| Overview : The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Conference of the Parties (COP) adopted the 2011-2020 global strategic plan for biodiversity, which comprises 20 Aichi Targets. Of these targets, target 17 calls for each country to develop and adopt as a policy instrument the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) in line with the Aichi Targets; and target 20 calls for countries to assess the financial resource needs and mobilize financial resources for effectively implementing the Strategic Plan. In addition, it was decided that country parties should identify and report financing needs, gaps and priorities; develop national financial plans for biodiversity and be provided with enough funding and capacity building to undertake the actual activity. In this context, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in October 2012 launched the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) as a new global partnership seeking to address the biodiversity finance challenge in a comprehensive manner. The initiative aims to build a sound business case for increased investment in the management of ecosystems and biodiversity, with particular focus on needs and transformational opportunities at the national level. At the global level, this project is managed by the UNDP Ecosystems and Biodiversity Programme, in partnership with the European Union and the Governments of Germany, Switzerland, Norway and Flanders, who support the initiative. The Global Environmental Facility is a further partner financing parallel in-country projects in support of the revision of the NBSAPs. The Consultant will work under the supervision of the BIOFIN Project Leader in South Africa and UNDP-GEF Programme Manager in South Afr. He/She will lead the development of the Biodiversity Expenditure Review in close coordination and collaboration with the Lead Expert and under the guidance of the global BIOFIN Senior Advisor. Specific tasks include: |
