| Overview : A. Project Title: Project Preparatory – Strengthening National Systems to Improve Governance and Management of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Conserved Areas and Territories
B. Project Description
The Philippines is the world’s second largest archipelago country after Indonesia and includes more than 7,100 islands covering 297,179 km2 in the westernmost Pacific Ocean. It is one of the world’s richest countries biologically. The country is one of the few nations that is, in its entirety, both a hotspot and a megadiversity country, placing it among the top priority hotspots for global conservation. The island geography, the climate and the once extensive areas of rainforest, have resulted in a high level of biodiversity endemism in the country. At the very least, one third of the more than 9,250 vascular plant species native to the Philippines are endemic. Of the 530 bird species found in the Philippines, 185 (35%) are endemic. 61% of the mammal species, 68% (160 species) of reptiles and 70% of nearly 21,000 recorded insect species found in the Philippines are endemic. The endemism is even higher (85% or 90 species) for amphibians, Philippines plays host to 65 endemic fish species, with 9 endemic genera. 70% of the nearly 21,000 insect species are aendemic.
Biodiversity loss is a problem of global proportions. The world’s biodiversity is estimated to be experiencing rates of extinction at least 1,000 times higher than any time previously in Earth’s history, with some 20,000 species known to be threatened with extinction and many more likely to be threatened (Barber et al., 2004, p. 30). Habitat destruction is identified as the main driver of biodiversity loss. To prevent further habitat destruction and conserve biodiversity, countries and governments designated national terrestrial and marine protected areas. As of January 2009, there are 122,512 nationally designated protected areas in 235 countries and territories included in the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA). These areas cover 21,242,195 sq km, or about 12.1 per cent of the earth’s surface. This includes both terrestrial and marine protected areas. While there has been considerable progress in the growth of protected areas over recent decades, there is growing scientific agreement and policy recognition that existing areas are not sufficient to meet the increasing challenges of biodiversity conservation.
In the Philippines, where 5.4 million hectares have been established as protected areas (representing 18% of the country’s total land area), there is agreement among stakeholders that there are huge gaps in coverage and representativeness of the protected area system. Compared to the extent of identified key biodiversity areas (KBAs) in the country, existing protected areas cover only 35% of KBAs. There are an estimated 4.6 million of KBAs that need to be placed under some form of effective protection. Filling these gaps only by expanding conventional protected areas is impractical given both the enormous areas to be covered and issues of jurisdiction where about 4.3 million hectares have been recognized as ancestral domains and an additional 2.6 million hectares are covered with application for certificates of ancestral domain titles (CADTs). Using the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) approach, the legislation required to gazette a protected area takes years to complete. Unless there are other cost effective ways of accelerating the expansion of conservation coverage, it is likely that degradation will cause irreparable damage to these KBAs before these can be placed under effective protection, resulting in direct loss of Philippine endemic biodiversity. In order to address this, the government, through the UNDP-GEF supported New Conservation Areas in the Philippines Project (NewCAPP), has pilot tested the recognition of new and diversified governance regimes in the establishment and management of protected areas. One which has gained international recognition is the country effort in documentation, mapping and recognition of indigenous community conserved areas (ICCAs) in territories occupied by indigenous peoples, which have overlaps in biologically significant terrestrial areas, estimated to reach about 1,345,198 hectares (involving CADTs in 91 KBAs). This means that 29% of the entire area of KBAs requiring protection falls into territories occupied by indigenous peoples, so creating mechanisms for recognition and strengthening of ICCAs creates the enabling enviornment for a significant contribution to the strategic expansion of the protected area estate to protect globally significant biodiversity. By working on several pilot areas, NewCAPP has initiated policy and structural changes, such as the inclusion of new forms of protected areas in the National PA System Plan that is currently under formulation. This has created an opportunity for a significant expansion of the national conservation estate, through recognition of ICCAs, which typically coincide with areas of greatest surviving endemism. As a result of the work done by NewCAPP and other partners such as NGOs and NCIP, there is now significant interest from many ICC groups to map, document and recognize their ICCAs.
However, the institutionalization of ICCAs is still hindered by challenges in the policy arena as well as the weak capacities of national institutions to support the management of ICCAs. To contribute in addressing these barriers, the Biodiversity Management Bureau in partnership with the National Commission of Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) with support from several NGOs, has proposed to GEF a project entitled “Strengthening National Systems to Improve Governance and Management of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Conserved Areas and Territories” which aims to increase the capacities of the national systems to support the management of ICCAs. The GEF has also provided an initial grant to develop and prepare the required UNDP/GEF Project Document and GEF CEO Endorsement. Therefore, to elaborate on the policy and institutional barriers on ICCA establishment and management both at the national and local levels, a Policy and Institutional Expert will be hired.
C. Responsibilities
The following are the tasks and responsibilities to be performed by the Policy and Institutional Strengthening Expert:
- Identify and engage national-level stakeholders (Government, non-government organizations) in PPG activities
- Conducts capacity assessment of key stakeholders on ICCA establishment and management at the national and local levels using the UNDP Capacity Scorecard
- Assess and report on: existing policies supporting or inconsistent with ICCA’s objectives; existing capacities and practices, (iv) opportunities and technical co-operation needs and strategies related to each of the above areas.
- Expand on the barriers described in the PIF. In particular, (i) Identify and describe all the policy and regulation relevant to PAs and ICCAs and the difference between these; (ii) Explain in more detail the lack of support for the ICCA Bill and the need for advocacy to get Bill passed; (iii) explain the lack of coordination among policies, legislation; (iv) lack of recognising and documentation of ICCAs in NIPAS; (v) lack of capacity at all levels to systematically incorporate the mapping, documentation, and recognition of ICCAs as part of ancestral domain delineation and management planning; (vi) lack of official recognition of ICCAs (National ICCA Registry).
- Gather information, analyse and report on national-level issues associated with: (i) stakeholders and institutional capacities on ICCA establishment and management (ii) legal, regulatory and policy structures and practices relevant to ICCA establishment and management; (iii) gaps in policies and capacity building needs of relevant stakeholders.
- Assess and report on: (i) baseline status, (ii) barriers, (iii) existing capacities and practices, (iv) opportunities and technical co-operation needs and strategies related to each of the above areas.
- Complete a description of existing data on legal frameworks and policy issuances relevant to ICCA establishment and management at the national and local levels;
- Elaborate on components 1 and 2 of the Project Implementation Framework including baselines and relevant targets
D. Expected Outputs and Deliverables
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Deliverables/ Outputs
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Target Due Dates
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Review and Approvals Required (Indicate designation of person who will review output and confirm acceptance)
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Inception Report
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1 week after contract signing
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Standalone report on national and site level baseline status, related policy and institutional barriers, existing capacities and practices, opportunities and technical co-operation needs and strategies related to ICCA;
Completed UNDP-GEF Capacity Scorecard
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30 September 2014
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Standalone report elaborating Components 1 and 2 of the Project including inputs on the results framework and stakeholder analysis
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24 October 2014
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E. Institutional Arrangement
He/She shall coordinate and work closely with the Project Development Expert, UNDP, BMB and project partners to ensure that the project activities are undertaken and relevant and quality information are gathered.
The UNDP CO in coordination with the Focal Person of BMB shall directly supervise the Policy and Institutional Strengthening Expert and his/her output shall be approved and accepted by the UNDP CO with endorsement from UNDP-GEF RTA and BMB;
The BMB in coordination with UNDP CO shall provide administrative and logistical support particularly in Project Development Expert in convening meetings/round table discussions/focus group discussions and or in visiting sites.
F. Duration of the Work
The expected duration of work is estimated at 50 days spread over 3 months. The target date for the start of work is 01 August 2014 and the completion date is 30 November 2014.
G. Duty Station
The Policy and Institutional Strengthening Expert is not expected to report on a daily basis to UNDP nor to BMB. S/he shall be notified within a reasonable period of time of pertinent meetings where his/her presence is necessary. All consultation venues will be chosen according to accessibility, availability of appropriate facilities and peace and order.
H. Qualifications of the Successful Individual Contractor
- A degree in political science, sociology, law or jurisprudence;
- At least 7 years of experience in the field of environmental law or laws relevant to indigenous peoples;
- Working experience with government agencies, NGOs, and private sector in the Philippines;
- Working experience in policy formulation;
- Familiarity with national and local policies, institutional arrangements on biodiversity conservation and in indigenous peoples empowerment;
- Preferably with sufficient knowledge and experience engaging with international donors;
- Good in word processing, preferably Word, Excel, Power-point
- Experienced in handling stakeholder consultations
- Knowledge and experience in conflict resolution a plus
I. Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments
The financial proposals from possible candidates should be expressed in lump sum amount inclusive of all financial costs related to this engagement (i.e. transportation/travel to and from residence-Manila and/or within Metro Manila, supplies & materials, reproduction, communications including internet). However, travel costs (eg. fares and DSAs) to sites outside of Metro Manila shall be borne by UNDP. DSA rates will follow the NIM prescribed rates.
Payment terms are as follows:
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Percentage
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Description
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Deadline
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20%
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Inception Report
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1st week after signing of contract
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40%
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Standalone report on national and site level baseline status, related policy and institutional barriers, existing capacities and practices, opportunities and technical co-operation needs and strategies related to ICCA;
Completed UNDP-GEF Capacity Scorecard
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30 October 2014
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40%
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Standalone report elaborating Components 1 and 2 of the Project including inputs on the results framework and stakeholder analysis
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24 October 2014
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J. Criteria for Selection of the Best Offer
The combined scoring method where the qualifications and methodology will be weighted a maximum of 70%, and combined with the price offer which will be weighted a max of 30% shall be adopted.
CV's and financial proposals may be submitted on or before 22 July 2014 in the address below:
United Nations Development Programme
30th Floor, Yuchengco Tower, RCBC Plaza
6819 Ayala Avenue corner Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City
Tel: +63 2 9010100/Fax: +63 2 9010200/8897177
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