UNDP Jobs - 49753- International Consultant to Prepare The Medium Siz

International Consultant to Prepare The Medium Size Project for the UNDP GEF Project Entitled “Integrated Landscape Management for Improved Livelihoods and Ecosystem Resilience in Mount Elgon Region”

Location :

Kampala, UGANDA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

06-Oct-2014

Application Deadline :

26-Sep-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

54 Working Days Spread of 6 Months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

54 Working Days Spread of 6 Months

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

A Project Preparation Grant (PPG) has been approved by the GEF Secretariat to prepare a medium-Size Project (MSP) document for submission under the Global Environmental Facility Phase 5, System of Transparent Allocation of Resources (GEF-5 STAR). In this context an International expert on Climate change (with specific experience in mitigation and sustainable land/forest management) is required to support the team achieve the components proposed in the PIF, and expected outcomes to be achieved, as outlined in the approved Project Identification Form (PIF). The Key Stakeholder groups include Government–Ministry of Agriculture, Animal industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), National Agricultural research Organization (NARO, Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) and three district local governments of Mbale, Manafwa, and Bulambuli. The resources being requested for this project will be targeted towards empowering communities in Mount Elgon to manage their production landscapes in an integrated manner for improved livelihoods and ecosystem resilience. Expertise will be sought from FAO for the transfer of knowledge through use of farmer field schools. The project will have local ownership through Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries which has the overall responsibility for implementing the vision of the Government of Uganda depicted in the Agiculture Sector dvelopment Strategy and Investment Plan (2010- 2015) and the National Development Plan, 2010-2015.

Objective

The objective of the project is to secure multiple environmental benefits by addressing the twin challenges of unsustainable utilization of fuel wood and poor land management practices common in Uganda’s highlands, through empowering communities to integrate landscape planning and management and demonstrating options to reverse land degradation and reduce GHG emissions. The project will be developed within the context of the National Development Plan (NDP) to promote a low carbon emission development path, the National Forestry Policy (2001) that seeks to promote the rehabilitation and conservation of forests, soil and water resources, the National Action Plan (NAP) to combat desertification under the UNCCD, the integrated Territorial Climate Plan for the Mt. Elgon region, and other relevant national policies and legal frameworks. In order to address the main barriers to transforming the current land management practices into sustainable business, the project proposes the following approach:

Establish supportive land use planning regulations and a policy environment to bridge the capacity gap between the law and its enforcement;
Establish relevant baselines on the constraints that impede Mt Elgon ecosystem resilience;
Carry out the pre-feasibility studies on climate smart agriculture and GHG emission reducing practices;
Strengthen stakeholders’ capacity in understanding the land policy and engaging in SLM/SFM to ensure positive buildup of carbon stocks.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work:

The overall purpose of the consultancy is the preparation of a UNDP/GEF compliant MSP, which will involve establishment of key baselines and information gap analysis regarding constraints that impede Mt Elgon ecosystem resilience, and carry out a detailed assessment of the feasibility for use of climate smart agriculture and GHG emission reducing practices. This will be done by performing the following principal tasks:

Provide technical capacity for the project development (particularly formation of the technical task force);
Engage with relevant stakeholders (institutions, civil society, government agencies and multi-stakeholder fora at district level including communities) to generate information required to fill crucial gaps;
Select demonstration sites and elaborate modalities for feasibility studies and development of critical indicators to be done;
Assess the potential applicability, efficacy and operational arrangement of proposed climate smart agriculture and GHG emission reduction practices;
Recommend the best set-up and model for the piloting of climate smart agriculture and GHG emission reduction practices;
Coordinate information-gathering and cooperation with all stakeholders;
Elaborate the Medium-Size Project document and GEF CEO Endorsement document.

In accomplishing this assignment, the Consultant is expected to:

Provide expertise on the design of the project document taking into account international best practices and lessons learnt from technology transfer and Land Use and Land Use Change and Forestry projects elsewhere;
Define and quantify the global environmental benefits from addressing the climate change mitigation focal area;
Analyze the clauses in the current land policy that allow the communities to utilize land in a sustainable way, establish the land tenure security levels and level of knowledge of the tenure system by the communities, and give a detailed description of the legal baseline scenario with respect to land tenure security in the project area;
Establish baselines on ecosystems degradation in the 3 districts e.g soil erosion and fodder coverage availability, size of degraded area, proportion of landscape that is deforested, and classify the degraded resources (land, water etc) according to the degree of degradation so that appropriate actions can be planned to take care of ecosystem values, ecosystem carrying capacity and long term resilience of the resource base;
Establish causes of GHG emissions in the highlands, the current emission levels from livestock grazing, livestock manure, rice production, fertilizer use, burning of agricultural wastes, forest clearing and generate the indicators of decreased emission, and indicators of increased carbon sequestration e.g. from managed forests as sinks. In addition, verify the carbon sinking capacity of (1) Grivellia robusta (2) Albizia spp (3) Maesopsis eminii and identify a methodology for soil carbon conservation;
Provide an analysis and pro-forma validation of the GHG reduction estimates for the SLM and SFM activities, considering both carbon dioxide capture and emissions reductions from changes in extent of land use changes and adoption of proposed Climate Smart practices;
Review reports and deliverables prepared by the National consultant and the task force in the project development process;
Participate in field visits, as needed; two visits to the country are envisioned as part of the assignment;
Identify the co-financing sources and secure co-financing commitment letters;
Detail incremental cost analysis as per GEF guidance and preparing land degradation and climate change tracking tools for the project;
Lead preparation and approval of the logical framework analysis (including clear project outputs, activities, schedules, work plan and detailed budget) and the project’s M&E plan; and be responsible for the timely preparation and submission of the MSP for submission to the UNDP regional technical advisor by end October 2014;
Be available for any final modifications prior to and following submission to GEF.

The consultant shall work with a Technical Steering committee, who shall accomplish the following tasks:

Provide high level orientation and guidance for the project development;
Ensure that the project develops in accordance with national development objectives, goals and polices;
Pay special attention to the assumptions and risks identified in the log frame, and seek measures to minimize these threats to project success;
Ensure collaboration between institutions and free access on the part of project actors to key documents, land information systems, remote sensing imagery, etc;
Pay special attention to the post-project sustainability of activities developed by the project, including stakeholder consultations during the project development;
Ensure the integration and coordination of project activities with other related government and donor-funded initiatives.

The Steering Committee (SC) will be set up comprising of high level representatives of the key Ministries related to Sustainable land Management, Civil Society and the Private Sector. It will provide high-level policy guidance and orientation to the project. The representative of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries will chair the SC. Representatives from the following organizations/entities will form part of the Steering Committee:

Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development;
National Forestry Authority;
National Environment Management Authority;
National Agricultural Research Organization;
Busitema University;
Ministry of Water and Environment;
Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development;
Representative of Civil Society Organizations;
Representative of Private sector.

Deliverables:
The consultant shall be responsible for:

A report of baselines of key project indicators and the barrier analysis report;
A report on the analysis of the current land policy and the clauses that allow the communities to utilize land in a sustainable way;
A report of the analysis and pro-forma validation of the GHG reduction estimates for SLM and SFM activities;
A Logical Framework complete with indicators, monitoring and evaluation plan, a detailed budget of the project in line with GEF requirements including incremental cost analysis;
Draft Project document by mid October 2014 and co-financing letters;
The final Medium Size Project document by the end of February 2013 including the GEF and CEO Endorsement Requests incorporating the comments which will be made by stakeholders and UNDP staff (including the Regional Technical Advisor.

Outputs

Desk review of documents and preparation of inception Report (home-based);
Presentation of Inception Report;
Report on critical baselines, Barrier Analysis report, report on the analysis and pro-forma validation of the GHG reduction estimates from the SLM and SFM activities proposed;
Draft Medium Size Project Document with complete logframe, M&E plan and budget in line with GEF requirements;
Presentation of Draft Project Document;
Final Project document for submission.

Competencies

Excellent Analytical Skills;
Positive, constructive attitude towards work;
Ability to act professionally and flexibly to engage with government officials, donor representatives, and local communities;
Excellent English drafting and communication skills;
Ability to conduct research and analysis and strong synthesis skills;
Ability to develop strong relationships with national consultants; focuses on impact and results for the client and responds positively to critical feedback; consensus-oriented;
Highly developed inter-personal, negotiation and teamwork skills, networking aptitude;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Minimum postgraduate degree in Natural Resource/Agricultural Sciences, Environmental Economics, and/or related subjects.

Experience:

At least 7 years’ experience designing and/or implementing project in developing countries particularly, in GEF project formulation/design;
Proven and extensive international experience in policy analysis, land use and land use changes in relation to GHG emission reductions from applied technology interventions;
Proven and extensive experience with specific practices, tools and technical solutions for effective integration of SLM/SFM practices in agriculture;
Knowledge of carbon stock quantification methodologies and processes, particularly as it relates to LULUCF and Climate change mitigation;
Proven experience in coordinating baseline analyses, log frame development, calculating GHG emissions reductions, quantifying global environmental benefits (GEBS), developing budgets and identifying project risks;
Regional and national knowledge is highly desirable;
Experience in leading small multi-disciplinary, multi-national teams to deliver quality products in high stress, short deadline situations.

Language:

Excellent English drafting and communication skills.

Working Arrangement:

Institutional Arrangement:

With overall reporting to the UNDP Country Director, the Consultant will work on day to day basis with the National Consultant, and shall be supervised by the Team Leader, Energy and Environment Unit of UNDP. The Project Implementing partner, Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) will be responsible for constituting the Technical Steering Committee, arrange field visits and coordinate with Government TO make sure consultants gain access to relevant stakeholders for consultations. Finalization of the MSP will be done in collaboration with the UNDP CO and the RTA. UNDP will support organization of stakeholder workshops to review the inception and draft reports.

UNDP will support the Consultant in the following areas:

Access to required information if it is available with UNDP.
Access to UNDP Office and its infrastructure (e.g conference room and internet while at UNDP).

The consultant will include travel costs and per diems within the country in their financial proposals, and these shall be provided byUNDP.

Reporting Arrangements:
The Lead Consultant will report to the Steering Committee headed by MAAIF on all technical obligations and to UNDP on all contractual obligations.

Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments:

20% upon approval of the inception report;
20% upon completion of Baseline Information, Barrier Analysis report, the report on the analysis and pro-forma validation of the GHG reduction estimates from the SLM and SFM activities proposed;
40% upon completion of Draft Medium Size Project Document with detailed budget in line with GEF requirements;
20% upon submission of Final Medium Size Project document and approval by GEF, and after any final modifications.

Evaluation Method and Criteria:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

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. 70%-30%.

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
Criteria.

Education (Advanced degree) - 10;
Knowledge and experience in climate change mitigation an project development- 20;
Relevant experience in conducting similar assignments - 15;
Relevance of experience in report writing and drafting - 10;
Description of approach/methodology to assignment - 15.

Financial Assessment:

Lump Sum Amount approach shall be used with the following expectations:

The lump sum amount must be “all-inclusive”;
The contract price is fixed regardless of changes in the cost components;
For duty travels, UN’s Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) rates prevailing at the time of sourcing, for the duty station and all other cities indicated in the TOR as part of duty travel destinations will be used. This will give offerors an indication of the cost of living in a duty station/destination, to aid their determination of the appropriate fees and financial proposal amount, but it does not imply that Offerors are entitled to DSA payment; and
The initial payment includes the actual cost of the IC’s travel to arrive at the designated Duty Station. This implies that the completion of the journey can be considered as one of the deliverables payable upon arrival.

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:

Interested individual consultants must submit (on line) 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;
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;
For further information, please email Diana.nabbanja@undp.org and copy justine.naiga-bagonza@undp.org.

Annexes:

Annex I: Individual Contractor General Terms and Conditions;
Annex II: Template to Confirmation of Interest and Availability and Submit the Financial Proposal.

Annexes (to be downloaded from UNDP Uganda website, procurement notices section:http://www.ug.undp.org).