UNDP/Kenya: Policy-Science-Practice Dialogue Facilitation Service for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network (BES-Net)

Deadline: 05-Jul-20

The Nairobi-based Global Policy Centre on Resilient Ecosystems and Desertification (GC-RED) is one of UNDP’s Global Policy Centers. GC-RED manages the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network (BES-Net), a capacity sharing “network of networks” initiative that promotes dialogue and cooperation between science, policy and practice for effective BES management, contributing to long-term human well-being and sustainable development.

In partnership with the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), Phase I of BES-Net (2016-2020) has been contributing to the capacity building work of the Intergovernmental Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) through three inter-linked areas of work:

Regional face-to-face awareness raising, capacity building and networking support BES-Net has been fostering face-to-face triangular dialogues, or ‘Trialogues”, among the three target communities of science, policy and practice around the themes of the completed IPBES Thematic Assessments, particularly on pollinators/pollination and land degradation/restoration. Enhancing mutual learning, inter-cultural understanding and interinstitutional coordination on specific policy-relevant questions at the national and regional levels, Trialogues strengthen the interface between these communities and increase their capacity to integrate scientific findings of the IPBES assessments into policy, decision-making and on-the-ground practices,
National Ecosystem Assessments (NEA): BES-Net has been supporting the development of national capacity to conduct NEAs in selected countries, complementing the global assessment being undertaken by IPBES. Leveraging the expertise of the Sub-Global Assessment Network (SGAN), the NEA process encompasses not only the production of national assessment reports, but also the development of a set of policy support tools to integrate assessment findings into decision-making; and
Online platform for global networking: The BES-Net web portal provides a comprehensive knowledge resource library on biodiversity and ecosystems services, and a rich database of organizations and experts working on the IPBES thematic assessment areas. The latest news and updates from BES-Net and its 100+ network partners are circulated via social media channels and disseminated through bi-monthly e-newsletters.

Building on the achievements of BES-Net Phase Ito date, BES-Net Phase II has commenced in 2020 with the objective to formalize the scientists-policymakers-practitioners partnership and strengthen synergy and complementarity in their BES-related decisions, actions and subsequent impacts in target countries. BES-Net Phase II (2020-2028) will work jointly to support evidence-informed policy setting, stratkgic planning and the implementation of transformative solutions for BES protection in 18 countries. It will also up-scale the successful approaches of BES-Net Phase I, by promoting NEAs in four new countries and facilitating the Regional Trialogues in some 40 countries around the forthcoming BES thematic assessments to be produced by IPBES. The activities and results of the initiative will contribute to the implementation of the IPBES Work Programme and the IPBES Capacity-building Rolling Plan in partner countries. Experiences and achievements will be widely disseminated through the BES-Net online platform.

As part of the above-mentioned activities, BES-Net Phase II will organize multiple events, both on-site and virtual, every year on a recurring basis in the target countries and regions. These events include, among others:

Consultation meetings for the national science-policy-practice platforms in the countries guiding the implementation of the transformative BES solutions;
Regional Community of Practice meetings among the national science-policy-practice platforms;
National Trialogues in the countries undertaking NEAs; and
Regional Trialogues for a set of priority countries in the target (sub-)regions.

While the scope, size and duration of each event may differ depending on unique context, all the events are expected to apply trialogical approach and share a common aim to build and keep improving/refining communications, networks and coordination among policy, science and practice communities.

Objectives

The purpose of this assignment is to provide professional services in designing and facilitation of multiple on-site/virtual events in/for the target countries and regions by undertaking the following steps and continuously reviewing/refining the Trialogue methodology based on the experiences and lessons from previous events held in the respective countries/regions. More specifically, across the consultation meetings, regional community of practice meetings and the National/Regional Trialogues, the tasks to be performed include, among others:

Pre-event Period (Home-based and on-site with possible preparatory scoping missions):
- Tailored adjustment of the Trialogue methodology and framing of the event scope in line with the themes, expected outputs/outcomes and regional/national contexts
- Supporting of background research of the target regions/countries using existing Information and data
- Organization of preparatory scoping missions to the target/host countries in close collaboration with the respective UNDP Country Offices, as required
- Identification of key stakeholders representing policy, science and practice communities to be invited and defining of their engagements (e g as interviewees/peer-reviewers for background research; Trialogue participants/speakers/presenters/panels, etc.) in a gender-sensitive manner
- Purpose-led Trialogue programme design and agenda-setting
- Supporting of the engagement of local co-facilitator
- Guidance to the logistical preparation (e g room setting, media session, handouts, etc.)
Event Period (On-site or home-based/virtual):
- Induction of local co-facilitator and training on the Trialogue methodology
- Supporting of in-person visits to the key event partners in the host countries
- State-of-the-art facilitation of on-site/virtual events together with the co-facilitators, to create a trusting and hospitable space for active dialogue, joint problem-solving and action-mapping, by adopting creative and enabling session formats, utilizing creative visual stimuli and materials and applying flexible on-site adjustments, as required
- The facilitation techniques used for each on-site/virtual event should build on the experiences and lessons from the past events as well as a regular global review of emerging innovative methods and techniques used to foster efficient multi-stakeholder discussions
Post-event Period (Home-based with possible missions):
- Production of the concrete action points (and an outline of knowledge and capacity gaps) that are to be taken for implementation/follow-up by the participants;
- Refining of generic Trialogue methodological framework for forthcoming event planning;
- Periodic monitoring of progress in the implementation of post-event actions through face-to-face and online channels and compilation of stories of changes, as required; and
- Provision of Trialogue related inputs as required by the BES-Net project.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

The contracted firm is expected to produce the below deliverables for each event:

Satisfactory completion of pre-event activities, as evidenced by the required supporting documents such as the customized Trialogue methodology, full concept note, agenda, participants/speakers list and event background document, among others;
Satisfactory completion of all the on-site or virtual facilitation services throughout the event period;
Satisfactory completion of post-event activities, including, among others the contributions to the event report, event evaluation results, etc., as required; and
Compilation of stories of changes observed and other agreed inputs, as necessary, for the target countries and regions.

Eligibility Criteria

Minimum five (5) years of the operation
Proven track record of multi-stakeholder dialogue facilitation at regional and/or international levels
Sufficient staff capacity with at least three (3) qualified personnel meeting the below requirements:
- Master’s degree or equivalent in communication, facilitation, environment or other related field with at least five years of progressively responsible work experience at national or international level;
- First-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree;
- minimum three (3) years of professional experience in event facilitation
- Familiarity with topics related with the BES-Net initiative is an asset
- Fluency in English with excellent written and oral communication skills
- Proficiency in other UN languages is an asset
Prior work experience with United Nations agencies and/or renowned international organizations is desirable