UNDP Jobs - 70564- Team Leader for the Preparation of AFB Proposal fo

Team Leader for the Preparation of AFB Proposal for Restoring Marine Ecosystem Services by rehabilitating Coral Reefs to Meet a Changing Climate Future

Location :

Home-based – with travel to Mauritius and Seychelles– (8 days Mauritius [including Rodrigues] and 6 days Seychelles)

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

10-Mar-2017

Application Deadline :

05-Mar-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

42 person days spread over an estimated 8 months

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

Project Title: Preparation of a Project Proposal for the “Restoring marine ecosystem services by rehabilitating coral reefs to meet a changing climate future”

Following a call for proposals of the Adaptation Fund Board (AFB) in May 2015 for projects and programmes to be funded by the AFB under the pilot programme for regional projects and programmes of the Adaptation Fund, the UNDP Country Office for Mauritius and Seychelles with national stakeholders in Mauritius and Seychelles have developed a pre-concept for a regional project.? The pre-concept for the project which endeavours to “restore marine ecosystem services by rehabilitating coral reefs to meet a changing climate future” in Mauritius and Seychelles, developed in collaboration with Seychelles Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change, Nature Seychelles and Seychelles National Parks Authority; Mauritius Ministry of Ocean Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries, Shipping and Outer Island (MOE), Mauritius Oceanography Institute (MOI), Albion Fisheries Research Centre, UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme and the Mauritius Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MOFED), was approved in October 2015 to develop a concept note.? Subsequently, the concept note was approved by the AFB in October 2016 to develop the full project proposal.

The final stage of the proposal process is the submission of the fully-developed regional AFB project proposal as well as the UNDP project document in the UNDP project document template. The endorsement of the concept does not create an obligation for the AFB for later funding.? As such, the project proposal needs to be of a high quality, in line with the requrements of AFB rules for the call and its strategic priorities, to increase the odds of endorsement by the Board. ?

Objective of the Project

The main objective of the proposed project is to upscale and mainstream the rehabilitation of coral reefs degraded by coral bleaching in order to restore essential ecosystem services in the face of climate change threats and to generate knowledge about the most effective solutions for dissemination to SIDS and countries within the wider region. The project responds to two of the three thematic focal areas namely 'Food Security' and 'Disaster Risk Reduction' as: (i) the rehabilitation of degraded reefs will restore fish habitats by increasing coral cover on degraded reefs thereby encouraging the recovery of reef associated fish communities important as food to the local communities and; (ii) the rehabilitation of degraded reefs will restore the protective barrier function provided by coral reefs through stabilising the reef substrate and planting corals.

The proposed project will have three components (excluding project management), namely:

Component 1) Enhancement of food security and reduction of risks from natural disasters through the restoration of degraded reefs in Mauritius
Component 2) Enhancement of food security and reduction of risks from natural disasters through the restoration of degraded reefs in Seychelles
Component 3) Knowledge management and sharing, training and sensitization to build regional capacity for sustainable reef restoration

Institutional Arrangement

The Project Proposal preparation phase will be coordinated through the UNDP Country Office in Mauritius, which provides UNDP representation for both Mauritius and Seychelles under a single UN leadership with shared programme support services. A Regional Steering Committee (RSC) will be established composed of the stakeholders outlined below. The RSC will meet twice during the project preparation phase to ensure regional aspects are taken on board and to achieve consensus, and at least annually during implementation, if possible organized back-to-back with planned regional workshops for cost efficiency. The National Steering Committees will be composed of the principal stakeholders outlined below for each country, as well as other private sector, civil society and government organisations and will meet quarterly.

Once the project is approved, then in Seychelles, the project will be implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change (MEECC) which has the mandate for environmental, climate change and energy policy and management. Other key national implementing entities (NIE) will include:

Nature Seychelles (NS), an NGO that has pioneered terrestrial restoration of islands, been the recipient of GEF-funds and other large donor funded projects. NS manages the Cousin Island Special Reserve, the site of a 5,500 m2 restored reef, and is registered as a Private Educational and Training Institute (under the Education Act);
Seychelles National Parks Authority (SNPA), which is responsible for the management of all state owned terrestrial and marine protected areas. SNPA will build on its existing coral reef restoration work and benefit from opportunities for further training for its staff.

In Mauritius the main NIE will be the Ministry of Ocean Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries, Shipping and Outer Island (MOEMRFSOI), which has the mandate to provide an enabling environment for the promotion of sustainable development of the fisheries sector and is responsible for the management of coastal waters and any related activities being carried out within these, and specifically the following bodies under this Ministry:

Mauritius Oceanography Institute (MOI) established in 2000 to develop and strengthen oceanographic research, within the maritime zone of the Republic of Mauritius, with technical expertise and institutional capacity for both coral farming, species identification and coral genetics. MOI will lead on research activities in the project, and the development of a land-based coral nursery.
Albion Fisheries Research Centre (AFRC) established in 1982 under the MOEMRFSOI, and responsible for stock assessment of marine resources, MPA management, ocean-based coral farming/restoration and long term coral reef monitoring. AFRC will lead on the development of ocean-based coral nurseries, with support from MOI.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of services

The Team Leader is expected to produce, in a timely manner and in full compliance with the set deadlines, an AFB project proposal and a UNDP project document. This will be done by performing the following principal tasks:

Carry out desk top research on the various aspects of the subject matters relevant to the project in the two countries and beyond.
Design the details of the project based on the results-oriented, logframe approach with clear application of the Theory of Change and climate change additionality arguments. ?
Conduct detailed stakeholder consultations and analysis, including government agencies, NGOs, the private sector and civil society, to identify key players and ensure inclusive consultation. Define the potential role for different partners in the project and build on the specific linkages with other projects and programmes.
Complete the Social and Environmental Screening Procedure
Work with the Community Development consultants in view of developing the Community Development Plan, the Gender Assessment and the Gender Action plan to be attached to the project document.
Liaise closely with stakeholders in Mauritius and Seychelles to ensure the relevance of the project in each country.
Detail how regional collaboration and cooperation for coral restoration between Seychelles and Mauritius will be addressed through this project.
Address fully all comments received from the AFB on the pre-concept and the concept to ensure close alignment of the project to the AFB calls and Strategies. ?
Produce an initial draft project proposal, following the UNDP guidelines and template for the project document, including the budget and the logframe with SMART indicators, and submit to stakeholders for comments following clearance by UNDP.
Coordinate the inputs of and work alongside all other national and international consultants to ensure the timely drafting of all required project documentation and reports (including preparing the full UNDP project Document, Social and Environmental Screening, Gender Analysis and Action Plan, M&E Plan, and Letters of Co-financing) for submission to the AFB, strictly adhering to agreed deadlines and ensuring quality control.
Prepare the Project Results Framework, Replication plan, Adaptive Management Plan and Sustainability Plan.
Define the schedule, the multi-year Work Plan and budget for the project detailing all expected activities.
Establish the baseline, mid-term and end-of-the-project targets for all indicators identified in the logframe, including at least one indicator from the UNDP Strategic Plan
Address all comments on the project design received from stakeholders, UNDP, and the AFB Secretariat
Prepare an indicative Procurement Plan, which will be confirmed by the Country Office, and facilitate consultations with all relevant stakeholders with regard to the proposal in order to finalise a detailed budget, prepare detailed TORs for all project staff, and set out detailed activity and work plan.
Clarify the additionality of the proposed outcomes and activities, and ensure that the project approach is the most cost-effective according to AFB guidelines.
Work closely with the Country Office to select an indicator for one of the outcomes of the UNDP Integrated Results and Resources Framework (IRRF).
Propose institutional and implementation arrangements taking into account the comparative advantage of national entities and in synergy with already existing arrangements for other UNDP projects in the respective countries.
Prepare a Final AFB Project Proposal and UNDP Project Document based on comments from all stakeholders and Designated Authority in each participating country.

Deliverables

The consultant shall be responsible for the following, in collaboration with UNDP, and stakeholders:

Activity Plan, developed in consultation with UNDP and other consultants – upon appointment
A Draft Project Proposal with the Gender Assessment and Action Plan – End May 2017
Reports on consultations with stakeholders, SESP, co-financing letters and all other required annexes finalised by June 2017
Final Project Proposal and UNDP Project Document – End July 2017
Revised Project Proposal and UNDP Project Document incorporating comments – within two weeks of the receipt of comments.?

Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

The financial offer should be quoted as a lump sum amount, all-inclusive (professional fee, travel by the most direct and economic route, DSA, insurance). ?

The contract price is fixed regardless of changes in the cost components. Payments will be effected based on deliverables:

Deliverables_Outputs / Tentative Dates / Fee (%) / Review and Approvals Required

Submission of activity plan by - 10 March 2017 / 10% / UNDP
Report on all consultations with stakeholders (including the reports produced by the Community Development and Gender specialists and final minutes of Steering Committee meetings and LPAC) - 30 May 2017 / 20% / UNDP & SC
Draft Final Social and Environmental Screening Procedure - 30 May 2017 / 10% / UNDP & SC
Draft Project Proposal with Gender Assessment and Action Plan - 30 May 2017 / 10% / UNDP & SC
Project proposal for Adaptation Fund Board - 30 July 2017 / 20% / UNDP
Project document including all relevant annexes as per project document template requirements for UNDP - 30 August 2017 / 20% / UNDP
Assistance in response to comments from Adaptation Fund Board and approval of Final Project proposal - 5 September 2017 / 10% / UNDP based on approval by AFB

Competencies

Core competencies:

Demonstrates integrity/commitment by demonstrating highest levels of integrity and acts in accordance with the Standards of Conduct for international civil servants;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favouritism;
Promotes and demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s vision, mission, values and strategic goals of UNDP
Building support and political acumen;
Building and promoting effective teams;
Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication;
Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking.

Management and Leadership:

Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback and differing views;
Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Solicits feedback from team members about the impact of his/her own behaviour;
Ability to effectively plan, implement, monitor and evaluate own work.

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches:
Developing new approaches

Seeks a broad range of perspectives in developing project proposals;
Identifies new approaches and promotes their use in other situations;
Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking;

Resource Mobilization:
Developing tools and mechanisms

Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches;
Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise:
In-depth knowledge of the subject-matter

Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally;
Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments;
Excellent English drafting and communication skills.

Client Orientation:
Contributing to positive outcomes for the client:

Anticipates client needs;
Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider;
Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective;
Solicits feedback on service provision and quality.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Minimum postgraduate degree in relevant subjects, PhD preferred.

Experience:

Proven and extensive international experience in projects related to ecosystem-based management of marine resources, in particular coral ecosystems.
Professional experience in projects related to coral restoration or advanced knowledge in the subject will be highly desired.
Proven extensive and successful experience in the design and formulation of donor-funded projects.
Familiarity with policies and strategies of UNDP and AFB. Experience with UNDP-AFB projects will be highly desired.
Experience in Western Indian Ocean states and/or SIDS will be highly advantageous.
Strong synthesis skills to succinctly present research and analysis of results on matters relevant to the project.
Proven ability to logically present a proposed set of interventions using the Theory of Change
Evidence of being able to build strong relationships with national consultants, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to critical feedback; consensus-oriented
Highly developed inter-personal, negotiation and teamwork skills, networking aptitude.
Regional and national knowledge relevant to coral ecosystems and restoration is highly desirable.

Language:

The language of the assignment shall be English. All deliverables shall be in English language. Therefore, excellent English communication skills (oral, written, and presentation) are essential;
Knowledge of French will be an advantage.

Recommended Presentation of Offer:

The following documents are requested:

Duly completed Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;
Personal CV and 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;
Technical offer: Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment (including his/her experience using Financial Planning and Budgeting), and a methodology on how they will approach and complete the assignment; and
Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided by UNDP.

Criteria for Selection of the Best Offer:

The Combined Scoring method will be as follows:

Technical Evaluation will be weighted at a maximum of 70%, and
Financial Evaluation will be weighted a max of 30%;

Technical Evaluation criteria:

Criteria - Maximum points

Education - (5 points);
Knowledge and Experience in ecosystem-based approach to marine resources management, coral ecosystems, and coral restoration - (15 points);
Proven Experience in the formulation and design of donor-funded projects - (10 points);
Experience with UNDP/AFB projects/policies - (10 points);
Experience in Western Indian Ocean states and/or SIDS - (10 points);
Methodology for the assignment - (20 points).

Total maximum - (70 points)

Candidates scoring 70% or above in the Technical Evaluation will be short-listed.

Financial Evaluation Criteria:
The financial offers will be evaluated giving the lowest price proposal 30 marks and marking the other more expensive proposals reverse proportionally to the cheapest offer.

Final Evaluation
The final scoring of short-listed candidates will take into account the technical Evaluation and the Financial Score:

Criteria                     Weight       Max. Point
Technical score           70%            70
Financial score            30%           30

The candidate ranking highest shall be selected.