Antecedentes

Project Title/Department: UNDP/GEF Project: Reducing Pressures on Natural Resources from Competing Land Use in Non-Irrigated Arid Mountain, Semi-Desert and Desert Landscapes of Uzbekistan (LAND)

Duration of the assignment: Part-time Assignment, February 1 – November 30, 2015 (40 working days including 16-day mission to Tashkent and 2 project pilot sites):

• 24 w.d. desk work in a country of residence;
• 6 w.d. mission to Uzbekistan on March -April, 2015 (3 days in Tashkent, 1 day in Zamin district, Djizzak region and 2 days in Karakul district, Bukhara region);
• 10 w.d. mission to Uzbekistan on June (5 days in Tashkent, 2 days in Zamin district, Jizzak region and 3 days in Karakul district, Bukhara region).

Reports to: Project Manager

The project is designed to support the improved, more sustainable and more resilient land use management of non- irrigated arid desert, steppe and mountain landscapes of Uzbekistan, which constitute the vast majority of its territory, and reduce competitive pressures between different land uses, particularly pasture use and forestry. It will facilitate the up scaling of existing best practices for land management within two ecologically and socio-economically representative districts (Zamin and Karakul) and provide a model for undertaking district level integrated land use planning. Based on experiences on the ground it will support the updating and refinement of relevant national policy, legislation and institutions and mechanisms for improved national coordination and planning for integrated land use management.

The Project implementation needs require ensuring that the overall technical direction of the project is in line with the project objective and expected outcomes. This process should be provide with periodic part-time strategic inputs to ensure this and an international assistance the PM and NTC to adjust and adapt project management in order to maximize its impact and efficiency. International expertized inputs will be most critical at the initial and project implementation stages, post mid-term evaluation and during the project terminal phases (in order to ensure full value is gained from documentation of lessons learned/best practices and to support development and implementation of an effective exit strategy).

For an efficiency of the project implementation process the project hires a Chief Technical Adviser who will be internationally recruited, based on an open competitive process. The task of the CTA will be to provide overall project advisory services and technical assistance to the National Project Manager (PM), the National Project Experts (NPE) and the other project consultants. In essence, the responsibility of the CTA is to ensure that the overall technical direction of the project is maintained and flexibly adapted to the meet the practical challenges faced during implementation.

At the critical initial stages of project implementation the inputs of the CTA will be on a semi-permanent basis, but will be gradually reduced once technical directions are firmly established and project implementation capacity is place. Nonetheless, the role of the CTA will remain critical throughout the project, as he/she will continue to have inputs on key technical decisions at strategic moments in the project implementation through field missions and remote communication (email).

He/she will work as part of a team of consultants covering related information, and will liaise as necessary with NTC and other consultants to share information and clarify conflicting data. He / she will be paid on the basis of the outputs expected and not for additional information not covered by the TOR or requested by the Project Manager.

Deberes y responsabilidades

The CTA will work closely with the PM, the National Project Technical Coordinator and local consultants and international consultants. Specifically his/her tasks include but are not limited to:

Thematic functions:

• Promising best practices on sustainable rangeland and forestry management and INRM planning up-scaled in target districts of Uzbekistan;
• Oversee the planning process and executing guideline for the district level land use inventory, and systematization of the experience gained by national counterparts;
• Technical advising for preparation of recommendations on improvement or maintenance of vegetative cover in pilot sites in target districts;
• In collaboration with NTC, working out a plan for implementation of best practices on prevention land degradation and human development in pilot areas and submitting recommendations on its implementation during the project main phase;
• Working out a strategy of elaborating, updating and refining existing policy documents and strategic long-term plans related to pasture, livestock, forestry, rain-fed arable agriculture and other land use issues;
• Supporting the project team in the analysis of opportunities and constraints for long-term land lease for forestry/ horticulture, pastures and rain fed agriculture in non-irrigated areas of pilot districts, recommendations for further preparation of proposals on improvement of the land legislation and regulations regarding the use of forestland, pastures and rain fed areas as well as livestock keeping issues in regions of the project pilot sites.

An enabling cross-sector environment and in-country capacity (at system, institutional and individual levels) for applying integrated landscape management in arid mountain, semi-desert and desert areas of Uzbekistan

• Identifying the ways to reach a consensus among Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources (MAWR), State Committee for Land resources, Geodesy, Cartography and State Cadastre (GKZ), the State Committee for Nature Protection, District Hokimiyats and others regarding to the long-term socio-economic development of forestry, pasture and rain-fed areas in Uzbekistan and approaches for achieving it;
• Supporting the PM and NTC in preparation of a plan of specifically support changes to the National Coordination Council for Land Monitoring (under the State Committee for Land Resources and Geocadastre) and drafting of documents defining institutional responsibilities for ensuring better integration of planning, particularly on forestry, rangeland and rain-fed arable agriculture;
• Guaidance in preparation and implementation of plan and set of recommendations for direct and indirect mechanisms to achieve targeted dissemination of relevant materials and guides produced by the project to key land use stakeholders and decision makers.

Operational functions:

Periodic review of Project implementation and Advice on improvement:

• Weekly or more frequent e-mail and/or Skype/phone exchanges with Project Manager and NTC in order to monitor progress, assist in planning, and identify key technical problems (if any) and means for solving them (Skype/phone exchanges to be conducted at least monthly unless project staff state the need for longer intervals between calls);
• Undertake field trips to the projects sites during each mission to Uzbekistan if, and when required, in order to make systematic review of the progress and results of each Component of the project based on field evidence;
• Participate when feasible, in Project Board Meetings and other relevant project meetings;
• Assist in capturing the key lessons and developing a replication plan for other regions and communities in Uzbekistan. As part of the replication strategy, assist in developing replication materials for wider dissemination and application of project results and lessons learned.

Assistance in Planning Staff Recruitment, Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Provide support and advice for preparation or revision of key planning and evaluation documents such as the project Annual Plan of Actions, Annual Work Plan, Project Implementation Reviews, progress reports, monitoring and review reports etc.;
• Assist in the development of relevant Terms of References and mobilization of qualified national experts and organizations needed to provide specific consultancy services.

Outputs

Written comments and recommendations with regard to the thematic functions listed above. Written work will be supplemented by other requested consultation by phone, Skype, and in person. Work conducted for this output will be summarized in a biannual written report, prepared in conjunction with Output 2 below.

Written comments and recommendations on project planning and evaluation documents and reports. These documents are expected to include, but not be limited to:

• Terms of Reference for international/national consultants/organizations to be recruited in 2015;
• Annual Plan of Actions for 2015 and 2016;
• Annual Work Plan for 2015 and 2016;
• Project implementation Review covering period through August 31, 2015.

Written work will be supplemented by other requested consultation by phone, Skype, and in person. Work conducted for this output will be summarized in a biannual written report, prepared in conjunction with Output 1 above.

Reports on missions and/or participation in Project Board Meetings or other meetings. The CTA shall compose annual (or more frequent) written reports summarizing his or her participation in any missions or meetings undertaken during this assignment. One mission to Tashkent and the project sites for a total of 16 working days is envisaged.

The following deliverables and indicative schedule are expected from the consultant. The Consultant should submit all deliverables to UNDP in Russian or English.
 

First biannual report, covering all the functions and outputs listed in Section III above and executing during the period February - April 2015, including followings:

• Revision of the improved log frame of the project and annual technical plans for first two years with logical explanation of following actions for rest three years provided as well as systemized in a review and submitted to the project manager;
• A revision of the reviews (made during 2014) of the national consultants performed and conclusions as well as a set of recommendations to improve the content of analytical materials and ToRs (within technical guidance and mentoring to the PM, NTC and other project national consultants in order to build their capacity to effectively implement the technical aspects of the project) submitted to the project manager and approved by the unit E&E of UNDP CO in Uzbekistan;
• Annual and quarterly work plans revised and indicators corrected in accordance with project expected achievement, agreed with the Project Manager, and accepted by UNDP CO for further consideration by GEF and UNDP. These drafts should include information about possible problems and risks, ways of necessary assistance and corrective action;
• One 6 working days mission (aprox., the end of March-April) to the project office in Tashkent and both of the pilot sites realized.
• Review of the analyzing reports of national consultants and the situation on the ground with set of recommendations on the project implementation pattern for 2015 including the work plan and preliminary experts’ staff structure.

Deadline: April 30, 2015,  35%

Second biannual report, covering all the functions and outputs listed in Section III above and executing during the period April - August 2015, including followings:

• Assistance in the Annual (APA, AWP, PIR, ATP) and quarterly (QPR, QOR) plans and reports preparation for 2015 and revision of the project implementation progress provided to the Project Manager, and accepted by UNDP CO. These drafts should include information about possible problems and risks, ways of necessary assistance and corrective action;
• Set of recommendations submitted to ensure overall technical direction of the project in line with the project objective and expected outcomes. This implies assistance to the PM and NTC to adjust and adapt project management in order to maximize its impact and efficiency;
• Assistance in the formulation and effective implementation of the project “best practice” provided to the project PM and NTC;
• One 10 working days mission (in June 2015) to the project office in Tashkent and both of the pilot sites realized;
• A report with a review and action plan on the PEB functions realizing (within participation in PEB meetings and visits to partner agencies) prepared and agreed with the PM and approved by UNDP CO.

Deadline: August 30, 2015, 35%

Third biannual report, covering all the functions and outputs listed in Section III above and executing during the period August - November 2015, including followings:

• Assistance in the quarterly reports preparation for 2015 and revision of the project implementation progress provided to the Project Manager, and accepted by UNDP CO. These drafts should include information about possible problems and risks, ways of necessary assistance and corrective action;
• A revision of the reviews of the national consultants performed and conclusions as well as a set of recommendations to improve the content of analytical materials and ToRs (within technical guidance and mentoring to the PM, NTC and other project national consultants in order to build their capacity to effectively implement the technical aspects of the project) submitted to the project manager and approved by the unit E&E of UNDP CO in Uzbekistan;
• Assistance in the design and effective development  project “best practice” and “lesson learn” materials provided;
• Review of the analyzing reports of national consultants and the situation on the ground with set of recommendations on the project implementation pattern for 2016 including the work plan and preliminary experts’ staff structure.

Deadline: November 20, 2015, 30%

Competencias

Functional Competencies:

• Proficiency in the work with Microsoft Packages;
• Ability to work in close collaboration with a group of national and international experts, to meet strict deadlines and plan the work according to priorities;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills;
• Good analytical and writing skills;
• Good interpersonal, facilitation and training skills

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education:

• Postgraduate or other advanced university degree in sustainable land management, natural resource management, agriculture economics/management, environmental economics/management or related fields.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of demonstrated working experience in areas relevant for Sustainable Land Use Management within arid environments;
• Prior knowledge and experience of the political, social and environmental factors and issues related to arid natural resource use and agricultural systems in Central Asia, preferably Uzbekistan;
• Prior experience in the use of local level, participatory approaches to natural resource management;
• Practical experience with the addressing forestry and pastureland use in arid environments essential and similar experience with rain-fed arable agriculture an advantage;
• At least 5 years practical field experience in a similar professional role (i.e. CTA, manager or equivalent, of a natural resource management project implementing practical activities in the field);
• Familiarity with the goals and procedures of international organizations, in particular those of the GEF and UNDP;
• Good interpersonal, facilitation and training skills; and
• Excellent skills in English language, knowledge of Russian and/or Uzbek an advantage.

Language:

• Fluent in English or Russian, knowledge of Uzbek will be an asset.

Computer skills:

• Proficiency in the work with Microsoft Packages.

Other:

• Ability to work in close collaboration with a group of national and international experts, to meet strict deadlines and plan the work according to priorities. Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Good analytical and writing skills.

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

Proposal:

• Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work (no more than 2 pages).

P-11 form and Offeror’s Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability

• Applicants are required to fill and sign a P11 Form and Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability and submit it to the online application

Above mentioned documents can be obtained at http://www.uz.undp.org/content/uzbekistan/en/home/operations/jobs/

Application process

To submit your application online, please follow the steps below:

• Download and complete the UN Personal History Form (P11) and Offeror’s Letter;
• Merge your P11, Offeror’s Letter and Proposal into a single file;
• Click on the Job Title;
• Click “Apply Now” button, fill in necessary information on the first page, and click “Submit Application”;
• Upload your forms

You will receive an automatic response to your email confirming receipt of your application by the system.

Note:

• Only shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide a financial proposal.

Financial Proposal

Lump sum contracts:

• This is a lump sum contract. The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount. Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including travel, per diems, and number of anticipated working days);
• The payment will be made in three installments to be issued upon completion and submission of Performance Evaluation Form (PEF) on the works performed as indicated in the terms of reference.

Travel

All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel. In general, UNDP does not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.

In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

Evaluation

The individual consultants will be evaluated based on the Cumulative analysis methodology.
The award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Responsive/compliant/acceptable;
• Having received the highest score out of the 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 for the Technical Criteria will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.