Background

The Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan.  BPPS’s staff provides technical advice to Country Offices; advocates for UNDP corporate messages, represents UNDP at multi-stakeholder for including public-private dialogues, government and civil society dialogues, South-South and triangular cooperation initiatives, and engages in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas.

As the UN system's development program and a GEF Implementing Agency since 1991, UNDP also supports countries in addressing development, climate, and ecosystem sustainability in an integrated manner. UNDP-GEF offers countries highly specialized technical services for eligibility assessment, program/project formulation, due diligence, mobilization of required co-financing, project implementation oversight, results management and evaluation, performance-based payments and knowledge management.

With financing from the Global Environment Facility’s (GEF) Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) and Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF), Adaptation Fund (AF), Government of Germany (BMUB), Japan and other donors, UNDP, together with a number of partners is providing assistance to countries to integrate climate change into their national and sectoral planning and budgeting processes, in line with existing UNFCCC endorsed framework for National Adaptation Plans (NAPs). The SCCF-funded, Assisting non-LDC developing countries with country-driven processes to advance National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), supports non-LDCs to identify and address gaps. The support provided to countries will harvest lessons from UNDP’s work on adaptation practices, analytical work on assessing economic benefits of adaptation options and monitoring and reporting on evidence based results. Ultimately, UNDP’s assistance will contribute to (i) the national adaptation agenda setting; and (ii) enhance regional and global dialogue and cooperation on scaling up adaptation action while integrating it into national budget and accessing international climate finance.

Within this overall background, UNDP is seeking the support of a NAPs Country Support Specialist (NAPs specialist) with experience in project design, to provide support to the Lead Technical Specialist of the project in these related areas:

  • Conduct stakeholder consultations with country representatives across various sectors to identify scope of and gaps and needs related to the NAP process and the formulation of NAP roadmap;
  • Provide coordination support for in-country delivery of technical training tailored to the country needs and gaps;
  • Support identification of and development of bankable projects as opportunities emerge;
  • Identify case studies showcasing the NAPs process as a means of reducing vulnerability by building adaptive capacity.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objective

Under the guidance of the Lead Technical Specialist, the NAPs specialist will contribute to country dialogue, gaps assessment, technical training, and knowledge generation related to the NAP process. The NAPs specialist will also support development of potential bankable projects in consultations with the government and UNDP.

Scope of Work:

In the context of the SCCF-supported project, the consultant will, under the guidance of the Lead Technical Specialist:

  • Conduct stocktaking and stakeholder consultations to identify scope, gaps, and needs related to the NAP process
  • Provide country support on the NAP process (including the NAP roadmap) and liaise with UNDP Country Offices and UNFCCC focal points;
  • Coordinate in-country delivery of technical training relevant for the NAP process to Ministries of Planning, Finance and/or line ministries;
  • Support identification of potential project concepts and funding sources to address country gaps and needs.
  • Act as liaison with other (external) ongoing or in-preparatory-phase NAP-related activities (led by iied, GIZ, CDKN, bilateral donors, GCF, etc) in the country;
  • Establish and follow-up partnership with United Nations University and other learning institutions, for the sustainability of tailored training activities;
  • Identify and document case studies showcasing country efforts towards adaptation planning as a means to build resilience and reduce vulnerability, as well as best practices and lessons learned of NAPs preparation, implementation, coordination, and monitoring;
  • Support performance reviews of the adaptation projects in the UNDP-GEF portfolio.

The tasks associated with this Terms of Reference are expected to be completed through a combination of (a) home-based preparatory work; (b) leading or participating in country level consultations (together with UNDP staff) in selected countries; (c) post-mission drafting of reports, based on the outcomes of the in-country training) to guide the NAP process in visited country; and (d) support in identification of project concepts and funding sources to address gaps and needs identified by the countries supported through the overall UNDP engagement under the global support program; (e) support performance reviews for the projects in the UNDP-GEF climate change adaptation portfolio.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables:

4-6 country-support missions followed up by reports including:

  • Detailed analysis of stocktaking;
  • Gaps and needs assessment;
  • Consolidation of outcomes related to in-country technical training;
  • Follow up and recommendations for next steps on NAP process (incl. potentially the NAP roadmap).

In each mission, deliver NAP briefing sessions and related training.

Support project design for potential project ideas emerging through the engagement with countries supported by the SCCF and other related global support programs.

At least 4 case studies showcasing link with adaptation planning as a means to build resilience and reduce vulnerability, as well as best practices and lessons learned of NAPs preparation, implementation, coordination, and monitoring.

Support for at least 4 country performance and monitoring reviews for projects in the UNDP-GEF adaptation portfolio.

Deliverables/Outputs: Workplan further detailing timeline of assignment

Estimated Duration to Complete: 1 day.

Target Due Dates: July 2015.

Review and Approvals Required: Lead Technical Specialist, SCCF project.

Deliverables/Outputs:

1st country-support:

  • Stocktaking and consultations;
  • Mission and training;
  • Post-mission report delivery;
  • Potential project concept note.

Estimated Duration to Complete: 40 days

Target Due Dates:August-September 2015

Review and Approvals Required:

Lead Technical Specialist, SCCF project.

Deliverables/Outputs:

1st case study (linked to above)

Estimated Duration to Complete:10 days

Target Due Dates: September 2015

Review and Approvals Required: Lead Technical Specialist, SCCF project.

Deliverables/Outputs: 2nd country-support:

  • Stocktaking and consultations;
  • Mission and training;
  • Post-mission report delivery;
  • Potential project concept note.

Estimated Duration to Complete:40 days

Target Due Dates:November 2015

Review and Approvals Required: Lead Technical Specialist, SCCF project.

Deliverables/Outputs: 2nd case study (linked to above)

Estimated Duration to Complete: 10 days

Target Due Dates: December 2015

Review and Approvals Required: Lead Technical Specialist, SCCF project.

Deliverables/Outputs: 3rd country-support:

  • Stocktaking and consultations;
  • Mission and training;
  • Post-mission report delivery;
  • Potential project concept note.

Estimated Duration to Complete: 40 days

Target Due Dates: February 2016

Review and Approvals Required: Lead Technical Specialist, SCCF project.

Deliverables/Outputs: 3rd case study (linked to above)

Estimated Duration to Complete: 10 days

Target Due Dates:March 2016

Review and Approvals Required: Lead Technical Specialist, SCCF project

Deliverables/Outputs: 4th country-support

  • Stocktaking and consultations;
  • Mission and training;
  • Post-mission report delivery;
  • Potential project concept note.

Estimated Duration to Complete:40 days

Target Due Dates: April-May 2016

Review and Approvals Required: Lead Technical Specialist, SCCF project.

Deliverables/Outputs: 4th case study (linked to above)

Estimated Duration to Complete: 10 days

Target Due Dates: June 2016

Review and Approvals Required: Lead Technical Specialist, SCCF project

Deliverables/Outputs: Project design support including mission travel

Estimated Duration to Complete: 40 days

Target Due Dates:Ongoing

Review and Approvals Required: Lead Technical Specialist, SCCF project.

Deliverables/Outputs: Possible 2 additional  missions

Estimated Duration to Complete:TBA

Target Due Dates: TBA

Review and Approvals Required: Lead Technical Specialist, SCCF project.

Deliverables/Outputs: Portfolio performance review support

Estimated Duration to Complete:20 days

Target Due Dates: September 2015

Review and Approvals Required: Principal Technical Advisor, CCA

Institutional Arrangement

The consultant will be under the overall supervision of the Principal Technical Advisor and specific oversight of Lead Technical Specialist for the Assisting non-LDC developing countries with country-driven processes to advance National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) project and/or his designate throughout the consultancy.

Review time required

 The review and approval of payments will be made by the assigned supervisor(s) within 14 days.

Contract Duration: : 20 July 2015 – 30 June 2016 (maximum 261 working days)

Duty Station: Bangkok, Thailand. Possible travel to the countries targeted by the UNDP-SCCF programme.

Expected places of travel

Regions where the SCCF project is under implementation:

Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and/or Latin America. Destination shall be assigned and approved prior to travel. For all international travel expected of this consultancy, return air-tickets on least-cost, economy fares will be arranged and paid separately. Once a mission plan is drafted, the consultant will submit the request for travel to the supervisor of this contract at least 3 weeks prior to the travel dates.

Competencies

  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills;
  • Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities skills;
  • Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
  • Ability to plan, organize, implement and report on work;
  • Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines;
  • Comprehensiveness knowledge of climate change;
  • Proficiency in the use of office IT applications and internet in conducting research;
  • Outstanding communication, project management and organizational skills;
  • Excellent presentation and facilitation skills;
  • Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;
  • Positive, constructive attitude to work.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Master degree or above in international economics or development, public policy, international relations, environmental policy, or closely-related field.

Experience:

  • A minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience in the fields of climate change adaptation and mitigation, climate change finance, project formulation and management, and/or international development;
  • Experience working with and delivering support to developing country governments;
  • Sound understanding of sustainable human development, environmental management issues, adaptation, vulnerability and impacts of climate change, and other related sustainable human development issues;
  • Experience working in Africa, Asia Eastern Europe and/or Latin America.

Language:

  • Excellent communications skills in the English language;
  • Other languages will be an asset.

Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments:

The contract will be based on daily fee

Consultant shall quote an all-inclusive Daily Fee for the contract period. The term “all-inclusive” implies that all costs (professional fees, communications, consumables, etc.) that could be incurred by the IC in completing the assignment are already factored into the daily fee submitted in the proposal. If applicable, travel or daily allowance cost (if any work is to be done outside the IC’s duty station) should be identified separately. Payments shall be done on a monthly basis based on actual days worked, upon verification of completion of deliverables and approval by the IC’s supervisor of a Time Sheet indicating the days worked in the period.

In general, UNDP shall not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.

In the event of unforeseeable travel not anticipated in this TOR, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and the Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

Payment will be made to the satisfactory completion of deliverables in section (5) as per an agreed work plan at the beginning of the consultancy and submission of deliverables over the duration of the consultancy. Monthly payments will be made based on a summary report provided 5 days in advance of each month’s end, with deliverables and a narrative about progress.

Evaluation Method and Criteria:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology.

Cumulative analysis

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

  • a) Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
  • b) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical (70%) and financial criteria (30%) specific to the solicitation.

Technical Criteria for Evaluation (Maximum 500 points)

  • Criteria 1 : Education - Max 50 points;
  • Criteria 2 : Experience in the fields of climate change adaptation and mitigation, climate change finance, project formulation and management, and/or international development. - Max 150 points;
  • Criteria 3 : Experience working with and delivering support to developing country governments. - Max 75 points;
  • Criteria 4 : Understanding of sustainable human development, environmental management issues, adaptation, vulnerability and impacts of climate change, and other related sustainable human development issues.- Max 125 points
  • Criteria 5 : Experience working in Africa, Asia Eastern Europe and/or Latin America - Max 50 points;
  • Criteria 6 : Excellent communications skills in the English language. Other UN languages will be an asset- Max 50 points

 Financial score shall be computed as a ratio of the proposal being evaluated and the lowest priced proposal received by UNDP for the assignment. Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 350 technical points would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Shortlisted candidates shall be called for an interview which will be used to confirm and/or adjust the technical scores awarded based on documentation submitted.

Documentation required:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications. Please group them into one (1) single PDF document as the application only allows to upload maximum one document.

  • Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided in Annex 2;
  • Personal CV and P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references;
  • A 1 pager proposal specifying as to why applicant can be most suitable candidate for the assignment;
  • Financial proposal, as per template provided in Annex 2.

Incomplete proposals may not be considered.

Annexes: