Name of Project/Unit:
Mainstreaming Biodiversity Principles into Uzbekistan’s Oil and Gas Sector Policies and Operations/Environment and Energy Unit
Expected trips to:
Ustyurt Plateau, Republic of Karakalpakstan
Uzbekistan’s steppes are one of the last remaining samples of the globally threatened dry temperate grassland biomes. Oil-and-gas exploration that is increasingly being targeted in these regions represents a primary threat for Uzbekistan’s steppes. In spite of the established network of protected areas, it cannot provide security to the vast swathes of steppes that lie outside the network. The long-term goal to which the Project means to contribute is that all ongoing and future oil-and-gas operations in Uzbekistan minimize their adverse impacts on biodiversity so that the conservation prospects of the affected ecosystems are greatly improved. The objective of the present project is to mainstream biodiversity conservation considerations into Uzbekistan’s oil-and-gas policies and operations by implementing a demonstration/pilot project in the Ustyurt Plateau. To fulfill the stated objective the Project will eliminate systemic, regulatory, and cognitive barriers through achieving two outcomes: a) enabling policy, legislative, and institutional environment for mainstreaming biodiversity conservation considerations into oil-and-gas sector, and b) demonstrating biodiversity mainstreaming technologies in oil-and-gas operations in the Ustyurt Plateau.
The following work was conducted during the previous project stage: regional and global experience in mainstreaming biodiversity conservation considerations into oil and gas sector studied; a study tour to Australia aimed to learn how to offset irreplaceable biodiversity losses conducted; an Ustyurt plateau map with three zones of different accessibility level for oil and gas companies prepared; and proposals for Surgil Project’s Biodiversity Conservation Action Plan being implemented by UzKorGasChemical Company prepared. The Consultant to be hired will contribute to development of biodiversity conservation handbook and study materials, preparation of biodiversity conservations actions plans, and implementation process of these plans.
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International Consultant on Mainstreaming Biodiversity Conservation Principles into Energy Sector will work under general supervision of the Project Manager and direct supervision of the Project Technical Coordinator. He/she will bear responsibility for the technical implementation of the project activities related to the following 5 targets:
To develop the capacities of staff from State Committee for Nature Protection, Uzbek National Oil and Gas Holding Company, and oil and gas companies:
- considering the capacity level of staff from Uzbek National Oil and Gas Holding Company, and oil and gas companies to provide information to be included in study materials. The information shall be based on modern global experience, including Business and Biodiversity Offset Programme (BBOP); Energy and Biodiversity Initiative (EIB), and other necessary materials. It shall also cover all the aspects of biodiversity impact reduction except for biodiversity offset application stage: selection of sites for oil and gas projects, measures to mitigate direct and indirect impacts on biodiversity from oil and gas operations, environmental loss elimination options, biodiversity conservation investment options for oil and gas companies, and other issues that help significantly mitigate the adverse impacts of oil and gas sector;
- together with International Consultant on biodiversity and ecosystem management, mapping and offsets to participate in development of training modules and organization of workshops by consulting national consultants on these issues.
To complete preparation of the handbook on biodiversity conservation approaches in oil and gas sector in the specific conditions of Uzbekistan:
- considering the capacity of staff from Uzbek National Oil and Gas Holding Company, and oil and gas companies to prepare additional information. Such information shall be based on international experience – Business and Biodiversity Offset Programme (BBOP), Initiative on Energy and Biodiversity (IEB), and other necessary materials. It shall cover the aspects of biodiversity related criteria when selecting sites, biodiversity impact criteria, potential impact forecasting, improving implementation performance, minimizing impact at the stages of design, field development, exploitation, and decommission, as well as preparation of biodiversity conservation action plans for specific sites/fields;
- together with International Consultant on biodiversity and ecosystem management, mapping and offsets to prepare materials on monitoring, mapping and offsetting any irreplaceable biodiversity losses to be used by management;
- to assist national consultants on including the developed information into the handbook on training planning and handbook for the oil and gas sector staff in the project territory.
In relation to Biodiversity Conservation Action Plan in the Oil and Gas Sector:
- to analyze the successful international experience – Business and Biodiversity Offset Programme (BBOP), Initiative on Energy and Biodiversity (IEB), and other necessary materials on avoiding and reducing the adverse effects on the biodiversity from extractive and other industries; offsetting the biodiversity affected by the adverse impact of extractive and other industries, preferably in natural conditions similar to those of Uzbekistan;
- based on the analysis results to prepare proposals for the projects’ national consultants on development of methods of preparation of biodiversity conservation action plans incorporating the ‘avoid-minimize-restore’ principle for extractive and other industries operations in specific conditions of Uzbekistan.
In relation to Biodiversity Conservation Action Plan at the oil and gas exploitation site in Shakhpakhty:
- to analyze the materials on biodiversity conservation at the oil and gas exploitation site in Shakhpakhty;
- to prepare proposals for national consultants on development of Biodiversity Conservation Action Plan (BAP) for the oil and gas exploitation site in Shakhpahty;
- to assist national consultants in development of such BAP;
- to provide consultancy in the BAP implementation at the oil and gas exploitation site in Shakhpahty.
In relation to Surgil Project’s Biodiversity Conservation Action Plan:
- to analyze the UzKorGasChemical’s Surgil Project’s Biodiversity Conservation Action Plan;
- to prepare proposals for national consultants on improving the Surgil Project’s Biodiversity Conservation Action Plan;
- to provide consultancy to national consultants on how to improve the Biodiversity Conservation Action Plan;
- to provide consultancy in the Surgil Project’s BAP implementation.
Consultant shall submit the results of his/her work in accordance with the established stages and time schedule. The beginning and end dates of the stages, as well as the work scope under each stage may be adjusted by the Project Manager subject to Consultant’s sound reasoning. The Project reserves the right, in case of necessity, to make changes to the Consultant’s Terms of Reference based on the written agreement between parties. All reports shall be submitted by the expert in Russian language.
Expected Outcomes
Stage 1
- Additional information to be included in training materials prepared. The Project’s national consultants received assistance in development of training modules.
- Additional information to be included in the Handbook prepared. The Project’s national consultants received assistance in development of training modules.
Report on Stage 1 prepared and submitted (25%). Deadline May 31, 2013
Stage 2
- Proposals on development of BCAPs incorporating the ‘avoid-minimize-restore’ principle prepared.
- Proposals on development of Biodiversity Conservation Action Plan for Shakhpahty site prepared. The Project’s national consultants received assistance in development of this Plan.
Report on Stage 2 prepared and submitted (25%). Deadline August 31, 2013
Stage 3
- Proposals on improvement of the Surgil Project’s BAP prepared.
- National consultants received assistance in improvement of this BAP.
- National consultants received assistance in improvement of training materials based on the workshops outcomes.
- National consultants received assistance in improvement of the Handbook based on the workshops outcomes.
Report on Stage 3 prepared and submitted (30%). Deadline December 25, 2013
Stage 4
- Implementation of the Shakhpakhty BAP supported by consulting assistance.
- Implementation of the improved Surgil Project’s BAP supported by consulting assistance.
Final report prepared and submitted (20%). Deadline: May 25, 2014
Payment Terms
This is a lump sum contract that should include all costs of consultancy, including costs of international and local travel, accommodation and meal (DSA or per diems) and visa costs required to produce the abovementioned deliverables. Payments will be released in 4 instalments to be made upon timely submission of respective deliverables in English and their acceptance by the Supervisor and UNDP CO.
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Education:
- Higher education in the corresponding field (ecology, conservation research, natural resources management) or adjacent field.
Experience:
- At least 5 years of the corresponding work experience in projects related to natural resources management or biodiversity conservation in extractive sector operations.
Languages:
- Perfect command of English language. Knowledge of Russian languages is an advantage.
Others:
- Practical experience of application of BBOP and EBI approaches for biodiversity conservation in extractive sector operations and, in particular, of oil and gas sector, preferably in the natural conditions similar to those of Uzbekistan.
- Practical experience of avoiding and minimizing the adverse impact on biodiversity from extractive and other industries, as well as of biodiversity restoring, including such experience at design, construction, and exploitation stages, preferably in the natural conditions similar to those of Uzbekistan.
- Practical experience in drafting, approval and implementation of the biodiversity conservation action plans for extractive sector’s operations and, in particular, for oil and gas sector, preferably in the natural conditions similar to those of Uzbekistan.
- Practical experience in preparation of workshops and trainings on approaches of avoidance and minimization of adverse impact on biodiversity from extractive and other industries, as well as of biodiversity restoration, including such experience at design, construction, and exploitation stages.
- Experience of work in collaboration with government bodies and private companies.
- Ability to work in close cooperation with local partners.
- Awareness of UNDP procedures is an advantage. Responsibility in work, ability to provide quality work results within the established tight schedules.
- Adequate knowledge and user skills of application of ICT as means of work process organization in the most efficient and cost-saving way.
DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS.
Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:
P-11 form
Applicants are encouraged to fill and sign a P11 Form and submit it on the online application.
Application process: To submit your application online, please follow the steps below:
- Download and complete the UN Personal History Form (P11).
- Merge your P11, Proposals and other relevant documents into a single file.
- Click on the Job Title.
- Click “Apply Now” button, fill in necessary information on the first page, and click “Submit Application”.
- Upload your application.
You will receive an automatic response to your email confirming receipt of your application by the system.
Only Shortlisted candidates will be requested to provide financial offer.
EVALUATION
Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodologies:
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 a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.
Technical Criteria weight; [70%]
- At least 5 years of the corresponding work experience in projects related to natural resources management, biodiversity conservation in extraction sector operations. 30%
- Higher education in the corresponding field (ecology, conservation research, natural resources management) or adjacent field. 25%
- Perfect command of English language. 15%
Financial Criteria weight; [30%]
FC: 62000
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