UNDP Jobs - 61915- Development of Interpretation Themes and the Clima

Development of Interpretation Themes and the Climate Change Adaptation Learning Centers for the EBA Business Plan of in the Mt Elgon Ecosystem

Location :

Kampala, UGANDA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

30-Nov-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

32 working days spread over 3 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

32 working days spread over 3 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 Ecosystem Based Adaptation (EBA) Programme for Mountain Ecosystems in Uganda, Nepal and Peru aims to strengthen the capacities of these three countries, which are particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts, to build ecosystem resilience for promoting ecosystem-based adaptation (EBA) options and to reduce the vulnerability of communities, with particular emphasis on mountain ecosystems.

The programme is funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB) through its International Climate Initiative, and is implemented through a partnership of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Climate change impacts are already affecting the functioning and integrity of several ecosystems and on Mount Elgon and are adding to the stress resulting from other anthropogenic interventions such as unsustainable land use practices. The project countries and targeted ecosystems have been identified as particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts. A multitude of communities depend upon the services provided by these ecosystems.EBA is defined as the use of biodiversity and ecosystem services as part of an overall adaptation strategy to help people to adapt to the adverse effects of climate change. EBA uses the range of opportunities for the sustainable management, conservation, and restoration of ecosystems to provide services that enable people to adapt to the impacts of climate change.

Specifially the project supports the following 4 components: (i) the development of methodologies and tools for mountain ecosystems; (ii) the application of the above tools and methodologies at the national level; (iii) the implementation of EBA pilots at the ecosystem level; and (iv) the formulation of national policies and building an economic case for EBA at the national level.

The project creates new opportunities for experimental learning between regions and among countries within the same region. Through parallel and cooperative development and application of methodologies and tools and the implementation of pilot projects, the project will shorten the learning curve of local and national institutions and fast-track the transfer of knowledge and experience in relation to building ecosystem resilience.

The five year (2011-2015) Ecosystem Based Adaptation to climate Change Adaptation (EBA) Project is implemented by the Ministry of Water and Environment in partnership with UNDP, IUCN and UNEP. The different partners are responsible for certain components through the coordination by the Programme Management Unit (PMU) within the MWE, covering the implementation in the districts of Kapchorwa, Kween, Bulambuli and Sironko. The four components of the Programme are:

Development of methodologies and tools for EBA decision-making in mountain ecosystems;
Application of methodologies and tools at ecosystem level;
Implementation of EBA pilots at ecosystem level;
Making the case for EBA at the national level.

Duties and Responsibilities

This consultancy contributes to attainment of component 3 of the project – Implementation of EbA pilots in Mt. Elgon Ecosystems under Output 3.2 of the Work plan (Institutional capacity of local Governments and other key national institutions to plan, monitor and enforce EBA enhanced).

The purpose of this consultancy is to generate learning material that can be applied by users and communities to integrate EbA into farming practices and engage with partners to develop a framework that ensures the sustainability and use of the learning centers. The framework shall embark partnerships with research institutions such as Makerere Climate Change Research and Innovation Centre and National Agricultural Research Organisation.

Developing and implementation of the framework will enable all visitors exiting the centre’s to be able to summarize the interpretive theme of the centres’ or experience in one succinct sentence that mirrors the adaptation center’s stated theme. The interpretation will establish a connection between the audience and the object of interpretation – the climate Change Adaptation Centers in the Mt. Elgon Ecosystem. When used effectively, this will be persuasive and prompt people to make changes in their thinking and behavior. This is premised on effective targeting of the audience in order to be effective.

One of the main goals of environmental interpretation is to help humans understand the natural world. This helps them to form a positive, sustainable relationship with their environment.

Scope of Work

Consultancy Objectives:

The Ministry of Water & Environment through the Programme Management Unit with assistance from UNDP is seeking to engage a consultant to generate a knowledge management system to develop the climate change adaptation centres’ into interactive and engaging sources of knowledge to the benefit of the communities in the districts. Furthermore shall this consultancy result in developing and implementing a framework ensuring sustainability and use of the centres through new partnerships.

Ad hoc development of capacity in the districts local governments to ensure that the staff has a comprehensive understanding of the objective of the adaptation learning centres;
Develop an illustration highlighting the main points from the Natural Resource Assessment for EbA in the Mt. Elgon Ecosystem (EbA as a business case);
Use existing photos, outreach material and success stories from the global EbA library to develop the proven impact of EbA in the project countries in Uganda, Nepal and Peru;
Develop a district monitoring framework for nominating EbA champions. The champions shall conduct monthly trainings of other farmers and share lessons learned in the centres;
Develop a paper/vax model of the ecosystems in Mt. Elgon explaining the relationship between water catchment areas, access to water, flooding, silted rivers, riverbank protections etc;
Establish partnerships with research institutions such as Makerere Climate Change Research Centre, The Climate Change Department and Innovation Centre and National Agricultural Research Organization entailing regular trainings of and engagement with communities in the districts.

Consultancy Implementation Arrangements

The contract will be performance-based, spanning a period of 32 working days spread over a period of 3 months. Terms and conditions of service linked to the type of proposed contract will apply;
The consultant will be under the overall supervision and guidance of the EBA Programme Management Unit (PMU) and will report every 2 weeks on the progress. Coordination of the consultancy activities with the EBA partner/implementing organizations, and stakeholders in the Mount Elgon districts and national level, will be conducted with the EBA secretariat (PMU), to ensure appropriate communications about the project and easy access to stakeholders;
The contractor shall be invited to present the milestone results of the consultancy at selected workshops or meetings of the project. Costs for any such participation are not included in this tender or contract. Field based interviews (if any) shall be carried out in the districts of Sironko and Bulambuli.

Competencies

Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;.
Computational and analytical skills;
Analytical capacity and demonstrated ability to process, analyse and synthesise complex, technical information from different disciplines;
Ability to innovate, combining methodological approaches and data from various levels and disciplines including communication, development and conservation;
Proven ability to support the development of high quality knowledge and training materials, as well as audio-visual communications product.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

A Master’s degree in Natural/Environment/Social Science or related discipline;

Experience:

Experience with working with various stakeholders in Uganda including civil society, government institutions, and international organizations; and experience carrying out similar assignments;
At least 10 years of work experience at the national level, with excellent knowledge of the climate change policy, ecosystem services, adaptation approaches and institutional environment;
Demonstrated experience in conducting training and capacity building, particularly in the environment sector both at national and district levels;
Solid understanding and experience of developing relevant knowledge products;
Proven experience in report writing and drafting and excellent ability to communicate in English both written and spoken;
Working experience with UNDP or UN system in general an advantage;
Proven experience in conducting monitoring and evaluation in an early warning project;
Proven experience in report writing and drafting;
Familiarity with weather related disasters in Uganda.

Language:

Fluent in English.

Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

Payment shall be by the lump sum modality in the following 3 instalments. These shall be all inclusive and the contract price is fixed regardless of changes in the cost components

Upon signature of contract by both parties and presentation of an approved inception report - 30%;
Presentation of acceptable and approved deliverables - 70%.

Evaluation Method and Criteria:

Cumulative analysis

The award of the contract shall 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 and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Technical Criteria weight; - 70%

Financial Criteria weight; - 30%

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation

Technical Criteria – Maximum 70 points

Criteria: Points

Education (Advanced degree or higher in training): 10;
Knowledge of the Natural Resources Management: 10;
Relevant experience in conducting similar assignments:15;
Relevance of experience in developing knowledge products:15;
Description of approach/methodology to assignment: 20.

Documents to be included when submitting proposal:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications in one single PDF document:

Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP (Annex II);
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.

Technical proposal:

Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment;
A methodology, on how they will approach and complete the assignment.

Financial proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided (Annex II)

For Annexes, please check on our Procurement Notices Website http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=26912. Please note that when you have finished preparing your application together with the annexes, put all documents into one single document, this should include your CV, methodology for the assignment, financial proposal as in Annex II and then upload (as one document).

For clarifications, please send an email to justine.naiga-bagonza@undp.org and copy agnes.kintu@undp.org as well as diana.nabbanja@undp.org .