| Overview : Overview : Project Title: Strengthening human resources, legal frameworks and institutional capacities to implement the Nagoya Protocol The Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (ABS), an agreement under the Convention on Biological Diversity, was adopted on 29 October 2010 in Nagoya (Japan) and entered into force on 12 October 2014, it provides a transparent legal framework for the effective implementation of the 3rd objective of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The Protocol applies to genetic resources that are covered by the CBD and to the benefits arising from their utilization, it also covers associated Traditional Knowledge (aTK) associated with Genetic Resources (GR) held by indigenous and local communities. Contracting parties to the Nagoya Protocol need to fulfil core obligations to take measures in relation to access to genetic resources, benefit-sharing and compliance. Article 8(j) of the CBD states “Each contracting Party shall, as far as possible and as appropriate: Subject to national legislation, respect, preserve and maintain knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities embodying traditional lifestyles relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity and promote their wider application with the approval and involvement of the holders of such knowledge, innovations and practices and encourage the equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of such knowledge innovations and practices”. The UNDP-GEF Project “Strengthening human resources, legal frameworks, and institutional capacities to implement the Nagoya Protocol” (Global ABS Project) is a 3-year project that specifically aims at assisting 24 countries in the development and strengthening of their national ABS frameworks, human resources, and administrative capabilities to implement the Nagoya Protocol. The project seeks to achieve this through its 4 components namely: - Component 1: Strengthening the legal, policy and institutional capacity to develop national ABS frameworks;
- Component 2: Building trust between users and providers of genetic resources to facilitate the identification of bio-discovery efforts; and
- Component 3: Strengthening the capacity of indigenous and local communities to contribute to the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol.
- Component 4: Implementing a Community of Practice and South-South Cooperation Framework on ABS.
Component 1, Output1.2.1. of the project seeks to improve capacities of National Competent Authorities and related agencies on processing access applications, developing model contractual clauses under mutually agreed terms, including the negotiation and tracking of ABS agreements and biodiscovery projects to ensure compliance. Context of the Project The Republic of Seychelles is a Party to the Nagoya Protocol since its entry into force (ratification) on October 12, 2014. Seychelles does not have a comprehensive legislative/regulatory ABS framework in place. The Seychelles Bureau of Standards (SBS), through its parent the Ministry of Industries and International Business, has a facilitator role as a hub where all the stakeholders and research partners can bring their documents and or seek additional information. Other line ministries such as the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change (MEECC), the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture and now the National Institute of Science Technology and Innovation (NISTI) have more of the decision-making roles. The Department of the Environment of the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change is the designated institution where the Nagoya Protocol on ABS focal point is hosted. With the support of the UNDP-GEF Global ABS project,the ABS policy and the guidelines to preserve and valorise Seychelle’s traditional knowledge were. National consultations and awareness raising activities were undertaken with key stakeholders and the political profile of ABS. Capacity building interventions are also being planned. Country delegation has already attended knowledge sharing workshops such as the Pan-African ABS workshop alongside ABS experts and practitioners to share experiences and key innovations in implementing the Nagoya protocol in Africa and, present good practices while strengthening critical ABS capacities and disseminating state-of-the-art knowledge. Against this background and following the request of the national ABS team in Seychelles, the Global ABS project is now seeking a legal ABS expert to strengthen national legal capacities in support to the implementation of the ongoing legislative, administrative and policy measures. Objectives of the assignment The national consultant will generate a report (Deliverable 1) as well as support the international consultant to conduct trainings for stakeholders involved in Access and Benefit Sharing in Seychelles including the Competent National Authority, ministries, NGOs , private sector, civil society organizations and media. The consultant shall support and assist the IC in preparing a training package including at minimum: 1) Specific learning materials adapted to the target groups including Power-Point presentations, Videos, relevant publications and reports; 2) Interactive case studies to enable real-life simulations of legal ABS challenges, 3) the drafting of one ABS contract based on a real case-study from Seychelles which details will be duly provided to the consultant by the ABS country team. Deadline for Submission: 7th February 2019 at at 16h00. hours (Seychelles Local Time which is GMT+4). Applications to be sent to the email address jobs.mu@undp.org | 
