Background

The COVID 19 global pandemic could potentially threaten to deepen inequalities and undo progress on the SDGs. UNDP India is initiating a Project titled “Green Recovery Pathway for India – transitioning towards a green and resilient COVID-19 recovery”. This programme aims to address the critical need to advocate for an inclusive and environmentally sensitive response to COVID-19 that resets towards sustainable and inclusive pathways to recovery to build back better.

UNDP is currently working in various areas concerning sustainable development, from systems and institutional strengthening to inclusive growth and sustainable livelihoods, as well as sustainable energy, environment, and resilience. Within UNDP India, the Inclusive Growth, Social Protection, Climate Change, Resilience and Energy (CCRE), are working in convergence to the same. Under this, Inclusive Growth works as a catalyst in the skilling and entrepreneurship eco-system with tried and tested solutions through innovative public-private-partnership; empowering women, working with FPOs, women collectives and youth; promoting skills, green jobs and, livelihood opportunities to reduce income inequities specially amongst marginalized women across states. The Climate Change, Resilience and Energy (CCRE) portfolio is organized around the thematic areas of climate change adaptation and mitigation; disaster management and resilience; and access to clean and efficient energy. The initiatives under CCRE include mainstreaming climate change adaptation and mitigation aspects into developmental planning and implementation to enhance the resilience of vulnerable population. The aspect of social protection through social safety nets programmes on public works brings forth the opportunity to provide employment in natural resource management public works while touching upon climate change impact mitigation capacities at the panchayat level.

The Green Recovery Pathway for India: transitioning towards a green and resilient COVID-19 recovery project is primarily aimed at promoting green livelihoods and jobs, while integrating climate concerns into planning and implementation of rural infrastructural development programmes like the Mahatma Gandhi NREGA and strengthening capacities of various stakeholders in the planning/ implementing value chain.

This will be achieved through the following interventions:

1. Increasing awareness and scientific knowledge of the key stakeholders on climate change impacts, vulnerabilities, and adaptation/mitigation strategies for rural development.
2. Strengthening institutional and stakeholders’ capacities for coordination, planning, implementation of climate informed actions at different levels within the States;
3. Build capacities of small-scale farmers, entrepreneurs, and collectives (e.g. Self Help Groups) on sustainable agricultural and organic practices;
4. Assess needs and oversee creation of knowledge products and practical training tools for bridging skill gaps;
5. Promote sustainability in agricultural management by identifying natural resources, especially NTFPs and indigenous produce and practices;
6. Engage with communities to create producer groups and collectives, which are organised and trained;
7. Promote green livelihoods and create community level awareness programmes on promotion on green livelihoods linked with economic and environmental impact.

In this regard, UNDP would like to engage a consultant proficient in Skills and Employment with specific focus on the Green Livelihoods. It is expected that the Consultant has previous exposure, experience of the green jobs/ livelihoods sector and relevant networks to steer the planning and implementation of requisite activities to achieve the above-mentioned objectives. 

Duties and Responsibilities

The Consultant will be based at Pauri Garhwal and shall work under the guidance and supervision of the Project Coordinator, Green Recovery, in close coordination with State Head, Uttarakhand, Head, Inclusive Growth, Social Protection Specialist and Head, CCRE.

The objective of this project is to increase access to nature-based jobs and livelihoods and social protection measures for women and marginalized communities. The program is designed to have a sustainable impact on women, farmers, collectives, and potential micro entrepreneurs through overall improvement in agency, awareness and income levels. To demonstrate and expand opportunities for investing in clean energy and green infrastructure to strengthen service delivery and improve livelihood opportunities, UNDP will build capacity of frontline functionaries, women leaders, and women-led Self Help Groups to adopt clean energy solutions and advocate for their inclusion in village plans and programmes.

The key areas of program intervention include promoting access to green jobs and opportunities, employment, facilitating collectivization and market access for farmers and leveraging government schemes and enabling access to entitlements. The overall aim of this project is to develop the potential of the rural communities and provide them with the opportunity to enhance their livelihoods.

The consultant will be responsible for achievement of overall physical and qualitative targets mentioned in the project document/s and manage IPs, experts, consultants involve in the project for timely and quality deliverables, under this component.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• The consultant shall assist the Project Coordinator, in implementing the activities related to the project and provide support in effective implementation.
• With Project Coordinator, work on a Results Based Monitoring System - day-to-day coordination with the partner/s., weekly monitoring meetings with partner agency/s to monitor progress, preparation of monthly and quarterly reports and quality check of all reports submitted, and continuous data capturing and ensure timely submission.
• Provide necessary technical assistance and research inputs for the preparation of research papers, knowledge products and related contexts.
• Document and prepare briefs on the progress of project activities and their outcomes for PMU and UNDP. Provide help in day-to-day management and reporting on the activities.
• Provide support for organizing consultations with relevant stakeholders and prepare background material.
• Develop knowledge products, facilitate knowledge exchange and establish knowledge networks on issues related to climate change.
• Coordinate meetings/workshops, training and capacity building events.
• Facilitating preparation and review of detailed project report and implementation plans for the partner NGOs and technical support agencies of the project and share with Project Coordinator.
• Ensure regular production of case studies, social media posts, photographs, short videos from the project.
• Support the Project Coordinator to manage the financial resources under respective project deliverables, including expenditure tracking and reporting.
• Any other related task assigned from time to time by the Project Coordinator.

Competencies

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

• Overall understanding of skills and employment ecosystem in the country is essential;
• Specific understanding of the MGREGA works and livelihood activities in India and globally, is desirable;
• Excellent drafting skills and prior experience in preparing background document, progress reports and presentation will be essential;
• Ability to work with minimal supervision;
• Ability to take initiative to develop new strategies;
• Excellent skills on MS office (MS word, excel & powerpoint)

Communication skills

• Good communication, interpersonal skills, with an ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.

Core Competencies: 

• Demonstrates/safeguards ethics and integrity

• Works as a team member

Required Skills and Experience

Recruitment Qualifications: 

Educational Qualifications: Postgraduate in Business Management/Development Studies/Social sciences/ qualification is essential;

Experience:  

• At least 4 years of experience in policy and program management on skills and employment is essential.
• Demonstrated work experience of at least 2 years in the livelihood based work/ project management/ skills development and related areas
• Excellent communications and documentation (MS Word, Excel) skills in English
• Previous experience of working with government, bi/multi-lateral agency and/or UN Agency preferred

Language Requirements:  

Fluency in English is essential. Knowledge of Hindi and/or Kannada would be an asset.

Functional Competencies:

Job Knowledge and Technical Expertise:

• Overall understanding of sectors- livelihoods, environment, and rural development issues at national/sub national level, especially on Uttarakhand will be desirable.
• Technical knowledge on issues related to livelihoods, agriculture, climate change adaptation for natural resource management at the state level, will be an added advantage.

Building Partnerships

• Ability to build strategic partnerships with a wide array of stakeholders working in the field of rural development
• Good client orientation skills to meet client needs
• Ability to promote accountability and resource-based management

Documentation and communication skills:

• Excellent documentation skills
• Excellent Communication and interpersonal skills

Project Location:

The assignment will be home-based from Pauri Garhwal and will include travel to Uttarkashi and other project areas as requested.

Teamwork:

• Ability to build and maintain constructive relationships with colleagues (and reports where appropriate)

·Treat people with respect and is co-operative, supportive and helpful with a positive contribution to the working environment. 

Duration of the Assignment: 

9 months

Deliverables and Schedule of Payment:

Submission of  5 progress reports along with delivarables and timesheet (to be approved by the Project Lead)

Evaluation Criteria

The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant who meets the technical requirements stated above along with the financial offer being evaluated. Technically qualified consultants will be requested to submit their daily fee rate i.e. consultants who score more than 70%

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation;

•             Technical Criteria weight - 70%;

•             Financial Criteria weight – 30 %

 Technical Criteria (70% of total evaluation)

1. Past-experience in working on livelihoods, skills training, capacity building and other related areas – 40 %
2. Experience working with the Central/State Government/Private sector partners will be an added advantage- 20%
3. Demonstrated excellent communication skills and ability to network across multiple stakeholders - 10%

Financial Criteria: (30% of the total evaluation) 

Technically qualified consultants will be requested to submit their Consultancy  fee rate i.e. consultants who score more than 70% i.e. 49 marks with respect to the above-mentioned evaluation criteria. Consultant should not specify their consultancy fee on their CV or with the submission. The CV will not be evaluated further in case the consultant submits the same.

Note:

            i.         Any kind of miscellaneous charges i.e. internet, phone, relocation charges etc. would not be reimbursed;

          ii.         Travel, lodging and boarding as per UNDP rules subject to prior approval

        iii.         Individuals working with institutions may also apply, contract would be issued in the name of institution for the specific services of individual

        iv.         Please note proposals without financial proposal will not be considered.