Nature-based Climate Solutions (NbCS) and Biodiversity Specialist

• Analysis on the situation and challenges on the causes of climate change and its impacts on ecosystems, biodiversity and community livelihoods in Indonesia, as well as how terrestrial (including peatlands) High Carbon Stock (HCS) degradation in Indonesia is increasing Indonesia’s already substantial GHG emissions. This should include analysis of Government of Indonesia’s policies and priorities in NbCS and biodiversity, including climate related land use/peatland management;
• Identification of the highest terrestrial HCS/ climate vulnerable ecosystems (including impact to human beings) in Indonesia for which there are likely to be viable NbCS. In addition to HCS, discussion of Essential Ecosystem Areas (KEE) including High Conservation Value (HCV) as currently known in Indonesia and their potentials for NbCS and biodiversity conservation will also enrich this scoping study;
• Recommendation of 3-4 strategic areas/program ideas/options for Canada’s NbCS interventions with a biodiversity co-benefit that will provide significant livelihoods impacts, particularly to the vulnerable groups;
• For the 3-4 NbCS options, the Specialist is required to clearly identify if the proposed solution(s) will significantly reduce the causes and/or impacts of climate change and nature loss: and
• Mapping of the key actors (government, donors, civil society organizations, in the sector and identification of strong potential partner institutions that have the range of skills - technical, financial management, social, fundraising, government networks necessary- to implement NbCS & biodiversity conservation projects.

B. Provide oral and written briefings on the above.

C. Any other relevant tasks as assigned by the GAC.

Deliverables/Outputs
 
The NbCS & Biodiversity Specialist is expected to work in close cooperation with GAC Sector Lead on NbCS & Biodiversity at the Canadian Mission in Jakarta to produce deliverables as follows:

• Prepare a Work Plan for the duration of the contract to be reviewed and approved by the Canadian Embassy in Jakarta.
• Draft a scoping study report, with the format to be consulted with GAC Sector Lead on NbCS & Biodiversity at the Mission. The scoping study report will be based on desk studies (study results, reports, gap analysis, needs assessment, stocktaking of data sets, lessons learned from GAC and other related projects) as well as consultations with key stakeholders such as, but not limited to, other donors, national and sub-national governments, civil society organizations (including indigenous people organizations, women’s rights organizations), international and local NGOs and private sectors.
• Prepare a presentation summary and present the report to GAC for further discussions and improvements.
• Prepare the final scoping study report, and
• Any other relevant tasks as assigned by the GAC.

 
The consultant will be supported by GAC’s existing Field Support Services consultants, including: 1) Environment and Climate Change Specialist for climate change angle, 2) Innovative Financing Specialist for innovative finance angle, 3) Gender Specialist, for gender angle and 4) Coastal Climate and Livelihood Specialist, as relevant.
 
The key aspects in the development of these deliverables are:

• Clear climate change (mitigation and/or adaptation) objectives in the framework of NbCS, with livelihoods and biodiversity co-benefits and a feminist approach, as per Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy. The report recommendations should be designed to meet the PRINCIPAL scoring of Climate Change Mitigation and/or Adaptation Policy Marker(s) –GAC Methodological Guidance on Mitigation and GAC Methodological Guidance on Adaptation. The recommendations include consideration of areas of greatest climate mitigation and/ or adaptation potential/ opportunity in Indonesia.
• Programming options should seek to leverage nature and ecosystem services (including biodiversity) in order to achieve adaptation or mitigation outcomes by respecting the balance within the ecosystem.
• The measurement of biodiversity outcomes is encouraged, where possible, using appropriate scientific or traditional ecological methods. Measurements could include following priority areas: 1) Capacity Development; 2) Conservation of Biodiversity; 3) Threatened Species; 4) Sustainable Harvesting; 5) Biodiversity in Managed Ecosystems; and, 6) Invasive Alien Species and Pollution.
• The economy-wide approach, taking into consideration institutional capacity of the country and coordination with other initiatives; and
• A strategic role for Canada given available budget, policy frameworks (Canada and Indonesia) and donor landscape.

Description of the Consultant’s Profile
 
GAC requires the services of a NbCS & biodiversity expert with solid knowledge on climate change, nature-based climate solutions, biodiversity, nature-based community sustainable livelihoods, strong relationship with Government partners, and experience working with international development partners.
 
Competencies

• Prior work experience in Indonesia on climate change, ecosystems & biodiversity restoration/conservation, nature-based sustainable community livelihoods (social forestry, climate-smart agriculture, paludiculture, agro-forestry, etc.). Ability to quantify carbon mitigation potential from landscapes is an advantage.
• Experience working on policy and programmatic issues with national and local governments, private sector and civil society;
• Excellent analytical, writing, and communications skills;
• Ability to deliver quality reports/analysis/assessments in a short time.

 
Required skills and experience
 
The Consultant is expected to possess skills and experience in the following areas:

• Minimum 10 years of experience on climate change and ecosystems & biodiversity restoration/conservation, and nature-based sustainable community livelihoods (social forestry, climate-smart agriculture, paludiculture, agro-forestry, etc.);
• Strategic thinking for understanding and identifying the gaps and needs;
• Strong analytical skill to develop partners, stakeholders and beneficiaries mapping on NbCS-Biodiversity projects;
• Good knowledge of NbCS & biodiversity programs of other donors, of Government of Indonesia; of International & Local NGOs, and of private sector; Demonstrated experience in developing reports on desk review and gap analysis;
• Experience conducting scoping study/missions on NbCS, Biodiversity or other environment related areas;
• Experience on leading/supporting a project proposal development related to climate change and restoring/conserving Indonesian landscape ecosystems & biodiversity will be an advantage;
• Experience working with national/local Government on NbCS and biodiversity sector will be an advantage; and
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience of working on Gender Equality will be an asset.

Educational background
 
Masters degree or equivalent in natural/environment sciences, sustainable land management, biodiversity conservation, natural resources management or other related field from recognized tertiary educational institution(s).
 
Language Requirements
 
The Consultant must possess the following levels in English:
 
Oral = 4 – Advanced Professional Proficiency
Reading = 4 – Advanced Professional Proficiency
Writing = 4 – Advanced Professional Proficiency

Working Arrangements
 
The Consultant will work from his/her home base with virtual meetings/interviews with GAC colleagues and relevant partners. As necessary, in producing analysis/report/briefs, the Consultant will conduct his/her own literature review and perform triangulation by interviewing experts.
 
The Consultant will submit deliverables to GAC Sector Lead on NbCS & Biodiversity at the Embassy of Canada in Indonesia. A consultant evaluation will be completed in order for regular payment to be released upon satisfactory delivery of the assignments. In the event that travel to other regions or cities is necessary and possible, all necessary costs will be borne by GAC, through the Indonesia/ASEAN Field Support Services Project (FSSP).
 
The consultant will work in close consultation with the sector leads at the Canadian Embassy and the FSS Gender specialist, and as need be, with also other specialists such as Environment and Climate Change, Innovative Finance, and Coastal Climate and Livelihood.

Duration of the Contract
 
The total expected duration of the assignment is up to 40 (forty) days and the contract ends on January 31, 2022. All reports must be finalized and submitted within this period. The Consultant is expected to start on or around September 2021.
 
Payments will be processed against the reports (deliverables) therefore a financial report is requested versus each deliverable, giving the opportunity for the Consultant to manage the number of days to spend on each deliverable within the defined timeframe.
 
How to apply:
 
Interested individual consultants must include the following documents when submitting the applications to admin@fssproject.com latest by 1 October 2021:
 

1. 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.
2. Brief statement as to why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment.
3. Financial Proposal shall be submitted in the following format:

• The financial proposal should specify an all-inclusive daily rate for up to 40 working days;
• The financial proposal must be all-inclusive and take into account various expenses that will be incurred during the contract, including: the daily professional fee and when applicable any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services under the contract, not including travel expenses.

 
Qualified women are encouraged to apply.
 
For your application to be considered, please upload your documents as followed: Candidate Last Name, First Name, date, Title of the Position.
 
We thank all applicants, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.
 
EVALUATION OF APPLICATION
 
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 the weighted criteria (70% technical score (comprising of 15% technical qualifications desk review, 40% written test, and 15% interview) and 30% financial score.
 
The proposals that achieve a minimum of 70% for the technical qualifications desk review shall be further considered for an interview and written test. The financial score shall be computed as a ratio of the proposal being evaluated and the lowest priced proposal received for the assignment.
 
Technical Score (70%)
A. Technical qualifications desk review (based on the criteria and points listed below) (15%)
B. Written test (40%)
C. Interview (15%)

Financial Score (30%)
  

Technical Qualifications Desk Review
The evaluation of the technical criteria will be as follows:
 
St No. Criteria (Points)
    
1. Academic qualifications of the Consultant. (10 points)
    
2. Minimum 10 years of experience on climate change and ecosystems & biodiversity restoration/conservation, and nature-based sustainable community livelihoods (social forestry, climate-smart agriculture, paludiculture, agro-forestry, etc.). (30 points)
    
3. Strong analytical skill to develop partners, stakeholders and beneficiaries mapping on NbCS-Biodiversity projects. (20 points)
    
4. Good knowledge of NbCS & biodiversity programs of other donors, of Government of Indonesia; of International & Local NGOs, and of private sector. (20 points)
    
5. Experience conducting scoping study/missions on NbCS, Biodiversity or other environment related areas. (20 points)
    
Total points: 100 points