UNDP Jobs - 50121- National Consultant – Institutional Analysis

National Consultant – Institutional Analysis - BioEnergy Association of Sri Lanka

Location :

Home-based

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

25-Oct-2014

Application Deadline :

10-Oct-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

10 working days over two months, starting 25 October, 2014

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

10 working days over two months, starting 25 October 2014

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

Promoting Sustainable Biomass Energy Production and Modern BioEnergy Technologies, is a project funded through the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) through its climate change mitigation portfolio. Project Manager is responsible for the implementation of the project’s four components with the Ministry of Environment. The 4-year project will operate under the technical supervision of the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority and Forest Department. Monitoring and reporting to GEF is the responsibility of both UNDP (for components 1, 3 and 4) and FAO (component 2).

The goal of the project is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the use of fossil fuel for thermal energy generation in the Sri Lanka industrial sector. This goal will be realized through four interlinked components that address the full value chain of bio energy production and conversion. The project aims to remove barriers that hinder the sector growth, such as policy-to-practice gaps, sustainable biomass plantations, sustainable fuel wood processing and supply chain development, increased of market share of biomass energy generation mix and adoption of biomass-based energy technologies in Sri Lanka.

The project consists of the following components: (1) Policy-institutional support for effective implementation; (2) Barrier removal for sustainable fuel wood production; (3) Enabling environment for fuel wood suppliers; (4) Wood-based energy technology development.

The project is expected to generate global benefits in directly avoided greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of almost 252 kilotons of CO2 due to switching from fossil fuels to wood-based technologies (over the lifetime of 10 years) and almost 756-1,432 ktCO2 as indirect emission reduction impact.

Scope and Objectives

One of the outputs envisaged under this project is ‘Established and enforced mechanisms for effective cooperation between various government agencies and private sector involved in fuelwood production, supply and use for energy requirements’. In this regard the Bio Energy Association of Sri Lanka has been identified as a major stakeholder due to their presence in the Bio Energy Field and the contribution they have made since its inception. In order to strengthen the ability of the BEASL to contribute and facilitate the achievement of the objectives spelled out in the project profile, the project methodology includes an action item to perform a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis on BEASL by an independent party.

The purpose of this consultancy is to perform this SWOT analysis. It will contain, but not limited to, institutional fact finding, discussions with industry players and a stakeholder consultation workshop. The consultant will be home-based and expected to conduct meetings with necessary officials/stakeholders independently, as required, and work closely with the Project Management Unit.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant is responsible for developing the report on SWOT analysis, addressing (minimum of) following factors in his/her study. Any other relevant and important factors identified by the consultant should also be included.

Current strengths and weaknesses of the BEASL which will facilitate the project objectives by way of ; number and composition of the membership, status of the key personnel in the organization, previous achievements and contributions to the industry, physical and finanacial assets etc.;
Analysis of the organisation’s ability to handle additional responsibilities, deploy additional personnel when required, presence in the grassroot level, availability of up-to- date knowledge and exposure within, collaborations established with like minded organizations;
Evaluation of the potential for BEASL to be a active player in the biomass energy industry in Sri Lanka, identify key areas for improvements and suggest modalities for improvements;
Analysis of current and potential threats on BEASL’s ability to play the proposed role in the industry, due to other new and current orgnizations in the field (both local and foreign), legal, finanacial and regulatory limitations.

In order to facilitate this process, it is proposed to conduct a one-day workshop with the participation of BEASL stakeholders and other relevant officials and institutions. The consultant should identify these participants and plan the workshop in consultation with the Project Management Unit within the Ministry of Environment and Renewable Energy.

Expected Deliverables:

A report on the SWOT Analysis on the BEASL

Competencies

Technical work

Strong understanding in non-profit making industry associations, their framework of operation, legal and other regulatory requirements;
good background knowledge on the energy industry in Sri Lanka including the energy mix, energy security issues, capabilities and characteristics of different energy sources and their usage, pricing;
Familiarity with the other related areas such as land use planning, entrepreneur development, finance, agriculture, forestry;
Computer proficiency, especially related to professional office software packages (Microsoft Office).

Partnerships

Maturity and confidence in dealing with senior members of national institutions;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Excellent written communication skills, with analytic capacity and ability to synthesise relevant collected data and findings for the preparation of quality analysis for the development of the report;
Excellent coordination skills and result oriented collaboration with personnel with different age groups, educational levels, backgrounds;
Excellent communication (both oral and written) and partnership building skills with multi-dimension partners.

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:

Bachelors’s Degree or higher in business management, development, energy, agriculture, economics, commerce, or related field;

Experience:

Minimum of 10 years of demonstrable experience and knowledge in the institutional analysis and developemnt

Language:

Excellent English language skills;
Working knowledge in Sinhala/ Tamil.

The application should contain:

A brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work;
Updated CV to include qualifications/competencies and relevant past experience in similar projects and contact details of 2 professional referees who can certify your competencies, professionalism, quality of writing, presentation and overall suitability to this TOR;
Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a combination of factors, the credentials on offer and brief interview (optional) and the offer which gives the best value for money for the UNDP;
Please duly fill the below financial proposal and attach to the last page of the CV along with all other required documentation above.

The financial proposal should contain:

All inclusive Lump Sum Fee - LKR ……………………………….

The cost of organizing and conducting the stakeholder workshop will be borne by the project management unit within the Ministry of Environment and Renewable Energy. Therefore, those costs should not be included in the above financial proposal.

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, costs of field visits, 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.

Payment for Services

Payments will be based on milestones as detailed below:

Inception report indicating key stakeholders to interview,

Methodology and the work plan: 25%;
Draft report on the SWOT Analysis on the BEASL: 50%;
Final report incorporating the comments of the PMU:25%.