UNDP Jobs - 54046- PIF preparation of the project “Strengthening capa

PIF preparation of the project “Strengthening capacities of multi-sectorial and decentralized management and coordination of the environnement to meet the objectives of the Rio Convention in Union of Comoros”

Location :

COMOROS

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

06-Mar-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Approximately ten (10) effective working days, to be delivered through home-based work between 1st a

Languages Required :

English French

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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 Production, Energy, Environment, Industry and Handicraft (MPEEIH) of Comoros in the preparation of the GEF pipelining documentation (PIF and PPG for project “Strengthening capacities of multi-sectorial and decentralized management and coordination of the environnement to meet the objectives of the Rio Convention in Union of Comoros).

The purpose of this consultancy is to develop a technically sound and eligible PIF for the projet that fits well with the government’s relevant priorities and policies. Copies of the GEF templates and guidelines can be found at: http://www.thegef.org/gef/guidelines_templates.

The consultant will report to the Head of the Environment Unit at UNDP Comoros and work closely with UNDP Istanbul Regional Centre Regional Technical Advisor.

Project Description

The project is in perfect harmony with the Comoros government commitments in order to be able to design and implement environmental management initiatives independently in a sustainable ecological, economic and social perspective, thus assuming its responsibilities to its people by respecting its commitments to the rest of the world : The Comoros Union has realized its National Self-Assessment on the Capacity to strengthen for Environmental Management in 2008. This project therefore meets the main conclusions of the NSCA process :

The policy framework has never been revised to reflect the changing needs;
The legal and regulatory framework is incomplete and does not meet all the current concerns in order to establish an enabling framework for the implementation of the Conventions ratified by the country;
The consultative and participatory framework, is non-existent (absence of a high-level body to ensure inter-sectorial coordination and consultation with and within the population);
Environmental institutions do not fulfill a clear mandate that responds to national priorities as defined in the National Environment Policy;
The scientific program of national research institutions does not define any priority in terms of the knowledge to acquire,
Own resources are clearly insufficient to ensure national ownership of environmental decisions;
The environmental information system is still very incomplete, contains non-updated information and lacks reliable data to ensure sustainable management of activities related to the exploitation of natural resources;
The political authorities, uninformed and poorly aware about environmental issues, are not able to support on going initiatives and to defend them;
The lack of specialists in many critical areas on sustainable management of the environment (biologists, environmentalists, agronomists, foresters, fisheries scientists, engineers, lawyers, taxonomists ...).

To meet the capacity challenges for national and global environmental management, this project will enable the Union of the Comoros to integrate the Rio Conventions issues in national, regional and local decision-making process.

Duties and Responsibilities

Hold at least two teleconferences with the UNDP Istanbul Regional Technical Advisor and the UNDP CO team in Comoros.

Maintain thereafter email communications with the RTA, the CO team and, if applicable, the other stakeholders in Comoros, posing specific questions that will allow the completion of information gaps and the development of the project logic.

Based on the existing documentation and with the aim of thoroughly completing an eligible PIF in the correct template/format, obtain the necessary information and:

Develop, in an iterative manner, the project logic (i.e. its strategy), based on the principles of incremental reasoning and starting with the Project Framework of the PIF, under the guidance of the UNDP Regional Technical Advisor, defining thereby the project objective, outcomes (or proxy indicators) and outputs. In connection with it, propose indicative allocations for the GEF funds and co-financing per project component;
Identify the barriers to achieving the project objective and elaborate on them;
Within a logical framework approach, develop and describe the project outputs and outcomes for the biodiversity and land degradation in the PIF using clear and results-oriented language that is typical of such documents. This will be part of the narrative part;
Provide an assessment of the required costing for the different activities;
Estimate the available co-financing for the activities;
Describe in succinct terms the socioeconomic benefits to be delivered by the Project at the national and local levels, including consideration of gender dimensions, and how these will support the achievement of global environment benefits (GEF Trust Fund. As a background information, read the following: Mainstreaming Gender at the GEF.);
Assess project risks and briefly propose mitigation measures. This can be presented through a simple matrix with three columns (risk, rating, mitigation measures);
Outline the coordination with other related initiatives (in generic terms and to the point, noting that here the information is on projects, programmes and initiatives);
Identify key stakeholders likely to be involved in the project, including government, civil society organizations, local communities, private sector and academia, discussing briefly their respective roles, as applicable. This should be kept short but to the point;
Propose a set of PPG activities and types of consultants needed for completing the required PPG activities.

Submit the required products in English and French to the UNDP Istanbul Regional Centre Regional Technical Advisor and the CO.

Expected Deliverables

Final PIF and PPG outline in English and French for the project “Strengthening capacities of multi-sectorial and decentralized management and coordination of the environnement to meet the objectives of the Rio Convention in Union of Comoros”.

The contract will be lump sum with a single payment at the end of the contract, upon successful delivery of the expected product from this consultancy, as cleared by the UNDP Istanbul Regional Centre Regional Technical Advisor and the Country Office.

Competencies

Technical work

Strong expertise in Environmental Management;
Familiarity with the International Conventions addressing Climate Change, Desertification and Biodiversity Conservation;
Ability to pick up new terminology and concepts easily;
Familiarity with GEF policies, templates and requirements for MSP.

Partnerships

Maturity and confidence in dealing with senior members of national institutions;
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 quality analysis for the project proposal;
Excellent coordination skills and result oriented collaboration with colleagues – especially for this case the national level consultants.

Results

Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Build 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:

Advanced University degree in the fields of environmental management, public administration or relevant related fields;
Proven expert knowledge in the GEF CCCD/CB2 Project Cycle.

Experience:

At least 7 years of relevant professional experience;
Proven experience in developing/implementing similar projects – preferably in the region;
Experience in developing institutional arrangements for multi-national projects;
Experience in drafting project proposals;
Previous successful experience in development and approval of the PIF;
Previous experience with UNDP is a great advantage;
Experience of work in the region is an asset.

Languages:

Excellent English and French writing skills are essential.

Selection will be made on the basis of the following criteria:

Qualifications techniques and experience: Advanced University degree in the fields of environmental management, public administration or relevant related fields: Points: 10;
Qualifications techniques and experience: Proven expert knowledge in the GEF CCCD/CB2 Project Cycle: Points: 20;
Qualifications techniques and experience: Proven experience in developing/implementing similar projects – preferably in the region: Points: 35;
Qualifications techniques and experience: Previous successful experience in development and approval of the PIF: Points: 3.

Total of points: 100.

Application:

The application should contain:

Technical proposal; and
Financial Proposal - specifying a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this announcement. The financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (number of anticipated working days – in home office and on mission, travel – international and local, per diems and any other possible costs).
Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.