Background

Papua New Guinea (PNG) has one of the most significant areas of largely-intact tropical forest in the world, although these forests appear to be facing acute and imminent threats. The Papua New Guinea Forest Authority (PNGFA) estimates that approximately 60% of the total area of the country is covered by natural forests, of which 52% are considered production forests (for timber and other products), and 48% are for conservation (not for timber extraction due to inaccessibility or ecological constraints).

Approximately 10 per cent of global GHG emissions are caused by land-use change and, in particular, the destruction of tropical forests. Slowing deforestation and forest degradation is a likely cost effective way of reducing carbon emissions compared to other mitigation strategies, such as curbing emissions from power stations. Since 2005, PNG has been at the forefront of intergovernmental negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to develop an international mechanism to compensate developing countries for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+).

To be eligible to receive results-based finance for REDD+ results-based actions under the UNFCCC, PNG will have to develop the following elements:

• A National Strategy or Action Plan;
• A national forest reference emission level and/or forest reference level;
• A robust and transparent national forest monitoring system for the monitoring and reporting of the REDD + activities;
• A system for providing information on how the safeguards on local community and forest biodiversity are being addressed and respected throughout the implementation of the REDD+ activities while respecting sovereignty.

The Government of Papua New Guinea (GoPNG) is receiving international support from a number of bilateral and multilateral sources to prepare the country for implementing REDD+ under the UNFCCC, including through early readiness support from the United Nations Collaborative Programme on REDD (UN-REDD Programme) and, more recently, advanced readiness support from the World Bank’s Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF). A major component of the FCPF project is to support the development of PNG’s National REDD+ Strategy.

Duties and Responsibilities

This work will support the GoPNG through the Office of Climate Change and Development (OCCD)and PNGFA to analyse, consult on and set out the issues and options for the development of PNG’s National REDD+ Strategy.

The work under this Terms of Reference (TOR) will be undertaken by a consultant team(one international and one national consultant) –hereafter referred to as the Consultant – and will involve the (i) collation of data and information on the drivers of emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and barriers to ‘+’ activities; (ii) assessment of policy, legal and regulatory frameworks for addressing drivers and barriers; (iii) identification of issues and options as well as recommendations regarding the strategic decisions relevant to the implementation of REDD+ in PNG, to inform decision-makers and other key stakeholders about the development of PNG’s National REDD+ Strategy; and (iv) facilitation of cross-sectoral consultations on the issues and options paper.

Overall objective:

• To support the GoPNG in the development of its REDD+ National Strategy or Action Plan.

Specific objective:

• Develop, through a consultative process, an issues and options paper as a precursor to PNG’s National REDD+ Strategy or Action Plan that sets out the key existing REDD+-related information (data/policy) and information gaps, as well as recommendations on priority actions and strategic decisions to be taken by relevant stakeholders. In particular, the consultant should consider: i) the scope of REDD+ (in terms of activities to be undertaken), ii) the scale at which REDD+ can be developed, and iii) the institutional arrangements needed to undertake these approaches. In developing these proposals priority drivers of deforestation and forest degradation should be considered along with existing capacity levels, to identify both potential opportunities and challenges associated with different approaches to REDD+ implementation.

Reporting is to the Director REDD+ and Mitigation Division of OCCD and the FCPF Technical Advisor, with technical support provided by the Regional Technical Specialist (based in Bangkok) and administrative support from the FCPF Programme Management Unit (PMU). The work will be guided by the REDD+ Technical Working Group (TWG), coordinated by OCCD. In line with the basis for the consultancy and meeting the objectives of this work, the Consultant will need to consider, inter alia: i) the phased approach to REDD+ implementation in PNG, ii) PNG’s specific national circumstances and legal framework, (iii) relevant research and datasets, and (iv) the diversity of relevant stakeholders, in and outside of government.

Scope of assignment and methodology

The scope of the assignment is focused on bringing together existing research and REDD+ knowledge within PNG to identify key issues and options (including; potential areas for REDD+ development, data gaps, institutional strengths and challenges and work to address these) for development of the country’s National REDD+ Strategy or Action plan. This process should consider the key strategic elements of REDD+ development, the scope of REDD+, the scale of REDD+, what drivers of deforestation and forest degradation or barriers to ‘+’ activities should be addressed, and the existing and potential challenges to implementation of REDD+-related policies, laws and measures.

To achieve this the consultant should adopt an approach that links significant desk-based research (of existing reports, academic research and technical papers) with focused consultations to ensure that the assessment brings together the broad range of work currently undertaken in PNG as well as all key stakeholders to present options that are both credible and have buy-in from decision makers. In undertaking this work the consultant will work closely with key government bodies and the REDD+ Technical Working Group which will both guide the work of the consultant and provide an important forum to support the consultant in gaining access to stakeholders and sources of information.

The international consultant will be required to take leadership (of the consultant team) in developing a comprehensive methodology that is coherent with this approach and should include the following elements:

• Development of an Inception Report with a detailed work plan, approach and methodology.

Collation of data and information on the drivers of emissions and barriers to ‘+’ activities

• Research the published and grey literature to collate relevant research findings, data and publications on the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation, and the barriers to the ‘+’ activities (conservation of forest carbon stocks, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks), in PNG;
• Map out the known(and preferably quantified)direct and indirect drivers and barriers, and identify gaps in the nature of the drivers/barriers, quantification of these, and/or of involved agents;
• Identify any major issues for addressing data/information gaps, as applicable, and options and potential steps to address these;
• Drawing on the outputs from the UN-REDD-funded study on national circumstances and abatement levers, propose a long-list of options for implementing REDD+ actions through policies and measures (PAMs) that address specific direct and indirect drivers and barriers, with distinctions drawn between sectoral and cross-sectoral approaches.

Assess policy, legal and regulatory frameworks for addressing drivers and barriers

• Collate relevant sectoral and cross-sectoral policies, laws and regulations related to REDD+ implementation;
• Collate data and information on best practices and lessons learnt from past and current programmes and projects to address the main direct and underlying drivers and barriers and/or foster enabling conditions for successful REDD+ implementation;
• Identify and propose issues and options for addressing drivers and barriers by integrating REDD+ into existing policies and legislation;
• Identify and propose issues and options for addressing drivers and barriers through new policies and legislation.

Propose issues and options for the development of PNG’s National REDD+ Strategy

Identify and propose issues and options on strategic aspects of REDD+ development and implementation in PNG for consideration by stakeholders and policy makers, that will be set out in PNG’s National REDD+ Strategy, including:

• Scope of REDD+ implementation: which REDD+ activities will PNG implement, and how will this change over time following a stepwise approach to implementation?
• Scale of REDD+ implementation: at what scale will REDD+ activities be implemented, and how will this change over time?
• Which drivers and/or barriers will be prioritized in the National REDD+ Strategy?
• Which stakeholders will be engaged in the National REDD+ Strategy development process, how and when?
• How will REDD+ implementation be financed, including from REDD+-relevant existing sources, and how could this change over time?
• What institutional arrangements would be appropriate for REDD+ implementation (including various options, as necessary/appropriate)?
• Identify how strategy options can be anchored within existing national policy goals;
• Identify and propose legal issues and options, as appropriate, for the development of PNG’s National REDD+ Strategy, such as clarity and coherence of REDD+-related laws and institutional mandates.

Facilitate consultations on the issues and options paper:

• Ensure the full and effective participation of all relevant Ministries and stakeholders throughout the development of the issues and options paper, to foster an accurate understanding of REDD+ and ownership of the proposals;
• Work with OCCD and PNGFA to plan and deliver national and regional level consultations on the issues and options paper, and gather feedback;
• Work with OCCD, PNGFA and other stakeholders to develop a participatory roadmap for the development of PNG’s National REDD+ Strategy;

Develop a final report of the assignment.

Duties and Responsibilities
The international consultant will lead the development of the following outputs:

• An Inception Report with work plan, approach and methodology, and schedule of activities within 10 working days after the start of the assignment;
• An electronic copy of relevant datasets, research reports and legal documents;
• A prioritized list of information gaps to address, with a proposed list of studies to address the most critical and urgent ones, and related draft terms of reference;
• Reports from national and regional consultations;
• An Issues and Options Paper, including a roadmap for inclusive National REDD+ Strategy development.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability; and
• Ability to maintain effective rapport with different kinds of people.

Functional Competencies:

Management and Leadership:

• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure;
• Proven ability to work flexibly and independently as part of an interdisciplinary and/or multi-cultural team working across disciplines and stakeholders at all levels, and delivery quality results against tight deadlines; and
• Strong managerial/leadership and decision-making skills.

Knowledge Management and Learning:

• Shares knowledge and experience.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

• Strong analytical skills and the ability to master new material quickly;
• Ability to manage priorities in order to meet tight deadlines;
• Good communications, interpersonal and report writing skills; and
• Creativity and innovation abilities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced degree in law, international development/natural resources management and/or economics, agro-economics, environmental science or related field.

Experience:

• At least 10 years relevant experience in environmental law, economics and/or management, rural development, natural resource management/assessment;
• Strong understanding of REDD+ under the UNFCCC;
• Strong communication skills, including demonstrated written and presentation skills and the capacity to relate to both internal and external constituencies of the project;
• Demonstrated ability to work well in multidisciplinary teams and manage complex tasks;
• Experience engaging a range of stakeholders in PNG on environmental issues an advantage.

Language:

• Fluency in English.

Evaluation of Applicants

Individual consultants will be evaluated based upon the offer which gives the best value for money based on the Lump Sum proposal submitted, selected by the UNDP PNG Country Office in consultation with the UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub Technical Advisor.

The Technical and the Financial Proposal submitted to by the International Expert will be evaluated on the basis of the weight of the technical criteria [70] and of the financial proposal [30]. The evaluation will be performed in two stages:

• Stage One (Technical Evaluation of Proposals). All Individual Consultants proposals comprising the information/documentation provided will be evaluated to ascertain the suitability of the individual consultants to carry out the assignment. Candidates who obtain the minimum of 49 points of the full mark (70 points) will be considered technically compliant and their financial evaluations will be evaluated thereafter;
• Stage Two (Financial Evaluation). The financial proposals of all the individual consultants who pass stage one will be evaluated. The maximum 30 points will be allotted to the lowest financial bid, and all other bids shall receive points in inverse proportion to the lowest fee e.g. [30 Points] x [USD lowest] / [USD other] = points for other proposer’s fees.

The award of contract shall be based on the individual consultant who receives the highest cumulative score.

Technical criteria

The following criteria will be used to evaluate the individual consultants’ technical proposals:

Education – 10 points

Advanced degree in law, international development/natural resources management and/or economics, environmental science or related field.

Experience – 50 points

• At least 10 years relevant experience in environmental law and/or management, rural development, natural resource management/assessment;
• Strong understanding of REDD+ under the UNFCCC;
• Strong communication skills, including demonstrated written and presentation skills and the capacity to relate to both internal and external constituencies of the project;
• Demonstrated ability to work well in multidisciplinary teams and manage complex tasks;
• Experience engaging a range of stakeholders in PNG on environmental issues an advantage.

Language Requirements – 10 points.

• Strong skills in written communications in English

Application Procedures

Qualified candidates are requested to apply by 05 October 2015 by sending their application packages to registry.pg@undp.org with the subject line “FCPF –REDD+ Issues and Options_International Consultant”.

The application should contain:

• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position and a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work (if applicable). Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application;
• Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees, please upload the P11 instead of your CV;
• 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). The consultant should include costs of traveling to PNG and accommodation within Port Moresby. As part of the assignment it is anticipated that provincial travel will be required, with these costs managed by UNDP.

Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, vaccination, office costs and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...). All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel.  
Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.
Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org
General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://intranet.undp.org

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.

Due to a large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.
Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.