The objective of the GEF Project Preparation Grant (PPG) is to develop the project concept into a full project: Developing National Capacity of Turkmenistan through Improving Regulatory Environment towards Energy Efficient and Sustainable Building Sector. The project aims to support Turkmenistan’s low carbon development in achievement of climate mitigation goals by reducing GHG emissions from multi-family residential buildings sector and by improved monitoring of energy use in public buildings. This will be achieved by improving regulatory framework in construction sector by upgrading the existing and adoption of new norms and building codes to increase energy efficiency of residential buildings, including gradual mandatory installation of energy management and information systems (EMIS) in new public buildings and reduce GHG emissions from the sector. Project will also aim to build national capacity across the country on energy efficient solutions via knowledge building and management, dissemination of results through specialized capacity building trainings and awareness raising events.

• Component 1 of the project focuses on demonstration of the costs involved and the energy efficiency gains to be achieved via the upgrade of the new buildings to a nearly zero-energy standard to prove that such a standard is economically beneficial to the public budget during the life-time of the measures and that the measures can be procured and installed locally;
• Component 2 of the Project aims to define and put into operation the necessary policy improvements, standards and regulations as well as an institutional mechanism to scale up energy efficiency in buildings sector;
• Component 3 of the project will be structured around capacity building, knowledge management and monitoring. Component will focus on preparation of knowledge and training materials on project results and world best practices on energy-efficient and low carbon housing and public sector buildings to use and disseminate at the local, regional and national levels as well as to introduce into curricula of higher education institutions;

Purpose, objectives and expected outcomes of the consultancy:

The objective of the PPG is to develop a full-sized project that aims to provide the long-term solution for sustainable development of building sector through improvement of energy efficiency in residential and public buildings across the country. The end result of assignment will be completed Request for CEO Endorsement and Project Document for the UNDP-GEF FSP “Developing National Capacity of Turkmenistan through Improving Regulatory Environment towards Energy Efficient and Sustainable Building Sector”.

The International Project Development Specialist will be the GEF PPG Team Leader and will be responsible for quality assurance and timely preparation of all reports and documentation, including the finalized UNDP Project Document (ProDoc) for the UNDP-GEF FSP “Developing National Capacity of Turkmenistan through Improving Regulatory Environment towards Energy Efficient and Sustainable Building Sector” and CEO Endorsement Request, with all mandatory and project specific Annexes and supporting documentation. To this end, the International Consultant will be responsible for mobilizing and leading the team of experts for planning and effectively undertaking the required surveys and preparatory field work, establishing dialogue and a working relationship with stakeholders (funding partners, national counterparts and local communities), and the timely delivery of the agreed documents.

Under the overall guidance of UNDP Programme Specialist on Resilience, Climate and Energy, UNDP CO and in coordination with the experts team and as informed by guidance from the UNDP/GEF Regional Technical Advisor, the International Consultant (acting in his/her individual capacity) will be tasked with the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Management of the GEF PPG Team 
   • Define and submit a detailed methodology and work plan in consultation with the other consultants with clear delegation of responsibilities for the International Consultant (IC) and National Consultants (NCs);
   • Ensure that project development is participatory, gender-responsive and based on extensive stakeholder engagements; and
   • Verify and ensure that all project components are technically sound and cost effective.
2. Preparatory Technical Studies and Reviews (Component A): With inputs from the national consultants, as detailed in their respective TORs:

• Compile baseline/situational analysis for the full-size project (FSP). This will include a precise definition of baseline projects, activities, budgets, goals and co-financial links to GEF outcomes; definition of GEF incremental value per outcome and output; and presentation of results of the incremental cost-analysis in matrices as appropriate;
• Lead and oversee the stakeholder analysis and consultations, with support from national consultants, and ensure that they are complete and comprehensive including consultations with the private sector and tourism associations and bodies;
• Ensure the preparation of the gender analysis and ensure its findings are meaningfully integrated into the project’s strategy, theory of change and results framework;
• Ensure action points, including risk assessments, from the UNDP Social and Environmental Screening Procedure (SESP) at the PIF stage (“pre-screening”) are fully implemented during the PPG, and update that screening in an iterative process throughout the PPG, and as appropriate;
• Oversee the identification of the project sites, with documentation of selection criteria and making sure that geo-referenced data and maps are clearly presented both for targeted protected areas and broader landscapes, as applicable;
• Ensure the design of appropriate project knowledge management processes and platforms, ensuring appropriate linkages to existing mechanisms and knowledge sharing in project landscapes;
• Lead and oversee the identification of opportunities for private sector engagement and co-financing;
• Ensure the preparation of partner capacity assessments and discussions on management arrangements early in the PPG process;
• Oversee the consultations with partners regarding financial planning;
• Undertaking a climate change risk assessment and incorporating the management results into the project documents according to STAP guidance;
• Assessment of COVID related risks and opportunities and incorporating the results into the project strategy; and
• Ensure completion of any additional studies that are determined to be needed for the preparation of the ProDoc and all other final outputs.

3. Formulation of the ProDoc, CEO Endorsement Request and Mandatory and Project Specific Annexes (Component B): With inputs from the national consultants, as detailed in their respective TORs, and based on international best practice:

• Develop, present and articulate the project’s theory of change;
• Develop the Results Framework in line with NCE VF policy;
• Develop a detailed Monitoring and Evaluation Plan and Budget;
• Oversee and ensure the preparation of a comprehensive Stakeholder Engagement Plan;
• Oversee and ensure the preparation of a Gender Action Plan and Budget;
• Oversee and ensure the updating of the SESP based on assessments undertaken during Component A, and ensure the development of required environmental and/or social management plan(s) as required;
• Oversee the preparation of the required GEF tracking tools (if required) and GEF Core Indicators and ensure these are supported by robust and validated data;
• Secure all co-financing letters;
• Prepare the indicative procurement plan;
• Secure and present agreements on project execution and management arrangements and ensure that the project aligns to NCE VF guidance on UNDP execution support;
• Ensure the completion of the required official endorsement letters; and
• Synthesize all analyses, studies, etc. that are prepared under Components A and B to produce the draft NCE VF ProDoc, GEF CEO Endorsement, and all mandatory and project specific Annexes, using the templates.

4. Validation Workshop (Component C):

• Lead the validation workshop to present, discuss and validate the final draft ProDoc and mandatory and project specific annexes, with a special focus on the SESP and any management plans;
• Oversee all necessary revisions that arise during the workshop; and
• Ensure completion of Validation Workshop Report;
• Final draft of the ProDoc with Validation Workshop comments addressed.

5. Final Deliverables:

• Consolidation of all technical and consultation inputs and comments including from national stakeholders, UNDP, GEF Secretariat, STAP and GEF Council, into a well written and concise UNDP ProDoc with all required sections and Annexes, in line with the standard NCE VF ProDoc template and annotated guidance;
• Completion of the GEF CEO Endorsement Request;
• Finalized SESP (and stand-alone management plans as required);
• All documentation from GEF PPG (including technical reports, meeting minutes, etc.); and
• Validation Workshop Report.

6. Review, respond and/or incorporate all comments received from the STAP and GEF Secretariat on project document and the GEF CEO Endorsement Request for final submission of the project

• Finalized UNDP Project Document and GEF CEO Endorsement Request with all relevant documentation (Mandatory annexes, GEF Response sheet, GHG Tracking Tool, Social Screening and other assessments) prepared and accepted for submission to the GEF.

Deliverables and timeframe:

Deliverable 1 prepared through actions 1-2 above: 

• Detailed methodology and work plan in consultation with the other consultants with clear delegation of responsibilities for the International Consultants (IC) and National Consultants (NCs);
• Analysis of baseline conditions and barriers, elaboration of proposed project activities, and draft Project Results Framework;
• Compilation of all necessary studies, survey results and materials for preparing a Draft UNDP/GEF FSP ProDoc;

Location: Home based with 7 days mission to Turkmenistan. Number of days: 20 consultancy days (August – October 2022).

Deliverable 2 prepared through actions 3 and 4 above:    

• Draft UNDP/GEF FSP ProDoc with all necessary Annexes to be submitted for GEF CEO endorsement;
• Validation workshop conducted with presentation of the draft Project Document and all necessary revisions reflected in the ProDoc;
• Final draft of the ProDoc with all necessary Annexes (SESP, Gender and other management plans and reports).

Location: Home based. Number of days: 45 consultancy days (November 2022 – March 2023).

Deliverable 3 prepared through action 5:

• Finalized UNDP Project Document and GEF CEO Endorsement Request with all relevant documentation (Mandatory annexes, GEF Response sheet, GHG Tracking Tool, Social Screening and other assessments) prepared and accepted for submission to the GEF.

Location: Home based. Number of days: 13 consultancy days (April – May 2023).

Deliverable 4 prepared through action 6 above:

• All GEF comments addressed in the Project Document and GEF Response sheet for final submission for GEF CEO Endorsement.

Location: Home based. Number of days: 12 consultancy days (June – December 2023).

Payment conditions:

This is an installment-based contract that should cover the costs of consultancy required to produce the above deliverables. The final schedule of payments will be agreed upon in the beginning of consultancy. Payment will be released in four installments: 1st installment: 20% (for deliverable 1), 2nd installment 40% (for deliverable 2), 3rd installment 20% (for deliverable 3) and 4th installment 20% (for deliverable 4) upon timely submission of respective deliverables and their acceptance by UNDP Turkmenistan.

Corporate Competencies:

• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
• Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Functional Competencies:

• Knowledge of and extensive experience working with UN human rights mechanisms;
• Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills;
• Results driven, ability to work under pressure and to meet required deadlines;
• Good understanding and practice of capacity development;
• Cultural sensitivity;
• Diplomatic skills;
• Good ability in partnering and networking;
• Excellent analytical and drafting skills.

Education:

• Master’s degree or higher in a relevant field, such as construction, environmental or urban engineering with a focus on energy efficiency;

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years of demonstrable experience in the technical area of energy efficiency, building codes and standards, sustainable urban development and in preparing high quality project documents, particularly for UNDP and GEF projects;
• Demonstrated understanding of the GEF rationale and procedures, and demonstrated experience in formulation of GEF-funded project proposals, using the logical framework and the results-based management approaches;
• Knowledge of and experience in energy efficiency tools and methodologies. Prior experience in estimating GHG emission reduction;
• Experience working in the region, specifically in Turkmenistan, on related initiatives highly desired.

Language requirements:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, knowledge of Russian is a strong asset

Submission of applications:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/ information to demonstrate their qualifications:

• Brief (1-2 pages) description of the methodology for the assignment;
• Financial Proposal with the references to (1) the daily rate for the assignment and within the timing scale indicated in the present TOR, and (2) any other expenses. Template of the form can be found at: http://www.tm.undp.org/content/turkmenistan/en/home/procurement.html . The UNDP will enter into an Individual Contract based on a lump sum amounts. The financial proposal shall represent a detailed, justified and “all inclusive” amount.  In order to assist UNDP in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount, including: a daily fee for the tasks and an estimated duration as specified in this announcement and any other possible costs (including communication, printing, etc.);
• Cover letter explaining why they are the most suitable candidate for the assignment;
• Resume /CV.

Evaluation of proposals:

Individual Consultants will be evaluated based on the combined scoring methodology. When using this method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Responsive/compliant and
• Having received the highest score – out of 100 

Out of the maximum score, the score for technical criteria equals 70% - maximum 100 points, and for financial criteria 30%.

The technical evaluation will take into account the following as per the scoring provided:

• Appropriate education – 20 pts;
• Relevant experience, including GEF – 30 pts;
• Methodology – 20 pts;
• Additional skills (language, etc.) – 10 pts;
• Assessment by Interview (optional)– 20 pts.

Financial proposal – 30% of total evaluation.

Additional requirements for recommended contractor:

Recommended contractors aged 65 and older, and if the travel is required, shall undergo a full medical examination including x-ray, and obtain medical clearance from the UN-approved doctor prior to taking up their assignment. The medical examination is to be cleared by the UN physicians and shall be paid by the consultant.