Background

Work carried out by UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub (BRH) and its partners over the past few years has identified strong demand from Asia-Pacific countries in linking national policy on climate change with public finance, including budget formulation and implementation. In particular, UNDP BRH supported countries in Asia Pacific through the “Strengthening the Governance of Climate Change Finance to benefit the poor and vulnerable” programmes funded by Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and DFID. Through these programmes, UNDP BRH has pioneered essential tools for better delivery of climate finance at the national level. In particular, the implementation of the Climate Public Expenditure and Institutional Reviews (CPEIRs) which first initiated in the countries in the region (Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand and Samoa) has now been duplicated in other regions, including Latin America and Africa. There has also increasing interest of several countries in the region in the development of the Climate Change Financing Framework (CCFF) and the use of Climate Budget Tagging as the key tools to better attract, manage and track climate change finance at the national level.  UNDP has also developed a database of national climate finance based on the findings of implemented CPEIRs.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objective

UNDP BRH is entering an important phase of ensuring excellent delivery of the last milestones of the programme as well as exploring opportunities in order to continue to support the countries in the region.

The key objectives of the assignment are to:

  • To further develop and finalize UNDP’s climate finance tools for further implementation in other countries, including the climate budget tagging tool;
  • Further positioning UNDP’s climate finance database in the context of global climate finance databases (e.g. OECD’s climate related ODA database and Multilateral Development Banks’ climate finance tracking);
  • To support the implementation of the programme activities in the member countries, particularly Bangladesh;
  • To support the Mid-term Review of the DFID-supported programme and to develop the next phase of the current programme, continuing needed support to countries in the region.

Scope of Work

Key Tasks include:

Project Development

  • Support the preparation and implementation of the Mid-term Review of the DFID funded  “Strengthening the Governance of Climate Change Finance to benefit the poor and vulnerable” programme (2013-2016);
  • Prepare the draft project document on the next phase of the “Strengthening the Governance of Climate Change Finance to benefit the poor and vulnerable”;
  • Conduct consultations with relevant stakeholders including the project sponsor (and potential co-funders), programme management team, the beneficiaries, UNDP Country Offices, designated experts;
  • Finalize the project document for submission to the project sponsor.

Implementation of the programme activities in Bangladesh:

  • Prepare a synthesis report on Local Climate Fiscal Framework in Bangladesh.

Climate Budget Tagging tool:

  • Integrating external and internal comments on the current draft working paper “Climate Budget Tagging”;
  • Finalization the working paper into UNDP’s publication;
  • Dissemination of the tool to the relevant stakeholders through different channels (e.g. through UNDP’s recently established peer-to-peer learning network).

CPEIR Database:

  • Provide a briefing to UNDP on strategic positioning of the CPEIR Database in the context of other global climate finance data portals;
  • Recruit and supervise a suitable intern to maintain and further develop the current CPEIR database.

Regional Forum on Climate Finance and Sustainable Development:

  • Prepare the output documents for UNDP’s Regional Forum on Climate Finance and Sustainable Development (1-3 September 2015, Jakarta.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables:

  • Detailed workplan of the assignment (target due date 27 November 2015);
  • Preparation materials for the Mid-term Review of the DFID programme (target due date25 December 2015);
  • A draft summary report of the 3-day UNDP regional workshop on Climate Finance and Sustainable Development in Jakarta (1-3 September 2015) (target due date 29 January 2016);
  • A final summary report of the 3-day UNDP regional workshop on Climate Finance and Sustainable Development in Jakarta (1-3 September 2015) (target due date 15 January 2016);
  • Final Climate Budget Tagging paper (target due date 15 February 2016);
  • Draft Synthesis report on Local Climate Fiscal Framework of Bangladesh  (target due date 30 March 2016);
  • Final Synthesis report on Local Climate Fiscal Framework of Bangladesh  (target due date 15 May 2016);
  • Draft Project document of Phase II – Strengthening the Governance of Climate Finance Programme (target due date 30 June 2016);
  • Final Project document of Phase II – Strengthening the Governance of Climate Finance Programme  (target due date 15 August 2016);
  • A briefing paper on strategic positioning of the CPEIR Database (target due date 21 October 2016).

Institutional Arrangement

The assignment will be conducted in overall supervision and oversight by the UNDP’s Governance, Climate Change Finance and Development Effectiveness Advisor and the Governance and Public Finance Specialist in UNDP BRH.

Duration of the Work

9 November 2015 - 8 November 2016

Duty Station:

Home-based. Travel to Asia-Pacific countries might be required (4 missions to Thailand and 2 missions to Bangladesh, 5 days per mission). Travel will be arranged by UNDP. Presence at UNDP BRH is required.

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 finance or environmental economics;
  • 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;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Master’s in Economics, Public Finance, Public Administration, Public Policy or other related fields.

Experience:

  • At least 5 years of working experience in climate change finance or environmental economics;
  • Experience in climate public expenditure and climate related public finance reforms towards sustainable development is an advantage;
  • Proven experience in working with governments of developing countries a must, at least 2 years of experience in Asia and Pacific;
  • Experience in writing analytical report on budgeting or climate change finance is preferable;
  • Ability to work under pressure and to deliver works with least supervision within the deadline is required;
  • Experience working in the international organization or UN family is an advantage;
  • Full computer literacy in internet searching and Microsoft Office i.e. MS-Word, MS-Excel and MS-Power Point. Website management experience is an asset. Asia-Pacific region.

Language:

  • Proficiency in English with advanced command of speaking and writing;
  • Fluency in other languages spoken in the region is an asset.

Remark:

  • Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply;
  • Candidates who have residence in Bangkok, Thailand is preferable.

Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments:

Consultant must send a financial proposal based on Lump Sum Amount.

The total amount quoted shall include professional fee, and any other applicable cost to be incurred by the IC in completing the assignment only. The contract price will fixed output-based price regardless of extension of the herein specified duration. Payments will be done upon completion of the deliverables/outputs and as per below percentages:

  • Detailed workplan of the assignment: 10% of total contract amount;
  • Preparation materials for the Mid-term Review of the DFID programme: 10% of total contract amount;
  • A draft summary report of the 3-day UNDP regional workshop on Climate Finance and Sustainable Development in Jakarta (1-3 September 2015) : 10% of total contract amount;
  • A final summary report of the 3-day UNDP regional workshop on Climate Finance and Sustainable Development in Jakarta (1-3 September 2015) : 10% of total contract amount;
  • Final Climate Budget Tagging paper: 10% of total contract amount;
  • Draft Synthesis report on Local Climate Fiscal Framework of Bangladesh: 10% of total contract amount;
  • Final Synthesis report on Local Climate Fiscal Framework of Bangladesh: 10% of total contract amount;
  • Draft Project document of Phase II – Strengthening the Governance of Climate Finance Programme : 10% of total contract amount;
  • Final Project document of Phase II – Strengthening the Governance of Climate Finance Programme: 10% of total contract amount;
  • A briefing paper on strategic positioning of the CPEIR Database: 10% of total contract amount.

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

  • Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
  • 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 100 points;
  • Criteria 2 : Technical Experiences - max 250 points;
  • Criteria 3 : Experience in UN system - max 50 points;
  • Criteria 4 : Availability - max 50 points;
  • Criteria 5 : Language - 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 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Shortlisted candidates shall be called for an interview and the written exam 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 or 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.

Incomplete proposals may not be considered.

Annexes:

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