The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), as the development arm of the United Nations, works in some 170 countries and territories, helping to empower lives and build resilient nations.

In Sri Lanka, UNDP has been working as a key development partner of choice since 1967, to achieve sustainable human development on economic, social, and environmental fronts. Working closely with the Government at national, regional, and local levels, civil society, and the private sector. UNDP aims to eradicate extreme poverty and reduce inequalities and exclusion to protect both people and the planet.

Climate change is the single greatest challenge humanity has ever faced, threatening water and food security, health, livelihoods, and the safety of billions of people. The global response to this challenge must be just, inclusive, and leave no one behind, while seeking the most efficient climate solutions that advance multiple Sustainable Development Goals at once.

UNDP, Sri Lanka is assisting the Government to work towards a sustainable Sri Lanka building up institutional, legal, and individual capacities to respond to the effects of climate change as well as adherence to global commitments such as the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. Support with signature solutions is provided to the government in a mix of policy advice, technical assistance, finance, reporting, and further extension of benefits to those affected by implementing pilot projects and programmes.

In 2015 UNDP assisted, technically and financially, the Kaduwela Municipal Council to set up a pilot waste to energy plant to demonstrate effective municipal waste management. In 2017 Kaduwela Municipal Council and UNDP through a government cost-sharing project successfully scaled up the waste to energy plant to treat 10 MT of biodegradable waste to produce electricity and organic liquid fertilizer. A 40 kW three phase generator operating on biogas currently provides the inhouse load at the waste collection and processing center and exports any excess to the grid through a net-metering connection. Due to financial, environmental, and social benefits from the 10 MT plant, Kaduwela municipal council with the technical support of the UNDP is in the process of expanding the waste to the energy system to treat a further 20 MT of biodegradable waste.

As the waste to energy system at Kaduwela Municipal Council has been highly successful, UNDP, with the aim of assisting the government towards sustainable development, has allocated funding to identify 10 other municipal councils that can benefit from replicating the waste to energy system at Kaduwela Municipal Council.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this assignment is to identify 10 local authorities with the potential to replicate the waste to energy system demonstrated at Kaduwela Municipal Council as a sustainable solution for biodegradable waste collected by local authorities. The study should reveal the technical and financial feasibility of implementing biogas systems and with the application of generation of power or any other suitable application of the biogas generated and the accompanying environmental and social impacts.

SCOPE

The consultant will carry out the following under this assignment.

1. Study the waste to energy system set up at Kaduwela Municipal Council
2. In consultation with the UNDP, conduct necessary consultations with the relevant stakeholders including the local authorities and the Federation of Sri Lankan Local Government Authorities (FSLGA).
3. With FSLGA reach out to local authorities in Uva, Western, Central, North Western and Eastern Provinces to uncover local authorities that have an interest in implementing a waste to energy system for biodegradable waste. Criteria for shortlisting of local authorities should be prepared in consultation with the UNDP PMU and presented to the local authorities
4. With the support of FSLGA, consult the interested local authorities and analyse and shortlist the top 10 local authorities that are the most viable to implement a waste-to- energy system in partnership with UNDP. To assure the way forward with the selected top 10 local authorities, a written confirmation of the anticipated financial investment for the proposed waste to energy system from the respective local authority is necessary.
5. The primary application of biogas should focus on power generation with grid connection where applicable and possible, however, the application should suit the site specific conditions. If power generation is not possible an alternative more feasible application should be configured.
6. Carry out technical and financial feasibility of the 10 local authorities with an analysis of the environmental and social impacts
7. The financial feasibility should analyse the IRR, NPV, and payback period of the plant and technical analysis should also consider the capacity of the LA to operate and maintain the plant
8. Potential for Public-Private Partnerships should also be considered in the study with the aim of increasing the sustainability of the waste to energy plant
9. Conduct required stakeholder consultations/meetings/interviews with necessary partners in developing the studies when and where necessary in consultation with UNDP PMU
10. Validate the final results which should include technical, financial, social, and environmental findings with the key stakeholders

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Under the overall supervision of the Policy Specialist and Team Leader, Climate and Environment Team, the consultant will be directly responsible to the Programme Coordinator (Energy & Waste)
• The consultant should report to Programme Coordinator (Energy & Waste) in seeking approval/acceptance of outputs listed below under “Expected Outputs/Deliverables”
• The PMU expects the Consultant to report the progress of each output bi-weekly at the PMU Progress reviewing meetings.
• The Consultant is expected to closely liaise and collaborate with relevant project stakeholders in the course of performing the work
• Organize discussions with key stakeholders and experts in the relevant sectors to ensure that the proposed activities will be adding value to the existing or planned initiatives and are relevant to the country’s context.
• The consultant should liaise with the project on Capacity Development of Local Authority (CDLG) under the Inclusive Governance Team and the Policy & Engagement Team of the UNDP
• The consultant’s duty station/location during the contract will be Colombo (home- based) with some travel to outstations if stakeholder consultations or site visits are required.

EXPECTED DELIVERABLES

The following results are expected from the consultant:

1          Inception report with the methodology of the assignment -   01st June 2022

2          First set of three (03) reports identifying three local authorities with the potential to replicate a waste to energy system for biodegradable waste -  01st August 2022

3          Second set of three reports (03) identifying three local authorities with the potential to replicate a waste to energy system for biodegradable waste - 01st October 2022

4          Third set of four reports (04) identifying four local authorities with the potential to replicate a waste to energy system for biodegradable waste - 15th December 2022

TIMEFRAME OF THE ASSIGNMENT

• 160 days over the course of 7 months starting from 17th May 2022 and ending on 31st December 2022
• The PMU will require five days to review the deliverables submitted by the consultant

The prospective consultant should, as a minimum, have the following competencies and qualifications;

a. Technical

• Demonstrated experience in renewable energy projects
• Strong understanding of the objectives and formats of the donor agencies.
• Strong   understanding   of global   and   national   climate   change, biodiversity and environmental issues.

b. Partnerships

• Maturity and confidence in dealing with senior members of national and private sector institutions,
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Excellent written communication skills, with analytic capacity and ability to synthesize relevant collected data and findings for the preparation of quality analysis for the development of the report.
• Excellent coordination skills and result-oriented collaboration with personnel with different subject expertise.
• Excellent communication (both oral and written) and partnership building skills with multi- dimension partners.

c.Results

• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP.
• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback.
• Good team player who has ability to maintain good relationships.

a. Education

• At least a Masters’ Degree in Energy Technology, Engineering, Science or related field.

b. Experience

• Minimum of 05 years of work experience in the energy sector on the development and design of sustainable energy related projects
• At least 5 years of experience in biogas related project
• Experience in working with local authorities and other related stakeholders of the assignment
• Experience in dealing with government owned or private utility companies
• Experience in conducting feasibility studies, green economy, circular economy, environmental engineering, resource management and related disciplines

c. Languages/ Other

• Excellent English language skills, working knowledge in Sinhala/ Tamil.
• Should be adept in technical writing, facilitation, and project implementation

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply please access UNDP Jobs site http://jobs.undp.org.

The application should contain:

• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position and a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work.
• Updated CV to include qualifications/competencies and relevant past experience in similar projects and contact details of 3 professional referees who can certify your competencies, professionalism, quality of writing, presentation and overall suitability to this TOR
• Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a combination of factors including cover letter, the credentials on offer and brief interview (optional) and the offer which gives the best value for money for the UNDP.

• Please send the Financial Proposal separately to the following e-mail address: consultants.lk@undp.org stating the vacancy number/position in the subject line. Failing to provide correct vacancy number & Position would be a disqualification.

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee: LKR (                                                                                             )

Amount in words: LKR (                                                                                             )

Annexes

• Annex I - Individual IC General Terms and Conditions
• Annex II – Offeror’s Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability for the Individual IC, including Financial Proposal Template

Note: Payments will be based on invoices on achievement of agreed milestones i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR and certification of acceptance by the UNDP. The applicant must factor in all possible costs in his/her “All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee” including his/her consultancy and professional fee, travel (economy class flights is required to and from the Duty Station) honorarium, board and lodging, and any other foreseeable costs in this exercise. No costs other than what has been indicated in the financial proposal will be paid or reimbursed to the consultant. UNDP will only pay for any unplanned travel outside of this TOR and Duty Station on actual basis and on submission of original bills/invoices and on prior agreement with UNDP officials. Daily perdiums and costs for accommodation/meals/incidental expenses for such travel shall not exceed established local UNDP DSA rates.

For an Individual Contractor who is 65 years of age or older, and on an assignment requiring travel, be it for the purpose of arriving at the duty station or as an integral duty required travel under the TOR, a full medical examination and statement of fitness to work must be provided. Such medical examination costs must be factored in to the financial proposal above. Medical examination is not a requirement for individuals on RLA contracts.

PAYMENT FOR SERVICES

Payments will be based on milestones as approved by the Programme Coordinator (Energy &Waste ) of the Climate and Environment Team.

The National Consultant shall receive payments in according to the following instalments from UNDP:

Deliverable 1: 20%     2nd week

Inception report with the methodology of the assignment

Deliverable 2: 25%     10th Week

First set of three (03) reports identifying three local authorities with the potential to replicate a waste to energy system for biodegradeable waste

Deliverable 3: 25%     18th Week

Second set of three reports (03) identifying three local authorities with the potential to replicate a waste to energy system for biodegradeable waste  

Deliverable 4: 30%     28th Week

Thrid set of four reports (04) identifying four local authorities with the potential to replicate a waste to energy system for biodegradeable waste              

EVALUATION METHOD

Applications will be first screened and only candidates meeting the minimum criteria will progress to the pool for shortlisting. Shortlisted Candidates will be then assessed and scored against the following evaluation criteria noting that an interview will be conducted with the shortlisted candidates.

1. Technical Criteria weight: [70%]
2. Financial Criteria weight: [30%]

Technical Criteria for Evaluation (Maximum 70 points)

• Criteria 1: A minimum of a Masters’ Degree in Energy Technology, Engineering, Science or related field. (10 pts)
• Criteria 2: A minimum of 05 years of work experience in the energy sector on development and design of energy related projects (15 pts)
• Criteria 3: Demonstrated experience in conducting feasibility studies for renewable energy projects (25 pts)
• Criteria 4: Proven experience in working with local authorities and utility companies (20 pts)

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) during the desk review/interview are acceptable would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workplace, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.