Background

UNDP supports stabilization, state-building, and governance and development priorities in Afghanistan. UNDP support, in partnership with the Government, the United Nations system, the donor community and other development stakeholders, has contributed to institutional development leading to positive impact on the lives of Afghan citizens.  Over the years, UNDP support has spanned milestone efforts such as the adoption of the Constitution; Presidential, Parliamentary and Provincial Council elections; institutional development through capacity-building to the legislative, the judicial and executive arms of the state, and key ministries, Government agencies and commissions at the national and sub national levels.

Sustainable Development Unit (SDU) of UNDP Country Office plays catalytic role to facilitate resilience based sustainable development in Afghanistan by undertaking appropriate policy and programmatic interventions for integrating sustainable development principles in the national, sub-national and local development framework. SDU is supporting the government in dealing with the challenges to comply with Rio and other multilateral conventions, Rio +20, Post 2015 Development processes and actions, as well as climate resilient sustainable development.

Climate Change Context

Climate projections for Afghanistan require significant refinement due to the lack of availability of reliable historic meteorological records.  Complex topography in Afghanistan also means that local variations in response to global warming, particularly precipitation, are likely to be large and many areas may vary from the regional trends.  In addition, sporadic and poor quality socio-economic data make econometric modeling or robust cost/benefit analysis of adaptation and mitigation policy extremely difficult.  Security concerns also restrict the ability to undertake structured fieldwork to identify potential mitigation and adaptation options.  However, climate change implications are visible in the forms of more frequent and higher intensity flooding, prolonged and irregular droughts, erratic precipitation and extremely harsh winters.  These are directly affecting peoples’ life, food security, livelihood, agriculture and livestock and other economic activities.

The main climatic hazards identified in the NAPA are periodic droughts, floods due to untimely and heavy rainfall, flooding due to the thawing of snow and ice, and increasing temperatures in summer. There is a discernible trend that these events are occurring more frequently and are more intense in nature. There have been severe flood or drought events in 8 out of the past 11 years. In fact, the period 1998-2006 marked the longest and most severe drought in Afghanistan’s known climatic history. At the same time, flood risk is also increasing as rainfall patterns have become more erratic. Areas that traditionally receive 250 mm of rain over a period of six months are now receiving that amount of rainfall during the course of only one or two months, with a devastating effect on agriculture and livelihoods. Unless action is taken to strengthen the resilience of Afghan communities and reduce disaster risk, climate change impacts will jeopardize development gains and could push an even greater number of Afghans into poverty.

Whereas climate change is a global phenomenon, the effects are local. Although the specific physical impacts of climate change are determined by geography and micro level interactions between global warming and existing weather patterns, in Afghanistan, the impacts of climate change are likely to be particularly severe due to the arid/ semi-arid nature of the country, the importance of natural resources for rural livelihoods and the extreme poverty within which a large proportion of the Afghan population lives. Concretely, the adverse impacts of climate change imply a whole range of serious problems. The pressing issues of desertification, biodiversity loss and climate change threaten the very foundations of rural livelihoods in Afghanistan. Drought and mismanagement of water resources affect agricultural productivity, desertification is reducing the carrying capacity of the land and the unsustainable harvesting of forest resources marks the loss of a national treasure. It is in this context that Afghanistan urgently needs a comprehensive national climate change strategy and action plan to address these issues.

Purpose of the Assignment

The purpose of this assignment is to develop a comprehensive Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (CCSAP) for Afghanistan in response to the request made by the Government of Afghanistan.  As a part of this, NAMA will also be prepared.  While CCSAP will be focusing on medium and long terms requirements and strategies, this assignment will also aid in updating the National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) which focuses on urgent adaptation requirements.

Assignment Scope

The Consultant will work closely with government and SDU, under the overall guidance and supervision of the Head of Sustainable Development Unit.  The consultant will also work closely with the relevant Regional Technical Advisors of UNDP Asia Pacific Regional Office. The International Consultant will be assisted by one National consultant.

Roles and Responsibilities: 

International Consultant will be responsible for overall compilation, quality drafting and timely submission of the CCSAP to UNDP. Specifically, the International Consultant will perform the following tasks:

• Review NAPA, Draft Framework Document for Climate Change Strategy, other relevant documents;
• Compile and analyze relevant on-going and planned activities;
• Carry out institutional and policy analysis to identify gaps and needs to pursue climate resilient development in general; and implementation of appropriate adaptation and mitigations actions in particular;
• Consult with relevant government organizations, UN agencies, NGOs/CSOs, academic and research entities as well as other development partners;
• Review relevant NPPs, Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS) and relevant sector strategies;
• Review government policies and plans in relation to community vulnerability to climate change and disaster and resilience aspects;
• Develop a comprehensive Strategy for Climate Change and Action Plan based on above contextual analysis;
• Update NAPA;
• Develop NAMA and provide advise to National Environment Protection Agency in establishing Designated National Authority;
• Conduct any other relevant tasks as deemed necessary and or advised by the supervisor. 

Deliverables:

• Draft Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan for Afghanistan;
• A draft document on Nationally Appropriate Mitigations Actions;
• Updated NAPA;
• An advisory note on Designated National Authority.
  

Competencies

• Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
• In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of UNDP.
  

• Ability to lead strategic planning, change processes, results-based management and reporting;
• Ability to lead formulation, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects;
• Ability to apply development theory to the specific country context to identify creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations.
  

• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Ability to lead effectively, mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
• Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills;
• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Ability to meet tight deadlines;
• Good analytical and strategic thinking ability.

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

Required Skills and Experience

• Advanced university degree in relevant disciplines (e.g., earth and life sciences disciplines, environmental sciences, water management, climate change, sustainable development).

Experience:

• 10 years of practical working experience in the field of climate change, sustainable development, green economy and climate change adaptation and mitigation;
• Work experience in conflict or post-conflict settings would be considered as an advantage;
• At least seven years of experience in policy development and proven accomplishments in preparing climate change strategies for different countries (preferably LDCs) and organizations;
• Tertiary level knowledge and understanding in climate change issues, global governance instruments such as UNFCCC is a must;
• Thorough understanding about ongoing and upcoming climate financing architecture;
• Experience in developing Nationally Appropriate Mitigations Actions (NAMA);
• Good understanding on the procedures in establishing Designated National Authority (DNA);
• Good understanding and experience in Climate Change Trust Funds.  

Language:

• Excellent written and spoken English.

Evaluation Method:

 The offer will be evaluated by using the Best Value for money approach (combined scoring method).  The Technical Proposal will be evaluated on 70%.Whereas the Financial Proposal will be evaluated on 30%.

Criteria:

• Technical – proposed activities for achieving the deliverables (technical proposal);
• Advanced university degree in relevant disciplines (e.g., earth and life sciences disciplines, environmental sciences, water management, climate change, sustainable development);
• 10 years of practical working experience in the field of climate change, sustainable development, green economy and climate change adaptation and mitigation; 
• Tertiary level knowledge and understanding in climate change issues, global governance instruments;
• Excellent written and spoken English and presentational capacities.