GUIDELINES ON CALLS FOR EXPERTS
Calls for experts are shared by the Belgian Biodiversity Platform on this webpage and through various channels/ mailing lists reaching out to a wide range of stakeholders. The Belgian Biodiversity Platform subsequently sifts the nominations and recommends a final list of expert nominations for government endorsement. The following criteria are applied to nominations seeking endorsement:
Similar to the majority of EU Member States, the following criterion must apply to nominations seeking endorsement:
- Scientific/technical expertise demonstrated through publication record in a discipline and subject relevant to the work programme deliverable, or demonstrable practical expertise of relevance to the work programme deliverable;
In addition, the following criteria have additional value:
- Representation of institutions/networks that could have a significant role in enabling delivery of the IPBES work programme.
- Knowledge of user needs of government, voluntary or business sectors relevant to the assessment products proposed.
- Experience of collaboration and negotiation in large/international programmes or networks.
We aim, as far as possible, at balance by gender and multi-disciplinarity.
Procedure for payment of selected candidates:
- Experts (Belgians and other nationals) nominated by Belgium and selected by the Multidisciplinary Expert Panel should contact the Belgian Focal Point for financial support. They are eligible to receive financial support for travel and accommodation if they fulfill the following criteria:
- They have received an official invitation letter from the IPBES to attend the IPBES expert meeting.
- They can provide evidence that they could not find other funding sources.
- They are insured via their institution to attend an expert meeting abroad (travel insurance).
- The Belgian Focal Point transfers the request to the affiliated institutions asking to cover the expenses. If this is not possible, the Focal Point will transfer the request to the concerned federal and regional administrations in the BBPF Steering Committee who will analyse the dossier and decide on the support mechanism (full or partial coverage of the travel/accommodation costs).
- An expert eligible for financial support is requested to follow the administrative procedures for reimbursement of the respective administration.
- Only travel and accommodation costs are covered (fully or partially). An expert’s working time invested in the development of an IPBES reports is not paid.
- Non-residents would not be eligible for travel support.
If the available budget permits, and if above-mentioned criteria are met, Belgium could also consider to support:
- Belgian nationals, who were nominated by the Multidisciplinary Expert Panel via other nomination lists.
- Promotion of young researchers (‘early career scientists’).
ipbes GUIDELINES ON CALLS FOR EXPERTS
Guide to help address conceptual, procedural and practical aspects of IPBES assessments at all scales:
IPBES Guide to the production of assessments - Full guide (56-page)
IPBES Guide to the production of assessments - Summary (12-page)