International Expert for Bio-prospecting

Project: Establishing the National Framework and Operational Capacity for Implementing the Nagoya Protocol in Timor-Leste

Consultant, 65 days (starting from July until November 2024)

Home-based (with some travel to Dili, Timor-Leste)

Objectives of the Assignment

The objective of this assignment is to work together with the National Directorate of Biodiversity (NDB) through ABS PMU team to conduct Cost and Benefit Analysis for the implementation of ABS procedures in Timor-Leste, including its financial implications, economic potential and values of genetic resources and traditional knowledge to support the country's sustainable development agenda. In turn, the consultant supports the NDB to conduct studies on existing bioprospecting projects/opportunities (from secondary research and consultation) in Timor-Leste, including new opportunities from new bioprospecting trials emerged from this current project. Furthermore, the consultant will disseminate the result of their deliverables through conducting a workshop that aims to discuss main opportunities and elaborate a long-term plan for sustainable bioprospecting of natural resources in Timor-Leste.

Under the overall supervision of the National Project Coordinator and International Biodiversity and Bio-prospecting specialist, the national consultant will be responsible to support the ABS PMU within the context and tasks, as detailed below:

1. Inception report summarizing the objectives, scope and outputs of the assignment, organization and methodology for achievement of the outputs, documentation review, meetings, findings, and setting out a detailed planning of the assignment, including the schedule to accomplish all deliverables.
2. Lead the compilation of the information, data and documents required to prepare the report of cost and benefit analysis for the implementation of ABS procedures in Timor-Leste, including its financial implications, economic potential and values of genetic resources and traditional knowledge to support the country's sustainable development agenda.
3. Lead the compilation of the information, data and documents required to prepare a Bio-prospecting opportunities report, which include the information about existing bio-prospecting opportunities in Timor-Leste obtained from secondary research, consultation sessions with local communities/relevant organizations and new opportunities emerging from the current bio-prospecting trials in this project.
4. Coordinate with the National Bio-prospecting expert to complete the abovementioned tasks 2 and 3.
5. Coordinate with the ABS PMU through National Bioprospecting expert to organize a national workshop to discuss main opportunities, to disseminate the key findings on the bioprospecting report and to elaborate a long-term plan for sustainable bioprospecting of natural resources in Timor-Leste.
6. Coordinate with the national bio-prospecting expert to share the translation of meeting minutes or documents related to the inventory of traditional knowledge in Timor-Leste, as required.
7. Prepare the Final report.

Qualifications

- MSc level or PhD level in bio-technology, bio-chemistry, biological sciences, natural product chemistry, pharmacy, medical sciences, and/or other relevant fields with Bio-prospecting research and application.
- At least 7 years of experience in the bio-prospecting research, including lab/experimental works in screening and discovering bioactive compounds from natural resources, inventories the traditional knowledge (ethnobotany research), management for life sciences project, and one or more subjects related to mainstreaming of biodiversity conservation including e.g. ABS is required.
- Proven experience in ABS projects and the Nagoya Protocol, capacity building; and biodiversity inventories is desirable.
- Experience in managing and coordination with national counterparts, partners or donors.
- Experience working in rural areas and collaboration with indigenous people and local communities and government officials.
- Professional work experience in Southeast Asia; in Timor-Leste is desirable.
- Excellent English writing and presentation skills. Knowledge of Portuguese, Tetum and/or Bahasa is advantageous.

More information on deliverables and how to apply: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hC5ktFWnt_E53E5p0IrndIsrxCHkAXhX/view?usp=sharing