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Dear Sir or Madam, You are invited to submit an offer to conduct *A Study of Biosphere Reserve Governance in Southeast Asia* in accordance with the below Terms of Reference (TOR). Your offer comprising of technical and financial proposal should reach UNESCO Office, Jakarta, **no later than 24 November 2020**, to the following address **recruitment.jakarta(at)unesco.org** Please quote in the subject or reference Ref **A Study of Biosphere Reserve Governance in Southeast Asia** for any requests for clarification, please contact **Ms Adhe Wulandari (al.wulandari(at)unesco.org)**. **OVERVIEW** Grade : Level 4 Parent Sector : Field Office Duty Station: Jakarta Job Family: Natural Sciences Type of contract : Non Staff Duration of contract : From 1 to 6 months Recruitment open to : External candidates Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 24-NOV-2020 UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism **OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST** 1\. Background UNESCO’s Biosphere Reserves and other UNESCO designated sites in Asia and the Pacific play an important function as models for sustainable development, sites at which new and innovative and integrated approaches and practices in research, education, management and governance are implemented and communicated to the public. In this sense, UNESCO designated sites serve as hubs for advances towards the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular goal 6, 13, 14, 15 and 16. In the context of the UNESCO’s project Biosphere Reserves Interconnected in Diverse Global Environments for Sustainability in Asia and the Pacific (BRIDGES in AP), supported by the Japan Funds in Trust (JFIT),has published a Practical Guidelines on good governance in UNESCO designated sites. The good governance practices in UNESCO designated sites, informed by science as well as local and indigenous knowledge, serve to generate new knowledge and experience with the potential for replication on a wider scale. With Member States across the region committed to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and its associated SDG targets, such model approaches are in high demand, providing ideal conditions for ensuring a significant project impact, far beyond its direct beneficiaries and timespan. Long Description UNESCO's Biosphere Reserves, now counting 714 sites in 129 countries around the world, address this demand most directly. Recognized and positioned as science for sustainability support sites, Biosphere Reserves are special places for testing interdisciplinary approaches to understanding and managing changes and interactions between social and ecological systems, including conflict prevention and management of biodiversity. As such, biosphere reserves are ideally positioned to serve as hubs for the development and implementation of good governance mechanisms, informed by the principles of Sustainability Science and towards the realization of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. The Covid 19 pandemic has further reinforced the potential of UNESCOs World Network of Biosphere Reserves to devise and share knowledge on integrated governance models that enhance local sustainability and resilience. Practical Guidelines from the BRIDGES in AP project can be used as a reference to achieve sustainable governance in Biosphere Reserve sites. Against this background, there is a need to employ the Practical Guidelines in the Biosphere Reserve or other UNESCO designated sites in the Southeast Asia as a trial phase. Under the framework of Good Governance for the Sustainable Development Goals, mobilizing UNESCOs water and environmental science networks for the 2030 Agenda, UNESCO Office Jakarta seeks a qualified individual with extensive experience in transdisciplinary natural and social science research to submit technical and financial proposals based on the following Terms of Reference. Practical Guidelines from the BRIDGES in AP project should be considered as a starting point for the work to be undertaken. Long Description 2\. Objectives The general objective of this project is to produce, disseminate and build implementation capacity for new knowledge concerning sustainable governance of UNESCO designated sites for dissemination among key stakeholders and decision makers through pilot research projects, knowledge transfer, and capacity development activities. 3\. Outputs The expected outputs of this assignment are: 1. Sub regional mapping of Biosphere Reserve governance approaches and implementation (where relevant, including examples from other UNESCO designated sites) 2. Identification of three pilot site case studies for in depth research, research dissemination and capacity development 3. Outline of targeted capacity building activities at the three pilot sites, test 4. Detailed report on regional governance practices, with detailed discussion of the three pilot sites and recommendations for replication and upscaling. All output documents should be written in English. Long Description 4\. Activities Under the authority of the Director of UNESCO Office, Jakarta, and direct supervision and in close coordination with the Programme Specialist for Water and Environmental Sciences, the Consultant will be responsible for carrying out a series of tasks including 1. Submit to UNESCO Office Jakarta a work plan and timeline for carrying out the project. 2. Conduct research and assessment in pursuit of outputs 1 to 4 above. This activity should cover but not limited to 1. Undertake a sub regional desk study mapping of Biosphere Reserve governance 2. Identify three suitable pilot biosphere reserve sites 3. Undertake a detailed assessment and comparison of governance at the selected sites, including consultation with concerned national and local stakeholders. 3. Propose recommendations to be implemented at the selected sites, including 1. A detailed outline for governance capacity building (with recommendations for delivery across the sub region) and 2. A detailed report on regional governance practices, covering the review of the three pilot sites and recommendations for replication and upscaling with particular reference to the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. 4. Submit the following documents to UNESCO for approval 1. a work plan and timeline for carrying out the project 2. a draft report on the above activities and 3. a final report on the above activities. 5\. Timing Total contract period should be no more than 6 months. **COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)** Accountability (C) Communication (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) **-** For detailed information, please consult the [UNESCO Competency Framework](https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/competency_framework_e.pdf). **REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS** Education and work experience: - An individual consultant with at least 15 years experience working in a transdisciplinary context in the fields of conservation, environmental assessment and sustainable development. - Specialized in environmental assessments or nature resource management, with strong understanding in: Man and Biosphere Programme, restoration, community development, ecotourism, biodiversity conservation, forestry, natural resource management, environmental laws, environmental education and awareness, and other relevant issues. Language: - Fluent in spoken and written English, in particular the ability to draft documents and express views in a clear and concise manner. Skills or Competencies - Strong interpersonal and networking skills. - Highly organized and self motivated. - Capacity to collaborate and positively engage with a range of partners, including national/local authorities as well as key stakeholders in civil society **DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS** 1\. Extensive experience working with international organizations is desirable. 2\. Good oral and written skills in Indonesian is desirable. **BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS** The budget proposal should include: - Costs associated with the development of the study. - Costs associated with the operational and logistic costs. **SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS** Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the [UNESCO careers website.](https://careers.unesco.org/careersection/2/joblist.ftl) No modifications can be made to the application submitted. The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview. UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates. Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided. **Footer** UNESCO applies a zero tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieve and sustain gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities, as well as nationals from non-and under-represented Member States [(last update here)](https://en.unesco.org/careers/geographicaldistribution) are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts. UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.