Policy Specialist- Payment for Ecosystem Services - Reference No.:IC/BIOFIN/2022/18 - for Sri Lankans only

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LK Home-based; Sri Lanka

Application deadline 1 year ago: Friday 8 Apr 2022 at 23:59 UTC

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Contract

This is a National Consultant contract. More about National Consultant contracts.

Background

National governments have demonstrated clear commitment to fulfil their mandates for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use in ways compatible with national development goals, and to identify a diverse range of financing solutions for biodiversity management. As a country with high biodiversity and high endemicity, the responsibilities entrusted with the country for managing the biodiversity in sustainable manner is enormous. But unfortunately, Sri Lanka has been identified as a biodiversity hotspot in the world and the track record of achieving the nationally owned biodiversity targets is also not satisfactory within last decade mainly due to lack of resources allocated for sustainable management of biodiversity.

Resources available for sustainable biodiversity management can be increased through four different strategies. Namely they are 1). generating resources for the biodiversity management 2). Realignment of investments for other sectors 3) Increase the efficiency of existing investments on the biodiversity sector 4). Avoid possible future expenditures for restoring the biodiversity. One key measure that could be taken to generate more resources for sustainable use of biodiversity is through Payments for Ecosystem Services (Biodiversity Finance Plan 2018).

In practice, PES often involves a series of payments to land or other natural resource managers in return for a guaranteed flow of ecosystem services (or, more commonly, for management actions likely to enhance their provision) over-and-above what would otherwise be provided in the absence of payment. Payments are made by the beneficiaries of the services in question, for example, individuals, communities, businesses or government acting on behalf of various parties. The basic idea behind PES is that those who provide ecosystem services – like any service – should be paid for doing so. PES therefore provides an opportunity to put a price on previously un-priced ecosystem services like climate regulation, water quality regulation and the provision of habitat for wildlife and, in doing so, brings them into the wider economy. The novelty of PES arises from its focus on the ‘beneficiary pays principle’, as opposed to the ‘polluter pays principle’. PES provides one means to increase the supply of an ecosystem service, or services.

UNDP has been assisting the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) since 1967 to achieve sustainable human development in economic, social and environmental fronts. Working closely with the GoSL at national, regional and local levels, Climate and Environment Team (CET) of UNDP is building up institutional, legal and individual capacities to respond to the effects of climate change and natural and manmade disasters, by exploring the potential of renewable energy and resource efficiency in production and consumption, while supporting reform and modernization of the environmental management systems and protecting our biodiversity.

Interest in Payment for Ecosystem Services has been in Sri Lanka for a quite some time without any field level testing. To test out the viability of applying PES in the conservation landscape BIOFIN project invested in a pilot PES using a small or small hydropower plant and the communities in the corresponding catchment or watershed area was carried out.

PES Pilot Project in Sri Lanka was conceptualized with the objective of establishing a pilot PES mechanism for conserving watershed ecosystem services in a given small-hydro scheme operated by a private sector entity to test the feasibility of using PES as an innovative financing mechanism for biodiversity and ecosystem conservation. This process was planned out to be carried out in two Phases.

These phases were;

  • Phase I – Implementation of the Pilot Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) Project with a private sector organization and Advocating for a PES Policy.
  • Phase II – Demonstrating the PES mechanism and help up-scale the findings and the model in other potential small hydropower projects in operation.

During 2019-2020 period, phase 1 was carried out partially with the involvement of IUCN and Vidul Lanka Plc.

Under the guidance of and in collaboration with the Government of Sri Lanka, UNDP BIOFIN project will assist the completion of the remaining part of the Phase I and the Phase II. UNDP seeks the services of a Policy Specialist who could advise on the policies and strategies development related to promotion of PES and ‘PES-like’ innovative financial instruments in Sri Lanka. S/he should work closely with the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Power, Private Sector organizations, industry regulators such as Central Environment Authority, Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka and Sustainable Energy Authority and relevant international and national civil society organizations to build on the existing model, recommend activities for completing the institutional framework and establish a mechanism for its future sustainability.

THE ASSIGNMENT

The Policy Specialist will support the Government of Sri Lanka’s efforts in successful formulation and implementation of PES and ‘PES like’ models in Sri Lanka.

The Consultant will be working in collaboration with the Environment Economics Specialist-PES who would support development of economic models that would be useful in promoting PES and ‘PES like’ instruments in Sri Lanka. The Consultant will report to National Project Coordinator-BIOFIN under the overall guidance of the Team Leader (CET) at UNDP Sri Lanka. Further s/he should work under the guidance of Regional Technical Advisor of BIOFIN.

SCOPE AND OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this assignment are;

  • Support the relevant government organizations to develop policy and institutional frameworks required to facilitate implementation of PES and/or 'PES like' models in Sri Lanka.
  • Assist the Government of Sri Lanka and UNDP to promote PES and/or ‘PES like’ models for resource mobilization for sustainable use of biodiversity in the country.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Team Leader cum Policy Specialist, Climate and Environment Team, Regional Technical Advisor of BIOFIN and Project Coordinator-BIOFIN, the Policy Specialist-PES will be responsible for the following functions:

1. Review policy and institutional frameworks for promoting PES and/or "PES like" innovative financial instruments to develop/recommend a suitable mechanism or framework to institutionalise the watershed management in Sri Lanka

1.1 Identify the stakeholder institutions with whom institutional models should be developed to facilitate / promote involuntary contributions towards PES and/or ‘PES like’ instruments.

1.2 Organize discussions with relevant institutions to develop mechanisms for promoting involuntary contributions for PES and/or ‘PES like’ instruments

1.3 Identify capacity building needs of the relevant organizations to facilitate involuntary contributions for PES and/or ‘PES like’ instruments

1.4 Recommend steps to institutionalize involuntary contributions promotion for PES and/or "PES like" instruments

1.5 Identify opportunities available with existing policies related to watershed management in Sri Lanka to promote PES and/or ‘PES like’ including the challenges for operationalizing such opportunities.

1.6 Identify suitable international best practices in collaboration with the BIOFIN team and explore opportunities to exchange experiences with them

1.7 Review existing information base for PES design in collaboration with the Environmental Economics Specialist-PES including but not limited to land use information, watershed mapping, valuation, and propose practical institutional frameworks and policy tools for the Types of Transfers ( Public-Public/ Public -Private / Private -Public and Private -Private); Types of Intermediaries (State / Semi-government /Non-government /Private Sector); Types of Payments (Voluntary /Involuntary); and Size of the transaction costs and who will bear the transaction costs

2. Analyze other state or non-state mechanisms (programmes, projects and regulation-mandated payments) that can be ‘transformed’ or graduated into PES systems with systematic policy engagement or targeted capacity development

2.1 Review national policies and regulations pertaining to forestry, watershed management, land use planning, plantation management, agricultural practice improvement, Climate Change, industrial usage of water and soil conservation/ land degradation

2.2 Identify possible entry points in the policy/regulatory landscape that could support PES and/or ‘PES like’ instruments to improve ecosystem services flow

2.3 Develop a roadmap in collaboration with the Environmental Economics Specialist-PES to implement one or two pilot level programmes with potential existing projects or programmes

2.4 Design a capacity building programme for implementation of PES and/or ‘PES like’ instruments in Sri Lanka focusing on design, implementation and monitoring for public, private sectors and non-governmental organizations in collaboration with the Environmental Economics Specialist-PES

Key Deliverables

  1. Inception report covering the refined methodology, initial desk review of information available on the PES / PES like instruments applicable for the country and specific technical support required from the BIOFIN Regional Advisor and any other technical support required.
  2. Progress Report 1: After completing 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4 activities listed under the expected outputs
  3. Progress Report 2: After completing 1.5, 2.1 and 2.2 activities listed under the expected outputs
  4. Final Report, after completing 1.6, 1.7, 2.3 and 2.4 activities listed under the expected outputs

EXPECTED DELIVERABLES & DUE DATES

Tasks and Deliverables

Due date

Amount (LKR)

1.

Inception report covering the refined methodology, initial desk review of information available on the PES / PES like instruments applicable for the country and specific technical support required from the BIOFIN Regional Advisor and any other technical support required

15 May 2022

20% of the total amount

2.

Progress Report 1: After completing 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4 activities listed under the expected outputs

15 August 2022

30% of the total amount

3.

Progress Report 2: After completing 1.5, 2.1 and 2.2 activities listed under the expected outputs

15 October 2022

20% of the total amount

4.

Final Report, after completing 1.6, 1.7, 2.3 and 2.4 activities listed under the expected outputs

20 December 2022

30% of the total amount

TIMEFRAME

The envisaged time frame of the consultancy is for a maximum of 60 working days spread over 8 months from the commencement of the contract. The payments will be based on the deliverables and number of days that may need to complete the work may vary depending on the practical issues.

Competencies

Language – Excellent English language skills in addition to Sinhala / Tamil.

Required Skills and Experience

  • Master’s degree in Environmental Management, Environmental Economics, Social Sciences, Political Sciences, Development Studies, Management or related field;
  • At least 10 years of experience in policy analysis and advocacy at national level;
  • Excellent knowledge of the UN procedures;
  • Familiarity with the PES concepts and Sri Lankan institutional structure for water management and power generation would be an added advantage;

PRICE PROPOSAL AND SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS

Consultant must send a financial proposal based on Lump Sum Amount. The total amount quoted shall be all-inclusive and include all costs components required to perform the deliverables identified in the TOR, including professional fee, travel costs, living allowance (if any work is to be done outside the IC´s duty station) and any other applicable cost to be incurred by the IC in completing the assignment. The contract price will be fixed output-based price regardless of extension of the herein specified duration.

Payments will be done upon completion of the deliverables/outputs and as per below percentages:

  • Deliverable 1: Inception report covering the refined methodology, initial desk review of information available on the PES / PES like instruments applicable for the country and specific technical support required from the BIOFIN Regional Advisor and any other technical support required: 20% of total contract amount
  • Deliverable 2: Progress Report 1: After completing 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4 activities listed under the expected outputs: 30% of total contract amount
  • Deliverable 3: Progress Report 2: After completing 1.5, 2.1 and 2.2 activities listed under the expected outputs:20% of total contract amount
  • Deliverable 4: Final Report, after completing 1.6, 1.7, 2.3 and 2.4 activities listed under the expected outputs: 30% of total contract amount

In the event of unforeseeable travel not anticipated in this TOR, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and the Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

Evaluation Method and Criteria

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology,

Cumulative analysis

The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as a) responsive/compliant/acceptable; and b) having received the highest score out of set of weighted technical criteria (70%). and financial criteria (30%). Financial score shall be computed as a ratio of the proposal being evaluated and the lowest priced proposal received by UNDP for the assignment.

Technical Criteria for Evaluation (Maximum 70 points)

  • Criteria 1: Master’s degree in Environmental Management, Environmental Economics, Social Sciences, Political Sciences, Development Studies, Management or related field – Max 10 points
  • Criteria 2: At least 10 years of experience in policy analysis and advocacy at national level - Max 20 Points
  • Criteria 3 Experience related to biodiversity management and Payment for Ecosystem Services models development Max 20 points
  • Criteria 4 Experience related to develop projects involving public and private sector agencies – Max 20 points

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

HOW TO APPLY

By accessing UNDP Jobs site: http://jobs.undp.org

Documentation required

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications. Please group them into one (1) single PDF document as the application only allows to upload maximum one document:

  • Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided in Annex II.
  • Personal CV, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references.
  • Technical proposal, including a) a brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment; and b) a methodology, on how they will approach and complete the assignment.

Incomplete proposals may not be considered.

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

All Inclusive cost: LKR ( )

Amount in words: Rs. )

Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability (Financial Proposal) using the template provided in Annex II to be e-mailed seperately. Note: National consultants must quote prices in Sri Lankan Rupees. Financial Proposal to be sent to consultants.lk@undp.org email address.

Annexes

For any clarification regarding this assignment please write to ramitha.wijethunga@undp.org

Note: Payments will be based on invoices on achievement of agreed milestones i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR and certification of acceptance by the UNDP. The applicant must factor in all possible costs in his/her “All Inclusive Daily Fee” including his/her consultancy and professional fee, travel (local and international - economy class flights is required to and from the Duty Station) honorarium, board and lodging, and any other foreseeable costs in this exercise. No costs other than what has been indicated in the financial proposal will be paid or reimbursed to the consultant. UNDP will only pay for any unplanned travel outside of this TOR and Duty Station on actual basis and on submission of original bills/invoices and on prior agreement with UNDP officials. Daily per diem and costs for accommodation/meals/incidental expenses for such travel shall not exceed established local UNDP DSA rates.

UNDP shall be entitled to all intellectual and other proprietary rights associated with all products, documents, processes, inventions, ideas, know-hows, policy papers and other material which the consultant under this TOR has developed.

For an Individual Contractor who is 65 years of age or older, and on an assignment requiring travel, be it for the purpose of arriving at the duty station or as an integral duty required travel under the TOR, a full medical examination and statement of fitness to work must be provided. Such medical examination costs must be factored into the financial proposal above. Medical examination is not a requirement for individuals on RLA contracts.

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

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workplace, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Added 2 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: jobs.undp.org