Background

South Sudan is a young country well-endowed with virgin fertile agricultural land, a high population of globally important and endangered wildlife species across 6 national parks and 13 game reserves covering 11.1% of the total land area, abundant forestry (covering 29% of total land area) and water resources (including permanent Sudd wetlands which make up about 5% of the total land area of the country) and potential presence of precious minerals of high value. The country has a high annual deforestation rate of 1.5% -2% which is an area of concern.

Climate Change has been identified as one of the most important threats to the development of South Sudan. Studies estimate that temperature rise in the country will be two and a half times higher than the global average with the weather expected to become substantially warmer and drier. Anticipated weather pattern changes are inter-alia estimated to lower crop yields by an estimated 20%, result in increased risks of floods and droughts, exacerbate risks of pests, disease outbreaks and potentially lead to increasing inter-communal tensions around issues of natural resource based access, use and control. Cumulatively, climate change impacts are expected to worsen existing household vulnerabilities and resort to adverse coping mechanisms by affected communities. Whilst the country remains highly vulnerable to the worst impacts of climate change, it is least prepared to engage on critical climate change adaptation and mitigation needs and interventions.

South Sudan acceded to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2014. Recently, South Sudan has prepared its draft final National Adaptation Plan of Action (NAPA) and compiled its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs). A Comprehensive Agricultural Masterplan (CAMP) for the development of the nation to address hunger and food insecurity, to improve rural livelihoods and generate income, and to diversify the economy through a modernised and competitive agricultural sector is also at an advanced stage of discussions . The vast majority of people estimated around 80% are dependent on agriculture and allied activities for subsistence. In consultation with the line Ministries concerned, agriculture therefore, has been identified as one of the key priorities for immediate adaptation interventions. A comprehensive project proposal towards supporting the efforts of the Government of South Sudan and the line ministries concerned on building climate resilient agriculture systems linked to generation and diversification of livelihoods has been planned to be submitted to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) through UNDP as an accredited agency to the GCF. UNDP is leading the process of project proposal development consultatively with the line Ministries concerned.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives of the assignment:

According to the International Panel for Climate Change (IPCC), climate change is likely to increase the frequency and intensity of extreme climatic events such as floods and droughts. The impacts of these events will be severe on countries like South Sudan. Agriculture which is totally rain-fed in is a sector which is most vulnerable to climate change impacts due to its high dependence on climate and weather, and therefore threatens food production, livelihoods and food security.

Traditional subsistence agriculture is the dominant economic activity in South Sudan with approximately 80% of households reliant upon crop farming and animal husbandry as their main sources of livelihood. Typically, such farmers rely upon rain-fed agriculture and use traditional methods of farming. This combination renders them highly vulnerable to climate variability, particularly erratic rainfall. Unfavourable weather conditions – such as persistent droughts and annual flooding – also result in crop and livestock losses. As a result, most small-scale farmers rely upon traditional ‘coping strategies’ that have evolved over generations through long experience of natural variations, combined with their specific responses to the season as it unfolds.

However, with enabling institutional support and policies, climate information (historical, monitored, and predicted), and the aid of advisories, this uncertainty can be reduced and farmers can be enabled to better manage risks and take advantage of favorable climate conditions when they occur. In addition, reducing vulnerability to climate risks in the present is necessary for adapting to climate change linked events, as vulnerable farmers are likely to experience climate change largely as shifts in the frequency and severity of extreme events.

South Sudan has limited institutional and infrastructural capacity to cope with climate variability. As a new country, it has limited financial resources and technical capacity to implement programmes aimed at strengthening the vulnerability of small holder agriculture and making their agriculture processes more resilient to the wide ranging impacts of climate change.

There is therefore a need to:

• Improve the enabling environment for climate smart agriculture through better climate information;
• Step up access to markets by strengthening agriculture cooperatives in rural communities;
• Improving management of water resources in rain-fed and irrigated agricultural systems.

The proposed project is expected to extensively and rigorously examine the current characteristics of the agricultural system, policies and practices, key climate change related vulnerabilities and opportunities for building climate change resilient agricultural systems.  The international consultant will be leading a team of two national consultants who will help gather the data, organize consultations, make the field assessments and support with the preparation of high quality full fledged proposal and feasibility study in consultation with UNDP technical advisors and key stakeholders.

Objectives of the Assignment:

The objective of the assignment is to develop the project concept note, feasibility study and funding proposal for the GCF to be submitted by the Government of South Sudan through UNDP as the accredited entity of the GCF that has the highest probability of acceptance by the GCF.

The consultant will engage with concerned line Ministries (including Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security; Ministry of Environment and Forestry and Ministry of Water and Irrigation), with all stakeholders and other government counterparts to develop the project proposal. The international consultant shall act as a lead and supported by 2 national consultant specialists.

The consultant team will seek assistance from all key stakeholders, UNDP Environment technical advisory team who will provide inputs in terms of feasibility and economic analysis and risk assessment to prepare all the documents that fully meet the GCF investment criteria. The team will also receive support from the UNDP Country Office, and technical guidance of the UNDP’s regional technical advisor (RTA) for climate change adaptation at the UNDP’s Addis Ababa Regional Hub.

Scope of work:

Phase 1: Develop Concept Note

The objective of the assignment is to engage with concerned line Ministries, all stakeholders and government counterparts on development of a high quality, strategic concept note for submission to the GCF.

The following activities are anticipated:

• Initiate concrete technical discussions with the Government counterparts and other

stakeholders on elaboration of the proposed project to establish Climate Resilient Agriculture in South Sudan including through sustainable land management, natural resources and environment and agrometeorology;

•  Develop a Project Concept Note as a concrete starting point for the full fledged proposal, including a detailed methodology and workplan for the assignment as per agreed templates of UNDP/GCF;
• Work through the various rounds of reviews;
• Any other depending upon proposal development and process needs;

Phase 2: Project Feasibility Assessment

• Undertake technical feasibility, nature, scope and design of the project – which illustratively;

shall include identification of appropriate adaptive technologies, design specifications, detailed costing estimates, potentially construction modalities, social and environmental assessment as per an agreed methodology and structure;

Detailed technical analysis of project design specifications, detailed cost estimates, assessment of likely social and environmental impacts as a result of the project;
• Detailed technical feasibility and design of infrastructures, including design specifications, cost estimates, social and environmental assessment.

Phase 3: Design of full funding project proposal with input from national and international consultants [GCF full funding proposal template]

Based on the Concept Note, the consultant will develop the full-fledged proposal as per agreed UNDP/GCF templates.
The full proposal will be developed through:

• Outlining of the financial structure of the project and all major cost categories at the input level corresponding to all outputs and activities;
• Work closely with the UNDP CO and National Designated Authority (NDA) to present the implementation arrangements, including the procurement plan, procedures and principles the project will adhere to, in accordance with UNDP’s rules and regulations under the NIM (National Implementation Modality); and
• Prepare detailed project budgets as requested by the GCF full funding proposal template.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Compliance of the UN Core Values.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise:

Demonstrated knowledge of relevant environmental and sustainable development issues;

• Strong analytical skills, particularly applied to environment profiling;
• Experience in economic and financial analysis for project viability and budget formulations;
• Familiarity with technical issues related to adaptation, methods of cost-benefit analysis for adaptation options, identification of multiple benefits of adaptation, including, economic, social and gender related.

Functional Competencies:

• Ability to identify needs and interventions for capacity enhancement of counterparts, clients and  potential partners;
• Ability to take responsibility for achieving agreed outputs within set deadlines;
• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Qualifications of the sucefsful individual contractor (IC)

This assignment requires the services of an expert who can demonstrate adequate analytical capacity and who can provide expertise relevant to the terms of reference as described above and below.

Education:

• Advanced University Degree (MSc or higher) in Environmental Management, Agriculture, Climate Change Studies, Sustainable Development or other relevant field.

Experience:

• Minimum 10 years of relevant professional experience.
• Demonstrated experience in designing NAPA and preparing GCF Project proposals including on climate-smart agriculture, climate information and management of natural resources,
• Excellent understanding of the expected impacts of global climate change on countries with nascent institutions, policies and programmes,
• Experience in working with communities and all key stakeholders to develop local climate resilient solutions,
• Strong analytical skills, particularly applied to project design,
• Substantial relevant experience in the design and implementation of integrated development projects, e.g. poverty reduction, livelihood and water security including working on community based initiatives; 
• Experience in the formulation and management of similar projects with global funds including:
• Project design, management, and monitoring & evaluation;
• Design of logframe with SMART indicators, work plan and budget formulation;
• Working with multi-disciplinary teams, including local and expatriate technical experts;
• Strong analytical skills; exceptional ability in communication and networking, negotiations and writing; and
• Flexibility and ability to operate in different cultural settings and with a variety of stakeholders; culturally and gender sensitive.
• S/he will be responsible for the project development and oversee the feasibility studies on climate smart agriculture, irrigation, climate information and cooperatives.
• The international consultant will act as team leader and coordinate with two national specialist consultants.
• Experience in the East African region would be an advantage.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in oral and written English required.

How to submit an application:

• Qualified candidates are hereby requested to apply.

The application must contain the following:

• Brief letter of application.
• Personal CV indicating relevant professional experience
• Brief description (max. 5 pages) of the proposed methodology on how to complete the assignment.
• Financial proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price supported by a breakdown of costs (including professional fees, communications, utilities, consumables, insurance, etc. that could possibly be incurred by the Consultant and other specified other costs if applicable)

Applicants are encouraged to prepare their applications emphasizing on their relevant education, skills and experience required for this assignment.

Criteria for selecting the best offer:

Qualified Individual Consultant is expected to submit both the Technical and Financial Proposals. Accordingly Individual Consultants will be evaluated based on Cumulative Analysis as per the following scenario:  

• 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. In this regard, the respective weight of the proposal are:

Technical Criteria weight is 70%

Criteria  Weight

• Technical Competence (based on CV and Proposal) 70%;
• Level of education. (MSc or higher) in the field of climate change, natural resource management, biodiversity, developmental studies, or related fields. In-depth understanding climate change adaptation 15;
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in designing climate change adaptation projects, GCF project documents on relevant areas 25;
• Demonstrated experience working in East African region 10;
• Methodology in accomplishing the consultancy including stakeholder engagement strategy, and strategies addressing possible climate change risks, and opportunities 15;
• Language and Excellent communication skills 5.

Payment terms:

• Please indicate any special payment terms for the contract.
• The consultant is required to submit a lump-sum financial proposal for the period of 100 working days. The selected firm/team will be paid upon payment certification from the hiring manager, in the following manner:
• 20% upon submission and acceptance of the concept note and inception note detailing the   methodology and work plan for the assignment;
• 25% upon completion of technical feasibility assessment;
• 25% upon completion of the draft project proposal;
• 30% upon submission and acceptance of the final project proposal by NDA and UNDP.
• Please also specify the payment terms)
• The fee is payable on satisfactory completion of each milestone i.e.(the project concept note, proposal and feasibility study).