Historique

The Niger River is the 3rd river in Africa by its length (4,200 km), after the Nile and the Congo and the most important in West Africa. The basin covers a surface area of about 2.2 million km2 with about 1.5 million km2 hydrologically active. The river is the pillar of the West African economy and was the cradle of great civilizations of farmers, fishermen and cattle breeders. The river has also huge potentials for: agriculture with about 2.5 million ha, 20% of which is currently exploited; an estimated hydropower potential of 30,000 GWH, with a current exploitation of the order to 6,185 GWH/year, i.e. 20.6% of the total; 3,800 km of navigable routes from the main course and its main tributaries; and a fish farming potential estimated at 7.5 tons per km of watercourse per year. In term of biodiversity, the basin is a home for a highly diversified fauna with about 36 fish families, more than 50,000 birds representing 56 species. Mammals have been recorded in Transboundary Reserves including the elephant, buffalo, western Buffon’s kob, defassa waterbuck, bohor reedbuck, Damaliscus antelope, giraffe, hippopotamus, sable antelope, lion, cheetah and a wide range of monkeys.

Despite the socio-economic potential and rich natural/cultural heritage, the Niger Basin has been under threat for more than two decades from desertification and unsustainable natural resource exploitation practices with alarming consequences. The transboundary diagnostic analysis carried out by the RLWDT/NB project revealed that most of the environmental problems are derived from: (i) land degradation (vegetal coverage and soils); (ii) water resource degradation (water shortage and pollution); (iii) loss of biodiversity (flora, fauna and biotope); and (iv) degradation of the living environment (pauperization of the populations, invading aquatic vegetal species, climate variability).  

UNDP and UNEP are currently supporting the Niger Basin Authority to develop and submit to the GEF International Waters a project proposal entitled “Improving IWRM, knowledge-based management and governance of the Niger Basin and the Iullemeden-Taoudeni/Tanezrouft Aquifer System (ITTAS)”. The expected outcomes of this project are:

  • IWRM supported by a sound understanding of ground water resources and their linkages with surface water systems;
  • Local communities and Niger Basin Civil Society platforms engaged on basin resources management and conservation for better control of flood/drought/pollution, reduction of pressure on land, forest and biodiversity while improving leaving conditions of households;
  • Introduce systematic and integrated approach of industrial competitiveness and environmental/social responsibility to reduce wastewater discharges and pollution loads in the Niger River;
  • National policies and institutions, civil society platforms support Niger River ecosystem based management.

The GEF council has approved the PIF on March 2014. With the aim of developing and submitting to the GEF the detailed Full Project Document (FPD) and the Request for GEF CEO Endorsement, UNDP Country Office is seeking the services of a GEF International Water Projects Development.

Devoirs et responsabilités

The International Consultant GEF International Water Projects Development selected for the consultancy will be working with the International Waters Regional Technical Advisor (RTA) of UNDP/GEF in UNDP Addis Ababa Regional Center and the UNEP/GEF International Waters Task Manager based at UNEP in Nairobi.  S/he will report directly to the UNDP/GEF Regional Technical Advisor. He/She will be responsible for developing the full Project documentation for the FSP request including GEF CEO endorsement and UNDP and UNEP Project Document, using the appropriate templates. Tasks that the regional/international consultant is responsible for may include, but are not limited to:

  • Validate project’s problem and barrier analysis;
  • Help determine the project’s system boundaries and scope;
  • Define the logical framework, work plan and budget for the project;
  • Clarify the additionality of proposed outcomes and activities
  • Identify potential Environmental and Social risks and determine mitigation options;
  • Design Knowledge Management and M&E component (including learning mechanisms and impacts indicators);
  • Develop the project’s replication and exit strategy (sustainability); and
  • Help build partnerships and mobilize resources.
  • Develop the project’s sustainability strategy;
  • Demonstrate cost-effectiveness of the project’s interventions
  • Propose co-funding and financing plans;
  • Stimulate partnerships and help mobilize resources; and
  • Integrating the inputs of other consultants and partners, develop the FSP Request for CEO Endorsement and the UNDP and UNEP Prodoc.
  • Review all comments received on the drafts PIF and PPG and finalize the documents for final approval of GEF Secretariat; 
  • Undertake any other duties that will ensure successful execution of this consultancy.

Compétences

  • Excellent team player with good interpersonal skills;
  • Ability to manage workload with minimum supervision;
  • Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines;
  • Ability to accommodate additional demands at short notice;
  • Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment;
  • Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities;
  • Proven communication and leadership skills;
  • Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing in French and English in order to communicate complex, technical information to technical and general audiences;
  • Strong strategic planning, results-based management and reporting capabilities;
  • Strong analytical abilities;
  • Proven leadership skills;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Qualifications et expériences requises

Education

  • At least master degree in environmental, natural or social sciences from a recognized university

Experience

  • At least 7 years proven international experience with GEF IW project development;
  • Knowledge and experience with the GEF project development cycle, including the formulation of GEF and UNDP Project Documents;
  • Knowledge of GEF strategy in International waters for GEF-5;
  • Experience in African countries, specifically in Niger Basin Countries,  is an asset.

Language Requirement

  • Fluent in English and French (written and spoken).

Time-schedule:

The selected consultant will be contacted for the preparation of the PPG for the UNDP/GEF International Waters “Niger Basin SAP implementation” for duration of app. 30 days in the period of  December 2014 – June 2015.

Costs:

Shortlisted candidates are requested to provide price offers for this assignment. UNDP is applying fair and transparent selection process that would take into account the competencies/skills of applicants (70%) as well as their financial proposals (30%).

Travel – required:

Work is to be conducted from consultant’s home-based. Work will be by Skype and email exchange. Missions are planned in Niger basin countries for the inception phase/validation of the Prodoc. Travel costs are to be provided by UNDP.