UNDP Jobs - 54309- International Green Urban Development Consultant t

International Green Urban Development Consultant to Update the Urban Development Plan of Chisinau Municipality by Introducing a “Green focus” and Special Emphasis on Energy Efficiency Measures to be Adopted

Location :

Home-based with trips to Chisinau, MOLDOVA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

March 2015 - December 2015 (with a total of 30 working days)

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 ESCO Moldova project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), has an implementation timeframe of 4 years with a budget of 1.3 million US$ allocated by the GEF and 7.615 million US$ allocated as co-financing by project partners. The project objective is to create a functioning, sustainable and effective market of Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) in Moldova by converting existing energy service provider companies into ESCOs, as the basis for scaling up energy efficiency improvements and ultimately climate change mitigation efforts. The main barriers that the project is trying to address are related to energy efficiency project financing; the eagerness of existing Energy Service Providers to embark on the ESCO business model; institutional barriers at the local level; and EE awareness in the municipal sector.

The ESCO Moldova Project intends to eliminate/address these impediments through the following project components:

Green Urban Development Plan is adopted and emission reduction projects are financed and implemented in Chisinau;
ESCOs are successfully investing in energy projects in the building sector using Energy Performance Contracting modality;
A Financial Mechanism in form of a Loan Guarantee Fund, is set up and functional, providing financing to ESCOs;
ESCO(s) are designing, financing and successfully implementing energy efficiency projects using EPC modality in at least one other city in Moldova outside of Chisinau.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under component 1, the ESCO Moldova project has the objective to put a “green focus” and special emphasis on energy efficiency of the adopted Urban Development Plan (UDP). The requested assistance will help the municipality of Chisinau in updating the Urban Development Plan (UDP). Such a plan is crucial to green value chain at all steps of future urban development, especially in regards to the building sector owned and operated by the municipal authorities in Moldova. The plan will serve as a hands-on tool in defining specific areas in which the municipal ESCO will invest, will establish a strategy to finance the necessary investments for achieving the emissions reduction targets and will provide grounds to developing of a ‘Green Procurement Guide’.

Another important objective of this assignment is to update the Sustainable Energy Action Plan meant to encourage and support the municipality of Chisinau to achieve and implement a more sustainable local energy policies via the opportunities offered in the framework of the Covenant of Mayors.

Scope of work and responsibilities

The objective of this assignment is to provide technical assistance to the Municipality of Chisinau to update the existing Urban Development Plan by providing a “green focus” leading to a reduction of energy consumption as well as to CO2 emissions, having a special emphasis on energy efficiency in the building sector and to thereby help turn the urban development plan into a Green Urban Development Plan.

Under the respective project component, the consultant will analyze the green urban development trends in Chisinau and will conduct an inventory of all national and municipal energy efficiency programs, action plans and relevant ongoing programs. All findings will be consulted with the municipal authorities and will be presented as a detailed findings and recommendations report to the PMU. Based on them, a number of updates to the Urban Development Plan will be proposed for the municipality review, approval and implementation.

A thorough gaps analysis of the Sustainable Energy Action Draft Plan will be conducted to identify the areas where it needs adjustments and improvements. In addition, the consultant will do a thorough review of the Financing Options/Opportunities for implementation of SEAP provisions and design a Resource mobilization plan for SEAP implementation. The proposed edition of the SEAP together with the Resource mobilization plan will be presented to the municipal council for adoption on the platform towards Chisinau's Cooperation with the EU Covenant of Mayors.

Key activities:

The Consultant will carry out the following activities:

Analyze the existing Urban Development Plan (UDP) and relevant documentation defining the urban planning principles applied in the municipality of Chisinau and identify gaps, areas of major need for interventions and bottlenecks of the institutional framework in UDP development and approval;
Assess and review all national and municipal energy efficiency programs and action plans, ongoing programs, green development trends, key barriers to green growth economic instruments implementation;
Provide a summary of findings and, based on the international best practice, provide clear written recommendations to improve UDP and introduce “green” elements leading to a reduced energy consumption and to an overall reduction of GHG emissions;
Develop a detailed report describing the proposed UDP updates by structure, priority, impact and involved costs;
Compile a comprehensive list of applicable green growth economic instruments and a roadmap for their implementation;
In close consultations with all stakeholders, conduct a comprehensive SEAP gap analysis, recommend required improvements and present a draft of modified SEAP;
Incorporate the stakeholders’ feedback to the SEAP and validate the final draft of with PMU and municipality;
Assess the opportunities of the overall proposed improvements to be financed and develop a resource mobilization plan with a clear guidance for the municipality to access the identified financing options;
Present the results to the PMU and Municipality of Chisinau (Local Council).

For detailed information regarding the deliverables please refer to the Terms of Reference http://www.undp.md/jobs/current_jobs

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

Functional Competencies:

Excellent proven skills in analysis, leadership and overall diplomatic skills;
Good organizational, time management and facilitation skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Masters’ Degree in Urban Planning and /or Architecture.

Experience:

At least 7 years of relevant working experience in the field of spatial, infrastructure and transport planning, urban design, ecology, green infrastructure;
Previous experience working on green urban development for UNDP is an asset;
Previous experience working with UNDP GEF projects in Europe & CIS region is an asset;
Extensive knowledge about EU Urban Design Frameworks and Policies;
Similar professional experience in Eastern Europe is an asset;
Proven experience on preparation of written reports in English in an accurate and concise manner, and public presentation skills.

Language:

Excellent command of English;
Knowledge of Romanian or Russian languages would constitute an advantage but is not mandatory.

Important notice

The applicant who has the statute of Government Official / Public Servant, prior to appointment will be asked to submit the following documentation:

A no-objection letter in respect of the applicant received from the government; and
The applicant is certified in writing by the government to be on official leave without pay for the duration of the Individual Contract.

A retired government official is not considered in this case a government official, and as such, may be contracted.

The detailed Terms of Reference and procurement Notice can be found at http://www.undp.md/jobs/current_jobs