UNDP Jobs - 50188- Re-advertisement - International Team Leader/Exper

Re-advertisement - International Team Leader/Expert for the Preparation of the Project Document Entitled “Promotion of Sustainable Charcoal in Angola through a Value Chain Approach”

Location :

Luanda, ANGOLA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

13-Jan-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Approximately 15 weeks in total (approximately 75 working days)

Languages Required :

English Spanish Portuguese

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Not later than 31 July 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

Candidates who previously applied need not re-apply.

A high portion of Angola’s final energy consumption is biomass -- particularly wood fuel in rural areas and charcoal in peri-urban areas -- and this is predicted to remain the case for at least another decade due to the unavailability of alternative fuels. Production of charcoal, which is growing annually due to the country’s high urbanization rate, contributes heavily to deforestation and is a major emitter of greenhouse gases. Nowhere is the level of deforestation and degradation from charcoal production more severe than in the country’s central highlands (Huila, Huambo, Benguela, and Kwanza-Sul). The Ministry of Agriculture (MINAGRI) has stated that Angola’s domestic consumption of firewood and charcoal represents 57% of the country’s energy consumption. The reform of the charcoal sector currently provides one of the greatest opportunities to help to prevent greenhouse gas emissions while fostering significant sustainable development benefits.

Given that unsustainable biomass use is primarily a function of poverty and lack of alternatives, interventions need be undertaken in a coordinated way that deals with the full charcoal value chain. Numerous studies demonstrate that for areas where charcoal is a primary driver of deforestation, the introduction of improved kilns is a powerful tool in both reducing emissions and increasing forest cover. The results of studies on the impacts of improved kilns in a Miombo woodlands context demonstrated that improved kilns were among the most effective instruments in improving forest cover compared to a business-as-usual scenario. The relatively larger impact of improved kiln technology and waste utilization technologies on avoided emissions from deforestation, compared to policy interventions on the consumption side, can be explained by the fact that production-side measures are not offset by population growth and, thus, have a more profound impact. Several current Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded initiatives in Angola are working to promote more sustainable agriculture and forest management in charcoal-producing areas. However, other parts of the value chain remain extremely inefficient and disorganized, characterized by the use of highly inefficient charcoal production technologies and practices; lack of proper waste management (inefficient packaging and transport practices); and no product certification or differentiation at the retail level.

As a consequence, in order to integrate more sustainable practices into the production, transportation and retailing levels of the charcoal value chain, the Global Environmental facility (GEF) has recently approved a project proposal concept entitled “Promotion of Sustainable Charcoal in Angola through a Value Chain Approach”. It has as its objective: “To reduce the current mode of unsustainable and GHG-intensive charcoal production and utilization from Angola’s Miombo woodlands via an integrated suite of low-carbon interventions in the country’s charcoal value chain”.

The project will be implemented by the Ministry of the Environment (MINAMB) with support from UNDP Angola. The project is built on various baseline investments supported by stakeholders such as the Ministry of Environment (MINAMB), the Ministry of Agriculture (MINAGRI) / IDF (Institute for Forest Development) and the Ministry of Economy - The National Institute of Support to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (INAPEM) / Angola Investment Programme.

The project has four inter-related components:

Component 1 -- Biomass data collection and institutional strengthening of biomass energy stakeholders;
Component 2 -- Dissemination of appropriate technologies for sustainable charcoal production (improved kilns) and efficient combustion;
Component 3 -- Dissemination of charcoal briquetting machines to enterprises in selected peri-urban areas of Luanda and/or Benguela;
Component 4 -- Sustainable charcoal and briquetting certification and marketing scheme at selected retailers in Luanda and Benguela.

Duties and Responsibilities

The tasks foreseen will be carried in close collaboration with the Ministry of Environment (MINAMB). Through these activities, the International Team Leader/Expert will be pivotal in the mobilization of co-financing for the project and in raising awareness among key stakeholders on the project and its objectives and strategy.

In approximately 15 weeks of total work throughout the duration of the PPG process (various tasks are expected to be done concurrently, see Table 1), the overall purpose of the consultancy is the preparation of a UNDP/GEF compliant full sized project. The International Team Leader/Expert for the Preparation of the Project Document is expected to:

Serve as team leader for other PPG consultant(s) and be responsible for the timely drafting of the required documents for submission to the GEF strictly adhering to the deadlines agreed to and ensuring quality control. Specifically, the consultant, with support from the other consultant(s), will produce: i) a UNDP Project Document with all requirements and ii) an GEF CEO Endorsement Request (both using the appropriate templates with all supporting annexes) by no later than May 31st, 2015.
In addition, the consultant should be available for any further revisions to the project documents after submission to the GEF Secretariat;
Key project drafting tasks will be accomplished under the guidance of the UNDP/GEF regional service center and the UNDP Angola Country Office, working in close collaboration with key government officials, donors, CSOs, NGOs and the private sector.
An early draft of the required submission documents will be submitted to the UNDP Country Office and UNDP/GEF technical staff at a date agreed at the inception workshop;
Play a pivotal role in developing a detailed work plan and coordinating the input and outputs of all national consultants and sub-contractors (where applicable), overseeing quality;
Finalize the project results framework: Further define the results framework with appropriate objective-level and outcome-level quantitative and qualitative SMART indicators, and end-of-project targets. Special attention will be made to include socio-economic and sex disaggregated indicators;
Develop a detailed M&E work plan;
Define a sustainability plan which will outline the principles and guidelines for ensuring the long-term sustainability of project achievements. It will also outline an exit strategy, seeking the continuation of key activities/achievements without the need of long-term international financing;
Lead the identification of climate change risks associated with the project implementation and addresses any opportunities/risks identified during the initial environmental and social screening of the project proposal at PIF stage;
Plan all activities of the project. Prepare a calendar/chronogram and use it to build the project budget and procurement plan.
Define the logical framework (including all outcomes and outputs) and work plan for the project;
Clarify the additionally of the proposed outcomes and activities, and ensure that the project approach is the most cost-effective according to GEF guidelines;
Complete the GEF Climate Change Mitigation tracking tool together with a detailed analysis of the project’s direct and indirect contribution to the stated GHG emission reduction targets;
Propose institutional and implementation arrangements consistent with a GEF Full-Sized project and in synergy with already existing arrangements for other UNDP/GEF projects in the country;
Address all comments on the project design by the Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel and in the GEF review sheet.
Facilitate the process of confirming the co-funding and co-financing plan;
Assist in consultations (together with the national consultant) with all relevant stakeholders with regards to the proposal, including detailed budget, detailed TORs for all project staff, and a detailed activity and work plan, in line with GEF eligibility principles.
Based on the finalized project document, prepare a project profile summary based on UNDP-GEF guidance for the Government to communicate the intended scope of the project.

Submission of all deliverables to be completed by May 31st 2015; however the consultant should be available until July 2015 for any additional revisions to the deliverables after submission to the GEF Secretariat.

Competencies

The minimum key expertise and qualifications of the consultant shall cover the following:

Proven ability to deliver high-quality work efficiently and on-time;
Proven ability to work in a complex environment with different national and international experts;
A pro-active approach to problem-solving;
Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty;
Ability to conduct detailed quantitative GHG emission reduction calculations (direct and indirect) according to GEF policies and procedures;
Proven ability to liaise and co-operate with various stakeholders;
Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team;
Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects; Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree in biomass energy, renewable energy, climate change, natural resource management or other related fields;

Experience:

Proven and extensive international experience in renewable energy projects, with demonstrated experience working with bioenergy applications;
At least 10 years of experience designing and/or implementing renewable energy and/or climate mitigation activities in developing countries;
Minimum 5 years of experience in project or programme management, including funded by international organizations or funds, of similar; complexity and nature; demonstrated financing skills to achieve the project objective;
Proven experience in technical report writing.

Language:

Fluency in English; and
Demonstrated proficiency in either Portuguese or Spanish.