UNDP Jobs - 67953- International Consultant

International Consultant - Terminal evaluation of the GEF project Small Scale Hydro Power Development in Haiti

Location :

Port-au-Prince (with field trips in country), HAITI

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

19-Aug-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

31 days of work with 15 days in Haiti

Languages Required :

English French

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

The proposed project follows from the findings and recommendations of Haiti's Energy Sector Development Plan 2005-2015, which has set a goal to increase the level of access to electricity for its population from 10% now to 50% by the year 2015. The plan lays out a program involving over US$ 400M in needed funding and includes management support for EdH, major investments in rehabilitation of existing power plants and new generation capacity, a far-reaching electrification program (both urban and rural) and the creation of a regulatory entity. All feasible technologies would be encouraged, including hydro-electricity and other renewable energy sources and the promotion of energy efficiency at the supply and demand sides with substantial donor contributions provided by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB), the World Bank (WB), and USAID.

The UNDP/GEF project strategy is to collaborate closely with these initiatives in order to support the development of small hydro plants (SHPs). Electricity generation with SHPs is an attractive option to supply electricity to regional distribution grids. Small hydropower assists in reducing Haiti’s dependence on imported fossil fuels. Moreover, unit energy costs over the lifetime of the investment are lower for small hydro than for diesel generators. By promoting the use of small hydro-electricity, the Government of Haiti wants to develop a long-term, sustainable option to meet energy demands and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. SHPs can provide a much more sustainable and manageable generation solution for Haiti, especially in the context where electricity is distributed in regional grids. However, due to a number of barriers and the higher upfront investment compared to fossil-based generation, SHP development has not taken place over the past 20 years. The main barriers presently impeding the introduction of grid-connected SHP in Haiti are as follows:

policy barrier;
business skills and models;
information, and;
finance.

Given the extent of the problems the Haitian energy sector faces, it is not feasible to address all the necessary actions through one single project. However, The UNDP/GEF intervention is embedded in this broader framework and focuses explicitly on SHP development within this context.

The UNDP/GEF “Small Scale Hydro Power” initiative will create important enabling conditions necessary for the subsequent implementation of SHP programs by the international donor community and the Government of Haiti, as well as by private investors. It will focus on addressing the policy/regulatory barriers, strengthening EdH’s capacity, and generating updated hydro-meteorological and project information to accelerate new SHP developments in the country. The SSHP project will create an improved institutional and regulatory framework to promote small-scale hydropower development in Haiti and create the necessary human technical and managerial capacity for the sustainable management of SHPs. Furthermore, the project will focus on small hydropower development embedded in regional grids, collaborating with CIDA in the south east region to promote small hydro investment in the regional grids supported by their intervention. The Project will be implemented in close collaboration with other donor organizations in operating in Haiti. Under the Project, three small hydro plant projects will be prepared for investment by project partners.

The transfer of technical and managerial skills to local operators – as well as improving national regulation – is a key element in the project design. The SSHP initiative will result in the direct reduction of approximately 62,000 tons of CO2e and an indirect emissions reduction of 788,000 tons of CO2.

Project Goal: To reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil-based electricity generation in Haiti by promoting the development of small hydropower plants.

Project Objective: To create an enabling environment for private and public investment in small hydro plants in Haiti.

Project Outcomes

Outcome 1: An effective, market-oriented policy and regulatory framework to enable small hydropower development in the country has been established;
Outcome 2: Technical and managerial capacities within EdH and other national stakeholders have been created to evaluate, prepare and operate small hydropower developments in Haiti;
Outcome 3: Small hydropower generation facilities are incorporated in regional distribution constructed and are providing electricity to end-users;
Outcome 4: A project monitoring and evaluation plan implemented, and lessons learnt are disseminated.

The terminal evaluation will be conducted according to the guidance, rules and procedures established by UNDP and GEF as reflected in the UNDP Evaluation Guidance for GEF Financed Projects.

The objectives of the evaluation are to assess the achievement of project results, and to draw lessons that can both improve the sustainability of benefits from this project, and aid in the overall enhancement of UNDP programming.

The main stakeholders of this terminal evaluation are: evaluation users, partners, donors and staff of executing and other relevant agencies, beneficiaries.

Duties and Responsibilities

The principal responsibility of the international consultant is to appreciate the achievement of project objectives and to describe the lessons learned that can enhance the sustainability of the benefits of this project and promote the overall improvement of UNDP programs. The Project Team will be responsible for liaising with the Evaluators team to set up stakeholder interviews, arrange field visits, coordinate with the Government etc.

Evaluation Timeframe

The total duration of the evaluation will be 31 working days according to the following plan:

Preparation (3 days);
Evaluation Mission (15 days);
Draft Evaluation Report (10 days);
Final Report (3 days).

Evaluation Deliverables :

The evaluator is expected to deliver the following:

Inception Report

Evaluator provides clarifications on timing and method;
No later than 2 weeks before the evaluation mission;
Evaluator submits to UNDP CO.

Presentation

Initial Findings;
End of evaluation mission;
To project management, UNDP CO.

Draft Final Report

Full report, (per annexed template) with annexes;
Within 3 weeks of the evaluation mission;
Sent to CO, reviewed by RTA, PCU, GEF OFPs.

Final Report

Revised report;
Within 1 week of receiving UNDP comments on draft;
Sent to CO for uploading to UNDP ERC.

When submitting the final evaluation report, the evaluator is required also to provide an 'audit trail', detailing how all received comments have (and have not) been addressed in the final evaluation report.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge of UNDP and GEF;
Highly knowledgeable of participatory monitoring and evaluation processes;
Capable of planning, organizing, initiative and autonomy;
Technical knowledge in the targeted focal area(s);
Capacity to work in a multicultural environment and several languages.

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling 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;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Required Skills and Experience

The evaluation team will be composed of 1 international consultant. The consultant must have prior experience in evaluating similar projects. Experience in projects financed by the GEF is an advantage.The evaluator selected should not have participated in the project preparation and/or implementation and should not have conflict of interest with project related activities.

The consultant must present the following competencies and qualifications:

Education

Advanced university degree (Master´s or PhD) in natural sciences, environmental management, Energy regulations, development studies, Renewables energies or related discipline.

Experience

Minimum 10 years of relevant professional experience in Environmental sciences, public policies, mitigation and adaptation, disaster risk management or related field;
Previous experience in Haiti or in the Caribbean region;
Strong abilities to analysis and attention to detail;
Previous experience with results-based monitoring and evaluation methodologies;
Substantive and demonstrated experience with terminal evaluation/review of GEF funded projects.

Languages

Proficiency in English and French;
Strong abilities to write evaluation reports, good oral and written communication skills in both French and English.

Interested candidates are strongly advised to read the Individual Consultant (IC) Procurement Notice, which can be viewed at : ftp://intra.ht.undp.org/UNDPGEFTerminalEvaluationTermsofReference-MicroHydro-June_2016-v1.docx

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