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INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT PROCUREMENT NOTICE
Date:
March 16, 2016
Country: Kazakhstan
Description of the assignment: International Consultant on methodological support for the
economic valuation of ecosystem services
Project (-s) name:
00093061, Building Transformative Policy and Financing Frameworks to Increase Investment in
Biodiversity Management (Biofin)
00090945, Improvement of the decision-making process in Kazakhstan through introduction of
mechanisms of economic assessment of fulfilling obligations under global environmental
agreements (CB2)
00086425, Improving sustainability of the PA system in desert ecosystems through promotion of
biodiversity-compatible livelihoods in and around PAs
Period of assignment/services (if applicable): May– December 2016, 30 working days (incl.
8 days in Kazakhstan)
Proposal should be submitted by email to [email protected] no later than April 1,
2016.
Any request for clarification must be sent by standard electronic communication to the e-mail
indicated above.
1. BACKGROUND
The need to integrate economic valuation of ecosystem services (EVES) into national
sustainable policy of the country is associated with the fact that nature resources play significant
role in the economy of Kazakhstan, but benefits obtained from the min the long perspective, are
not considered by economic parameters.
State policy should consider benefits from ES, and EV is targeted at the inclusion of basic
biodiversity and ecosystem parameters in the country’s economic system, creation of legal
framework for the formation of environmentally oriented national accounts in order to
incorporate biodiversity and ecosystem value in the national macroeconomic indicators (GDP)
and international offset system.
EVES has many purposes - from informing to change of the structure of macroeconomic
indicators of the country. In the context of the UNDP projects in the field of biodiversity
conservation EVES is planned for the following purposes: (1) determining the economic value of
biodiversity; 2) study of schemes of payments for ecosystem services (PES) and the amount of
compensation for loss / damage to biodiversity and ecosystems, and (3) identification of the
economic assessment of land degradation.
In 2015, in order to determine the EVES, ecosystem services of two pilot areas have been
identified. Also in the framework of implementation of the desert ecosystem management
project, it is planned to create a new "Ile-Balkhash” reservation with unique ecosystems and
species of flora, and fauna. This area needs to be protected, but in view of the global economic
crisis remains unattended by the state. Determining the economic value of biodiversity of the
planned "Ile-Balkhash" reservation will develop a reasoned justification of the feasibility of the
creation of the reservation from the state budget.
It is expected, that the results of the work will allow within the limits of the pilot regions to identify
in money terms benefits, obtained from nature ecosystems, assess nature capital share of the
pilot region and country in the GDP, identify additional finance sources of conservation
activities, form adequate PES system, perform economic valuation of forestry and pasture land
and cost of its recovery. As a result of use of economic mechanisms there is opportunity for the
introduction of new approaches in the management of resources on the basis of public-private
partnership.
EVES is one of the major global targets of the Convention on Biological Diversity. This direction
is new for Kazakhstan, therefore, there are some difficulties with personnel, and the availability
of the procedures used in Russian and so on, therefore, to performance of this work requires
methodological support and transfer of knowledge to national experts by international experts.
2. MAIN OBJECTIVES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED
ANALYTICAL WORK.
Objective:
The aim of the international expert is to provide professional methodological support to the team
of national experts who will carry out the analytical work on the calculations of EVES of the pilot
Ile-Balkash region.
Scope of work:
International expert is a key person performing the methodological support of the process of
EVES of Ile-Balkash project area (Almaty region).
The scope of work of international expert includes:
1. Study of materials on social-economic characteristics of the region, reports on previous
work on the identification of ecosystem services, and other;
2. Study of the proposed PES schemes in the framework of the identification of ecosystem
services, preparation of summary of feasibility, measurability and relevance of each
scheme;
3. Preparation of brief justification for at least of 10 types of ecosystem services on three
types (supplying, regulating, cultural), subject to EVES;
4. Selection, organization (ranging) and proposition of the most used techniques to
determine the EVES within the pilot areas in terms of money for:
 identification of the total EVES for the planned "Ile-Balkhash" nature reservation;
 performance of economic valuation of forestry and pasture land degradation ant
the cost of its recovery;
 justification of PES schemes in the project area, the contribution of selected
ecosystems and ecosystem services (paragraph 2) in the sectors of forestry,
fishing, hunting, tourism and protected areas and agriculture;
 the need for state funding for the planned creation of the "Ile-Balkhash"
reservation;
 determination of the proportion of selected ecosystem services in the region /
country's GDP;
5. Identification of indicators that should be considered in EVES;
6. Listing of necessary primary data for processing and making calculations;
7. Arrival to Kazakhstan, visiting the project area to meet with all interested parties and
conducting discussion and approval of the proposed methods of economic evaluation at
the level of national experts involved for evaluation. The international consultant shall
arrive to Kazakhstan at the beginning of the contract of the involved company;
8. Preparation of reviews and comments on the report of the involved company for the
economic evaluation;
9. On the basis of international experience, preparation of recommendations on the
integration of methods of economic valuation of ecosystem services into the process of
environmental impact assessment (EIA) and Feasibility Study (FS) of development
projects;
10. Upon completion of the work on EVES, preparation of a report on learned lessons in the
Word format;
11. International expert reports to Head of Environment and Energy of UNDP Development
Program in Kazakhstan during his/her work within this TOR.
Responsibilities:
1. International consultant ensures timely and rational planning, implementation of activities
and achievement of deliverables in accordance with the TOR.
2. International consultant arranges online consultations for project staff during the entire
period of the TOR.
3. International consultant is responsible for the quality of materials prepared as part of the
TOR.
4. International consultant works under the supervision of the UNDP biodiversity projects
manager.
5. UNDP biodiversity projects manager in close cooperation with the expert on economic
mechanisms of biodiversity management.
6. International consultant produces all required materials electronically for Windows files.
3. REQUIREMENTS FOR EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Master Degree (at least) in Nature Use Economy.

Knowledge and work experience in performance of economic valuation of ecosystem
services.

At least 7-year of work experience in nature use economy and performance of
economic valuation of ecosystem services, natural resources and biodiversity on
national and/or international level.

Work experience in preparation of methodological basis for the process of economic
valuation of ecosystem services.

Work experience in CA, Eastern Europe, South Caucasus countries.

Knowledge of specific character of biodiversity management.

Work experience in preparation of analytical reports. Strong skills in written
presentations and reports.
4. DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS.
Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to
demonstrate their qualifications:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Financial proposal;
Confirmation of Interest and Submission of Financial Offer form;
UN Personal History Form P-11;
Brief description of conducted similar services in projects.
5. FINANCIAL PROPOSAL
The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around
specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in
installments or upon completion of the entire contract), using the format provided in the table
below. Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the
TOR. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the
financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including travel, per
diems, and number of anticipated working days).
All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to
join duty station/repatriation travel. In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding
those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should
do so using their own resources.
In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and
terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and Individual
Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.
No.
Deliverables
1.
A report containing the following analytical work has 10 working days
been prepared:
Timing
Payment
30%
 feasibility, measurability and relevance of each
scheme, proposed PES within the framework of work
on the identification of ecosystem services;
 a brief justification for at least of 10 types of
ecosystem services for three types (supplying,
regulating, cultural), subject to EVES;
 systematic list of the most used techniques to
determine in monetary terms the economic value of
ecosystem services within the pilot areas for: (1)
determination of the total economic value of
ecosystem services of the planned "Ile-Balkhash"
nature reservation, (2) the economic valuation of
degradation of forest land and pastures, and the cost
of their recovery, (3) study of PES schemes in the
project area, the contribution of selected ecosystems
and ecosystem services (paragraph 2) in the sectors
of forestry, fishing, hunting, tourism and protected
areas and agriculture, (4) the need for state funding of
the planned "Ile-Balkhash" reservation, and (5)
determination of the proportion of selected ecosystem
services in the region / country of GDP;
 a list of indicators that should be considered in
the preparation of calculations on the economic
valuation of ecosystem services;
 list of primary data for processing and making
calculations.
2.
Visit to Kazakhstan, during which:

visit of Ile-Balkhash pilot area has been made;

meetings and discussions with all interested
parties have been conducted;

proposed methods of economic evaluation are
approved at the level of national experts
involved for evaluation;

a report on the results of meetings and
discussions has been prepared.
8 working days
25%
3
A review report on the results of the work of involved 12 working days
company for economic valuation has been prepared;
45%
Based
on
the
international
experience,
recommendations on the integration of methods of
economic valuation of ecosystem services into the
process of environmental impact assessment (EIA)
and Feasibility Study (FS) of development projects
have been prepared in the form of analytical report.
Upon completion of the work on EVES, a report on
learned lessons has been prepared.
NB: The contract will be signed for fixed amount including costs for consultation services and
travel expenses required for preparation of the documents mentioned above. Payment is done
subject to approval of reports and results by the UNDP Biodiversity Projects Manager in
compliance with the contract.
6. EVALUATION
Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodologies:
Cumulative analysis
When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should 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%);
* Financial Criteria weight (30%);
Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 350 point would be considered for the Financial
Evaluation
Criteria
Weight
Max. Point
Technical
70%
500
Master Degree (at least) in Nature Use
Economy
25%
125
Knowledge
25%
125
and
work
experience
in
performance of economic
ecosystem services.
valuation
of
At least 7-year of work experience in nature
use economy and performance of economic
valuation of ecosystem services, natural
resources and biodiversity on national and/or
international level.
15%
75
Work
experience
in
preparation
of
methodological basis for the process of
economic valuation of ecosystem services.
25%
125
Work experience in CA, Eastern Europe, South
Caucasus countries.
10%
50
Financial
30%
214
ANNEX
ANNEX 1- TERMS OF REFERENCES (TOR)
ANNEX 2 – TEMPLATE FOR CONFIRMATION OF INTEREST AND SUBMISSION OF
FINANCIAL OFFER FORM
ANNEX 3- INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS