Background

The Global Environment Facility (GEF)

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) (www.thegef.org) unites 183 member governments—in partnership with international institutions, non-governmental organizations and the private sector—to address global environment issues. An independently operating financial organization, the GEF provides grants for projects related to biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, the ozone layer and persistent organic pollutants. Since 1991, the GEF has provided US$12.5 billion in grants and leveraged US$58 billion in co-financing for 3,690 projects in 165 developing countries. Through its Small Grants Programme (SGP) the GEF has made more than 20,000 grants totaling about US$1 billion to civil society and community-based organizations.

The GEF International Waters (IW) focal area targets transboundary water systems, such as shared river basins, lakes, groundwater and large marine ecosystems. The IW portfolio comprises 242 projects to date and some US$1.4 billion of GEF grants invested in 149 different countries. This investment has leveraged about US$8.4 billion in co-financing.

UNDP GEF Kura Project “Advancing Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM)   across the Kura river basin through implementation of the transboundary agreed actions and national plans” will be implementing the Strategic Action Program for the Kura River Basin in partnership with the Governments of Georgia and Azerbaijan.

The SAP is framed around four agreed Ecosystem Quality Objectives (EQO) which are:

• To achieve sustainable utilization of water resources to ensure access to water and preserve ecosystem services;
• To achieve water quality such that it would ensure access to clean water for present and future generations and sustain ecosystem functions in the Kura river basin;
• To achieve and maintain ecosystem status whereby they provide essential environmental and socio-economic services in a sustainable manner in the Kura River Basin; and
• To achieve mitigation of adverse impacts of flooding and climate change on infrastructures, riparian ecosystems and communities.

The GEF will support priority activities towards these objectives. The GEF funded SAP implementation Project has the objective “to integrate water resources management in the Kura river basin to address water-energy-food-ecosystem security nexus through the implementation of agreed actions in the SAP”.

There will be five components to support the countries to achieve this objective.

These are:

• Establishment of effective cross sectoral IWRM governance protocols at the local, national and transboundary levels in the Kura Basin;
• Strengthening national capacities to implement multi-sectoral IWRM in the Kura basin;
• Stress reduction projects and pre-feasibility studies to identify investment opportunities for improving river system health;
• Targeted stakeholder education and involvement projects to empower stakeholders in implementing local / national / transboundary actions in support of SAP implementation;
• Enhancing science for governance by strengthening the monitoring, information management and data analysis systems for IWRM.

The Kura River Project has entered the Project Preparation Grant (PPG) phase—a designated period to design and develop the project’s activities within these five components. The project proposal received approval from the GEF Council in October 2014. The PPG phase is implemented under the authority of the UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub and planned for completion in 2015; Outputs during the PPG phase will be the full-sized project document.

The PPG Phase will be conducted in four interlinked stages to be undertaken by a team of national and international consultants to serve as the PPG Team. The four stages are:

Baseline Strategic Development, to include: development of integrated, dynamic framework strategies for institutional development; stakeholder involvement and education; water ecology management; water nexus methodology; harmonization and experience sharing; capacity building for enhanced water management, including use of water nexus; information management and decision support system development; water use efficiency and enforcement; pollution abatement; and gender mainstreaming.

This first stage will also include update of the situational analysis, prepare and share the draft Project Results Framework (PRF) with stakeholders, and integrate activities with related initiatives.

The second stage will focus on institutional arrangements, monitoring and evaluation, with financial planning and co-financing to include: Define management arrangements; prepare a detailed multi-year budget; develop multi-year work plan; develop project results framework and text; complete GEF focal area tracking tool; define monitoring and evaluation (M&E) Plan; define the sustainability plan; explore multilateral/bilateral co-financing opportunities; and, collect co-financing letters.

The third stage will consist of Stakeholders Meetings and Validation Workshops. This will include all efforts to: consult with individual stakeholder; hold national stakeholder meetings to review PRF; and, hold regional stakeholder validation workshop to review and agree PRF and institutional arrangements.

The fourth stage is the Finalization of Project Document, which will require that the PPG Team: draft the UNDP Project Document, obtain official endorsement letters; and, develop the GEF CEO Endorsement Request letter.

Duties and Responsibilities

In order to produce these outputs, the National Expert for Development of the Project Document for Azerbaijan will be ultimately responsible for development of the Project Document for Azerbaijan. S/he will work closely with and is responsible directly to the Regional IWRM Plan and FSP Development Expert to develop the PPG outputs.

The key outputs of this assignment are:

• (1) Provide inputs to the Project Document development based on national and technical expertise including updating the national situational analysis;
• (2) Coordinate meetings with national stakeholders and international consultants, including identification of key stakeholders, and articulation of their concerns;
• (3) Develop strong country ownership of the pending project, with support from key stakeholders, (4.) Collection of co-financing letters and support for country endorsement of the Project Document

To do this the consultant will carry out the following tasks:

• Liaise with the National Focal Point;
• Provide input into the Draft Project Results Framework to include components, outcomes, activities, indicators, baseline, target for end of project, source of verification, risks and assumptions;
• Provide comments on the framework strategies for: Institutional development; stakeholder involvement and education; water ecology management; water nexus methodology; harmonization and experience sharing; enhanced water management, including use of water nexus; information management and decision support systems; water use efficiency and enforcement; pollution abatement; and, gender mainstreaming;
• Serve as national liaison for Project Document development working with all national stakeholders to build strong country ownership of the project and support for project efforts, as well as strengthening linkages with the donor community;
• Support 1 National and 1 Regional stakeholder workshops to ensure that project will meet the national and transboundary priority needs of the countries and to ensure that project partners and in agreement on the implementation arrangements for the project;
• Provide comments and constructive inputs for development of the FSP multi-year work plan and budget proposal;
• Collect co-financing letters and support for country endorsement of the Project Document;
• Provide additional inputs as required to fulfill the duties to ensure successful finalization of the project document.

Assignment Deliverables:

Group A:

• Inputs into Project Results Framework to include components, outcomes, activities, indicators, baseline, target for end of project, source of verification, risks and assumptions and support distribution to National Stakeholders;
• Updated situational analysis for water management to include updated institutional developments, priorities, activities and donor initiatives in the water sector, including environmental, agricultural, energy and municipal water development;
• Expanded list of key stakeholders for project development from all water sectors, including government sectors, the private sector, academic organizations, NGOs, and donors, and liaise with National Focal Points to confirm list;
• Bi-monthly progress notes to the Regional IWRM Plan and FSP Development Expert (Throughout PPG implementation);

Group B:

• Comments on the framework strategies for: Institutional development; Institutional development; stakeholder involvement and education; water ecology management; water nexus methodology; harmonization and experience sharing; enhanced water management, including use of water nexus; information management and decision support systems; water use efficiency and enforcement; pollution abatement; and, gender mainstreaming;
• Facilitated meetings for international consultants with key stakeholders for project development from all water sectors, including government sectors, the private sector, academic organizations, NGOs, and donors;
• Comments on the recommended management arrangements for project implementation and M&E plan;
• Comments on recommended sustainability plan;
• Summary meeting notes from all meetings with stakeholders including summary conclusions in coordination with international consultants;
• Supported national and regional workshops including agenda, participants lists, and meeting minutes;
• Reviewed regional situational analysis.

Group C:

• Liaised with National Focal Points regarding agreed management arrangements for project implementation, work plan and budget for FSP phase of the project, the final M&E Plan; the final sustainability plan, the final Project Documents including all annexes in line with UNDP/GEF Requirements;
• Collected Co-financing letters;
• Liaised with UNDP Country Offices as needed.

Estimated duration:

Approximately 43 working days

The consultancy will be for approximately 43 working days over a period estimated from 2 March 2015 to 31 December 2015. 
Group A deliverables will be due by 1 April 2015
Group B deliverables will be due by 1 July 2015
Group C deliverables will be due by 1 December 2015
These dates will be flexible based on extenuating circumstances and agreement with the UNDP-GEF Regional Technical Advisor, International Waters, Europe and CIS

Institutional Arrangements

The Consultant will be home-based; with possible travel to Georgia for Regional meeting

The Consultant will be contracted by the UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub

The Consultant will be given access to relevant information necessary for execution of the tasks under this assignment

The Consultant will be responsible for providing her/his station (i.e. laptop, internet, phone, scanner/printer, etc.) and must have access to reliable internet connection

Payments will be made per deliverable. The Regional IWRM Plan and FSP Development Expert will evaluate the quality of the final documents. If the quality does not meet standards or requirements of the UNDP/GEF, the consultant will be asked to rewrite or revise (as necessary) the document before proceeding to payment. In that sense, payments shall be made upon delivery and approval by UNDP/GEF Regional Technical Advisor, International Waters, Europe and CIS;

Payment will be based on acceptance of the following: Deliverable Group A (25% of total contract amount); Deliverable Group B (45%). Deliverable Group C (30%)

Travel

Costs of possible travel - round trip airfare (economy class) and daily allowances for Regional meeting will be provided in accordance with UNDP standard policies. UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub will provide visa support as needed.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Excellent communications and networking skills and the ability to work in a team;
• Strong interpersonal and negotiating skills;
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment; and
• Sound judgment and discretion.

Functional Competencies:

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise:

• Demonstrated familiarity with or, ideally, work experience in GEF International Waters in Azerbaijan;
• Demonstrated familiarity with transboundary waters issues and national IWRM plan priorities in Azerbaijan;
• Demonstrated familiarity with priority national issues in the Kura River basin, including water sector, environmental sector, national and regional institutional structures and future development plans;
• Demonstrated familiarity with stakeholder priorities, water management issues, national stakeholder concerns, and water initiatives activities in the Kura basin;
• Demonstrated familiarity and sensitivity to wider regional economic development trends shaping water resource management in the Kura Basin.

Management and Leadership:

• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Shows conflict resolution skills;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
• Remains calm, in control and composed even under pressure;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Communicates effectively with staff at all levels of the organization;
• Acts with tact and diplomacy;
• Proves outgoing and comfortable in handling external relations at all levels;
• Demonstrates compelling communication skills and cross-cultural effectiveness;
• Demonstrates experience in bilateral and/or multilateral negotiations, and negotiating and training / facilitation skills; and
• Possesses the ability to convey difficult issues and positions to senior officials, proven political judgment, sensitivity to local cultures.

Professionalism:

• Capable of working in a high pressure environment with sharp and frequent deadlines, managing many tasks simultaneously;
• Excellent organizational skills;
• Able to work independently and remotely with minimal supervision
• Able to accept direction and constructive criticism from team members and authorities in a positive and respectful manner;
• Exercise the highest level of responsibility and be able to handle confidential and politically sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner.
• Capacity to submit high quality deliverables under time constraints.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:  

• Advanced degree in environmental management, hydrology, development studies or related fields required. (Criteria A: max 10 pts.).

Experience:

• Demonstrated experience in support to local, national and international organizations, in development of integrated water management plans and strategic plans;
• Preferably within the past 7 years (Criteria B: max 20 pts.);
• Demonstrated capacity in supporting projects with multinational and interdisciplinary teams; (Criteria C: max 10 pts.);
• Demonstrated experience in contributing to strategic development products based on national level priorities for international donors, preferably for UN, World Bank or GEF (Criteria D: max 10 pts.);
• Demonstrated experience and familiarity in working successfully with a wide array of stakeholders in Azerbaijan (Criteria E: max 10 pts.).

Language:

• English is the working language for this assignment, therefore oral and written communication skills in English are required;
• Ability to communicate effectively in Russian and Azeri required. (Criteria F- max 10 pts.).

Evaluation of Applicants

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.

The award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
• Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical (P11 desk reviews and interviews) and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Only those candidates who obtained at least 70% of points in each step of the process technical (P11 desk reviews and interviews) will be considered for financial proposal evaluation.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 70 points
Criteria A – max points -10
Criteria B – max points - 20 (interview)
Criteria C – max points -10
Criteria D – max points -10 (interview)
Criteria E – max points -10 (interview)
Criteria F – max points -10

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 30 points

Application Procedure

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website.

The application should contain:

Cover letter explaining why the individual considers him/herself the most suitable for the assignment;

Duly completed and signed P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from: http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc); please upload the P11 instead of your CV.

Financial Proposal - specifying a total all-inclusive lump sum amount in USD for the tasks specified in this announcement. The financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount per deliverable groups and travel related costs of planned missions:
Deliverable A (25% by 1 April 2015) - (enter No. of Working days) - (enter rate in USD)
Deliverable B (45% by 1 July 2015) - (enter No. of Working days) - (enter rate in USD)
Deliverable C (30% by 1 December 2015): {enter No. of Working days) - (enter rate in USD)
Total Lump sum: (enter total No. of Working days) -(enter Total lump sum)
Travel costs related to possible mission (up to 5 days) will be paid separately as per UNDP rules and regulations.

Incomplete proposals may not be considered. Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.

Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, vaccination and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...).

Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner. 
Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org .
General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://on.undp.org/t7fJs

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.

Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.