UNDP Jobs - 51320- International Consultant

International Consultant –Training on Biomass Energy Supply Chain Management

Location :

Home based with one missions to Sri Lankaa, SRI LANKA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Jan-2015

Application Deadline :

28-Nov-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

20 working days within three months, starting from 1 Jan15 (06 days home based, 14 days in SL)

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

20 working days within three months, starting from 1 Jan15 (06 days home based, 14 days in SL)

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.

The project consists of the following components:

Policy-institutional support for effective implementation;
Barrier removal for sustainable fuel wood production;
Enabling environment for fuel wood suppliers;
Wood-based energy technology development.

Project Manager is responsible for the implementation of the project’s four components with the Ministry of Environment and Renewable Energy. 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 market share of biomass energy in generation mix and adoption of biomass-based energy technologies in Sri Lanka.

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

This assignment expects to conduct training on development and efficient operation of biomass supply chains catering to the needs of energy industry in Sri Lanka. The implementing partner of this activity is the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority of the Ministry of Environment and Renewable Energy. They will identify a local counterpart to work along with the International Consultant.

The training material developed and the workshops conducted are expected to cover supply chains of agricultural waste, forestry & plantations (managed forestry, intercropping with other species and home gardens) and industrial by products (saw dust etc.), but not municipal solid waste. They should cover the following aspects, but not limited to, in order to ensure all relavant points are captured; Land owner, farmer/forester, custom harvester (both agriculture and timber, where applicable), transportation, aggregator, pre-processing, biomass receiving/shipping, pricing mechanisms, contract management, sustainability of supply chains.

Duties and Responsibilities

The prospective consultant should have a thorough understanding of the biomass energy industry, especially the sources and supply mechanisms, supply chain management, end users’ and industry requirements, energy economics and be an excellent trainer.

The consultant is responsible for carrying out following tasks, which would develop, upgrade and ensure sustainability of biomas supply chains for energy in Sri Lanka

Home based:

Prepare course material for a Training of Trainer (ToT) program of approximately 3 days (for 15 to 20 participants) on development, management and improvements of biomass supply chains for energy (industrial thermal applications and power generation), creating value for all the players in the chain;
Prepare agenda and course material for training workshops for industry professionals /operators (two, one day programs of similar nature) in consultation with the implementing;
Prepare agenda and presentations for one day seminar on biomass supply chains (including industry operations, risks associated, mitigation techniques, best practices in a global perspective) for senior policy makers and senior officers of financial instituitons, in consultation with the implementing agency.

During the mission to Sri Lanka:

Delivery of the TOT program developed in 1. above;
Advise and assist a group of nominated personnel to develop training material for industry players in Sri Lanka targeting different sub sectors ( including grassroot level famers and small scale operators) in local languages. (for the use of Trainers trained in the Activity 1, in carrying out training activities on their own);
Be the principal resource person for two training workshops for industry professionals / operators on development and management of biomass supply chains for energy (one in Colombo and another in a city proposed by the implementing agency);
Be the principal resource person for a seminar on biomass energy supply chains for senior policy makers and senior officers in the finanacial sector.

Expected Outputs

The key deliverables are:

Course material for Training of Trainer Program and delivery of the training;
Manual to be used by trained trainers in conducting subsequent training programs on their own;
Development of course material and be the principal resource person of two training workshops for industry professionnels/ operators;
Development of seminar material and be the lead presenter and panelist in the seminar for senior policy makers and senior members of the financial institutions.

Proprietary interests on all materials and documents prepared by the consultant under the assignment shall become and remain properties of UNDP.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Strong understanding in operations and economics of supply chains, especially with relation to biomass supply chains for energy;
Demonstrated strategic technical and intellectual skills in the substantive area;
Computer proficiency, especially related to professional office software packages (Microsoft Office);
Maturity and confidence in dealing with senior members of national institutions;
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 background;
Ability to adjust training programs to the existing needs and specific requirements of the trainees;
Excellent communication (both oral and written) and partnership building skills with multi-dimension partners.

Core Competencies:

Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
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:

Master’s Degree or higher in engineering, energy, agriculture, economics, commerce, supply chain management or related field, preferably with qualifications in supply chain management and logistics.

Experience:

Minimum of 07 years of demonstrable experience and knowledge in the sustainable usage of natural resources, renewable energy, and / or biomass energy industry;
Minimum of 5 years experience and knowledge of operational issues of supply chains, economics, identification of background issues, value chain analysis and enhancement;
Minimum of 5 years demontrated experience in designing course material and conducting effective training programs/interactive workshops for participants of different educational levels and backgrounds.

Language:

Excellent English language skills.

How to Apply

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 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 via Skype or telephone if required;
Please duly fill the below financial proposal and attach to the last page of the CV along with all other required documentation above,

Financial Proposal

Please provide a breakdown of the all-inclusive cost as per schedule below

All inclusive lumpsum fee for carrying out the tasks spell out in this TOR- USD

Air fair to and from Colombo, Sri Lanka( in economy class via most direct route) USD

Total lump sum amount USD

Amount in words:USD

UNDP will provide and cover the following costs:

Daily Subsistence Allowance relevant for the 3 star hotels in Colombo Sri Lanka for all the days the consultant will be in Sri Lanka as per the UNDP DSA guidelines;
The costs for project related travelling within Sri Lanka, organizing and logistics of conducting training events, workshops and the seminar, making copies of the course material to be distributed among participants are borne by the implementing agency. Therefore, those costs should not be included in the above budget.

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 by the UNDP. The applicant must factor in all possible costs in his/her “All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee” financial proposal including his/her consultancy and professional fee, honorarium, any additional HR cost (as required) such as translators and field assistants, communication cost such as telephone/internet usage, printing cost, ad-hoc costs, stationery costs. No costs other than what has been indicated in the financial proposal will be paid or reimbursed to the consultant. While in Sri Lanka, any travel outside of the duty station will be with prior approval of the Assistant Country Director.

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 the work plan and the basic structure of the training program, workshops and the seminar – 25%;
Completion of development of training material, presentations for the workshops and the seminar and delivery of training program, workshop and the seminar-50%;
Completion report -25%.

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