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.

UNDP’s experience in supporting Pacific SIDs is has been significant, and growing, delivering an average of approximately US$30 million per annum  across 15 Pacific SIDs through 3 multi/country offices, 1 sub office, and presence in 14 of the 15 countries .  These offices in the Pacific Region are supported by the Bangkok Regional Hub and at Head Quarters, from which a team of technical advisors provide technical oversight services specific to projects and programs funded through global environmental finances.

In partnership with national governments, UNDP supports hard and soft investments at all levels of governance, from communities to local and national government and regional entities in order to strengthen inclusive growth, better services, environmental sustainability, good governance, and security that are fundamental to building resilience and sustaining development results.  As a Global Environment Fund (GEF) agency and Adaptation Fund (AF) Multilateral Implementing Entity (MIE), UNDP has been programming climate change activities in the Pacific since 1995 with a training programme to support implementation of the UNFCCC and ongoing initiatives related to enhancing climate change and disaster risk resilience in food, water, coastal protection, ecosystem-management, and energy sectors.

Within this overall background, UNDP is seeking the support of a consultant on climate resilient development in the Pacific.  The consultant will support the effective project implementation and closure of the Pacific Islands Greenhouse Gas Abatement through Renewable Energy Project (PIGGAREP), as well as assist UNDP Staff at the regional and country office level with delivery of support to countries on climate resilient development and associated follow up programming of resources.  The consultant will be based in the Multi-Country Office (MCO) in Apia, which covers four Pacific island countries (Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa & Tokelau), and manages regional programmes for 10 additional countries.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work:

Enhance knowledge and impact of forestry- and bioenergy related initiatives (50%):

Under the supervision of the UNDP-GEF Regional Technical Advisor based in Bangkok Regional Hub, Environment and Climate Change Head of Unit in Samoa and in close collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and other relevant stakeholders in Samoa, the consultant will support improved impact and knowledge of the forestry and biodiversity related projects and activities in Samoa, including:

  • Support the development and initiation of REDD+ activities in Samoa, including securing funding;
  • Support to the final phase of the mitigation project PIGGAREP, especially areas focused on biomass/bioenergy and carbon storage;
  • Support the development of the Samoa GEF6 proposal, especially the plantation/biomass/forest related aspects of the project;
  • Support to the “Integrating Climate Change Risk in the Forestry Sector in Samoa (ICCRIFS)” project , as well as with the merged Samoa Agro-Forestry and Tree-farming project (SATFP), especially focusing on final evaluation. Support in audit if needed.

 Key Results

One REDD proposal is under development and has funding secured. PIGGAREP project is closed and the bioenergy/mitigation benefits of the project are clearly captured in the final evaluation. The GEF6 PIF is ready to be submitted to GEF Council before end 2016.

Support Disaster Risk Reduction/ Disaster risk management initiatives, especially focusing on forest/mangroves and Climate Early Warning System (CLEWS): (25%):

  • If/when requested, in cooperation with the relevant government counterparts, ensure funding for community DRR/DRM proposal for Samoa focusing especially on how communities can use forests and mangroves for DRM, as well as early warning systems (CLEWS);
  • Support to the “Enhancing the resilience of tourism-reliant communities to climate change risks” (ICCRITS) project, specially the work on the midterm review (MTR) and the ensure that the work on Tourism Development Areas (TDAs) is aligned with existing plans and policies in Samoa.

 Key Results:

ICCRITS MTR is finalized. Funding secured for DRR/DRM proposal.

Support visibility of the climate-resilient development projects and initiatives in cooperation with the UNDP GEF, Bangkok Regional Hub, and MCO Samoa communication advisors: (25%):

  • Contribute to regional and global publications on climate change mitigation, adaptation and disaster risk reduction.
  • Provide information to UNDP’s webpage, Facebook page and Twitter every month;
  • Support knowledge management for the forestry and biodiversity sector, and visibility of the government of Samoa’s priorities and UNDP’s support of these;
  • Special focus on communicating the results of the PIGGAREP project which will close in 2016, with emphasis on bioenergy and carbon storage results in the project.

Key results:

Improved visibility of the priorities and work of Pacific SIDS (especially Samoa, Cook Island, Tokelau, and Niue) and UNDP in the area of climate change mitigation, adaptation, forestry, biodiversity, DRR/DRM.   At least 4 articles on UNDP’s web page and FB page and 24 tweets relating to the projects described above in 12 months, and contribution to at least 2 regional and/or global UNDP, GEF/AF publications.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables:

  • Enhance Knowledge and impact of forestry- and bioenergy related initiatives- (120 days);
  • One REDD proposal developed with secured funding; (Estimated Days - 20 days);
  • PIGGAREP project is operationally and financially closed; (Estimated Days - 30 days);
  • PIGGAREP Terminal Evaluation completed;  (Estimated Days - 30 days);
  • The bioenergy/ mitigation benefits of the project are clearly captured in the PIGGAREP Termina;l Evaluation;  (Estimated Days - 20 days);
  • Assist in the development of 1 GEF6 PIF. (Estimated Days - 20 days).

Support Disaster Risk Reduction/ Disaster risk management, especially focusing on forest/mangroves and Climate Early Warning System (CLEWS) (50 days)

  • ICCRITS MTR is finalized; (Estimated Days - 40 days);
  • Assistance provided to resource mobilization for 1 new DRR/DRM proposal. (if when requested): (Estimated Days - 10 days).

Improved visibility of the priorities and work of Pacific SIDS (especially Samoa, Cook Island, Tokelau, and Niue) and UNDP in the area of climate change mitigation, adaptation, forestry, biodiversity, DRR/DRM.(50 days):

  • At least 4 articles/uploads on UNDP’s web page and FB page and 24 tweets relating to the projects described above in 12 months; (Estimated Days - 30 days);
  • Contribution to at least 2 regional and/or global UNDP, GEF/AF publications. (Estimated Days - 20 days).

Review and Approvals are Required from RTA and Head of Environment

Institutional Arrangement:

The consultant will be supervised by UNDP-GEF Regional Technical Advisor based in Bangkok Regional Hub and Head of Environment and Climate Change Unit of UNDP Samoa Multi Country Office.Progress reporting will be done on quarterly bases where the consultant will be requested to submit a time sheet as well as progress updates on the above deliverables by email.The consultant is requested to provide update on progress if/when requested by his/her supervisors on ad-hoc base.UNDP Samoa Multi Country Office will provide office space and internet connection.

Contract Duration:  November 2015 - December 2016. (Up to 220 working days)

Duty Station: UNDP Samoa Multi Country Office (with occasional mission to project sites). Travel costs will be reimbursed according to UNDP rules.

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 Resilient Development in the Pacific
  • 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:

  • Holds a master’s degree in Environmental Sciences, Energy, Development Economics, Engineering, Political Economy, Environmental Law or other closely related field.

Experience:

  • At least 2 years of experience working in the Pacific Islands;
  • At least 2 years of experience in UNDP-GEF or Adaptation Fund project oversight and/or implementation;
  • Strong interest in climate change adaptation and mitigation;
  • Strong interest in the field of development work;
  • Previous experience from developing country.

Language:

  • Excellent knowledge of English (written and spoken).

Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

Consultant must send a financial proposal 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 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.

Evaluation Method and Criteria

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology

Cumulative analysis

The award of the contract shall 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 set of weighted technical criteria (70%). and financial criteria (30%).

Technical Criteria for Evaluation (Maximum 500 points):

  • Criteria 1 : Education  - Max 50 points;
  • Criteria 2: Experience working in the Pacific Islands - Max 150 points;
  • Criteria 3: Experience in UNDP-GEF or Adaptation Fund project oversight and/or implementation - Max 150 points;
  • Criteria 4: Strong interest in climate change adaptation and mitigation, Strong interest in the field of development work, Previous: experience from developing country or working abroad is preferential. - Max 100 points;
  • Criteria 5: Good command of English both written and spoken - 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.

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;
  • Financial proposal, as per template provided in Annex 2;
  • Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment.

Incomplete proposals may not be considered.

Annexes:

 For any clarification regarding this assignment please write to brh.gef.procurement@undp.org