Background

Climate change is a subject that impacts the way we live and work. It is having a significant impact on many economic sectors including agriculture. These impacts are seriously undermining development. The poorest people, who often live in the most fragile environment and are especially reliant on climate-sensitive agriculture sector, are highly vulnerable to climate change. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been active in fighting against climate change since 1990’s, assisting Developing countries including Lao PDR with capacity development, adaptation and mitigation actions.
UNDP, GEF and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) have completed the formulation of the project “Improving the Resilience of the Agriculture Sector in Lao PDR to Climate Change Impacts” through the National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI).
The objective is to minimize food insecurity resulting from climate change in Lao PDR and to reduce the vulnerability of farmers to extreme flooding and drought events. There are four expected outcomes:
  • Outcome 1: Knowledge base on Climate Change impacts in Lao PDR on agricultural production, food security and vulnerability, and local coping mechanisms strengthened;
  • Outcome 2: Capacities of sectoral planners and agricultural producers strengthened to understand and address climate change – related risks and opportunities for local food production and socio-economic conditions
  • Outcome 3: Community-based adaptive agricultural practices and off-farm opportunities demonstrated and promoted within suitable agro-ecological systems
  • Outcome 4: Adaptation Monitoring and Learning as a long-term process
 
In this context UNDP and NAFRI seek a qualified Agriculture and NRM Extension Specialist “Agriculture Adaptation to Climate Change” (international position) to provide technical services to the Project Support Unit (PSU) and the project implementing agencies in realization of all outputs and outcomes as outlined in the approved project document.

Duties and Responsibilities

The services of the international specialist are directly related to achieving main outputs of the project in the field, especially under Outcome 3 (community-based agricultural adaptation practice) as per approved project document. The services of the specialist are also associated to the realization of other service contract (for preparation and implementation of training related to several climate change oriented extension modules (CCTAM).
  • Reviewing existing extension approaches in the light of climatic change events (floods, droughts, erosion etc).
  • Identification of specific training needs serving an AA2CC extension process with focus on activities to be implemented under component 3.
  • Design and formulation of the community based AA2CC extension process.
  • Description of parameters criteria for compliance with the process.
  • Development of methodology and 7 training modules (“Climate Change Training and Adaptation Modules” CCTAM) based upon process design and criteria.
1.    General Aspects for CC Training and Adaptation Modules (CCTAM)
2.    CCTAM Crop/Agro-Forestry
3.    CCTAM Small Livestock
4.    CCTAM Fisheries/Aquaculture
5.    CCTAM Fruit/Vegetables
6.    CCTAM Off-farm adaptation / income
7.    CCTAM “Safeguarding Land” programme for schools, pagodas etc.
  • Development of a detailed training plan for first batch of staff to be trained under the scheme (ToT), and an overall plan until 2014.
  • Discuss and review the CCTAM modules and the training plan with NAFES, relevant GoL agencies and other partners.
Detailed Terms of reference can be downloaded at http://www.undplao.org/vacancies

Competencies

  • Excellent conceptual and analytical skills.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Fluency in English is a must.
  • Excellent time management skills, with an ability to deliver high-quality outputs on time.
  • Very good computer skills / use of software for planning and training

Required Skills and Experience

  • MSc degree in agriculture extension, community development, natural resources management, institutional development, non-formal agricultural training, or similar.
  • Minimum of 15 years professional experience in systematic agriculture and NRM extension works with partly experimental features, crop and farming system diversification (theoretically and in practice).
  • General knowledge of possible Climate Change impacts on agriculture and rural environment and livelihoods.
  • Ability to transfer analytical results into simple and workable extension modules.
  • Practical experience in UN-related projects and knowledge of UN system and procedures preferable. Working experience in government projects in SEAsia helpful.
 
Requirements for submission of applications:
a)    All interested and qualified candidates should apply on-line through the UNDP website at http://www.undplao.org/vacancies or http://jobs.undp.org. The UNDP will only accept applications submitted on-line. Please ensure that before making on-line application, you have completed the UNDP Personal History Form (P11). The electronic version of the P11 can be downloaded from Please ensure that before making on-line application, you have completed the UNDP Personal History Form (P11). The electronic version of the P11 can be downloaded from http://www.undplao.org/vacancies (Current Vacancies Section). The completed P11 form further should be uploaded while applying on-line;  
b)    Detailed financial offer: Lump sum offer with clear cost breakdown (international travel, consultancy fee and DSA).
 
Evaluation of proposals:
 
The technical proposal is evaluated on the basis of its responsiveness to the Terms of Reference (TOR) based on the below evaluation criteria used in the Procurement Notice and TOR.
 
LOWEST PRICE OF TECHNICALLY RESPONSIVE PROPOSALS (Lowest evaluated offer of technically qualified applicants, usually used for consultants or contractors performing support services)
The price proposal of all consultants, who have attained minimum 70 % of the total score (i.e. 70 points) in the technical evaluation, was compared. The contract will be awarded to the individual offering the lowest technically responsive offer.
 
Sample: Technical Proposal Evaluation Form
Points obtainable
Name of Consultant
 
Name 1
Name 2
Name 3
1.
Experience of the consultants:
Max 30 points
 
 
 
 
Sub criteria
1.1 Experience of international projects of comparable size, complexity and technical specialty
Less than two projects – 4
Two to three projects – 7
Five to ten projects - 10
 
10
 
 
 
1.2 Experience in developing countries under
comparable conditions
From 1 to 2 countries (5 points)
From 3 to 5 countries (8 points)
6 and above countries (10 points)
 
10
 
 
 
1.3 Experience in UNDP/GEF projects
 
From 1 to 2 yrs (5 points)
From 3 to 5 yrs (8 points)
More than 6 yrs (10 points)
 
10
 
 
 
 
Sub total
30
 
 
 
2.
CV: Objectives and Scope of Work:
Max 50 points
 
 
 
Sub criteria
2.1 Are the important aspects of the objectives (strategic understanding, focus on climate change adaptation, evaluation criteria) visible in sufficient detail through earlier assignments undertaken?
20
 
 
 
2.2 Are the details of the scope of work (all operational aspects mentioned in TOR) sufficiently visible through earlier assignments undertaken?
20
 
 
 
2.3 Is the presentation of earlier technical works and assignments in the CV clear, consistent and logical?
10
 
 
 
 
Sub total
50
 
 
 
3.
Organization and completeness of the CV
10
 
 
 
4
Intellectual and technical soundness
 5
 
 
 
5.
Previous UNDP/UN performance evaluation
 5
 
 
 
 
Total Technical
Max 100 points (100%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial offer (lump sum)
 
 
 
 
 
Note: Any request for clarification must be sent in writing to the following e-mail: diyer.rasulov@undp.org. UNDP Lao PDR will respond in writing by standard electronic mail and will send written copies of the response, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to all consultants.
 
The copies of the response will be also plced on our web-site at: http://www.undplao.org/vacancies/index.php and linked to the current Procurement Notice.
 
All interested candidates are encouraged to visit the above web-site for updates.
 
Note: Please note that only short-listed candidates will be notified. Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
For more detailed information about UNDP Lao PDR please visit our website at http://www.undplao.org