Historique

The sustainable management of extractive industries is one of the most critical challenges facing many resource-dependent developing countries today. The low-value minerals and materials sector (LVMM), in contrast to the large-scale tradable minerals and hydrocarbons sector, has closer links with the local economy, has the potential to generate more local jobs, and therefore can have a greater impact on poverty reduction. However, its income generation potential often remains unrealized or under-realized. This is in part due to the uncertain legal and regulatory framework in which the sector operates and the lack of publicly available and easily accessible geological data, which exacerbates wasteful exploration and discourages investment in the sector. Furthermore, there can be serious social and environmental impacts associated with low-value mining, with dire consequences on health and safety of workers in this sector and surrounding communities.

The low-value minerals sector is important for the economies of many ACP countries (African, Caribbean and Pacific group of states).  The various LVMM sub-sectors such as construction materials and dimension stones primarily focus on the domestic economy, relying on the hubs of growth such as cities and metropolitan areas. The extent of exports is usually limited due to low value per-mass. However, these sub-sectors provide an important input to domestic construction and generation of jobs. Such positive outcomes are the result of the minerals and materials being used along the value chain, for construction purposes for instance. While the sector is important for economic growth and employment, there can also be serious environmental and social impacts associated with it.

The EU, ACP Secretariat and UNDP is launching a three-year project on “Capacity development of mineral institutions and of small-scale private sector operating in low-value minerals in ACP countries” with a budget of €13.4 million. The project aims to foster the sustainable and inclusive development of the small-scale mineral resources industry in ACP countries, and to support the implementation of the ACP Framework of Action on the Development of Mineral Resources Sector endorsed by the ACP Committee of Ambassadors in 2011.

The scope of the project is in the LVMM sector, which includes: 1) Construction materials; 2) Dimension stones; 3) Industrial minerals; and 4) Low-grade metals, minerals and precious stones. The project uses UNDP’s capacity development approach. The key stakeholders will include public stakeholders such as regulatory agencies and local governments; private stakeholders such as small-scale mining enterprises and associations, business development centres; and social stakeholders such as civil society organizations and community groups.

The project will be implemented at the regional and country levels (in up to six countries). At the regional level, the project will conduct training activities. At the country level, it will include both training and other activities, such as small grants and partnerships to produce maps and databases on low-value minerals, development of regulations on environment and safety, organizing community engagement, addressing grievances, organizations of technology fairs and networking events, organization of public-private dialogues etc. The thematic areas of the project activities are: 1) mine and quarry management; 2) environment, health and safety; 3) entrepreneurship skills; 4) market analysis and investment promotion; 5) geo-data and maps design; 6) community relations and addressing grievances.

The project will provide capacity-building support to the small-scale private sector, associations/chambers, public institutions and social stakeholders that operate in the low value minerals and materials sector. The project will enhance the capacities of these entities to increase the sector’s productivity; better manage mining operations; adhere to national and international environmental and health standards; and prevent conflict through effective community relations.

Devoirs et responsabilités

Scope and Objective of the Study:

The consultant will carry out an initial study of the status of the low-value minerals sector in ACP at the regional and sub-regional level (Africa, Caribbean and the Pacific). The proposed study will serve to inform an initial inception workshop with project stakeholders. The scope of the study should be limited to: 1) Construction materials; 2) Dimension stones; 3) Industrial minerals; and 4) Low-grade metals, minerals and precious stones.

The consultant will be required to conduct a study on the background, current status and trends in the low-value mining and quarrying sector. Specifically, the consultant will:

• Provide details  on supply and demand of the above mentioned minerals;
• Assess trade in the minerals (within countries and between countries in each region of ACP);
• Assess industry structure and composition (formal/informal, concentration, presence of industry associations etc.);
• Provide information on general characteristics of people working in the LVMM sector (age, gender, educational background, etc);
•  Review the legal and regulatory frameworks for LVMM;
• Identify and provide details of public, private and civil society organisations involved in LVMM;
• Provide details of on-going continental, regional and country level projects on LVMM;
• Review the environmental, health and safety issues in the sector; and
• Assess the socio-cultural and conflict issues related to LVMM.

 The study will be conducted through desk review. The secondary sources should be complemented by off-site questionnaires and/or interviews with representatives from six selected focal countries within ACP.  UNDP will provide assistance in establishing contacts with these representatives.

Outputs:

The key outputs from this assignment will be:

• A report of the above study;
• Documentation in the form of administered questionnaires and/or conducted interviews; and
• Mapping of key public, private and non-government players in low-value mining in the selected focal countries.

The more specific list of outputs expected from the consultant includes the following:

• Preliminary desk review of available materials conducted and annotated outline of the report prepared: 10 days;
• Questionnaire developed and interviews conducted: 12 days;
• First draft of the report sent to UNDP for comments and comments incorporated: 12 days;
• Participation in the project inception workshop: 3 days;
• Final report after incorporating comments and feedback from the ineption workshop 8 days.

Institutional Arrangement:

The consultant shall report to the Global Policy Advisor, Extractive Industries, Sustainable Development Cluster in UNDP’s Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) and to the Senior Advisor, Extractive Industries, BPPS, based in Addis Ababa.

 The consultant shall report on progress on a weekly basis in order to ensure timely delivery of the above mentioned tasks.

 The consultant shall reach out to and consult with relevant institutions that are active in small scale low-value mining at global, regional, sub-regional and country levels in select countries, including but not limited to institutions mentioned in the project document for the LVM project. UNDP will provide assistance with establishing contact with select institutions as needed.

 The consultant will work independently and UNDP will not be able to provide any administrative support.

Duration of the Work:

The total expected duration of the assignment is 45 days, with an expected starting date of March 11 and completion of work by May 31, 2015.

Duty Station:

The assignment is home based. Travel is expected to Brussels, Belgium, to participate in the inception workshop of the project.

Compétences

• Demonstrated excellence in clear, concise and convincing writing and communication skills;
• Highly organized with strong analytical and research skills;
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a collaborative team and process;
• Ability to work with multiple stakeholders across a wide range of disciplines.

Qualifications et expériences requises

Education:

• Minimum MA/MSc in Economics or Development Studies with extractive industry focus or other relevant fields;
• Background in mining, Geological/ Environmental Engineering or relevant fields will be an advantage.

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years of experience in market analysis, business development, or socio-economic surveys particularly in low-value minerals or closely related sectors or fields;
• Excellent analytical and writing skills with ability to produce high quality analytical reports and policy papers;
• Excellent presentation skills that clearly convey the research results to key stakeholders;
• Strong organizational and facilitation skills and ability to handle complex tasks with tight deadlines.

Language:

• Excellent ability to write and communicate in English;
• Fluency in French is desired.

Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments:

The price offer should indicate a total lump sum amount, based on an all-inclusive daily processional fee in US dollars. The payments will be linked to deliverables. This contract price is fixed regardless of changes in the cost of components. The lump sum amount must be all-inclusive, indicating:

• Consultancy daily rate fees;
• Travel and per diem costs.

Recommended Presentation of Offer:

The application is a two-step process. Failing to comply with the submission process may result in disqualifying the applications:

Step 1: Interested individual consultants must include the following documents when submitting the applications in UNDP job shop (Please note that only 1 (one) file can be uploaded therefore please include all docs in one file):

• Personal History Form (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 (the template can be downloaded from this link: http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc).
• Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, and a methodology, if applicable, on how they will approach and complete the assignment.

 Step 2: Submission of Financial Proposal

Applicants are instructed to submit their financial proposals in US Dollars for this consultancy to eeg.jobfinproposal@undp.org, using the financial proposal template available here: http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=45780. The proposals should be sent via email with the following subject heading: JobID:53758 Financial Proposal for Background Study on Low-Value Mining in ACP Countries" by the deadline for this vacancy. Proposals to be received after the deadline may be rejected. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal should be all-inclusive and include a breakdown. The term ‘all-inclusive” implies that all costs (professional fees, travel related expenses, communications, utilities, consumables, insurance, etc.) that could possibly be incurred by the Contractor are already factored into the financial proposal.

Criteria for Selection of the Best Offer:

Combined Scoring method – where the qualifications and methodology will be weighted a max of 70%, and combined with the price offer which will be weighted a max of 30%.

Method: Cumulative analysis method will be used to evaluate proposals.

When using this weighted scoring method, 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 and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Technical Criteria weight: 70%.

Financial Criteria weight: 30%.

 Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 (70%) points on technical part will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

 Criteria for technical evaluation (70 points maximum):

• Criteria 1: Minimum of 7 years of experience in work related to small-scale mining, low-value mining in developing countries – 25 points;
• Criteria 2:  Excellent analytical and writing skills with proven ability to produce high quality analytical reports and policy papers – 15 points;
• Criteria 3: Experience in market analysis, business development for small-scale private sector, and / or or socio-economic surveys – 10 points;
• Criteria 4: Understanding of legal and regulatory frameworks for mining – 10 points
• Criteria 5: Experience in working on issues related to sustainable development in a developing country context – 10 points.

Criteria for financial evaluation (30 points maximum):

The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal:

p = y (µ/z), where

p=points for the financial proposal being evaluated
y=maximum number of points for the financial proposal
µ=price of the lowest priced proposal
z = price of the proposal being evaluated