UNDP Jobs - 52433- Consultant - Capacity Development for Environmenta

Consultant - Capacity Development for Environmental Monitoring Expert

Location :

Port of Spain, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

23-Dec-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

120 days (four (4) months)

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 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), acting as an implementing agency of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), is providing assistance to the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, in preparation of the GEF Medium Sized Project (MSP), “Capacity Development for Improved Management of Multilateral Environmental Agreements for Global Benefits”.

In accordance with UNDP/GEF procedures, UNDP is hiring a team of consultants to develop the MSP proposal for “Capacity Development for Improved Management of Multilateral Environmental Agreements for Global Benefits” for submission to the GEF Secretariat fully compliant with the enforced GEF rules and standards as part of the GEF Project Preparation Grant (PPG). The consultants will report to the Head of the Environment Unit at UNDP Trinidad and Tobago and work closely with the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.

The purpose of the PPG is to fully design the activities, outputs, and outcomes of the “Capacity Development for Improved Management of Multilateral Environmental Agreements for Global Benefits” medium size project and to fully develop a full set of project documentation for submission to the GEF Secretariat and approval. Normal rules for development of medium-sized GEF projects apply. Copies of the GEF templates and guidelines can be found at: http://www.thegef.org/gef/guidelines_templates

Project Description

The Government of Trinidad and Tobago recently received Cabinet approval for nominations of individuals from all Ministries, Government Agencies, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Community Based Organisations (CBOs), Academic Institutions and Industry Organisations to act as Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEA) Focal points. This will seek to build a registry of persons who will act as contact persons in the relevant agencies and further strengthen the on-going work in MEAs, particularly climate change, including reporting and the development of national policies and legislation to ensure the full, sustained and effective implementation of MEAs.

The duties and responsibilities of the MEA/Climate Change Focal Points include, but are not limited to:

Liaising with the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources as the National Focal Point in respect of the role and functions of their respective institutions in the context of the national obligations under the various MEAs;
Providing advice and inputs into strategies and actions to be taken at the national level in the implementation of obligations under the MEAs and climate change;
Providing inputs, data and information to facilitate reporting requirements of Trinidad and Tobago under the MEAs;
Providing advice and inputs into work programmes of their respective Ministries/agencies in the context of national obligations under the MEAs and climate change; and
Interfacing with other relevant stakeholders through relevant networking media to enhance co-operation at various levels.

This project will seek to augment the work that has already been started by the MEWR while simultaneously keeping with the objectives of the National Climate Change Policy (NCCP) which include awareness, capacity building and information sharing.

Duties and Responsibilities

The principal responsibility of the consultant is to contribute to the development of the MSP project document fully compliant with the enforced GEF rules and standards as lead expert on capacity development and project design, closely collaborating with the national implementing partner and national consultants on institutional, organizational and public awareness capacities and UNDP on setting PPG implementation strategy.

Within the framework of this ToR, Capacity Development for Environmental Monitoring Expert is expected to perform the following tasks and duties:

Work with local consultants (LCs), UNDP and national counterparts on setting PPG implementation strategy;
Finalise PPG work plan, TOR for LCs and design consultation and validation workshops;
Support LCs as they undertake background studies, providing guidance and support;
Oversee completion of background studies, ensuring they are appropriate in scope and provide required analysis;
Participate in meetings during mission travel with national decision makers to identify priorities and approaches;
Facilitate and guide consultations to determine project strategy, priorities, key partners and key barriers to success;
Provide technical and professional support to LCs and national stakeholders;
Develop the project strategy; detailed budget, work plan and logical framework and a sustainability framework
With input from LCs and UNDP CO, develop an M&E work plan and delivery strategy including clear identification of responsibilities and accountabilities as well as an appropriate budget based on best practices and UNDP guidelines;
Develop the project’s sustainability plan by integrating the exit strategy with stakeholders during the validation workshop;
Participate and facilitate technical discussions on the project strategy with stakeholders during the validation workshop.

Besides a desk review of the relevant documents the consultant will undertake two face to face meetings in the country, in full collaboration with the UNDP Country Office and team of consultants. For international consultants this will require two missions to the country.

These meetings will include:

Consultations with key partners in National Government, responsible for environmental management as well as relevant sectoral ministries and civil society;
Facilitation of project validation workshop.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Expertise in Capacity Development and Project Management;
Knowledge of issues related to environmental management;
Familiarity with the International Conventions addressing Climate Change, Desertification and Biodiversity Conservation;
Familiarity with GEF policies, templates and requirements for MSP.

Partnerships:

Strong interpersonal skills;
Excellent written communication skills, with analytic capacity and ability to synthesize relevant collected data and findings for the preparation of quality analysis for the project proposal;
Excellent coordination skills and result oriented collaboration with colleagues – especially for this case the national level consultants.

Corporate Competencies:

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;
Demonstrated team player.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced University degree in Environmental Management, business administration or project management or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.

Experience:

At least 5 years of relevant professional experience;
Experience in Capacity Development Projects will be an asset;
Experience in drafting project proposals for multilateral funding;
Experience in developing institutional arrangements for the implementation of multilateral agreements;
Proven expert knowledge in the GEF CCCD/CB2 Project Cycle;
Proven experience in developing/implementing similar projects – preferably in the region;
Experience in the development and approval of successful GEF projects;
Experience with UNDP is an advantage.

Languages:

Excellent verbal and written English skills are essential.

How to Apply

The Procurement Notice including the Terms of Reference (TORs) for the position can be obtained by visiting the UNDP Trinidad and Tobago website at: http://www.tt.undp.org/content/trinidad_tobago/en/home/operations/procurement.

Candidates should download and complete the P11 Personal History Form from the website and submit it together with the other submission requirements indicated in the Procurement Notice by December 21, 2014 to: registry.tt@undp.org.