Expertise: Wetlands and Migratory Waterbirds Specialist
Expertise Group: Biological Sciences & Ecology
Consultant Source: International
TOR Keywords: wetlands, migratory waterbirds, biodiversity conservation, environment, wetland management
Objective and Purpose of the Assignment
The Regional Flyway Initiative (RFI) (55056-001) is an ADB led project being implemented in
collaboration with the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership and BirdLife International. Its goal
is to scale up protection and sustainable management of a network of wetland sites in the East Asian-
Australasian Flyway (EAAF), identified for their globally important biodiversity values and provision of
critical ecosystem services. ADB has in place a Technical Assistance (TA) grant which is being used to
identify capacity needs, identify priority sites for migratory waterbirds within participating
countries, and develop a financing mechanism to support the flyway in the long-term.
For the RFI, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is the most important of ADB’s Developing Member
Countries (DMC) along the flyway. Of the total of 147 sites identified, 60 priority wetlands comprising
of 37 coastal sites and 23 inland sites are located in the PRC. The RFI is now at a stage where these
sites need to be further refined and following the RFI’s initial efforts to complete this process, close
collaboration with government agencies will be essential.
Within the PRC, ADB already has a number of on-going projects relating to the RFI under preparation or
development including (i) 56216-001: South Dongting Lake Wetland Ecological Restoration and Climate-
Resilient Development Project, under preparation for approval in 2024; (ii) 57108-001: Research on
Protection and Restoration Policy of Migratory Birds which is a TA project already approved; (iii) 57111-
001: Poyang Lake Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan, which is a TA project going through the approval
process; and (iv) one further project in Fujian Province which is under early development and also
included within the pipeline for 2025.
Given the above extensive work already underway in the country, it is key that the RFI is able to
adequately resource the dedicated needs within the PRC and as such a consultant position is necessary to
take the RFI forward in the country.
Scope of Work
The consultant will be an international expert on wetlands and migratory waterbirds and will fulfil a
key role within the PRC. The role will be based in the PRC and focused mainly in three areas, namely (i)
to liaise closely with the government to refine the list of RFI priority sites within the country; (ii)
to act as a focal point between the RFI and NDRC/NFGA to take the RFI work forward in the country and
strategically plan activities moving forward; and (iii) support RFI projects and activities already
underway within the country as outlined above.
Detailed Tasks and/or Expected Output
Detailed tasks and Deliverables from this assignment are as follows:
A. Regional Flyway Initiative (RFI) – Workshop Preparation
The first role of the consultant will be to review the existing project information to get an overview
of the work undertaken in the PRC to date. This will include review of activities undertaken through the
RFI TA 6746 (Project 55056-001). The consultant should already have familiarity with PRC relevant
legislation including but not limited to: (i) PRC Action Plan for Migratory Birds Flyways (2021-2035);
(ii) PRC Wetlands Protection Plan (2022-2030); (iii) the PRC 14th five-year plan; (iv) the ecological
red line policy; and (v) other international commitments. The consultant should have awareness of the
challenges and opportunities surrounding wetland protection and sustainable management in the country.
- Deliverables:
• RFI Priority Sites Refinement Workshop. Supported by the national consultant the international
consultant will organize on behalf of ADB a workshop in the PRC to go through the RFI priority sites in
detail with key government agencies including National Development and Reform Committee (NDRC), the
National Forestry and Grassland Administration (NFGA), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
(MNRE) and Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) amongst others. While the list of 60 priority sites
and a provisional refined list of 23 highest priority sites was earlier shared with the government, a
final list of government endorsed sites has yet to be agreed and the purpose of the workshop will be to
secure such endorsement. This will enable early project concept development to move forward, and it will
also allow ADB and others to pursue opportunities relating to these sites with more confidence.
B. RFI Government Liaison
In the PRC it has become clear that a dedicated focal point is needed to liaise with the government on a
regular basis to take the RFI forward. The International Consultant will play a key role to do this
moving forward in 2024 enabling closer collaboration and flow of information between ADB and the
government. Of particular importance will be helping to find a mechanism to integrate the confirmed list
of priority sites (identified from the workshop) into future government planning, particularly with
respect to ADB’s new CPS. The activities to be undertaken as part of this role will be varied, however
it is expected they will comprise the following at a minimum.
(i) Facilitate as necessary any workshops and technical feedback from key stakeholders to the RFI from
government, civil society, international conventions, development agencies, and the local community.
(ii) Facilitate dialogue on a regular basis with key agencies such as NDRC and NFGA on RFI next steps,
access to data,
(iii) Liaison as a technical advisor with participating agencies of other DMCs under RFI and support the
participation of the PRC’s government agencies in inter-country communication and/or coordination,
(iv) Support as necessary in requesting studies from academia / other agencies that would contribute to
the the RFI, such as GEP assessment for the confirmed priority sites.
(v) Provide technical advice on the proposals of RFI to be considered in the PRC’s lending pipeline,
(vi) Co-operate with the lead consultancy firm team leader and support on any other wetland or migratory
waterbird related deliverables.
(vii) Represent the RFI at international events as necessary, as a resource speaker or to help organize
events.
C. Other Projects – Technical Project Support
In addition to the support for the RFI TA directly, the consultant will also play an important role
supporting other RFI related projects within the PRC. This includes supporting ADB staff who are leading
these projects in multiple ways and a summary of the likely tasks the consultant may support on are
listed below, although the list provided is indicative and will depend on the needs of project officers.
The consultant will do the following:
(i) Support ADB project officer/s in liaising with key government agencies in organizing meetings,
requests to join missions, requesting documents, convening meetings, and translating key documents (if
not possible within existing project set up);
(ii) Support ADB project officer/s in identifying risks and opportunities relating to proposed projects
with respect to the overall goals of the RFI;
(iii) Advise the ADB project officer/s and lead consultancy firm to work with government agencies and
DIs in developing project components which may comprise:
a. Management plans / species action plans;
b. Management measures and direct interventions for habitat creation;
c. Management and direct interventions for wetland habitat restoration and invasive species management;
d. Interventions for creation of habitat specific for key target species;
e. Advise on measures for pollution management and control focusing on wastewater discharges although
other pollution may also be relevant; and
f. Eco-tourism development and management.
(iv) Support the ADB project officer/s with identification of relevant stakeholders; and
(v) Support the ADB project officer/s as necessary in development of future TORs or development of
scopes for future studies or assessments that can further inform the development of project pre-
feasibility and feasibility assessment.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
The specialist will have: (i) postgraduate degree and/or equivalent experience in migratory waterbirds,
wetland management and / or biodiversity conservation, or related field; (ii) at least 20 years of
experience in the research and applied conservation planning for migratory waterbirds, including
conservation assessment, planning, and gap analysis; (iii) expertise in wetland management including
habitat restoration and tailoring water management to support biodiversity conservation objectives,
particularly for migratory waterbirds; (iv) expertise with wetland scientific and bird data and the
institutional frameworks, policies and plans for migratory waterbirds in the PRC; (v) network of
relevant professional expertise and ability to work effectively with government agencies and other
stakeholders within the PRC; (vi) at least 20 years of experience as key expert in the PRC with
reputation within the the government and wider community as leading expert in the field; and (vii)
demonstrated ability to provide technical support; prepare reports, facilitate workshops, and work with
the government, civil society, local communities, and private sector as necessary. Excellent oral and
written communication in English and Chinese is required.
Minimum General Experience: 20 Years
Minimum Specific Experience (relevant to assignment): 20 Years
