| Introduction :
Country:
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina Description of the Assignment: Bosnia and Herzegovina is known for its rich biological diversity, endemic species, habitats, and a series of relict ecosystems. Species diversity has the highest level of endemism in Europe. Still, despite the country’s rich biodiversity, international obligations, and growing man-induced pressures, nature conservation efforts remain insufficient. Socioeconomic challenges, such as unemployment and poverty, have resulted in both the government communities focusing on immediate economic priorities rather than environmental issues, including biodiversity. Thus, biodiversity conservation is not seen as a national priority. The objective of the “Sustainability of Protected Areas in BiH” (SPA) project is to achieve practical improvement in the management of protected areas in BiH, providing for better biodiversity status through strengthened resilience of key biodiversity values to climate change impact and increased revenues to protected areas from ecotourism. The project is called to reduce the gap between the current capacities of protected areas (PAs) with their increasing vulnerability to emerging threats, on the one hand, and the growing need to preserve and sustainably maintain biological and ecosystem diversity, on the other. It is planned to provide incremental effort in assisting the protected area management with tools and instruments aimed at diversifying and improving the sustainable, nature-based tourism offering in targeted PAs and neighboring communities, thus providing for sustainable incremental income and a development option that will valorize the unique natural values without further threatening them. The SPA project will also link the PAs to the funding opportunities provided by the government grant programs for tourism development. The SPA project has been financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and is directly implemented by UNDP Bosnia and Herzegovina Country Office. One of the activities under Component 1 of the SPA project (Strengthening PA resilience to climate change threats) has the aim to provide a demonstration of innovative restoration approaches for vulnerable and valuable ecosystems. As per the findings of the screening of potential demo sites for restoration, conducted based on ecosystem types/threat imminence/current damage to the ecosystem/its representativity and value, the final decision has been made to perform innovative restoration activities on Tišina and Gromiželj wetlands. The SPA project will assist the respective management authorities of the two protected landscapes by performing the following actions: - Development of restoration methodology and plan; - Provision of targeted support for selected restoration pilots through the realization of concrete measures on the field; - Ensuring the engagement of local communities, landowners, private sector stakeholders, municipal authorities etc; - Documentation of restoration effects for further dissemination and replication. The International Consultant – QAQC expert for ecosystem restoration will provide expert support to UNDP Project Team in a process of the quality assurance of the Terms of Reference and control over the work of the Service Provider to be engaged for the development of Hydrogeological study with a restoration plan for Tišina protected landscape. To ensure adequate quality of work conducted, the Individual Consultant will be providing external quality assurance and quality control (QAQC) throughout the overall selection process of the Service provider (revision of Terms of Reference and evaluation of bids received), along with the guidance to the selected Service provider. The International Consultant will work under the project manager's overall guidance and direct supervision. With the support of the SPA project team, the International Consultant will provide the expert support needed to assure high-quality outputs throughout the overall process of preparation of Hydrogeological study with a restoration plan for Tišina protected landscape. Period of assignment/services: from March 2023 to December 2023 Proposal should be submitted directly in the portal no later than indicated deadline.
Any request for clarification must be sent in writing via messaging functionality in the portal. UNDP will respond in writing including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry.
Please indicate whether you intend to submit a bid by creating a draft response without submitting directly in the system. This will enable the system to send notifications in case of amendments of the tender requirements. Should you require further clarifications, kindly communicate using the messaging functionality in the system. Offers must be submitted directly in the system following this link: http://supplier.quantum.partneragencies.org using the profile you may have in the portal. In case you have never registered before, you can register a profile using the registration link shared via the procurement notice and following the instructions in guides available in UNDP website: https://www.undp.org/procurement/business/resources-for-bidders. Do not create a new profile if you already have one. Use the forgotten password feature in case you do not remember the password or the username from previous registration. | 
