Background

Those who previously applied need not apply again.

LoCAL (Local Climate Adaptive Living Facility) is the UNCDF’s facility for investment in local level climate resilience. The facility channels global adaptation finance to local governments – who are at the frontline of dealing with the effects of climate change – and enables them to invest in building local resilience. The LoCAL facility connects to existing national intergovernmental fiscal transfer systems and supplements capital grants to local governments with performance-based climate adaptation funding. This innovative financial mechanism cites the Performance-Based Grant System methodology developed by the UNCDF, further refined to address local climate adaptation. The Performance-Based Climate Resilience Grant (PBCRG) provides a fast and effective means to channel adaptation finance to where it is most needed, while at the same time ensuring ownership, accountability and results. The methodology is derived from UNCDF’s specific experience in setting up such systems for effective capital investments and capacity building in sub-national governments.

Local Governments and Climate Change (LGCC) is the Cambodia country pilot of LoCAL.  LGCC is implemented by the National Committee for Sub-National Democratic Development Secretariat (NCDDS), within the framework of the National Programme for Sub-National Democratic Development (NP-SNDD). The first phase, LGCC1, was financed by the Cambodia Climate Change Alliance Trust Fund (CCCA-TF) and UNCDF. LGCC1 was implemented in two Districts and one Municipality of Takeo Province from November 2011 to March 2013. The second phase, LGCC2, financed by Swedish SIDA began in December 2012 and is scheduled to end in December 2014. LGCC2 extends the coverage of the pilot to five Districts in Battambang province.

UNCDF is working with NCDDS, SIDA and other potential partners to determine how the methodology developed and lessons learned can be applied to future funding of investments for climate resilience at sub-national level in Cambodia. Accordingly, UNCDF proposes to engage a consultant team to conduct a thorough independent review of the results achieved in both phases of LGCC. The consultant team will consist of one international expert who will act as Team Leader and one national expert. The review will be conducted during May 2014.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work:

Through review of documents and discussions with stakeholders, achieve a thorough understanding of the purpose and context of LGCC;

  • Obtain information on the actual and projected achievement from the current project staff (NCDDS and UNCDF), and evaluate it with reference to the Results Framework Indicators;
  • Validate the information and the evaluation result through field visits and discussions with stakeholders, including beneficiary communities;
  • Assess the appropriateness and effectiveness of the planning tools used by LGCC, in particular the Vulnerability Reduction Assessment (VRA) and the District Climate Resilience Strategy;
  • Assess the appropriateness of the design of the PBCR Grant, including eligible expenditures, allocation formula, and the system of using sub-grants from the District level to finance Commune level investments;
  • Assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the PBCR Grant system in delivering the CCA activities;
  • Assess the level of the sustainability of the PBCR Grant system as part of the government Fiscal Transfer System;
  • Assess the appropriateness and effectiveness of the sub-project selection process of LGCC;
  • Assess the contribution made by the LGCC sub-projects to developing climate resilient communities;
  • Assess the extent to which LGCC sub-projects specifically benefit women, the poor and other vulnerable groups;
  • Assess the relevance of the LGCC model to the policy direction of the RGC as expressed in (1) the NP-SNDD and (2) the Cambodia Climate Change Strategic Plan.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables:

  • An Inception Report including (1) a work plan for the remainder of the mission and (2) outline contents of the final report, for approval by UNCDF;
  • A presentation to UNCDF, NCDDS and other stakeholders on the preliminary findings of the mission
  • A complete draft report commenting on each of the issued identified in the Scope of Work, summarizing lessons learned and presenting recommendations for future action
  • A final report, taking into account the comments provided by UNCDF

Institutional Arrangement:

The consultant will work with the Project Assessment Team Leader (international consultant), in close coordination with the country team, Technical Coordinator (based in Cambodia), LoCAL Project Manager and Regional Technical Advisor (based in the UNCDF Regional Office for Asia-Pacific Region, Bangkok).

The consultant will report to the LoCAL Project Manager, UNCDF Regional Office for Asia-Pacific Region.

Deliverables shall be submitted to the LoCAL Project Manager. 

The Consultant will bring his/her own personal computer to conduct this assignment and as necessary, a driver along with a vehicle may be provided by the UNCDF project to support the consultant during the field visit.

Duration of the Work:

  • Maximum of 20 working days.

Duty Station:

Home-based with travel within Cambodia

  • 10-day in Phnom Penh;
  • 10-day mission within provinces.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

  • Knowledge of the context of decentralization reforms and sub-national planning in Cambodia;
  • Knowledge of the climate change challenges facing Cambodia. 
  • Be a strong team player;
  • Able to work independently and possessing excellent interpersonal skills.

Corporate Competencies: 

  • Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
  • Exerts strict adherence to corporate rules, regulations and procedures;
  • Familiarity with the internal control framework and results-based management tools is a must;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:   

  • A Master’s degree or higher in an Environmental area or others relevant discipline.

Experience:

  • At least five years of experience in design, implementation and evaluation of development projects in Cambodia;
  • Extensive experience in field research including qualitative research and focus group discussions with rural Cambodians;
  • Previous experience with climate change adaptation issues.

Language:

  • Fluent Khmer and strong English skills.

Important note:

Interested offeror is strongly advised to read the Individual Consultant (IC) Procurement Notice, wich can be viewed at http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=15755 for more detail about term of references, instructions to offeror, and documents to be included when submitting offer.

Documents to be included when submitting the application:

Interested offeror/individual must submit the following documents/information:

Please be informed that we don’t accept application submitted via email.

Interested candidate is required to submit application via UNDP jobsite system, because the application screening and evaluation will be done through UNDP jobsite system. Please note that UNDP jobsite system allows only one uploading of application document, so please make sure that you merge all your documents into a single file. Your on-line applications submission will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary.

Any request for clarification/additional information on this procurement notice shall be communicated in writing to UNDP office or send to email vannara.chea@undp.org and/or procurement.kh@undp.org. While the Procurement Unit would endeavor to provide information expeditiously, only requests receiving at least 5 working days prior to the submission deadline will be entertained. Any delay in providing such information will not be considered as a reason for extending the submission deadline. The UNDP's response (including an explanation of the query but without identifying the source of inquiry) will be posted in Individual Consultant (IC) Procurement Notice page as provided above. Therefore, all prospective Offerors are advised to visit the page regularly to make obtain update related to this Individual Consultant (IC) Procurement Notice.