UNDP Jobs - 60440- National Consultant – Policies Laws & Regulations

National Consultant – Policies Laws & Regulations (PLR) Analysis of Prioritised REDD+ Policies and Measures

Location :

Colombo, SRI LANKA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

26-Oct-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

30 Working days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

30 Working days

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 Government of Sri Lanka in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) initiated the implementation of the UN-REDD National Programme in 2013. The Programme has since supported various capacity development activities for Sri Lanka’s REDD+ readiness. One of such activities is the design of policies and measures (PAMs) and actions to address drivers and causes of deforestation and forest degradation, and to enhance forest enrichment potentials, within the scope of REDD+.

As part of the process of identifying and prioritizing REDD+ PAMs and actions, this assignment will build on the outcome of a recently completed exercise to priorities PAMs and actions based on stakeholder identified prioritization criteria. The purpose of this assignment is to cross-check the prioritized list of REDD+ PAMs and actions against the existing policies, laws and regulations (PLRs) of relevant sectoral institutions in Sri Lanka in order to effectively integrate the PAMs and actions into the existing policy, legal and institutional framework and initiatives of non-state partners.

For this assignment, UNDP seeks a national expert, who is familiar with the subject matters, to work with the Programme Management Unit (PMU) of the UN-REDD Programme in Sri Lanka.

Scope and Objectives

The objective of this assignment is to review existing policies, laws and regulations (PLRs) and related institutional arrangements that are relevant to the prioritized REDD+ PAMs and actions.

The analysis is expected to inform the current process of prioritization of REDD+ PAMs and actions about which prioritized PAMs and actions have already been in place (or planned) within the PLR framework, regular programmes of public institutions and initiatives of non-state partners, and how effectively those have been implemented. If they have not been implemented effectively on the ground, the analysis is expected to generate a set of recommendations for what could be done to improve the current situations in consultation with relevant institutions and partners. The analysis is also expected to assess the feasibility of newly setting up those prioritized PAMs and actions not covered by the existing PLR framework or initiatives of non-state partners.

Duties and Responsibilities

Recommend a set of concrete strategies for effective integration of the prioritized REDD+ PAMs and actions into the existing PLR framework and regular programmes of public institutions (this should link up with the on-going work on REDD+ fund management), and initiatives of non-state partners; and
Analyse the feasibility of newly establishing those prioritized REDD+ PAMs and actions not covered by the existing framework and programmes of the government or initiatives of non-state partners from, among others, cost, social and political acceptability, ownership, institutional relations and policy alignment perspectives.

Indicative Steps:

Cross-check which existing PLRs and initiatives of non-state partners correspond to the prioritized PAMs and actions;
Assess how comprehensively those corresponding PLRs and initiatives cover the scope and scale of the prioritized PAMs and actions;
Assess how effectively those corresponding PLRs and initiatives are being implemented from the perspectives of institutional mandates, processes and procedures and existing capacities to implement and monitor PLRs;
Identify any critical gaps and weaknesses in the current PLR framework that may need to be filled/strengthened in order to implement the prioritized PAMs and actions effectively;
Assess the feasibility of newly establishing those prioritized REDD+ PAMs and actions currently missing from the existing PLR framework and initiatives of non-state partners;
Verify findings with relevant sectoral institutions and partners;
Present findings and recommendations to and gather feedback from those stakeholders involved in the REDD+ PAMS and action prioritization exercise; and
Prepare final findings and recommendations.

Expected Outputs

The key outputs to be delivered by the National Consultant – Prioritizing REDD+ Policies and Measures are as follows:

A work plan for this assignment (incl. methodology, time frame, key stakeholders, indicative outline of each deliverable, and delivery schedule)-An Inception Report;
A set of recommendations for effective integration of REDD+ PAMs and actions into the existing PLR framework and initiatives of non-state partners The First Draft Report; and
Feasibility analysis of new PAMS & actions among the prioritized REDD+ PAMs and actions (currently not existing) A draft Final including the 2 above with improvements);
A final report after a validation workshop.

Competencies

Knowledgeable about budgeting, public financial management, Overseas Development Assistance management;
Good knowledge of forestry, development and REDD processes in Sri Lanka;
Specific understanding of the concept and practice of REDD+, and broad knowledge of climate change;
Capacity to work with multiple stakeholders across a wide range of disciplines;
Demonstrated facilitation and coordination skills;
Demonstrated networking, team-building and organizational skills;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Excellent written communication skills, with analytic capacity and ability to synthesize relevant collected data and findings for the preparation of case studies and progress reports; and
Demonstrates commitment to the UN’s mission, vision, and values.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

A Master’s level education in natural resources management, environmental policy, or relevant subject area.

Experience:

At least 10 years of experience in the public sector in Sri Lanka;
Familiarity with the concept and practice of REDD+, and broad knowledge of climate change will be an advantage;
Working experience with international organizations is strongly desired;
Demonstrated leadership, facilitation and coordination skills, ability to manage technical team and long term strategic partnership;

Language

Fluency in English with Sinhala or Tamil.

The prospective consultant should have a relevant experience in environmental governance related studies, stakeholder engagement, combined with experience, networks and contacts with relevant government, non-government and private sector partners, within the context of natural resources management.

How to Apply

The application should contain:

brief methodology statement on how you will approach and conduct the work, including the estimated number of days for completing the assignment in the given time frame;
A CV with all relevant information (including two non-related referees);
Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a combination of a desk review of the CV, the brief methodology statement, and the offer that provides the best value for money. (Please refer and adopt the financial model format provided below in your financial offer). The Evaluation Panel may decide to call for an interview (face to face or telephone) if required.

Financial Proposal

Please provide a breakdown of the all-inclusive cost for four deliverables outlined in expected outputs mentioned above separately as per below:

A1). Cost of preparation of a detailed work plan ( LKR );
A2). Submission of First Draft Report ( LKR );
A3). Submission of Draft Final Report ( LKR );
A4). Submission of Improved Final report after a validation workshop ( LKR ).

All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee (Professional Fees): (LKR) - (a1+a2+a3+a4)

All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee (other costs as indicative below): (LKR).

Total Lump Sum Fee (a+b): (LKR).

Note:

Payments will be based on invoices on achievement of agreed milestones i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR and certification by the UNDP. The applicant must factor in all possible costs in his/her “All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee” financial proposal including his/her consultancy and professional fee, honorarium, any additional HR cost (as required) such as translators and field assistants, communication cost such as telephone/internet usage, printing cost, ad-hoc costs, stationery costs, and any other foreseeable costs in this exercise. No costs other than what has been indicated in the financial proposal will be paid or reimbursed to the consultant. . Any travel outside of the duty station will be with prior approval of the Assistant Country Director.

For an Individual Contractor who is of 62 years of age or older, and on an assignment requiring travel, be it for the purpose of arriving at the duty station or as an integral duty required under the TOR, a full medical examination and statement of fitness to work must be provided. Such medical examination costs must be factored in to the financial proposal above.

The UNDP will provide and cover the following costs:

Actual costs for travels outside duty station will be reimbursed on actual basis and upon submission of invoices.

Payment for Services

The National Consultant – Prioritizing REDD+ Policies and Measures shall receive payment as given below:

Based on the cost proposal submitted by the Consultant, payments will be made after successful completion of the outputs mentioned above.

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.