Antecedentes

For a more in-depth description of the terms of reference and forms required to apply for this consultancy, go to UNDP procurement notice  http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=28016

You have the option of applying for this consultancy throught this job notice or by sending your application to procurement.ws@undp.org as per above procurement notice.

Background

The Improving the Performance and Reliability of Renewable Energy Power Systems in Samoa (IMPRESS) is a planned joint Government of Samoa, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Global Environment Facility (GEF) national renewable energy climate change mitigation project. The Project Identification Form (PIF) for an indicative amount of US$6,075,828.00 from GEF for a Full Size Project (FSP) was approved for funding by the GEF Secretariat in September 2015. UNDP is the GEF Agency for the project and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), Government of Samoa is the proposed Executing Partner. 

The objective of the planned project is to improve sustainable and cost-effective utilization of indigenous renewable energy resources for energy production in Samoa. The planned project will cover CC1 – Promote Innovation, Technology Transfer and Supportive Policies and Strategies as part of GEF-6, specifically Program 1: Promote timely development, demonstration and financing of low-carbon technologies and mitigation options. The preliminary IMPRESS project design consists of five main components: 1) Enhancement of Renewable Energy Policy Formulation and Implementation; 2) RE-based Power System Improvements; 3) Financing of Initiatives for Electricity Saving, Productive and Social Uses of RE Electricity, and Electricity System Performance Improvement; 4) Productive & Social Uses of RE Electricity; and 5) Enhancement of Awareness on the Applications and Benefits of Renewable Energy Technologies. 

The GEF has provided a Project Preparation Grant (PPG) that will be used for various preparatory work including studies, field-visits, stakeholder and project partner meetings, a Logical Framework Analysis (LFA) workshop, detailed design of the project components and activities, preparation of the UNDP-GEF Project Document and GEF CEO Endorsement Request (CER) Document and a validation workshop. A Project Development Team has been established which consists of representatives from the UNDP Multi-country Office (MCO) Samoa, MNRE, Ministry of Finance (MoF), the Electric Power Corporation (EPC) and the Samoa Trust Estates Corporation (STEC). As part of the preparatory phase a consultancy will be undertaken to provide assistance to the Project Development Team including support related to administrative services, project documentation management, financial management, monitoring and reporting and technical support services. 

Deberes y responsabilidades

The objective of the consultancy is to provide support to the Project Development Team  specifically the International Consultants during the preparatory phase.

In preparing the above, the consultant will carry out the following tasks:

Evaluation of RE Potential in Samoa

• Conduct research/survey of existing power system infrastrusture in Samoa;
• Prepare a chart showing historical and forecast total energy including electricity demand and supply in Samoa;
• Conduct review of existing relevant policies, strategies, legislations and regulations of GoS on the development and utilization of Samoa's RE resources (implemented, ongoing and planned);
• Conduct a research/survey of exisiting and planned RE projects (power and non-power) in the country;
• Assess how the IMPRESS project can synergize with ongoing and planned RE projects;
• Establish a baseline scenario for IMPRESS project. The baseline scenario is the expected situation if there will be no GEF assistance. This is the business-as-usual (BAU) scenario on renewable energy resource utilization (or share of RE in national energy mix) including % RE electricity target achievement in the next 5 to 15 years. Describe the following for the BAU scenario;
• Historical and forecast share of RE in the countrys energy mix and power generation systems;
• Historical and forecast electricity generation in Samoa;
• Most recent technology improvement in the RE system applications in Samoa, in general, and in Biomass-based power generation applications.

Administrative and Logistical Support:

• Provide support as needed by the other members of the Project Development Team related to administrative services, project documentation management, financial management, monitoring and reporting and technical support services;
• Assist with preparation and implementation of official meetings including if required prepare minutes;  
• Organize, and coordinate all the necessary meetings, particularly for the co-financing negotiations;
• Assist with logistics associated with field-visits as well as provide guidance on local protocols;
• Support required translations from Samoan to English and vise-versa during consultations and field-visits when requested;
• As per directions from the PDT Team leader (international consultant) provide support to the technical experts, government and key stakeholders with specific activities during project preparation;
• Assist the IC’s in finalizing the PIP workplan and progress reports.

Data Collection:

• Collect all the relevant data and information requested by the PDT leader specifically the International Consultants;
• Create a database or another medium of storing data collected (e.g. Dropbox) for easy access by the PDT;
• Maintain up-to-date files and records of project documentation.

Stakeholder Analysis:

• Conduct stakeholder mapping of relevant agencies, actors and sectors and their potential relations to the project, state their current mandates (in relation to the project) and their potential roles and responsibilities in the project implementation;
• Relevant local government agencies/institutions;
• Private sector entities;
• Civil societies;
• Banks and Financing institutions;
• Engineering firms;
• Local RE equipment suppliers/dealers (if any);
• Others.

Gender and Youth issue situation analysis:

• Conduct a systematic analysis to better understand the roles of men and women within project contexts including their differentiated needs and vulnerabilities, as well as identify specific strategies to address beneficiary needs and suggest initiatives to guarantee a fair expansion of benefits and opportunities to all members of society.

Institutional Arrangements:

• Conduct discussion meetings with identified project stakeholders and partners to determine and establish the most appropriate implementation arrangements;
• Assist in the delination of the institutional mechanism, involving the key players that will be involved in the project implementation, as well as sustain the project objectives;
• Prepare the proposed project implementation arrangements, the composition of the project steering committee/advisory board, including the project organizational chart.

Project Co-Financing:

• Based on the identified baseline activties, assist the IP in organizing consultation/negotiation meetings to discuss collaboration and coordination arrangements. Such meetings shall establish reporting responsibilities for the co-financed activities;
• Assist the IP in securing co-financing letters (letter of commitment) from the confirmed project partners that will co-finance the project.

Project Planning Matrix (PPM) or Log Frame:

• Assist the PDT leader with organizing and facilitating the 2-day LFA workshop by making sure the key stakeholders are well represented in the workshop;
• Assist the PDT leader in the preparing and finalizing the meeting minutes/records to include the detailed project planning matrix (PPM) or log frame in MS Word (or Excel) as an annex;
• Conduct a more in-depth research on the baseline information and data for the barriers and expected outputs;
• Review the previously identified impact and output indicators in terms of their relevance. (modify if necessary);
• Assess the baseline values of each indicator and where necessary provide explanations for such values;
• Review and revise/modify (if necessary) the means of verifications for each indicator;
• Prepare the M&E plan of the project based on the PPM;
• Prepare LFA workshop minutes.

Project Document & CEO Endorsement Request:

• Assist in the preparation of the Project Document and CEO Endorsement Request following the required GEF format;
• Make sure all revisions of the Project Document and CEO Endorsement is well documented.;
• Support discussion to address comments (if any) from GEF SEC upon submission of final Project Document by Team Leader (include revised documents/collated comments).  

Others:

• Participate in the Local Project Appraisal Committee (LPAC) Meeting;
• Prepare and submit to UNDP-Samoa minutes of the LPAC Meeting;
• Support communication and awareness raising of potential project stakeholders through-out the preparatory phase;
• Support the preparation of a detailed work-plan for the Project Initiation Plan (PIP) associated with the Project Preparation Grant (PPG) including planned activities, timeframe, responsibilities and budget; 
• Support the monitoring and revision as required of the Project Initiation Plan (PIP) work-plan;
• Preparation of progress reports according to Project Initiation Plan (PIP) work-plan;
• Carry out other tasks assigned by the PDT leader and members.

Competencias

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

• Fully proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications, e.g. word processing, spreadsheets, internet, power point and experience in handling of web-based management systems;
• Ability and sensitivity to work with a wide cross-section of partners, including Government, I/NGOs and private sector;
• Ability to form and maintain relationships through team work and needed networking;
• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information and best practices inside and outside UNDP;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Ability to lead effectively, and possesses mentoring and conflict resolution skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing is required to obtain, evaluate and interpret factual data and to prepare accurate and complete reports and other documents.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education:

• University degree in relevant engineering and applied science fields.

Experience:

• At least 3 years of experience supporting the implementation of engineering projects or programs; 
• Proven working experience on projects on climate change mitigation including renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy or environmental management; 
• Proven experience to work with and establish effective working relationships with a broad range of stakeholders (local communities, government, private sector, financial institutions, civil society, NGOs, etc.); 
• Extensive knowledge of the social, economic and institutional local context of Samoa.

Language:

• Excellent writing and oral communication skills in the English and Samoan languages required.