UNDP Jobs - 49684- UNREDD Technical Expert

UNREDD Technical Expert

Location :

Colombo, SRI LANKA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Oct-2014

Application Deadline :

18-Sep-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

01 October 2014 to 30 August 2015

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

01 October 2014 to 30 August 2015

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 UN-REDD Programme is the United Nations Collaborative initiative on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD) in developing countries. The Programme was launched in 2008 to assist developing countries prepare and implement national REDD+ strategies, and builds on the convening power and expertise of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

As a partner country of the UN-REDD Programme, Sri Lanka is committed to developing the necessary capacity to implement REDD+ according to the components of REDD+ readiness jointly identified by UN-REDD and the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) of the World Bank. The national programme will thus contribute to ensuring that Sri Lanka is prepared to effectively participate in the REDD+ mechanism resulting from the UNFCCC negotiations, by focusing on key initial elements of REDD+ readiness.

The overall objective of the UN-REDD programme in Sri Lanka is “support the Government of Sri Lanka in catalyzing the establishment of key mechanism and process and development of capacities, required to implement REDD+.” This objective will be secured through the following five Outcomes:

National Consensus reached on the Sri Lanka REDD + programme;
Management Arrangements contributing to the National REDD+ Process defined;
Improved Stakeholder Awareness and Effective Engagement;
National REDD+ Strategy and Implementation Framework developed:
Forest Monitoring System for REDD+ Activities developed.

UNDP, as the lead agency within the UN-REDD Programme overseeing stakeholder engagement is seeking one (1) National Stakeholder Engagement Officer to advance the work in Sri Lanka. The National Officer will be supervised and guided by the UNDP Technical Advisor, with additional guidance from the UNDP Program Officer and UN-REDD Programme Regional Advisors.

Scope and Objectives

The purpose of this consultancy is to ensure effective and efficient achievement of results expected through the UNDP component of the UN REDD National programme. The UNREDD Technical Expert will work with the multiple stakeholders including the Forest Department to achieve the tasks detailed under the Responsibilities section of the Terms of Reference. The position is of full time basis.

The UNREDD Technical Expert will work under the direct guidance of Assistance Country Director of UNDP, with additional guidance from the UNDP Programme Officer and Regional Advisors of the UN-REDD Programme. The Consultant should initiate the activities based on the Terms of Reference and should provide monthly progress reports, not exceeding 4 pages.

Duties and Responsibilities

The UNREDD Technical Expert is an expert in Governance, Stakeholder Engagement and Social/Environmental Safeguards related to the UNREDD programme; development processes in Sri Lanka and with a good track record of working with the international organizations in a related area. Further s/he will ensure the quality and timely preparation of all reports and documentation related to the consultancy.

The UNREDD Technical Expert will carry out the following tasks:

Provide technical support in REDD+ areas such as drivers of Deforestation & forest degradation, Governance, Stakeholder Engagement and Social/Environmental Safeguards; and in Roadmap development process, national policies & strategies development with the key stakeholders in the state sector, and Community-Based REDD+.

Developing and finalizing Terms of Reference (TOR) for national and international consultants/experts and subcontractors related to the UNDP Programme components;
Assist the Programme Manager (PM) to submit the reports, outputs and other deliverables related to UNDP programme components in a timely manner for reviewing and evaluation, to the Programme Executive Board (PEB) and the REDD+ Programme Management Coordinating Committee (RPMCC);
Support the PM to develop Annual Reports of the National Programme and provide information on UNDP programme components to the Communication Officer of the programme.

Co-ordination and technical vetting of narrative and financial reports to UNDP

Prepare and ensure prompt submission of required technical and financial reports to UNDP; recommending appropriate measures for enhancement of efficiency and effectiveness and endorsing the same to the NPD for review/integration and eventual presentation to the PEB/RPMCC;
Develop and implement monitoring and evaluation mechanism for financial, administrative, and operational activities of UNDP programme components and ensure timely submission of progress and financial reports of UNDP programme components.

Provide strategic directions to consultants to carry out tasks under the UNDP components of the Sri Lanka UN-REDD Programme

Provide directions, guidance and supervise the tasks carried out by the Stakeholder Engagement Officer (SEO);
Monitor the progress of the activities/tasks carried out by SEO and assure that the quality of the work is maintained;
Provide guidance to the short-term consultants hired for specific assignments under the UNDP component to carry out their tasks in line with the Sri Lanka UN-REDD Programme;
Monitor the progress of the work carried out by Consultants/Consultant teams and make sure the required output obtained and the quality of the work maintained.

Provide technical assistance to the Project Manager (PM) of UN-REDD programme in implementation, reporting, monitoring of the UNDP led programme components in UN-REDD

Develop annual and quarterly work plans and operational budgets related to UNDP programme components and ensure timely submission of these documents to the National Project Director for obtaining approval from the PEB;
Provide technical inputs to the Programme Manager (PM) to supervise the implementation of UNDP related UN-REDD Programme components, activities and tasks in line with the corresponding work plans and budgets;
Assist the PM to supervise the management of the UNDP programme budget and ensure delivery of UNDP Programme budget as per approved work plans;
Support the PM to develop Annual Reports of the National Programme and provide information on UNDP programme components to the Communication Officer of the programme;
Assist the PM to identify and monitor issues and risks related to the UNDP Programme components regarding the delivery of programme outputs and activities and recommend remedial actions to the NPD, PEB and RPMCC, as appropriate;
Assist the PM to coordinate UNDP related programme activities and effective communication with all stakeholders to facilitate smooth implementation of the programme.

Expected Outputs

The key outputs to be delivered by the Stakeholder Engagement Specialist are as follows:

Provide technical support in REDD+ areas such as drivers of Deforestation & forest degradation, Governance, Stakeholder Engagement and Social/Environmental Safeguards; and in Roadmap development process, national policies & strategies development with the key stakeholders in the state sector, and Community-Based REDD+;
Co-ordination and technical vetting of narrative and financial reports to UNDP;
Provide strategic directions to consultants to carry out tasks under the UNDP components of the Sri Lanka UN-REDD Programme;
Provide technical assistance to the Project Manager (PM) of UN-REDD programme in implementation, reporting, monitoring of the UNDP led programme components in UN-REDD.

Competencies

Technical work

Good knowledge of forestry, development and REDD processes in Sri Lanka;
Specific understanding of the concept and practice of REDD+, and broad knowledge of climate change;
Capacity to work with multiple stakeholders across a wide range of disciplines
Demonstrated facilitation and coordination skills; and
Demonstrated networking, team-building and organizational skills

Partnerships

Maturity and confidence in dealing with the staff of government and non government institutions and private sector.
Ability to seek and apply knowledge, information and best practices from multiple sectors
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
Excellent written communication skills, with analytic capacity and ability to synthesize relevant collected data and findings for the preparation of case studies and progress reports.
Excellent leadership, coordination and team working skills;
Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
Demonstrated leadership, facilitation and coordination skills, ability to manage technical team and long term strategic partnership

Results

Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP.
Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
Good team player who has ability to maintain good relationships.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

A Master’s level education in forestry, community development or relevant subject area.

Experience:

At least 10 years of professional and practical experience in forestry, natural resources management, or community development;
Familiarity with the concept and practice of REDD+, and broad knowledge of climate change will be an advantage;
Working experience (minimum of 5 years) with international organizations.

Language:

Fluent in English.

How to apply:

The application should contain:

A brief methodology statement on how you will approach and conduct the work, including the estimated number of days for completing the assignment in the given time frame needs to be upload with the CV;
A CV with all relevant information (including two non related referees);
Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a combination of a desk review of the CV, the brief methodology statement and the offer that provides the best value for money. (please refer and adopt the financial model format provided below in your financial offer). The Evaluation Panel may decide to call for an interview (face to face or telephone) if required.

Financial Proposal:

Please provide a breakdown of the all-inclusive cost for three deliverables separately as per below:

Cost of providing technical support in REDD+ areas UNDP is responsible LKR……
Cost of co-ordination and technical vetting of narrative and financial reports to UNDP LKR............
Cost of providing strategic directions to consultants LKR….....
Cost of providing technical assistance to the Project Manager (PM) of UN-REDD programme LKR.........

All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee (Professional Fees): (LKR) ___________________ (1+2+3+4)

All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee (other costs as indicative below): (LKR) _________________

Total Lump Sum Fee (a+b): (LKR) _______________________ .

Note:

Payments will be based on invoices on achievement of agreed milestones i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR and certification of acceptance by the UNDP. The applicant must factor in all possible costs in his/her “All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee/Daily Fee” financial proposal including his/her consultancy and professional fee, honorarium, communication cost such as telephone/internet usage, printing cost, return travel from home to office, ad-hoc costs, stationery costs, and any other foreseeable costs in this exercise. No costs other than what has been indicated in the financial proposal will be paid or reimbursed to the consultant. The UNDP will only pay for any unplanned travel outside of this TOR and Duty Station on actual basis and on submission of original bills/invoices and on prior agreement with UNDP officials. Daily perdiums and costs for accommodation/meals/incidental expenses for such travel shall not exceed established local UNDP DSA rates.

For an Individual Contractor who is of 62 years of age or older, and on an assignment requiring travel, be it for the purpose of arriving at the duty station or as an integral duty required under the TOR, a full medical examination and statement of fitness to work must be provided. Such medical examination costs must be factored in to the financial proposal above.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.