UNDP Jobs - 47667- Re-advertisement - Weather and Climate information

Re-advertisement - Weather and Climate information costs/benefit and Marketing Analyst

Location :

Kampala, UGANDA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

13-Nov-2014

Application Deadline :

30-Oct-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

40 days spread over 3 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

40 days

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Candidates who previously applied need not re-apply.

The Government of Uganda has, through United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) received financial support from Global Environment Facility (GEF) for a project on “Strengthening climate information and early warning systems in Africa for climate resilient development and adaptation to climate change-Uganda”.

The project is implemented by Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) as implementing entity. The responsible partners to the project are:

Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA);
Department of Water Resource Management (DWRM);
Department of Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Management (DRDPM)/Office of the Prime Minister (OPM);
Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industries and Fisheries Resources (MAAIF) on behalf of government in collaboration with relevant partners at national and district level.

Due to climate change, there has been an increase in weather extremes globally which has resulted into several weather related calamities (Floods, Droughts, Landslides, Heat waves, Extreme temperatures, Lightening strikes). Uganda has in the past witnessed an increase of weather related hazards. In addition, Uganda currently has no operational lightning detection network or weather Radar, which are essential means of identifying and predicting thunderstorm activity.

The main objectives of the project are:

Establish a functional network of meteorological and hydrological monitoring stations and associated infrastructure to better understand climatic changes;
Develop and disseminate tailored weather and climate information (including colour-coded alerts – advisories, watches and warnings – for flood, drought, severe weather and agricultural stresses, integrated cost-benefit analyses and sector-specific risk and vulnerability maps) to decision makers in government, private sector, civil society, development partners and local communities in the Teso and Mt Elgon sub-region; and
Integrate weather and climate information into national policies, annual work plans and local development including the National Policy for Disaster Preparedness and Management, and district and sub-county development plans in priority districts in the Bukedi, Busoga, Elgon, Teso, Acholi, Karamoja and Lango sub-regions. The project is expected to be completed by December 2017.

This project has two outcome areas:

Enhanced capacity of UNMA and Department of Water Resource Management (DWRM) to monitor and forecast extreme weather, hydrology and climate change;
Efficient and effective use of hydro-meteorological and environmental information for making early warnings and long term development plans.

Consultancy Rationale

The fundamental problem this project seeks to address is that the current climate information (including monitoring, processing and development of tailored advisories) and early warning systems are not functioning optimally enough to effectively support the adaptive capacity of local communities and key sectors. Obsolete and inadequate weather and climate monitoring infrastructure limits data collection, analysis of meteorological and climate data to generate information and specific products for planning. Most operational stations are manually operated and therefore do not report data with sufficient frequency to provide adequate lead times to respond to impending climate hazards, and measurements are generally reported days to weeks after the hazard has passed. In addition, there is need to determine the most suitable lightening detection network, how much information generated by this system can be used for weather/rainfall monitoring, the costs and benefits of installing the network, to develop and implement sector-specific strategy and program for improved meteorological services and products to Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and other key economic sectors that are identified as having the most potential for generating revenue.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

The project is being implemented in Lake Kyoga catchment basin (28 districts comprising: Bukedi, Busoga, Mt Elgon, Teso, Acholi, Karamoja and Lango sub-regions), however, it will also rehabilitate and equip 12 synoptic stations and link them to the National Meteorological Centre in Entebbe through networking. This consultancy is expected to be carried out within Entebbe and Kampala with some limited visits to preselected sites. The Consultancy will be carried out within 30 working days.

Consultancy Objectives

The Programme Management Unit is seeking to engage a Consultant to:

Determine the costs and benefits of installing weather & climate information including lightning detection equipment to determine the most suitable network of detectors and how such information could be integrated/used for weather/rainfall monitoring;
Develop and implement sector-specific marketing strategy and programme for improved meteorological services and products to the Civil Aviation Authority, as well as for one or two other key economic sectors that are identified as having the most potential for generating revenue.

Detailed Consultancy Activities:

A desk review of relevant documents (Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA) Act, UNMA Business and strategic Plans); Report on the “Feasibility study on modernisation of Uganda National Meteorological Service”; Climate Change Policy; UNDP-GEF Climate Information and Early Warning Systems project document, annual work plan and procurement plans;
Determine the cost and benefits of installing optimum network of equipment for its detection and alert mechanism;
Develop and implement sector-specific marketing strategies and programmes for improved meteorological services and products to the CCA as well as for 1-2 other key economic sectors that are identified as having the most potential for generating revenue;
Conduct a comprehensive study to establish the viability of different sources of revenues including; a market analysis identifying needs for improved forecasting and other services and products; and ii) a study to evaluate the demand and the costs and benefits of accurate, timely and accessible weather and climate forecasts (including tailored forecasts and alerts).
Review and propose revisions to the current; cost recovery arrangement between the UNMA and CCA to adequately reflect enhanced services and fee structures; and ii) government reimbursement levels for meteorological services to reflect higher levels of expenses and capital costs needed to maintain and operate automated and modernised equipment and retain forecasting skills.
Develop service-level agreements for government organizations and private companies requiring specific customized meteorological services from UNMA.
Establish a partnership with an internet service provider with regards to internet bandwidth costs for the UNMA station network.

Deliverables for the Consultancy:

Cost/benefit analysis of installing best possible network of equipment for detection and alert mechanism;
Implement sector-specific strategies and programs for improved meteorological services and products to CCA and other key economic sectors;
A market analysis identifying needs for improved forecasting and other services and products; and ii) a study to evaluate the demand and the costs and benefits of accurate, timely and accessible weather and climate forecasts (including tailored forecasts and alerts);
Review and propose revisions to the current cost recovery arrangement between the UNMA and CCA;
Review and propose revisions to the government reimbursement levels for meteorological services to reflect higher levels of expenses and capital costs needed to maintain and operate automated and modernised equipment and retain forecasting skills;
Service-level agreements for government organizations and private companies requiring specific customized meteorological services from UNMA;
Partnership with an internet service provider with regards to internet bandwidth costs for the UNMA station network;
He/she will be responsible for carrying out the assessments, documenting findings and presenting practical solutions, recommended by the study, to implementing and responsible partners;
Develop a summary publication of the activities under this consultancy.

Consultancy Implementation Arrangements

The Consultant will report to Executive Director of Uganda National meteorological Authority and will be facilitated through the Project Management Unit for his/her day-to-day work;
The Programme Management Unit will support and assistance to gain access to relevant documents and stakeholders for consultations.

Competencies

Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;
Mature judgment and initiative;
Ability to present complex issues in a simple and clear manner;
Ability to work under pressure;
Initiative and independence;
Computational and analytical skills;
Business analysis skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

A Master’s degree in Natural/Environment Science or related discipline;
Training in Business Administration will be an added advantage.

Experience

At least 3 years of working experience with meteorological services;
Proven experience in conducting cost benefits analysis independently;
Working experience with UNDP/ UN system or other international organisation an advantage;
Familiarity with weather related disasters in Uganda.
Proven experience in report writing and drafting.

Language skills

Excellent written and spoken English.

Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

Payment shall be by the lump sum modality in the following 3 instalments. These shall be all inclusive and the contract price is fixed regardless of changes in the cost components. The Consultant should endeavor to include all costs involved to complete this assignment.

Upon signature of contract by both parties and presentation of an approved inception report (1 week after signing of contract) - 20%;
Completion and approval of output 2-5, (1,5 month after signing the contract - 30%;
Completion and approval of output 6-9 (3 months after signing the contract – 50%)

Evaluation Method and Criteria - Cumulative analysis

The award of the contract shall 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 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation

Technical Criteria – Maximum 70 points

Criteria

Education (Advanced degree or higher in natural/environmental science) - 10;
Knowledge of Business administration - 5;
Relevant experience in conducting similar assignment - 15;
Relevance of experience in report writing and drafting - 10;
Description of approach/methodology to assignment - 30.

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications in one single PDF document:
Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP (Annex II);
Personal CV or 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;
Technical proposal;
Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment;
A methodology, on how they will approach and complete the assignment;
Financial proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided (Annex II).

For clarifications / annexes II, please send an email to justine.naiga-bagonza@undp.org and copy fredah.zawedde@undp.org accordingly.