UNDP Jobs - 50131- National Consultant –Status Report on Biomass Supp

National Consultant –Status Report on Biomass Supply Chains in 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 :

30 working days over three months, starting 25 October , 2014

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

30 working days over three 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

Purpose of this consultancy to record the status of the biomass supply chains catering to the needs of energy industry in Sri Lanka. It is expected to cover following aspects, but not limited to, in order to ensure all relavant points are captured.

Market Mapping

Map local potential markets of biomass, especially fuelwood (commercial firewood plantations, intercropping, home gardens, agriculture waste etc.);
Analyze current market trends in terms of market demand and supply, price-scheduling mechanisms, market determinant factors, and government regulatory and control mechanisms;
Analyze possible potential risks the supply chain operators may face in market and suggest possible mitigation measures.

Value Chain Analysis

Assess the resources, skills and capacities of operators including small outgrowers;
Existing market situation and nature of bargain taking place between different market players, pricing mechanisms;
The capacity of players in the value chains (both as individuals as well as industry organizations) to access services, credit, information and resources;
Suggest improvements in the value chain system to ensure stability and sustainability of the overall supply chain.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant is responsible for developing a status report on biomass supply chains in Sri Lanka containing,

Details of and key points captured during the discussions with the industry stakeholders to identify operating and proposed supply chains;
Details of each of the supply chain in operation including the product flow diagram, quantities & prices involved, species used, machines or any other automation introduced etc. (but not limited to only those). Details of the operation during the last three years; market dynamics faced;
Details of any proposed supply chains, informal arrangements of sourcing and selling biomass in commercial quantities for industry and for power generation;
The geographical dispersion of the sources of biomass, product flow and end users marked on a map, preferably using a GIS mapping software;
Analysis of the current market trends, key issues faced by operators at different levels, institututional and regulatory barriers, and probable solutions if any.

The consultant is required to undertake field visits as necessary to collect information, interview identified personnel and to get first hand understanding of the supply chains in operation.

Expected Deliverables:

Report on the current status of the biomass supply chain industry in Sri Lanka.

Competencies

Technical work

Strong understanding in operations of supply chains, especially with relation to agricultural produce for various applications and a good background knowledge on the energy industry in Sri Lanka;
Familiarity with the regulatory and legal framework in production, harvesting, transporting and utilization of wood and agriculture waste based products;
Demonstrated strategic technical and intellectual skills in the substantive area;
Computer proficiency, especially related to professional office software packages (Microsoft Office); knowledge and practice in geographic information systems and mapping softwares desirable.

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 synthesize 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 – especially for this case, the players in the biomass supply chains;
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 engineering, energy, agriculture, economics, commerce, supply chain management or related field;

Experience:

Minimum of 07 years of demonstrable experience in the sustainable usage of natural resources, renewable energy, and / or biomass energy industry
Experience on evaluation and mapping of supply chains, identification of background issues will be an added advantage

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 the:

All inclusive Lump Sum Fee - 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, 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 Current status of the biomass supply chains in Sri Lanka: 50%;
Final report incorporating the comments of the PMU: 25%.