International Biodiversity Management Specialist

UN recognizes that biodiversity is currently being lost at unprecedented rates due to human activities around the globe. To address this problem, the CBD COP adopted a Strategic Plan in 2002 (Decision VI/26). In its mission statement, CBD Parties committed themselves to more effective and coherent implementation of the three CBD objectives with the purpose of achieving a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss at the global, regional and national level by the year 2010, as a contribution to poverty alleviation and to the benefit of all life on earth. These agreements became known as the 2010 Biodiversity Commitments for which a set of targets and indicators were later established.

COP 10 decisions recognize that achieving positive outcomes for biodiversity requires actions at multiple entry points. The new Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 (CBD COP decision XI/2) reflects this perspective by including 20 headline targets for 2015 or 2020, which are referred to as the Aichi Biodiversity Targets (ABT), and are organized under five strategic goals. Thus, it is required that each member country to set their own targets with the flexible framework. NBSAPs are the key conduit for implementing the Strategic Plan and achieving the ABTs at a national level.  It is also required countries to prepare a national biodiversity strategy, and to submit national reports to the COP on measures taken to implement it, and the effectiveness of those actions in meeting the Convention’s objectives. This is the 6th National Report which will focus on monitoring the effectiveness of national strategies and actions in achieving National and Aichi Biodiversity Targets (ABT) and related biodiversity outcomes.

In this context UNDP is partnering with the Government of Lao PDR, National CBD Convention Focal Point based at the Water Resource Management of Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment to prepare the 6th NR, and to be submitted to CBD Secretariat in October 2018. Thus, UNDP and DWRM wish to engage an International Consultant to support the data collection, data analysis and preparing a 6th NR report through participatory manner and following the guideline provide by the CBD Secretariat. The consultant will help to assess progress in achieving national targets, using the global and/or national indicators of biodiversity status and trends.

The consultant will closely work with a National Consultant, UNDP team and Government Agencies to prepare and ensure high quality of the 6th NR Report submit on timely manner set by the CBC Secretariat. 

Under supervision of the UNDP Natural Resource Management and Climate Change Unit Head, National CBD Focal Point, the International Consultant will lead development planning and producing comprehensive CBD 6th National Reporting for Lao PDR. He/she will responsible for planning, coordination for data collection, assess progress in achieving NBSAP national targets, using the global and/or national indicators of biodiversity status and trends, writing a report and facilitating consultation with stakeholders to finalize the report. He/she will also design and organize a training workshop in the use of the CBD online reporting tool following the guideline and frame work of the CBD Secretariat. He/she will need to undertake the following duties:  

•               Guide the National Biodiversity Management Specialist to assess the current status of NBSAP Policy, Plans, Programme and Project Implementation that contributing to national and global targets.

•               Guide a National Consultant to lead prepare draft elements of the national report, including data and progress assessments that are already available for each ABT, and identification of information gaps for each ABT and/or national equivalent that is required to undertake the assessment of implementation measures and the assessment of progress towards national targets required in 6NR sections II and III.

•               Together with the national consultant to design and organize a training workshop in the use of the CBD online reporting tool following the guideline and frame work of the CBD Secretariat.

•               Together with the national consultant to design and organize a training workshop in the development of data to be used for progress report toward achieving the targets and activities in the post-2010 NBSAP.

•               Prepare technical documents and facilitate organizing series of stakeholder consultation meeting to determine the status of NBSAP implementation, identify data gaps and validate spatial information, to draw conclusions on national progress related to NBSAP implementation and achievement of ABT, in support of Decision VII/25.

•               Lead and guide a National Consultant to conduct assessment the progress of TBT and/or national target equivalent; NBSAP implementation, actions to mainstream biodiversity, effectiveness of the actions undertaken to implement the Strategic Plan and NBSAPS.

•               Based on inputs from the National Consultant in compiling, reviewing, consulting, improving and finalizing the target level assessments into a comprehensive draft 6NR, and ensure that it is following all formatting requirements to ensure consistency across targets.

·         Proven experience in forest management, protected area conservation, wildlife conservation and ecosystem management.

·         Proven knowledgeable of NABAP and CBD Convention.

·         Proven work experience with international and country level, preference in the Asia and Pacific Region. 

·         Strong coordination and management skills

·         Strong communication, report writing skills in English. 

·         Having experience in preparing the National Report is most advantageous

A.       Academic Qualifications:

·         Minimum of a Master degree in one of the follow area: sustainable forestry management, protected areas management, ecosystem management, biodiversity and wildlife conservation, or related fields.

B.       Years of experience:

·         At least 10-year experience working in sustainable forestry management, protected areas management, ecosystem management, biodiversity and wildlife conservation, or related fields.