UNDP Jobs - 34133- International Consultant to mainstream Poverty-Env

International Consultant to mainstream Poverty-Environment links into development processes in the Kyrgyz Republic

Location :

Home-based, with three missions to Kyrgyzstan

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Feb-2013

Application Deadline :

15-Dec-12 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Up to 50 working days during the period of February-October 2013

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The Poverty and Environment Initiative (PEI) is a global joint UNDP – UNEP initiative supporting country-level efforts to mainstream environmental management into national and sub-national planning processes through financial and technical assistance and capacity development. To foster change in institutions, policies and investments, PEI focuses on mainstreaming P-E issues into national plans, sectoral strategies, environmental policies, economic decision-making and sub-national planning. PEI works closely with planning and finance ministries and provides a sustained operational support for country-led P-E mainstreaming programmes through its three phase approach. More information on PEI is available at http://www.unpei.org/

The aim of poverty-environment mainstreaming is to achieve a sustained shift in the way governments and their partners tackle poverty-environment concerns by making pro-poor environmental management part of the core business of government, overall national development and poverty reduction strategies, and sector planning and investment. Following a thorough selection process and scoping missions in 2008-2009 in ECIS, two countries were selected to implement the pilot phase: Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The Kyrgyzstan Poverty and Environment Initiative aims to enhance the contribution of the environment to human well-being, pro-poor economic growth and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. It requires the integration of MGD goals and objectives in the planning and budgeting processes at all levels and is one of the pre-conditions of progressing towards the achievement of MDGs. The intended outcome of the Kyrgyzstan PEI Phase 1 programme is the integration of the poverty-environment nexus into national, sub-national, sectoral and UN, UNDP development policy processes and documents - in order to improve environmental sustainability and ensure pro-poor economic growth. Phase 1 of the PEI country programme for Kyrgyzstan covers the period from January, 2011 to December, 2013 and includes three main outputs:

Preparatory Phase – Finding the Entry Points and Making the Case, which sets the stage for mainstreaming
Phase 1 – Mainstreaming Poverty-Environment Linkages into Policy Processes, focused on integrating poverty-environment links into an ongoing policy process, such as a Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper or sector strategy, based on country-specific evidence
Phase 2 – Meeting the Implementation Challenge, has a focus on capacity development and policy implementation.
Within the implementation of PEI during 2012, it is planned to develop an evidence-base for integrating P-E in the processes of strategic planning and budgeting in the KR. To achieve this objective, PEI national expert group has been formed which is collaborating with the newly established PEI inter-ministerial/agency working group. During the consultation process with PEI cross-practice and regional teams, a concept of the activities of PEI national expert group has been developed. Based on the approved PEI project document, five main themes are identified including (1) poverty and social development; (2) environment; (3) economy; (4) budget and (5) statistics and monitoring. In line with these themes, the priority sectors are also identified including agriculture, energy, mining, tourism, health, social development, environment, budget and statistics.

This TOR is to accomplish the tasks of a Poverty –Environment mainstreaming International Consultant. The work of the International Consultant will be closely linked with the activities of the PEI national expert group and it will have a cross-cutting character to provide expert support to the members of the PEI national expert group to mainstream P-E links in selected sectors.

KEY OBJECTIVES:

To provide continuous technical assistance, capacity strengthening and the overall guidance to the PEI KR national mainstreaming group to ensure quality inputs and outputs in line with PEI global and country goals.
To support the elaboration of the assignment related knowledge and communication outputs aimed at wider distribution of the results.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of UNDP-UNEP PEI Regional Team, PEI KR Project Coordinator and in close collaboration with PEI KR cross-practice group and national expert group, International Consultant is responsible to carry out the following tasks:

To analyze, identify and present the approaches, best practices of P-E linkages mainstreaming at international level to develop recommendations for P-E mainstreaming in the KR:
a. In the processes of strategic planning, at all levels, national and sub-national, including the level of local communities
b. In the legal and regulatory framework for integrating environment, social and poverty reduction aspects into country strategic development planning;
To provide written recommendations on how to introduce / improve the current legal and regulatory framework integrating environment, social and poverty reduction aspects into country strategic development planning; in line with the country development, approach of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), modified, as needed, could be applied
To provide consultative and expert support to develop the Methodological Guide on regional and national) level strategic planning, and on SEA application to facilitate the integrated consideration of the environment, social and poverty reduction aspects of development;
To develop the recommendations of the matrix of indicators to start the process of monitoring and evaluation of P-E links at the base of the National Statistics Committee taking into account:
a. The results of the joint pilot research of PEI-OECD “Application of Green Growth Indicators in the Kyrgyz Republic”
b. The indicators of monitoring and evaluation of MDG achievement for the Kyrgyz Republic
c. UNDP-UNEP indicators on sustainable development
d. Other practices of monitoring and evaluating the progress in the area of poverty, environment and economy linkages
To support the elaboration of training materials, deliver series of training, and assist local expert in delivering the training on integrating environment, social and poverty reduction links into strategic development planning
To provide a consultative support to the national experts and input to the budgeting related matters of P-E mainstreaming
To provide a consultative support in preparation of the final report based on the accomplishments of the PEI national expert group to integrate P-E links in the strategic planning and budgeting at the national and regional levels

FINAL DELIVERABLES:

1st installment - March 1, 2013 (10% of the total contract amount)

Deliverables to be submitted:

Detailed work plan is developed and approved by the PEI regional team and PEI KR PC, based on the in-depth consultation with all involved parties

2nd installment - April 15, 2013 (50% of the total contract amount)

Deliverables to be submitted:

Analytical report with recommendations for KR based on the review of international best practices of considering P-E links in strategic development planning and implementation including institutional mechanism. Presentation of best practices, including SEA, of considering P-E links in relation to the context of KR
Analytical report on existing legal and regulatory framework for integrating environment into strategic development planning in the KR and written recommendations for its improvement and more effective application
Methodological guidance on applying SEA (or similar approach) for integrating environment, social and poverty reductions aspects in strategic development planning in the KR
Recommendations for mainstreaming P-E links into the Methodological Guide for strategic planning for sub-national and national levels in the KR, based on the SEA approach, modified if needed
Recommendations and presentation of the matrix of indicators to start the monitoring of P-E links with the National Statistics Committee
Training material for integrating poverty, environment and social aspects to development planning, preferably SEA approach based

3rd installment - June 30, 2013 (40% of the total contract amount)

Deliverables to be submitted:

TOT is delivered for the selected stakeholders and UNDP/UN agencies, as agreed by the project team
Written inputs for policy briefs and other knowledge and communication materials presenting the results of the assignment
Report based on the internal evaluation of the PEI mainstreaming accomplishments in the KR (August 2011-September 2013)
With input from the PEI national expert group, consolidate the final report on the results, taking into account lessons learned, challenges and accomplishments, of PEI mainstreaming work carried out by the PEI national expert group

Competencies

Strong interpersonal skills with ability to work under pressure and to establish and maintain effective work relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds;
Strong team working skills and ability to travel to the Kyrgyz Republic;
Excellent writing skills in terms of ability to express ideas clearly and logically.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Masters degree or higher in social or natural sciences.

Experience:

Minimum of 10 years professional experience in the policy and practice of environment protection and poverty reduction;
Working experience with different stakeholders groups, especially representatives of government at different levels;
Relevant working experience in Central Asia, and ideally in Kyrgyzstan, would be a great advantage;
Education specialization in environment policy/management and/or poverty reduction would be an advantage;
Effective use of the Microsoft Office.

Language Requirements:

Fluent English;
Knowledge of Russian would be an advantage.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

International Consultant (IC) will be submitting the reports based on the results achieved in agreed format stating all actions taken during the assignment;
Report to be submitted after each deliverable result achieved according to schedule;
All information should be provided in electronic versions;
IC shall be solely liable for the accuracy and reliability of the data provided, links to sources of information used;
Upon completion of the assignment IC will submit final report for the whole assignment to be approved by PEI Project Coordinator and UNDP-UNEP PEI regional team and serve as a justification for final payment.
Information obtained as a result of IC’s assignment is the property of UNDP, and before its publication can only be used in coordination with the UNDP office.

The quality of all deliverables mentioned above will have to be approved by both UNDP CO and UNDP – UNEP PEI regional team prior to paying the agreed amount. Consultant’s fee may be reduced if the deliveries will not be of sufficient quality or will not be submitted within the agreed time-frame (this will not apply in case the delay is caused not by the consultant but external factors the consultant is not in a position to influence).

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Applicants are requested to apply online at http://jobs.undp.org by 15 December 2012. The following documents should be submitted:

Current and complete P11 form in English
Resume/CV
Technical proposal, explaining why they are the most suitable for the work and describing a brief description of proposed approaches/methodology to achieve the set objectives of the assignment

Note: Online application system accepts only one file and it is highly recommended to make all-in-one file;

Upon upload of the documents to the online application system, the applicants are requested to send duly completed and signed Financial Proposal (the template can be downloaded from the next web-link http://www.undp.kg) in a separate email with a subject line “Financial Proposal_International Consultant on Poverty and Environment mainstreaming_NAME” to procurement@pmu.undp.kg. Financial proposal should specify a total lump sum amount (including fee and other costs related to fulfillment of the assignment).

EVALUATION PROCESS:

The selection of candidates will be done in 3 stages:
1st stage: Prior to detailed evaluation, all applications will be thoroughly screened against eligibility criteria (minimum qualification requirements) as set in the present TOR in order to determine whether they are compliant/non-compliant.

Eligibility Criteria

Masters degree or higher in social or natural sciences
Minimum of 10 years professional experience and proven track record in the policy and practice of environment protection and poverty reduction
Fluency in written English

2nd stage: Evaluation of technical proposals
Short-listed candidates will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Technical Evaluation Criteria Maximum obtainable points - 70

Professional experience and proven track record in the practice and policy of poverty and environment in the development field with different organizations (with indication of project information –name of the project, type of assignment, major achievements etc.)
Less than 3 projects – 20
More than 3 projects – 40
Appropriateness of the proposed methodology and approach to the term of reference 20
Writing skills 10

Extra points

Education specialization in environment policy/management and/or poverty reduction 5
Relevant experience in the CIS region 5
Knowledge of Russian 5

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70%) at the Technical Evaluation would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

3rd stage: Financial evaluation
Cumulative analysis will be used based on the following methodology:

Formula applied – Weighted financial score P=y(µ/z)
P=points for the financial proposal being evaluated
y=maximum number of points for the financial proposal equal to 30
µ=the lowest priced proposal
z=price of the proposal being evaluated
Formula applied – Weighted technical score (T/Thigh)*d
T=The total technical score awarded to the application
Thigh=The highest Technical score
d=maximum number of points for the technical proposal equal to 70

The candidate achieving the highest cumulative score for both Technical and Financial evaluations will be recommended by the Evaluation Committee for contracting.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR RECOMMENDED CONTRACTORS

The recommended contractor will be required to submit a “Statement of Good Health” from a recognized physician prior to commencement of work if travel is required and if contractor is 62 year old, and take full responsibility for the accuracy of that statement. The Statement of Good Health is valid for one year. Should the services of the contractor extend beyond one year, a new Statement of Good Health must be provided.

In addition to the Statement of Good Health, consultants who are expected to travel within or outside the country of their residence, shall be additionally required to submit from a recognized physician a statement certifying that’s/he is in a good health, is fit to travel and has received all required inoculations for the country or countries to which the consultant is to travel.

Contracted Consultants are required to have vaccinations/inoculations at their own expense when traveling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. A copy of the list should be provided to the subscriber prior to signing the agreement so that his/her personal physician can attest to the required vaccinations/inoculations having been performed, as part of the certification described above.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

The consultant is expected to travel to the Kyrgyz Republic three times during the assignment.

Travel 1: five working days (one week after the contract is signed)
Travel 2: five working days (in the middle of the contract period)
Travel 3: five working days (at the end of the contract period)

The costs associated with travel should be taken into account when preparing the financial quotation.

UNDP INPUT

UNDP will provide the International Consultant with the following during the duration of contract:

Work place with equipment and stationary;
Access to Internet.