UNDP Jobs - 57639- Consultant - Cost Benefit Analysis Specialist

Consultant - Cost Benefit Analysis Specialist

Location :

Honiara, SOLOMON ISLANDS

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

08-Jul-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

40 days within 9 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

9 months

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 impacts of climate change, particularly sea-level rise (SLR) and pronounced droughts have severe consequences on water and sanitation in the Solomon Islands. Due to SLR, low-lying islands, atolls and flat deltaic regions are faced with salt water intrusion, affecting the groundwater resources and limiting access to freshwater supply. Droughts have severely affected water supplies; during the 1997/1998 droughts that resulted in reduction of freshwater availability in Honiara by around 30-40%. Droughts have also damaged crops and livelihoods. Likewise, climate-related impacts on the quality and quantity of water has a gender dimension; in the context of the ethnic tensions, the safety and security of women and girls are compromised as they need to travel further to collect water, also leading to less time for other activities.

In this context, Government of the Solomon Islands, Ministries of Mines, Energy, and Rural Electrification (MMERE), in partnership with Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM), Ministry of Health and Medical Services – Environmental Health Division, Ministry of Development, Planning, and Aid Coordination (MDPAC), and UNDP is embarking on the Solomon Islands Water Sector Adaptation Project (SIWSAP) through support from Global Environment Facility (GEF) Least Developed Country Fund (LDCF). The project objective is to improve the resilience of water resources to the impacts climate change and improve health, sanitation and quality of life, so that livelihoods can be enhanced and sustained in the targeted vulnerable areas. SIWSAP will work with partners to achieve this objective through 1) formulating, integrating, and mainstreaming water sector-climate change adaptation response plans in the water-related sectors as well as broader policy and development frameworks, 2) increasing the reliability and improving the quality of water supply in targeted areas, 3) investing in cost-effective and adaptive water management interventions and technology transfer, and 4) improving governance and knowledge management for climate change adaptation in the water sector at the local and national levels.

At the end of the four years implementation of the project, the Government of Solomon Island will have enhanced systems, tools, and knowledge for water resource resilience at the national and local levels, which will contribute to the implementation and achievement of national priorities outlined in various policies and strategies, including the National Adaptation Program of Action (NAPA) 2008, National Development Strategy (NDS) 2011 – 2020, National Water and Sanitation Sector Plan (2007).

Duties and Responsibilities

The Cost-Benefit Analysis Specialist (CBAS) will design and implement targeted cost-benefit analysis that will allow the WS-CCA plans at the provincial level and mainstreaming of CCA considerations at the national level take into consideration cost effectiveness and efficiencies, given the range of options that may be available in reducing water-sector vulnerability.

The CBAS will work closely with national economists in the planning department who have received training on cost-benefit analysis through the Pacific Cost-Benefit Analysis Project (UNDP/USAID/GIZ/SPC/USP) to develop CBA design and methodology in 2014. Based on assessment of existing available data on costs and benefits, the CBA methodology will include identification of data gaps and proposed way forward for the project (through partnership with national economists, TL and Water Specialist (WS), climate scientist, etc) to gather this information at national and local levels. It is particularly important for the CBAS to work closely with the WS, as the CBAS will rely on expertise from the WS in estimating costs and benefits of water sector investments and vulnerabilities. The methodology will be fine-tuned and finalized incorporating discussion and feedback from the overall V&A team and national stakeholders at the national kick-off meeting.

The CBAS will be responsible for working with and managing the quality and quantity of data and information that needs to be gathered to ensure that rigorous, meaningful, and practical way that adds value to the V&A and WS-CCA planning, and the decision-making process regarding the investments that will be made by the LDCF funds through the SIWSAP project. Working with and building the capacity of the national economists, the CBAS will be responsible for the analysis and write up and submission of the CBA to the TL, Government, and UNDP. CBAS will discuss and be advised by the TL, Solomon Island Government (Director Water Resource Division, economists, etc.) and UNDP (including partners involved in the P-CBA Project) in the final output format.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies

Demonstrates integrity by demonstrating positive values and ethical standards through his/her actions;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of SIWSAP project;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Functional Competencies:

Ability to assess community capacity, and formulate proposals to foster positive change;
Analytical judgment, results-orientation and efficiency in a multi-tasking environment;
Shares information, knowledge and experience through effective and frequent communication;
Ability to plan and prioritize work effectively in order to keep deadlines;
Ability to engage various partners and stakeholders and builds strong relationships with clients and other stakeholders;
Ability to work in an organized and systematic manner and demonstrate professionalism with high level of integrity in the day-to-day performance of duty;
Good inter-personal and teamwork skills, networking aptitude, ability to work in multicultural environment;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Demonstrates strong commitment and patience to deal with competing deadlines, demands, and interests;
Ability to build consensus and garner support under complex situations;
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
Exudes a friendly atmosphere where colleagues/counterparts can easily ask questions and seek assistance.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Minimum Master’s degree and above in economics;
Second degree and/or certificate in hydrology, environment, and climate change, engineering is a plus.

Expereince:

At least 7 years of experience working on cost-benefit analysis in Asia or in the Pacific;
Experience and technical understanding on development context and issues in the Pacific/Solomon Islands/LDCs with a particular focus on water and sanitation and/or climate change adaptation;
At least 3 successful experience in applying CBA to CCA, Water Sector, DRM planning at the national and or community level;
Experience of producing high quality CBA – will be assessed through previous work submitted;
Experience working on climate change vulnerability assessment in an international development context.

Language:

Strong written and spoken in English.