. .

Regional Consultancy Assignment

"Fields of expertise" form

Terms of Reference for a Regional consultancy with regard to the evaluation of SAPBIO implementation and its revision, in light of MAP ecosystem approach roadmap and Aichi biodiversity targets of the CBD Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020

  1. Background and Justification
  2. Since 1975, the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP), established under the auspices of UNEP, represents a solid institutional and legal framework to coordinate the collective and action oriented efforts of the Mediterranean countries and the EU for the protection of the marine and coastal environment and their sustainable development. In 1976 the Mediterranean countries and the EU strengthened their commitment to MAP by also adopting the Barcelona Convention, revised in 1995 and over time 7 specific Protocols and in 2005 the MSSD; on the basis of which MAP work is programmed and implemented on 5 and 2 years cycling under the full leadership and active participation of the Contracting Parties.

    MAP originally focused its scope of work on the major drivers affecting the marine and coastal environment related to pollution, marine pollution assessment and monitoring as well as integrated planning. Over the years MAP expanded its scope with the view to covering the coastal zone and strengthening the ecosystem approach dimensions of its policies and actions as well to take into account emerging global issues of relevance for the Mediterranean region. As such MAP has gradually dealt with the integrated coastal zone management, marine and coastal biodiversity conservation, climate change, sustainable consumption and production and interaction in an integrated manner between environment and development. A network of Regional Programmes and Activity Centres are operational in the framework of MAP to lead the implementation of its programme of work and foster the technical cooperation among the Contracting Parties.

    Given the complexity and extension of pressures acting on coastal and marine biodiversity the Mediterranean countries considered necessary to have a common and integrated strategy to guide the above purposes. The GEF council approved on April 2000 the Strategic Action Programme to combat Pollution in the Mediterranean (SAP MED), and also a project to elaborate the Strategic Action Programme for the conservation of the biological diversity in the Mediterranean region (SAP BIO). Hence the SAP BIO was prepared by RAC/SPA and adopted by the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention (Catania, November 2003).

    The Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas (RAC/SPA) was designated as the Lead Agency for the SAP BIO. A participative approach was adopted to elaborate the SAP BIO. An evaluation at national and regional levels of the marine and coastal biodiversity took place based in existing inventories and databases, having regard of all the projects and international agreements related to the subject. The identification of needs and priority actions by the riparian countries was then performed.

    The finalised SAP BIO includes principles, approaches, measures, targets, timetables and priorities for action to conserve biodiversity in the Mediterranean region. The SAP BIO analyses issues and identify actions at national and regional level, including 63 National Action Plans (NAPs) and 30 Regional Priority Actions (RPAs).

    The NAPs were prepared following the respective guidelines provided by RACSPA and specified key actions, the timetable for their implementation and their cost.

    The Contracting Parties are taking measures to implement the NAPs and contribute to achieve the RPAs in the framework of regional and bilateral cooperation.

    In 2008, under MAP leadership, the Medpartnership project funded by GEF, MTF and other major donors, was launched as a collective effort with contributions from a number of competent international and regional organizations to undertake policy reforms at regional and national levels and actions on the ground, including in biodiversity conservation. One of the major component in this respect is to promote the development of a network of MPAs, embracing both coastal and open seas.

    Besides, MAP is implementing since 2008 a roadmap on an ecosystem approach application that has so far delivered 11 ecological objectives for the Mediterranean and 67 indicators on marine quality state. It is expected to further deliver Good Environmental Status (GES) as well the necessary targets for their achievement. Based on the agreed ecosystem approach and respective targets, there is a need to adjust the existing regional policy on biodiversity conservation in the Mediterranean so as to take the above into account and mainstream the ecosystem approach into the relevant national policies as appropriate.

    After the 10th COP of the CBD (Nagoya, Japan October 2010) SAP BIO, as a long-term operation, needs to be adapted to catch up the new set of priorities adopted by the CBD to the horizon 2020. The adaptation should be done into a comprehensive, realistic and flexible programme structured in phases, each phase elaborated at respective planning level. Integration of national elements and of a number of regional issues are both needed.

    10 years after the elaboration of the SAP BIO it is necessary to make an in depth evaluation of its implementation with a view to assess the current status and provide recommendations to address current and future challenges to enhance its implementation sustainability. Therefore the Contracting parties approved the evaluation/revision of SAP BIO implementation as a key output for the 2012-2013 biennium activities of UNEP/MAP-RAC/SPA.

    In this respect there is a need to engage a consultancy to undertake a forward looking and integrated analysis at policy and technical levels of the degree of implementation with regard to the adopted documents, including NAPs and RPAs, and provide adequate proposals and recommendations to further enhance their implementation.

  3.  Objective of the assignment
  4. Assess the status of implementation of SAPBIO since its adoption, including regional priority actions and national action plans, and update SAPBIO providing specific recommendations on ways and means to integrate the ecosystem approach process and the Aichi targets of the new CBD Strategic Plan for Biodiversity. The SAP BIO implementation assessment should identify what has not been done, as far as possible why, and which of these unfulfilled actions should be implemented in the future.

  5. Tasks:
  6. The following tasks shall be undertaken by the consultancy team:

    • Prepare a questionnaire on the NAPs implementation and analyse the responses sent by SAP BIO National correspondents, focal points and other stakeholders regarding NAPs and RPAs
    • Overall Desk review of the implementation of the NAPs and RPAs by the Contracting Parties and the achievement of NAP and RPAs targets per country based on information submitted by the countries and other available data
    • Undertake a broad analysis and make policy recommendations on the way to link the NAPs and RPAs /SAPBIO process with the ecosystem approach outcome (goal, vision, ecological objectives, operational objectives and indicators approved by the Contracting Parties), as well as the Aichi targets of the new CBD Strategic Plan
    • Provide the necessary materials and input for publications related to NAPs and RPAs /SAPBIO implementation assessment findings, conclusions and achievements.
    • Review and list the current/past SAP BIO NAPs and RPAs projects according to their potential contribution to biodiversity conservation priorities as set in the adopted SAP BIO
    • Draft the new revised version of the updated SAP BIO document
  7. Expected outputs
    1. Report on SAP BIO implementation, including NAPs and RPAs and relevant recommendations
    2. Priority listing of the current/past SAP BIO NAPs and RPAs projects according to their potential contribution to biodiversity conservation priorities as set in the adopted SAP BIO based on the technical analysis of their potential impact on the protection of marine and coastal environment in the region
    3. Policy recommendations on the way to link the NAPs and RPAs /SAPBIO process with the ecosystem approach outcome (goal, vision, ecological objectives, operational objectives and  indicators approved by the Contracting Parties), as well as the Aichi targets of the new CBD Strategic Plan for Biodiversity
    4. Substantive inputs and materials to publications related to NAPs and RPAs /SAPBIO implementation assessment findings, conclusions and achievements
    5. New revised version of the updated SAP BIO document
  8.  Basic methodology:
    1. Desk work of available documents and data and information:
      • Contracting Parties answers to questionnaires on NAPS and RPAs
      • Regional Organisations answers to questionnaires on RPAs
      • NAPs prepared by the Contracting Parties
      • Reports of the Contracting Parties on the implementation of the NAPs and RPAs
      • Existing Reports/Reporting systems established under other programmes/initiatives including regional ones
      • Other sources of information as appropriate
    2. Questionnaire preparation and assessment of responses provided by focal points and other stakeholders with regard to NAPs and RPAs /SAP BIO implementation
    3. Treatment of information in clusters of a) Mediterranean UE member and candidate countries (engaged also to EU environmental policies) and b) no members nor candidate ones.
    4. Use of up to date data/information processing tools including GIS and graphical methods
    5. Eventual participation at Meetings with countries’ backed experts, SAP BIO national correspondents, RAC/SPA focal points, as appropriate and incorporation of their feedback in the final drafts
  9. Required expertise qualifications / special skills or knowledge
  10. A team of expert consultants and /or institutions/organisations will be set by RAC/SPA from among the candidates responding to this tender.

    Selected beneficiaries will develop team work leaded and coordinated by RAC/SPA to achieve the set of common outputs. All combined, three to four consultants/institutions will be needed for the achievement of the expected results. Qualifications expected for the achievement of the outputs of this job include the following:

    • University degrees comprising either environmental sciences, environmental management, database building processing and analysis, or knowledge engineering
    • Very good knowledge of biodiversity conservation policies at regional and global levels
    • Experienced in undertaking environmental science policy analysis and its implementation monitoring at broad scale level with regard to biological conservation
    • Experienced in undertaking sectorial policy analysis based on integrated approaches and in particular on ecosystem based management (ecosystem approach)
    • Knowledge of different programmes and initiatives related to biological conservation within the Mediterranean
    • Good knowledge of Mediterranean biodiversity/MPA issues, including MSFD-related work
    • Fluency in written and oral English and good working knowledge of French. Knowledge of another UN Mediterranean language is an asset.
    • Skills in technical data analysis and processing with regard to biodiversity and in using up to date data processing and assessment tools including GIS
  11. Duration
  12. The total duration of these contracts is 8 months initially shared as 2 months per person/Institution (a team comprising one institution and three individual experts is initially expected) The tasks development from start until delivery spread over 8 months, starting from the date of the latest signature by the parties.

  13. Work plan and timetable  
  14. Month:

    1

    2

    3

    4

    5

    6

    7

    8

                     
                     

    1. SAPBIO/NAPs implementation reports, including based on available data and information

                   

    2. Listing of the current/past SAP BIO NAPs and RPAs projects according to their potential contribution to biodiversity conservation priorities as set in the adopted SAP BIO

                   

    3. Policy recommendations on the way to link the NAPs and RPAs/SAPBIO process with the ecosystem approach outcome, as well as the Aichi targets of the new CBD Strategic Plan

                   

    5. Substantive inputs and materials to publications related to NAPs and RPAs/SAPBIO implementation assessment findings, conclusions and achievements

                   

    4. New version of the updated SAP BIO document

                   

    6. GIS production

                   
  15. Ultimate result of services
  16. Key outputs related to biodiversity conservation policy implementation of UNEP/MAP- RAC/SPA (updated SAP BIO) drafted for consideration and decision making as appropriate by the meeting of RAC/SPA Focal Points and other higher bodies of MAP; Improved capacity of Contracting Parties to ensure sustainable implementation of the Barcelona Convention SPA/BD Protocol with regard to biodiversity conservation in the Mediterranean through SAP BIO implementation.

  17. Legislative authority reference
  18. UNEP/MAP Programme of work; output 1.2 and 3.2.

  19. Title and identification number of programme / project
  20. 5 year MAP Programme of work; RAC/SPA Programme of Work 2012-2013 / Project ME/6030-12-07 (MEL-2322-2F98-2664)

  21. Reporting lines
  22. The incumbents will work under direct supervision by the SAP BIO Programme Officer and general guidance by the Director of the UNEP/MAP-RAC/SPA.

  23. Travel involved
  24. The consultants may be required to travel to meeting venues within the Mediterranean area, as demanded by UNEP/MAP RAC/SPA as appropriate along the duration of the contract.

    Travel would be organized and covered by UNEP/MAP RAC/SPA

     

INSTRUCTIONS FOR TENDERS

 

Proposals content

Proposals should include the technical approach to be taken for achieving each output and profiles of team in charge.

Bidders’ background

Bidders are kindly requested to include a short summary of past relevant work, achievements and eventual references, in addition to (either their own or that of every team member):

  1. CV in English or French
  2. The completed "Fields of Expertise" form
  3. Any other document which is relevant (proof of academic certificates, awards, etc.)

Evaluation criteria

Proposals will be evaluated on the following criteria:

  • Adequacy of the proposed profiles.
  • Scientific/technical references on similar works.
  • Capacity to develop the tasks in English being at least a member able to manage documents in French
  • Quality and consistency of technical approach proposed
  • Geographical Mediterranean balance of team members’ composition.
  • Quality of final reports presentation description offered for outputs 3 and 4
  • Cost to RAC/SPA
  • Easiness to visit RAC/SPA premises at the charge of the overall own consultancy costs will be a favouring factor for the assignments.

Terms and conditions

  • Proposals can be submitted by individual consultants, by institutions/organisations or jointly by any of those combinations
  • The maximum cost to RAC/SPA acceptable for the overall assignment is 30000 €
  • RAC/SPA does not bind itself to accept the proposal with the lowest bid cost, but the most technically appropriate one, below the maximum costs limits above.
  • There are no specific format and headings for submission of proposals.
  • Proposals shall indicate if they offer to cover the whole assignment or specify the part of the assignment proposed to be covered by the bidder and at what cost
  • Proposals shall indicate an appropriate payment schedule and all costs shall be quoted in Euros (EUR)
  • RAC/SPA will make no payment and no reimbursement of expenses related to the preparation of proposals
  • RAC/SPA may extend this deadline for the submission of proposals.
  • The final selection of proposals will be in accordance with the proposals evaluation procedures of RAC/SPA. RAC/SPA’s decision will be final.
  • Bidders engage to perform eventual team work set by RAC/SPA for the achievement of the whole set of tasks

Submission of proposals

The deadline for submission of proposals is October 17th 2012. Proposals can be transmitted by email or registered letter in order to arrive to the RAC SPA office before the deadline. Any proposal arrived after the deadline will be rejected.

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

The proposals should be sent (preferably by email) to:

Director of RAC/SPA
United Nations Environment Programme
Mediterranean Action Plan
Regional Activity Centre for
Specially Protected Areas (RAC/SPA)
B.P. 337 - 1080 Tunis Cedex. TUNISIA
Email: car-asp@rac-spa.org
Cc: gannoun.abderrahmen@rac-spa.org
daniel.cebrian@rac-spa.org

For additional information

Should any problems of interpretation arise in the course of drawing up the proposal, bidders may submit a written request by email/fax/mail or call for further information to:

SAP BIO Programme Officer
United Nations Environment Programme
Mediterranean Action Plan
Regional Activity Centre for
Specially Protected Areas (RAC/SPA)
B.P. 337 - 1080 Tunis Cedex. TUNISIA
Tel : + 216 71 947 162
Fax: + 216 71 947 173
Email: daniel.cebrian@rac-spa.org

Request for additional information if needed should be sent no later than 5 calendar days before the deadline for the proposal submission