification of 22-28 selection sites in target regions to monitor indicator bird species (Coal tit, Eurasian nuthatch, Semi-collared flycatcher, Green warbler, Song Thrush, etc.) to assess impact of conservation measures in the existing protected and managed forest areas and trace forest ecosystem dynamics;
Identification of 22-28 selected linear transects in target regions to monitor the change in average number of butterfly species (Argynnis paphia, Brintesia circe, Coenonympha arcania and Leptidea sinapis, etc.) population change to trace forest ecosystem dynamics;
To recommend new fauna indicator species/group of species/populations for the project target areas, define the baseline data and set targets;
Recommend actions and forms on proposed indicators that would be put into the updated forest management plans for biodiversity conservation, including recommendations for monitoring protocols.
To recommend institutionalization of inventory and monitoring systems for the selected bird and butterfly species in the target regions;
Training programme, materials and training for Tavush and Lori regions’ forest enterprises staff to increase knowledge and get practical skills/ tools for monitoring of indicator bird and butterfly species/populations in target areas.

Duties and Responsibilities

The selected National Expert on Zoology will be under the overall supervision of UNDP SGR (Sustainable Growth and Resilience) Portfolio Manager, Programme Coordinator and direct supervision of the project Task Leader. The contractor will report and seek approval/acceptance from Program coordinator and project Task Leader. The contractor should kindly discuss the intermediate and final results of his activities with project administration, advisory board members and project stakeholders and take into account notes, remarks and recommendations from those parts. Hayantar SNCO’s daughter forest enterprises staff and local community members in the target regions will be involved in the implementation of the contract activities. Project will facilitate the availability of training staff and will recommend training sites.

Expected outputs:

Identified and demarcated 22-28 selected sites in target regions to monitor indicator bird species (Coal tit, Eurasian nuthatch, Semi-collared flycatcher, Green warbler, Song Thrush, etc.);
Identified and demarcated 22-28 selected linear transects in target regions to monitor indicator butterfly species (Argynnis paphia, Brintesia circe, Coenonympha arcania, Leptidea sinapis, etc.);
Identified new fauna indicator species/group of species/populations for the project target areas;
Recommended actions and forms on how to include bird and butterfly indicator species monitoring into the updated forest management plans in the target regions;
Recommendations on institutionalization of inventory and monitoring systems for the selected bird and butterfly species in the target regions;
Improved skills of 25 forestry specialists in species identification and counting, proven by paper based tests;
Teaching and training materials on monitoring of indicator bird and butterfly species/populations in target areas;
Reports on the overall activities.

Competencies

Good understanding of the national framework related to conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in Armenia.
Proven knowledge of communication tools, ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with people of different social and cultural backgrounds;
High sense of responsibility, ability to work under pressure and in the field conditions;
Ability to express ideas clearly in both verbally and in writing;
Ability to work independently and to participate effectively in a team based information sharing.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced University Degree (MSc, MA or PhD) in biology with specialization in zoology.

Experience:

At least 5 years of relevant professional experience at national or international level, including research in the subject area.
3 years of working experience in ecosystem inventory, resources identification and fauna assessment.
At least 3 years of experience in research methodologies and analysis (track record with producing high quality research/analytical reports and papers).
Experience of work in mountain regions and/or South Caucasus countries.

Language Skills:

Fluency in English is required (written and oral). Knowledge of Armenian or Russian is an asset ????

Technical skills:

Good computer literacy, knowledge of MS office software and web based applications.

National expert will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

Candidates will be evaluated using a cumulative analysis method taking into consideration the combination of the applicants' technical qualifications and experience, and financial proposal.

The contract will be awarded to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

Technically responsive/compliant/acceptable to the requirements of the ToR; and
Having received the highest cumulative (technical & financial) score out of below defined technical and financial criteria.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% (49 points) in the technical evaluation would be considered for financial evaluation.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation - max. 70 points

Criteria A – Advanced University Degree (MSc, MA or PhD) in biology with specialization in zoology - max. points 10 if mandatory requirement is met;
Criteria B – At least 5 years of relevant professional experience at national or international level, including research in the subject area- max. points 15 if mandatory requirement is met;
Criteria C – At least 3 years of experience in research methodologies and analysis (track record with producing high quality research/analytical reports and papers)- max. points 10;
Criteria D – Proven experience on bird and butterfly field studies, assessment and monitoring development methodology - max. points 10;
Criteria E – Experience of work in mountain regions and/or South Caucasus countries is an asset – max. points 10;
Criteria F – Demonstrated knowledge and/or experience in overseeing and coordinating field activities - max. points 5;
Criteria G – Brief methodology on task implementation applicable with the project document - max. points 5;
Criteria H – Language fluency (written and spoken) in English - max. points 3. Knowledge of Russian or Armenian is an asset - max. points 2.

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation - max. 30 points.

The maximum number of points assigned to the financial proposal is allocated to the lowest price proposal. All other price proposals receive points in inverse proportion.

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

Mandatory submission of UNDP Personal History form P11. A personal CV with list of publications is welcome in addition;
Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work;
Brief methodology on how they will approach and conduct the work;
Financial proposal or task implementation.

Note: Please note you can upload only one document to this application (scan all documents in one single PDF file to attach)