UNDP Jobs - 53199- National Consultant on Environmental Financial Man

National Consultant on Environmental Financial Management for REDD+

Location :

Colombo, SRI LANKA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

15-Feb-2015

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Five months (45 days within the period)

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Five months (45 days within the period)

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 UN-REDD Programme is a collaborative initiative on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) in developing countries. The Programme was launched in January 2012 to assist developing countries prepare and implement national REDD+ strategies, and builds on the convening power and expertise of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

As a partner country of the UN-REDD Programme, Sri Lanka is committed to developing the necessary capacity to implement REDD+ through the UN-REDD National Programme (UN-REDD NP). The NP will thus contribute to ensuring that Sri Lanka is prepared to effectively participate in the REDD+ mechanism resulting from the UNFCCC negotiations, by focusing on key initial elements of REDD+ readiness.

The overall objective of the UN-REDD NP is to “support the Government of Sri Lanka in catalyzing the establishment of key mechanism and process and development of capacities, required to implement REDD+.” This objective will be secured through the following five Outcomes:

National Consensus reached on the Sri Lanka REDD+ programme;
Management Arrangements contributing to the National REDD+ Process defined;
Improved Stakeholder Awareness and Effective Engagement;
National REDD+ Strategy and Implementation Framework developed;
Forest Monitoring System for REDD+ Activities developed.

Under the fourth outcome, the development of a national REDD+ strategy is envisaged, and as a part of this work, there is a need (Output 4.4 of UN-REDD NP) to explore modalities of public financial management for REDD+. This includes the design of the national management for international REDD+ funds, enabling national and international investments for REDD+ actions.

The terms public financial management and REDD+ funds management are to be understood as follows:

Public Finance Management (PFM) covers all aspects of resource mobilization and expenditure management in government. It comprises of a number of so-called country systems: Planning, Budgeting, Parliament, Treasury, Procurement, Accounting, Auditing, and Reporting.

REDD+ Funds Management refers to the management arrangements for the raising and spending of funds for REDD+. These can include a variety of sources (public or private – international or domestic), including regular budgetary resources.

Scope and Objectives

Scope

The work will be carried out through a combination of desk research, expert discussion, study visit(s) and consultation with key stakeholders.

A team of consultants (one international and two national experts) will deliver the outputs. The consultation process required under this work will involve members of the Taskforce on Public Policies and Strategies, the Private Sector network and Civil Society Organizations and Indegeneous People platforms already established under the UNREDD programme.

The Consultants will work under the direct supervision and guidance of UNDP Technical Advisor, with additional guidance from the UNDP Program Officer, the Chief Technical Advisor, and the UN-REDD Programme Regional Advisors.

The study visit referred to will involve senior members of the Ministry of Finance and Planning, the Ministry of Environemnt & Renewable Energy, the Forest Department, and the national consultant. It will be carried out to a UN-REDD partner country in Asia.

Objectives

The general objective of the work described here is to: explore modalities of public financial management for REDD+ and designing REDD+ funds management for Sri Lanka.

The specific objectives are the following:

Describe the relevant Public Financial Management (PFM) processes;
Identify a working assumption on the scope and modalities of international REDD+ finance;
Assess options for national REDD+ funds management in Sri Lanka;
Make recommendations and consult with key national and sub-national institutions and other stakeholders to seek consensus on a particular option;
Prepare an implementation plan for the chosen option;
Validate all findings with stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities

National Consultant on Public Financial Management for REDD+ is an expert in public finance and with a good track record of working with the international organizations in a related area. Further s/he will ensure the quality and timely preparation of all reports and documentation related to the consultancy.

National Consultant on Public Financial Management for REDD+ will carry out the following tasks:

Prepare a work plan, outlining key issues to be covered, methodology and consultation plan. The work plan will be due 1 month after the commencement of the consultancy;
Implement the work plan by collecting and analysing information, facilitating stakeholder consultations and consensus-building.
Carry out analytical work on relevant Environmental Finance processes for REDD+;
Carry out analytical work to identify a working assumption on the scope and modalities of international REDD+ finance;
Review the information available in the national REDD+ process on policies and measures to address the drivers of deforestation to identify possible requirements towards the REDD+ funds management modalities. Take on board recommendations emerging from the study on prioritization of REDD+ PAMs;
Support study visit organization to a country in the region where advanced work on PFM for REDD+ and REDD+ funds management can be observed;
Consult with stakeholders and build consensus on the design and implementation arrangements for national REDD+ funds management;
Identify several options for national REDD+ funds management in Sri Lanka, assess strengths and weaknesses of these options, and make a recommendation on the basic modalities;
Consult with stakeholders on the options for national REDD+ funds management and the recommended modalities;
Develop an implementation plan with an assignment of roles, responsibilities, timeline and levels of effort, including required technical and functional capacity development;
Support the national consultant working in parallel on the development of a national REDD+ roadmap to ensure that results of this study are accurately reflected in the roadmap development;
Organize and carry out a national stakeholder validation workshop to approve the proposed REDD+ funds management together with the implementation plan;
Produce a final report, taking on board comments received during consultation and validation and from the UN-REDD team.

Expected Outputs

The key outputs to be delivered by the National Consultant on Environmental Financial Management for REDD+ are as follows:

Work plan;
Report on environmental financial management for REDD+, the design of REDD+ funds management and a plan for implementation and capacity-development;
One or several workshops for consultation and validation.

Competencies

Technical work

Knowledgeable about environmental financial management, ODA management, public investment funds, public-private partnerships;
Good knowledge of forestry, development and REDD processes in Sri Lanka;
Specific understanding of the concept and practice of REDD+, and broad knowledge of climate change;
Capacity to work with multiple stakeholders across a wide range of disciplines;
Demonstrated facilitation and coordination skills; and
Demonstrated networking, team-building and organizational skills.

Partnerships

Maturity and confidence in dealing with the staff of government and non government institutions and private sector;
Ability to seek and apply knowledge, information and best practices from multiple sectors;
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 case studies and progress reports;
Excellent leadership, coordination and team working skills;
Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
Demonstrated leadership, facilitation and coordination skills, ability to manage technical team and long term strategic partnership.

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

A Master’s level education in environmental finance, financial law or relevant subject area.

Experience

At least five years of experience in environmental financial management and law in Sri Lanka;
Familiarity with the concept and practice of REDD+, and broad knowledge of climate change will be an advantage;
Working experience with international organizations will be an advantage;
Experience in REDD+, climate change and/or forestry would be an asset.

Language

Sinhala and English.

How to Apply

The application should contain:

Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position and a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work, including a tentative table of contents for the final report;
Updated CV to include qualifications/competencies and relevant past experience in similar projects and name/contact details of 2 professional referees who can validate and recommend your professionalism, competencies and suitability to undertake this assignment;
Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a combination of a desk review of the CV, the draft work plan 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 (face to face 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;
Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.

Financial Proposal

Please provide a breakdown of the all-inclusive cost for four deliverables separately as per below

a1). Cost of developing the work plan LKR

a2). Cost of validation workshop report LKR

a3). Cost of drafting the report on environmental financial management for REDD+, the design of REDD+ funds management and a plan for implementation and capacity-development LKR

a). All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee (Professional Fees): (LKR) ___________________(a1+a2+a3)

b). All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee (other costs as indicative below): (LKR) _________________

c). Total Lump Sum Fee (a+b): (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 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, 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.

The UNDP will provide and cover the following costs:

Actual costs for tavels outside duty station will be reimbursed.

Payment Schedule

The payments will be made in instalments.

On submission of Detailed Work Plan 20%;
On submission of First draft report of the environmental financial management for REDD+, the design of REDD+ funds management and a plan for implementation and capacity-development 40%;
On submission of Workshop for validation of findings 20%;
On submission of Final report 20%.

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