Antecedentes

The Aid for Trade project supports inclusive growth in Central Asia through promoting trade and raising competitiveness, to support national efforts to reduce poverty and improve peoples’ lives. The project focuses on Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The Aid for Trade project is looking to support increasing farm/agri-sector productivity and profitability through green technologies. In many cases farmers compensate inefficient practices (water management, agrochemicals, crop rotation, tillage and other) with excessive and uncontrolled use of fertilizer to achieve expected yields. This approach is highly resource inefficient, and produces significant negative externalities. At the same time, farmers have no experience with other practices and simply don’t see alternative ways to achieve higher productivity. The main aim is to reduce negative externalities and gradually lead to more efficient production with lower input costs, rebuilding ecological resources, while at the same time maintaining/increasing profitability/productivity.

Deberes y responsabilidades

The main objective of this study is to cost conventional agricultural approaches vs. sustainable agricultural approaches for specific crops in the Fergana valley. The consultant is expected to identify crops, as well as farms in the Fergana valley (Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan) in preparation for a costing exercise analysing action (SEM)  versus inaction (BaU)  on field based agriculture. The main aim is to demonstrate the economic profitability of reversing unsustainable agricultural practices. The consultant is expected to prepare a case study comparing the two alternative scenarios: BaU vs. SEM for a period of 10 years, using real historic data plus projected future scenarios, based on the Targeted Scenario Analysis (TSA) methodology.

  • Identify crops most likely to have the most profitable attributes to move from BaU to SEM. Crops need to be identified for each target region in the Fergana valley;
  • Identify at least one commercial farm per target region in the Fergana valley ;
  • For each farm identify key BaU practices currently used related to water management, agrochemicals, crop rotation, tillage and other unsustainable farm practices (crop specific);
  • For each farm develop an action plan to move from BaU to SEM which could lead to increased profits/productivity over time (crop specific);
  • For each farm develop BaU vs SEM scenarios, including financial indicators (changes in costs of practices, and investment costs, in productivity, annual revenues, net profits,), economic indicators and employment indicators - a)Background on the Action Plan, as well as the TSA; b) Costing of all activities and sub-activities of the action plan; c) Comparison of the scenarios: BaU vs SEM; d) Financing needs, investment plans and policy that might impact transition; e) Identify broader economic and social effects, which could affect implementation of action plan (for instance, reduction of fertilizer use could affect local fertilizer trader, who will be opposing the plan);
  • On the basis of the baselines and indicators developed for the scenarios, develop indicators /roadmap for the implementation of a transition from BaU to SEM;
  • Identify any other additional income sources that can be developed from transitioning from BaU to SEM;
  • Develop Aid for Trade project exit strategy.

Payment schedule as follows:

  • 10% upon submission of detailed study plan;
  • 20% upon submission of action plan for farms in the three countries;
  • 30% upon submission of scenarios;
  • 30% upon submission of roadmap;
  • 10% upon submission of all finalized documents.

Competencias

  • Strong interpersonal skills, communication and diplomatic skills, ability to work in a team;
  • Ability to plan and organize his/her work, efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
  • Ability to receive/integrate feedback;
  • Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations;
  • Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education:

  • Master’s degree in agricultural sciences, economics or sciences related to the responsibilities (Criteria A).

Experience:

  • At least 7 years of work experience in developing sustainable agricultural practices (Criteria B);
  • Demonstrated expertise and experience in areas related to environmental costing (BaU vs. SEM), targeted scenario analysis (Criteria C).

Language:

  • Excellent skills in written and spoken in English;
  • Russian is considered an asset. Knowledge of Tajik, Kyrgyz or Uzbek are considered an asset (Criteria D).

Evaluation of Applicants

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.

The contract will be awarded to this applicant whose offer is evaluated and determined as:

  • responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
  • Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical (P11 desk reviews and interviews) and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Only candidates who receive at least 70% in each step of the process will be considered for the financial evaluation.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 35 points:

  • Criteria A – max. 3 points;
  • Criteria B – max. 5 points;
  • Criteria C – max. 15 points;
  • Criteria D – max. 3 points;
  • Criteria interview, evaluated by focusing on B, C, D – combined max points: 9.

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 15 points

Application procedures
Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website.

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. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application;
  • Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc); please upload the P11 instead of your CV;
  • Financial Proposal - specifying a total lump sum amount in US Dollar (USD) for the tasks specified in this announcement. The financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (number of anticipated working days, travel, per diems and any other possible costs). Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, vaccination, personal security needs and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...). All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal;
  • Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials;
  • Please combine all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.

Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner. 

Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org. General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://on.undp.org/t7fJs.

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.