Background

UNDP\GEF Project “Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions for Low-carbon Urban Development”supports the identification, design, and implementation of Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) in the urban sector. NAMAs, consisting of investments in infrastructure supported by capacity building, awareness raising and technical assistance, will contribute to achieving the country’s GHG emission reduction voluntary target while improving urban services and the quality of life of citizens in Kazakh towns and cities. The project is the first effort in Kazakhstan to adopt a comprehensive approach to reduce GHG emissions in cities. The Project will improve the capacity of municipalities to carry out integrated municipal planning, make targets and prioritize urban mitigation actions; support the creation and strengthening of institutional structures that will allow public and private sector investments in identified infrastructure and technical assistance; provide facilitation of financing of urban NAMA through creation of a dedicated fund, piloting of an urban NAMA in the Prigorodnyi district of Astana through investments in modernization and upgrading of the urban infrastructure; monitoring, verification and knowledge management.

The inception period is crucial to building ownership for the project results and to plan the first-year annual work plan. During the inception period with participation of engaged international consultant the project partners have an opportunity to understand the project concept, to discuss roles, functions and responsibilities within the decision-making structures, including the communication channels and reporting relationships, conflicts resolution mechanisms. Initially, the current situation is analyzed within project implementation context and based on real situation the conclusions and recommendations are drafted for clarification of implementation of specific project components. In particular this is applied to such project components whereby the situation has significantly changed since the period of Project Document preparation. At this time, the key terms of references for the key consultants are being drafted and discussed to implement the project initial phase, the first project annual work plan is drafted, indicators, performance targets and verification measures are revised and approved.   The engaged international consultant should pay specific attention to analysis of planned implementation of Project Components 3 and 4, providing the required recommendations to the Project Implementation Team. He\she will be responsible for drafting the inception report under UNDP/GEF Project in cooperation with PIT, for drafting the number of ToRs within the initial stage of project implementation and for participation in a range of the project events, including the inception workshop (in Istanbul) and International Conference on sustainable low-carbon urban development (in Astana).

Duties and Responsibilities

Objective:

Participation in the inception phase of UNDP/GEF Project, including drafting of initial report (with particular focus on implementation of Project Components 3 and 4), drafting the number of ToRs for engagement of expertize at the initial stage of project implementation and participation in initial Project events.

Main functions:

  • Provide management oversight for project as required and recommend actions that focus work plans on achieving key milestones in a timely manner;
  • Recommend special expertise to be deployed on the Project to assist in its achievement of key milestones, and provide the interface between Project team and key specialist consultants, both domestic and international when appropriate;
  • Provide technical support to the Projects Manager to go through and finalize the Inception phase of the Project. In essence, the responsibility of the IC is to ensure that the overall technical direction of the project in this phase is maintained and flexibly adapted to meet the practical challenges faced during implementation.

*For more details please see the ToR

Responsibility:

  • Agrees actions with the Project Manager
  • Ensures timely and quality execution of the Terms of Reference.
  • Ensures unconditional carrying out of requirements of the IC.

Reports and other materials should be submitted in English or Russian in MS Word (2007 and later) on the format of UNDP Projects, used font: Arial, size: 12.

Competencies

Functional competencies:

  • Proven expertise and experience with drafting, implementation and financing of low-carbon urban projects;
  • Good technical knowledge of modern approaches and technologies for low-carbon urban development;
  • Expertise and experience in carbon financing of projects, preferably in municipal services sector.

Technical competencies:

  • Team-worker;
  • Good communications skills;
  • Good PC commands;
  • Analytical and writing skills;
  • Ability to negotiate and discuss with stakeholders.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: 

  • University degree (as minimum Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, finance, energy and/or environmental economics, or related discipline.

Experience:  

  • As minimum 10 years of working experience in the field of low-carbon urban development/ sustainable city infrastructure;
  • Working experience in CIS-countries with energy efficiency in power economy, housing and utilities infrastructure, transport sector and municipal waste.

Skills:

  • Proven expertise and experience with drafting, implementation and financing of low-carbon urban projects;
  • Good technical knowledge of modern approaches and technologies for low-carbon urban development;
  • Expertise and experience in carbon financing of projects, preferably in municipal services sector.

Language Requirements:

  • Proficiency in English;
  • Proficiency in Russian is a significant advantage.

 

Application Procedure:

  • Letter of confirmation
  • Financial proposal (as per template)
  • Duly filled in P11 form
  • Other documents confirming the work experience, knowledge and skills (qualification improvement certificates\diplomas, awards, etc. with total size no more than 1 Mb.

Important Note: