UNDP Jobs - 63811- International Consultant

International Consultant - Capacity Development and Project Design Specialist

Location :

Home Based (30 days), “Comoros” Based (15 days – 2 Missions), COMOROS

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

26-Feb-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

45 days over 10 months from 1 April – 30 January 2017

Languages Required :

English French

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), acting as an implementing agency of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), is providing assistance to the Ministry of Production, Environment, Energy, Industry and Craftmanship of the Union of Comoros in the preparation of the GEF Medium Size Project (MSP) “Strengthening of multisector and decentralised environmental management and coordination to achieve the objectives of the Rio Conventions in the Union of Comoros.”

In accordance with UNDP/GEF procedures, UNDP is hiring a team of consultants to develop the MSP proposal for ‘Strengthening of multisector and decentralised environmental management and coordination to achieve the objectives of the Rio Conventions in the Union of Comoros’ for submission to the GEF Secretariat fully compliant with the enforced GEF rules and standards as part of the GEF Project Preparation Grant (PPG). The consultants will report to the Head of the Environment Unit at UNDP Comoros and work closely with Regional Centre for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), UN Istanbul Regional Hub Regional Technical Advisor (RTA).

The purpose of the PPG is to fully design the activities, outputs, and outcomes of the ‘Strengthening of multisector and decentralised environmental management and coordination to achieve the objectives of the Rio Conventions in the Union of Comoros’ medium size project and to fully develop a full set of project documentation for submission to the GEF Secretariat and approval. Normal rules for development of medium-sized GEF projects apply. Copies of the GEF templates and guidelines can be found at: http://www.thegef.org/gef/guidelines_templates

Project Description

The project is consistent with the Union of Comoros commitments on global environment management and plans on responding to multilateral agreements, in particular the Rio Conventions to which it is a party. While Comoros has made some progress in implementing the Conventions, there is no integrated approach for sustainable planning and development as required by Rio.

Realizing the barriers and needs the country is facing with regards to Global Environmental Management, the major challenge for the Government is to reconcile the exploitation of natural resources and the sustainability of the terrestrial, marine and coastal environment, among others by the development of viable, low emission and resilient alternative solutions to climate change. By signing the “Itsandra Manifesto”, the authorities have decided to focus on “green” economic growth, aimed at finding a balance between the need to create wealth and jobs to fight poverty and the duty to protect and sustainably manage resources and combat the negative effects of climate change. This manifesto was the basis of the development of the new Accelerated Growth and Sustainable Development Strategy (SCA2D) for the period 2015-2019. Taking into account the extreme vulnerability of the country to climate change and its impact on the economy and the population, the Government of the Union of the Comoros, through the SCA2D, has reaffirmed its commitment to place the country on a path of sustainable growth and green development resilient to climate and sober in emission of carbon, compatible with the objectives of conservation of biodiversity and sustainable management of natural resources. The SCA2D (2014) confirms these institutional shortcomings mentioned in the NCSA report (2007) and works to resolve them. E.g., the Government has taken important initiatives to organize national reforestation campaigns. It focuses on grassroots community organizations to establish capabilities and systems of participatory governance and sustainable management of natural resources that have already produced results in terms of efficiency in fuel wood energy production, sustainable management of water, alternative economic activities and promotion of solar energy. The institutional setting for global environmental governance is in the making. A multi-sectoral coordination for sustainable development fits into the key priorities of the Government. The Ministry of Production, Environment, Energy, Industry and Crafts is responsible for sustainable land management.

Although the main strategy for sustainable development in the Comoros is ambitious enough and covers environmental aspects, implementation lags behind. The fact that Comoros has several institutions mandated for a part of the coordination of activities for sustainable development and the implementation of SCA2D creates confusion between these organizations on their duties and responsibilities and accounts for a less efficient environmental management at the local level. The Union Government recognizes that without a proper management of the environment and natural resources of the country at the grassroots level – the community -, sustainable development efforts will never be effective. Consequently, a second great pillar of the SCA2D tackles the need of decentralization of environmental governance.

In order to respond to the priority capacity constraints for national and global environmental management, this project will strengthen the Union of Comoros’ capacities to integrate Rio Conventions issues into national, regional and local decision-making.

The project strategy is therefore twofold:

Integration of the application of the multilateral environmental agreements and the needs of global environmental conventions in the baseline processes;
The achievement of global environmental benefits is integrated in the ongoing decentralization process

The project will be implemented in line with the established Government of Comoros and UNDP procedures in Comoros. The Ministry of Production, Environment, Energy, Industry and Craftmanship will take overall responsibility for implementation of the project, and for the project success. It will establish the necessary planning and management mechanisms to oversee project inputs, activities and outputs. The UNDP CO will support the Ministry as requested and as necessary. The PPG process will be used to further define the management, coordination and consultation mechanisms.

Duties and Responsibilities

The principal responsibility of the international consultant is to the development of the MSP project document fully compliant with the enforced GEF rules and standards as lead expert on capacity development and project design, closely collaborating with the national project coordinator and (who will be the team leader) and national consultants on institutional, organizational and public awareness capacities and UNDP on setting PPG implementation strategy.

Within the framework of this ToR, Capacity Development and Project Design Specialist is expected to perform the following tasks and duties:

Work together with the local consultants (LC), UNDP and national counterparts on setting PPG implementation strategy;
Finalize PPG work plan, TOR for LCs, and design consultation and validation workshops;
Oversee completion of background studies, ensuring they are appropriate in scope and provide required analyses;
Facilitate and guide consultations to determine project strategy, priorities, key partners, and key barriers to success;
Provide technical and professional support to the LC and national stakeholders;
Develop the project strategy; detailed budget, work plan and logical framework, develop a replication strategy;
Assume main responsibility for finalizing the project document, with significant input from all local consultants.

Another key role of the project development expert should be to look for other key partners that the project might partner with and seek co-financing from, working closely with the UNDP Country Office and UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub’s CCCD RTA.

Besides a desk review of the relevant documents the consultant will undertake 2 missions to the country, in full collaboration with the UNDP Country Office and team of consultants.

The mission will include:

Consultations with key partners in National Government, responsible for environmental management as well as relevant sectoral ministries;
Facilitation of project validation workshop.

The responsibility of the international Capacity Development and Project Design Specialist is to work on development and preparation of a Medium Size Project document for submission to GEF Secretariat.

Expected deliverables

The key products to be delivered are as follows:

Detailed Assignment Workplan (within 1 weeks of start of the assignment);
Detailed PPG work plan and design of consultation and validation workshops (within 1 weeks of start of the assignment);
Draft UNDP Project Document, Project Results Framework, GEF Request for CEO Endorsement (30th of July 2016);
Final UNDP Project Document, Project Results Framework, GEF Request for CEO Endorsement fully compliant with the enforced GEF rules and standards (30th of September 2016).

In addition, the incumbent will:

Oversee completion of background studies, ensuring they are appropriate in scope and overall quality;
Provide required analyses;
Facilitate and guide consultations to determine project strategy, priorities, key partners, and key barriers to success.

Responsibility for Managing the People and the Work Plan

The principal responsibility for managing the consultant will lie with the Head of Environment Section of UNDP Comoros and with the Regional Technical Advisor at the UNDP Istanbul Regional Centre.

The timeframe and duration of activities are estimated to be broken down as follows:

Activity: Preparation of the Assignment Work plan

Duration (estimated)/days Estimated: 1

Timing and deadline: 1st week of assignment

Activity: Preparation of the PPG work plan, design of consultation and validation workshop

Duration (estimated)/days Estimated: 4

Timing and deadline: 1st week of assignment

Activity : 1st mission in Comoros

Duration (estimated)/days Estimated: 10

Timing and deadline: 3rd-4th week

Activity: Development of Project Results Framework

Duration (estimated)/days Estimated: 3

Timing and deadline: April 30th 2016

Activity: Support of Team of Local consultant in baselining

Duration (estimated)/days Estimated: 8

Timing and deadline: April – Sep 2016

Activity: Preparation of Draft Request for CEO Endorsement

Duration (estimated)/days Estimated: 3

Timing and deadline: April- July 2016

Activity: Preparation of Draft UNDP Project Document

Duration (estimated)/days Estimated: 7

Timing and deadline: April- July 2016

Activity: Preparation of GEF Tracking Tool/CD Scorecards

Duration (estimated)/days Estimated: 2

Timing and deadline: July, 2016

Activity: 2nd Mission in Comoros (Validation Workshop)

Duration (estimated)/days Estimated: 4

Timing and deadline: Sep 2016

Activity: Finalization of Project Document & RCE

Duration (estimated)/days Estimated: 1

Timing and deadline: Sep 201

Activity: Revisions of Documents following GEF comments

Duration (estimated)/days Estimated: 2

Timing and deadline: Dec 2016 – Jan 2017

Total working days: Approx. 45

Competencies

Technical Competencies:

Strong expertise in Environmental Management;
Familiarity with the International Conventions addressing Climate Change, Desertification and Biodiversity Conservation;
Ability to pick up new terminology and concepts easily;
Familiarity with GEF policies, templates and requirements for MSP.

Partnerships:

Maturity and confidence in dealing with senior members of national institutions;
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 quality analysis for the project proposal;
Excellent coordination skills and result oriented collaboration with colleagues – especially for this case the national level consultants.

Core Competencies:

Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Team player who has ability to maintain good relationships.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced University degree in the fields of environmental management, public administration or relevant related fields;
Proven expert knowledge in the GEF CCCD/CB2 Project Cycle.

Experience

At least 7 years of relevant professional experience;
Experience in drafting project proposals;
Experience in developing institutional arrangements for multi-national projects;
Proven experience in developing/implementing similar projects – preferably in the region;
Previous successful experience in development and approval of the GEF project documents;
Previous experience with UNDP is a great advantage;
Experience of work in the region is an asset.

Languages:

Excellent English and French writing skills are essential.

Application

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.

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 – per diems and any other possible costs)

Evaluation of Applicants

Only those applications which are responsive and compliant will be evaluated;
Individual consultants will be evaluated based on Combined Scoring method taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal;
Combined weighted scoring: Technical (70%); Financial (30%).

Selection will be done based on the following criteria noted on 70:

Qualifications: Advanced University degree in the fields of environmental management, public administration or relevant related fields/ Proven expert knowledge in the GEF CCCD/CB2 Project Cycle

Points: 10

Qualifications: Proven experience in developing/implementing similar projects preferably in the region

Points: 25

Qualifications: Previous successful experience in development and approval of the GEF project documents

Points: 25

Qualifications: Excellent English and French writing skills are essential.

Points: 10

Total of points: 70