Background

Background/Project Description:

Approximately 70% of Timor-Leste’s rural population (840,000 people) is highly vulnerable to climate changes, particularly increasing variability of rainfall and extreme weather events. Lives and livelihoods in the remote interior of the country and coastal regions are both highly exposed. Impacts of intensified extreme events include damage and degradation of decentralized small-scale critical infrastructure, particularly water supply and drainage structures, embankments, and feeder roads and bridges. Damages leave rural populations isolated, lacking basic services. According to climate change scenarios and risk models, occurrences of climate extremes and related damages will at least double towards mid- century.

The project objective is to safeguard vulnerable communities and their physical assets from climate change-induced disasters. It aims to address existing institutional, financial and legislative barriers, increasing the climate resilience of vulnerable small-scale rural infrastructure.

Output 1 : focuses on strengthening the capacity of mandated institutions to assess and manage climate risks in order to maintain local infrastructure services. Monitoring and recording of climate risk information will be enhanced, and these data will be integrated into policies, standards, guidelines, and long-term investment planning for small-scale rural infrastructure.

Output 2 : focuses on implementing climate resilient building measures to improve small-scale rural infrastructure in vulnerable areas. GCF funds will assist in the development and implementation of catchment management strategies, supporting long-term resilience and climate risk reduction via landscape restoration and enhanced land stability, particularly in vulnerable catchments where small-scale infrastructure is present.

The project is supporting an ongoing decentralized investment framework which is administered through the Municipality Development Investment Program (PDIM) and Suco Development National Program (PNDS) processes, by embedding the knowledge of climate risks and skills of climate-proofing design,

construction, operation and maintenance of rural infrastructure.   Through the project, local authorities’

capacity for climate-risk informed development of long-term investment plans will be enhanced, thereby strengthening de-centralized decision-making. Human resource capacity in managing climate risks to local development funding (including technical capacity for assessing proposals, ensuring performance standards, conducting safety, environmental impact and cost-effective evaluations of proposals, and monitoring local development projects) will be enhanced.

The  project aims to address the existing barriers and shift the baseline scenario towards climate resilience. The project will directly benefit 19,751 households, comprising 15% of the total population. The direct beneficiaries of the project are 175,840 (89,643 males, 86,197 females) and the indirect beneficiaries are 346,160 (176,473 males, 169, 687 females) living in the six selected municipalities. The proportion of men and women benefitted by the project is almost the equally balanced – 51% males and 49%  females.

Gender inequality and women’s disempowerment are the determining factors behind women and girls being disproportionately affected by climate change and disasters; and at the same time their ‘skills and life experiences are not identified as resources, and, therefore, are not incorporated into risk reduction and disaster preparedness, relief or recovery efforts’. Unless these inequalities are adequately assessed and incorporated into climate change adaptation and DRR measures, the disparities are likely to be exacerbated.

Duties and Responsibilities

OBJECTIVE:                       

The overall objective of the consultancy assignment is to develop the Gender-Responsive Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan which encompasses the priorities endorsed in the main national strategy and policy documents (including the National Climate Change Policy) and guide the mainstreaming of gender and social inclusion in local development planning frameworks while supporting the project implementation and ensuring women empowerment through appropriate strategies and actions.

SCOPE OF SERVICE  

The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager with overall supervision and guidance from the Chief Technical Adviser (CTA), and UNDP Timor-Leste Country Office (CO).  The consultant is expected to have extensive engagement with national counterparts in the respective line Ministries including the Project Director in SSE.

During the assignment, the national consultant (Gender and Social Inclusion Specialist) is expected to carry out the following tasks and deliver specific results/products:

1. Inception report summarizing the objectives, scope and outputs of the assignment, organization and methodology for achievement of the outputs, documentation review, meetings, findings, and setting out a detailed planning of the assignment, including the schedule.

• In collaboration with UNDP-GCF project, conduct desk review of relevant documents such as ProDoc, gender assessment report and any related documents to develop an inception report, including the methodology to deliver outputs and the schedule.
• Review and revised the questionnaire and survey forms that have been developed for the consultation and Focus Group Discussions at local level 

1. Design and facilitate consultations and workshops in each municipality, community consultation and document gender considerations to be incorporated int the action plan to be developed  

• Conduct field visit to selected municipalities of Aileu, Baucau, Ermera, Lautem, Liquica and Viqueque and facilitate consultation/discussion with Municipality authorities, local leaders and suco council members, local contractors, civil society organizations, partners agencies working on  gender issues and social inclusion;
• Organize and facilitate meetings and interviews with key stakeholders at the national level, including government counterparts i.e. Secretary of State for the environment (SEA), Ministry of State Administration (MSA), Ministry of Public Works (MoPW), Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF), Secretary of State for Civil Protection (SSCP), Secretary of State for Gender and Equality (SEI).
• Conduct Focus Group Discussion (FGD) to community groups i.e. Grupo Manaje Fasilidade (GMF), community Forestry groups, agriculture groups, Suco Disaster Management Committee (SDMC), community groups regarding information gathering related to climate change and disaster risks impact to men and women and vulnerable people
• Organize and facilitate workshops at municipality levels (2 municipal clusters) and a national validation workshop in Dili to relevant stakeholders to present findings and any clarification of the findings.

1. Review and update the Gender Assessment and Action Plan; Develop a Responsive Climate Change Strategy and Gender Action Plan that encompasses the national priorities outlines in Climate Change Policy, NAP etc. to effectively mainstream gender concerns

• Develop gender-responsive management tool to integrate and incorporate into PDIM, PNDS, GMF, CAMP, EVAS, Agroforestry, reforestation and DRM guidelines
• Develop Gender responsive standards, guidelines and specifications for rural infrastructure, encompassing both technical and functional standards based on international best practices

1. Extensive consultation at national and sub-national levels (including local/suco levels) develop two types of training manual both in English and Tetun for experts and local community in the context of the project and Timor-Leste, facilitate the presentation and validation of the manuals developed.

• Review an existing CCA and DRM training manual, ensure gender mainstreaming into DRM and related training manuals.
• Gender responsive training manuals to be developed and to be utilized for PNDS, PDIM, DRM, agroforestry and agriculture practitioners. 

1. Conduct validation workshops at both national and municipality levels to relevant stakeholders to present findings.
2. Training reports - Facilitate trainings workshops for key government stakeholders and experts, partner NGOs and PMU on gender mainstreaming, gender analysis and gender audit and social inclusion
3. Monitoring reports submitted and progress updates against the gender action plan in relation to the integration of gender and social aspects in sub-national development planning and prioritization frameworks.
4. Prepare and submit report including the semi-annual/annual progress against the approved gender action plan, lessons learned documentation.

The consultant is expected to support the concept preparation and all aspects related to each output, hosting and facilitation of the respective events, logistic arrangements such as venue, equipment, translator, materials, vehicle and supplies will be supported by the project.    

EXPECTED OUTPUTS AND DELIVERABLES

All deliverables will only be accepted if they meet the highest quality standards. Workshops and meetings have to be well prepared and executed professionally.

INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT

The consultant will report to the Chief Technical Adviser and Project Manager for GCF Safeguard Project in UNDP Timor-Leste and support from the UNDP CO. Further oversight and guidance will be provided by UNDP’s Regional Technical Adviser in RBAP (Bangkok).  The project will facilitate administrative arrangements and logistical support throughout the duration of the mission including coordinating the in-country mission and field visits. Field visit, consultation and travel will be required to the municipalities.

• The assignment requires full-time presence in the duty station and collaboration with the project team in UNDP Timor-Leste Country Office (CO), Ministry of State Administration (MSA), Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries ( MAF), Secretary of State for the Environment (SEA ), Ministry of Public Works (MPW), Secretary of State of Civil Protection (SSCP), Municipality Administrators, community leaders and respective counterparts.
• Frequent communication and collaboration with project team and relevant national counterpart staff is required.
• The consultant will perform duties according to this TOR, facilitate consultation and discussion with key government counterparts, partners and community including organization in Timor-Leste.

DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT

The assignment will be for a period of 110 days between 01 August 2021 – 15 July 2022 in Timor-Leste.

The consultant must be available for meetings with the UNDP Country Office/project team and counterparts in the respective ministries and partners for discussion, consultations and validation of content and products. Arrangement for such consultations/visits will be communicated to the consultant so that team members can prepare and schedule time accordingly.

DUTY STATION

The duty station of the work is Dili, Timor-Leste.  The national consultant is expected to be based in Dili with extensive field travel to six project target Municipalities, Aileu, Ermera, Liquica, Baucau, Lautem and Viqueque,

For duty travels, outside the Duty Station (Dili), and upon prior written agreement and clearance from the Project Manager, such travel shall be at UNDP’s expense, and the Individual Contractor shall receive a per diem not to exceed United Nations daily subsistence allowance rate in such other location(s).

Competencies

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Demonstrated capacity in knowledge sharing and knowledge management and ability to generate innovative and new ideas and promote learning through leadership and personal example
• In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues
• Ability to conduct research and analysis and strong synthesis skills

Management and Leadership

• Highly develop inter-personal, negotiation and teamwork skills, networking aptitude, ability to work in multi-cultural environment
• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills, including the ability to liaise effectively at corporate and project management levels;

Corporate/Functional

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling 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.

Required Skills and Experience

QUALIFICATIONS OF THE SUCCESSFUL ORGANIZATION

Education:

• A university degree (minimum Bachelor's degree level) in gender studies, development studies, international relations, social sciences, political science or in any related area is required.

The candidate should meet the following requirements:

• Candidate with specialized knowledge (National) specialized in gender-related works are invited to make a proposal for this contract;
• A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in gender/social inclusion related roles (combination of programme development, advisory, project management, training/capacity-building roles);
• Previous work experience with the UN system, international NGOs and International Donors is desirable. Previous experience working with UNDP highly considered;
• Previous experience and knowledge relating to climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and how this impacts on gender and social aspects;
• Demonstrate knowledge of the institutional arrangements, key stakeholders and existing policy instruments in the area of gender mainstreaming and women’s empowerment in Timor Leste;
• Have an experience of organizing/leading discussions, facilitating a variety of events, workshops, working with government, local authorities, community groups as well as providing analysis and reporting;
• Experience undertaking similar projects and assignments in Timor-Leste. Previous expertise with the UN system or Government in Timor-Leste is an advantage;
• Language: Proven capacity to produce outputs in both English and Tetum.

Language requirements:

Tetum and English Language – excellent written and oral communication skills. In addition to excellent command of Tetum and English, ability to communicate in Portuguese and/or Bahasa Indonesian will be considered beneficial to the assignment.

SCOPE OF PRICE PROPOSAL AND SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS

Lump Sum Amount

The financial proposal must be expressed in the form of a lump sum all-inclusive cost linked to deliverables specified in TOR Section C, supported by a breakdown of costs as per the template provided.

Schedule of payments

RECOMMENDED PRESENTATION OF OFFER

Interested companies in the assignment must submit the following documents to demonstrate their qualification:

1. Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;
2. 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;
3. Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided;
4. Technical Proposal (can be attached with CV):
   1. Technical Approach & Methodology – This explain the understanding of the objectives of the assignment, approach to the services, methodology for carrying out the activities and obtaining the expected output, and the degree of detail of such output. The Applicant should also explain the methodologies proposed to adopt and highlight the compatibility of those methodologies with the proposed approach;
   2. Work Plan – The Applicant should propose the main activities of the assignment, their content and duration, phasing and interrelations, milestones (including interim approvals by the Client), and delivery dates. The proposed work plan should be consistent with the technical approach and methodology, showing understanding of the TOR and ability to translate them into a feasible working plan.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF THE BEST OFFER

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis:

When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

1. Responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
2. Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

* Technical Criteria weighting: 70%

* Financial criteria weighting: 30%

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points in the technical evaluation criteria would be considered for the Financial Evaluation

All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNDP Timor-Leste.  UNDP Timor-Leste will be free to adapt and modify them in the future.

Annexes (click on the hyperlink to access the documents):

• Annex 1 - IC Contract Template (for information);

• Annex 2 -  Financial Proposal Template using the template provided by UNDP;
• Annex 3 – IC General Terms and Conditions (for information);
• Annex 4 – RLA Template (if consultant wishes to be recruited through an employer) - (for information).

Incomplete applications will not be considered and will be disqualified automatically. 

Only short-listed candidates will be notified. Women candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.