Background
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is widely recognized as a global leader in supporting governments to sharpen policy, access finance and develop capacity for the management of biodiversity and ecosystems for sustainable development and poverty eradication.
The objective of the GEF Project Preparation Grant (PPG) is to develop the project concept into a full project document: “Coastal Resilience Samoa”. This project aims to build on Samoa’s environment management framework to place enhance recognition on value of Ecosystem services within government planning through the integration of nature in key economic sectors, implementing landscape and seascape gender responsive nature-based solutions in key ecosystems supporting tourism, agriculture and commerce sectors. Proposed project interventions will unlock private finance and investment in Nature Based Solutions (NbS), effective knowledge management (KM) and sharing of NbS and Nature Capital Accounting (NCA) information
The project will build on existing work to value Samoa’s ecosystem services and develop Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) approaches both locally and internationally by the development of enhanced selection matrix for location and NbS prioritisation based on IUCN Gold Standard and GEF guidance with consideration of economic, environmental and social conditions. The Project will further work with private sector (PS) partners at multiple levels to unlock additional and significant finance to drive investment in NbS. The project will also focus on the establishment of KM and sharing system that integrates past knowledge with information and knowledge developed as part of the project and is able to share that knowledge at local, national and regional levels based on the differential capacities and needs of key stakeholder groups.
UNDP Samoa Multi-country Office (MCO), in collaboration with the Government of Samoa (GoS), seeks to engage a qualified National Nature-based Solution (NbS) Specialist to support the PPG Team Leader (TL), and other PPG team members in the development of a national level project through the provision of inputs and development of mandatory Annexes relating to NbS. The consultant will be contributing to the delivery of PPG tasks as specified below.
The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the PPG Team Leader (TL) and the Assistant Resident Representative of the Environment and Climate Change Unit (ECCU) and in close collaboration and relevant technical staff of the Country Office and the Bangkok Regional Office, as well as the national counterparts. The consultant will also be supported by the country office experts.
Duties and Responsibilities
The National Nature-based Solutions (NbS) Specialist will develop mandatory project Annexes related to application of Nature-based Solutions as part of Component 2 of the project, while supporting adherence of project development to GEF guidance, UNDP’s SESP and specific requirements, as appropriate. The consultant will be a Nature-based Solution expert with experience in identifying gender responsive nature-based solutions in key ecosystems supporting the tourism, food (agriculture and fisheries) and urban sectors and also in conducting baseline analysis and surveys, coastal restoration and conservation, capacity building in these fields, and preparing land-use and natural resources management plans. The specialist will have to actively and bilaterally collaborate with all experts but specifically with the International Environmental Economist in order to deliver all necessary contributions to the project documentation including Annexes, under the overall supervision of the PPG TL and the National PPG Coordinator.
The list below outlines key responsibilities and deliverables of this contract. The PPG Initiation Plan for this project provides further and more detailed guidance regarding the responsibilities of the prospective PPG team and must be consulted accordingly.
Preparatory Technical Studies and Reviews (Component A): Prepare inputs and support the required analyses/studies, as agreed with the GEF PPG Team Leader, including:
- Desk Review of technical interventions related to landscape restoration applied in the context of Samoa, including tested and new, Nature-based Solutions as well as developing a matrix of Community Intergrated Management Plans (CIMPs) identified environmental and climate resilience initiatives;
- Support the identification of social and environmental risks linked to the project co-financing from a technical and operational perspective and assist complete the UNDP Social and Environmental Screening Procedure (SESP), and support the detailed assessment of all project risks including consultations with local stakeholders;
- Prepare inputs for the baseline/situational analysis on gender responsive nature-based solution interventions in the context of the national CIMPs strategy and capacity, including baseline projects, activities, budgets, and goals for existing and potential initiatives;
- Assess national legal frameworks, including any multilateral and bilateral agreements with an impact on the implementation of Nature-based solutions projects, including status of multi-sectoral coordination on critical landscape restoration activities, inter-agency communication and information sharing, and identify appropriate project interventions to improve legal frameworks, multi-sectoral coordination, communication and information sharing for nature-based solutions;
- Assess any existing nature-based solution activities in terms of risk assessment, data management and monitoring systems and identify appropriate project interventions to improve the field implementation of nature-based interventions, including data management and evaluation;
- Assess existing sustainable financing strategies for Nature-based solutions management in SIDS contexts and prepare a list of potential financing mechanisms for cost recovery (including any gender equality NbS financing mechanisms), including application of Payment-for-Ecosystem Services to be considered during implementation;
- Identify key training and capacity needs for Nature-based solutions interventions among management agencies (national), at CIMP district level, with environmental NGOs and the key training needs for the stakeholders in intervention landscapes (in collaboration with National Stakeholder Engagement and Capacity Development Specialist for project site);
- Adapt the UNDP Capacity Assessment Scorecard to suit Nature-based solutions and conduct baseline assessments of the capacity of environmental agencies using the adapted scorecard, prepare the Nature-based solutions analysis and management plan and work closely with the GEF PPG Team Leader to ensure its findings are meaningfully integrated into the project’s strategy, theory of change, results framework and to ensure that all proposed NbS project activities are eligible for funding based on the requirements and approach of the GEF-8 GBI IP strategy.
- Coordinate the identification of priority CIMP geographical locations, and their landscape/seascape for the NbS implementation, and define these landscapes and their selection criteria for project intervention (i.e. GEF-8 restoration criteria / GEBs, building on previous or ongoing landscape restoration management initiatives in Samoa, particularly those supported by GEF);
- Identify and describe specific NbS interventions applicable to Samoa (including any gender specific intervention), including field methods, techniques, and species and produce a NbS Technical and Operational Manual as an Annex, inclusive of indicators, means of verification and potential targets for this Component 2, so this can be used as guide and blueprint for agencies and stakeholders during project implementation.
- Provide inputs on NbS to any additional studies that are determined to be needed for the preparation of the ProDoc and all other final outputs as guided by the PPG Team Leader.
Formulation of the ProDoc, GEF CEO Endorsement Request and Mandatory Annexes as well as project specific annexes (Component B):
- Contributions to the SESP as needed, based on assessments undertaken during Component A and detailed development of project interventions, and identify management measures to mitigate risks to be incorporated into the ProDoc;
- Support the development ESMF, with appropriate budget and identification of appropriate project interventions to ensure NbS management including at the project sites;
- Using the findings from the NbS analysis, provide inputs to the project’s results framework, including indicators, means of verification and targets for implementation, and theory of change;
- Provide inputs for the development of the Stakeholder Engagement Plan on NbS Management;
- Appropriate inputs to the final UNDP-GEF project document and GEF CEO ER based on guidance from the PPG Team Leader.
Validation Workshop (Component C):
- Contribute to the validation workshop; and
- Support all necessary revisions that arise during the workshop, as appropriate.
Final Deliverables:
- Finalized NbS component in the Social and Environmental Screening Procedure (SESP)/ Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and Project documentation as required.
- A report on the detailed analysis of NbS interventions baseline (legal, multi-sector cooperation and information-sharing, institutional capacity) and recommended project interventions to improve development of nature-based solutions as part of landscape restoration resilience and management through improved legislation, policy, multi-sector cooperation, capacity and stakeholder engagement.
- Provide relevant quality text sections for the ProDoc package on the aspects mentioned above, with clear and explicit technical links on the work pertaining to economic sectors, CIMPs, and NCA
Competencies
No | PPG Milestones | Duration | Tentative Dates | Fee Disbursement (%) | Review and Approvals Required |
1 | Inputs to the First Mission: detailed mission plan including PPG inception workshop, field visits and meeting with key stakeholders in coordination with the PPG team leader | 8 days | October 2023 | 10% | Upon clearance from the PPG Team lead of inputs to the 1st mission and inception workshop and endorsement by UNDP MCO |
PPG inception workshop report and workplan | |||||
2 | Inputs to the first draft of the Project Document, including all mandatory and project specific annexes as specified in the scope of works above in compliance with the UNDP-GEF ProDoc format and the GEF requirements including the following;
| 5 days | December 2023 | 20% | Upon clearance from the PPG Team lead of inputs to the first draft of the project document including all mandatory and project specific annexes, and endorsement by UNDP MCO |
3 | Inputs to the Second Mission: Final consultation and validation workshop | 7 days | January 2024 | 20% | Upon clearance from the PPG Team lead of inputs to the 2nd PPG mission and validation workshop and endorsement by UNDP MCO |
Validation Workshop Report | |||||
4 | Inputs to the second draft of the Project Document, including all mandatory and project specific annexes as specified in the scope of works above in compliance with the UNDP-GEF ProDoc format and the GEF requirements including the following;
| 5 days | March 2024 | 20% | Upon clearance from the PPG Team lead of inputs to the 2nd draft of the project document including all mandatory and project specific annexes, and endorsement by UNDP MCO |
5 | Finalized Project Document with the mandatory and project specific annexes and the CEO Endorsement Request revised with comments from the UNDP teams, GEF Council Member Countries and the GEF SEC | 3 days | April 2024 | 20% | Upon clearance from the PPG Team lead of inputs to the finalised project document including all mandatory and project specific annexes, and the CEO Endorsement Request and endorsement by UNDP MCO |
6 | Completion of assignment i.e. approval by the GEF SEC including the necessary revisions | 2 days | December 2024 | 10% | Upon clearance from the PPG Team lead of inputs into the assignment, and endorsement by UNDP MCO |
| Total | 30 days |
| 100% |
|
Institutional arrangements
- The Consultant will be home-based and will report to, and be directly supervised by UNDP MCO in Samoa and the corresponding Ecosystems and Biodiversity Regional Technical Advisor based in Bangkok;
- The Consultant will be given access to relevant information necessary for execution of the tasks under this assignment;
- The Consultant will be responsible for providing her/his own workstation (i.e. laptop, internet, phone, scanner/printer, etc.) and must have access to reliable internet connection;
- The consultant is expected to be reasonably flexible with his/her availability for such consultations taking into consideration different time zones; and
- Payments will be made upon satisfactory completion and acceptance by UNDP of the outputs listed in table above.
Required Skills and Experience
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field, such as natural resource management, conservation biology, ecology, forestry or environmental sciences.
Experience:
- Minimum 7 years of relevant professional experience in landscape management and conservation and the application of Nature-based solutions for landscape and coastal resilience. Ideally, the specialist will have knowledge and experience across the range of NbS assessment and management strategies, especially in field application;
- Experience carrying out participatory NbS assessment; experience collecting and formulating NbS responsive indicators, and preparing NbS management plans as part of critical landscape initiatives;
- Prior experience in the safeguards assessments and processes of international organizations and donors, such as World Bank, UNDP, etc would be an asset;
- Experience working on policy and programmatic issues with relevant stakeholders (government institutions, civil society/private organisations, consultants/field biologists and community organizations) in Samoa or the Pacific is highly desirable;
- Experience with GIS mapping, project development and results-based management methodologies is highly desired;
- Excellent analytical, writing, advocacy, presentation, and communications skills are required skills.
Language Requirements:
Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
PAYMENT TERMS
Lump Sum Amount. The total amount quoted shall be all-inclusive and include all costs components required to perform the deliverables identified in the TOR, including professional fee, and any other applicable cost to be incurred by the IC in completing the assignment. The contract price will be fixed output-based price regardless of extension of the herein specified duration. Payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in instalments or upon completion of the entire contract).
Payments will be made upon satisfactory completion and acceptance by the Contract Supervisor of the deliverables listed above, based on the payment schedule mentioned above.
B.Criteria for selection of the best offer
- Only those applications that are responsive and compliant will be evaluated. Incomplete applications will not be considered;
- Offers will be evaluated according to the Combined Scoring method – where the technical criteria will be weighted at 70% and the financial offer will be weighted at 30%;
- The technical criteria (education, experience, language) will be based on a maximum 70 points. Only the candidates that have achieved a minimum of 49points from the review of education, experience and language will be deemed technically compliant and considered for financial evaluation;
- Financial score (max 30 points) will be computed based on the formula “(Lowest Price Offer / Price of the Offer Being Reviewed) x 30”.
- The financial proposal shall specify an all-inclusive lump sum fee. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal must additionally include a breakdown of this daily fee (including all foreseeable expenses to carry out the assignment).
- Applicant receiving the Highest Combined Score (max 100 points) and has accepted UNDP’s General Terms and Conditions will be awarded the contract.
Evaluation Criteria | Max. Point |
| 70 |
Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field, such as natural resource management, conservation biology, ecology, forestry or environmental sciences. 7 points for Bachelor’s degree in relevant field 10 points for more than one Bachelor’s or higher degree in the relevant field | 10 |
Minimum 7 years of relevant professional experience in landscape management and conservation and the application of Nature-based solutions for landscape and coastal resilience. Ideally, the specialist will have knowledge and experience across the range of NbS assessment and management strategies, especially in field application;
14 points: 7 years of relevant experience in the mentioned areas; 1 additional point for each additional year of relevant experience up to a maximum of 17 points. 3 extra points for having relevant experience across the range of NbS assessment and management strategies, especially in field application | 20 |
Experience carrying out participatory NbS assessment; experience collecting and formulating NbS responsive indicators, and preparing NbS management plans as part of critical landscape initiatives;
Break-down for relevant experience: 4 points: NbS assessment completed 4 points: formulating NbS response indicators 2 points: preparing NbS management plans | 10 |
Prior experience in the safeguards assessments and processes of international organizations and donors, such as World Bank, UNDP, etc. would be an asset
5 points: relevant experience with UNDP and/or World Bank 3 points: relevant experience with other international organization and donors | 5 |
Experience working on policy and programmatic issues with relevant stakeholders (government institutions, civil society/private organisations, consultants/field biologists including community organizations) in Samoa or the Pacific is highly desirable; 10 points: relevant experience in Samoa 7 points: relevant experience in Pacific 4 points: relevant experience in other SIDS | 10 |
Experience of GIS mapping, project development and results-based management methodologies is highly desired;
2 points: Relevant experience of GIS mapping 2 points: Relevant experience of project development 1 point: Relevant experience of RBM methodology | 5 |
Language Requirements: Excellent written and oral communication skills in English. 10 points: Excellent English 6 points: Good English
| 10 |
| 30 |
| 100 |
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