UNDP Jobs - 70853- National consultant-Environment Specialist (Guinea

National consultant-Environment Specialist (Guinea-Bissau nationals only)

Location :

Bissau, GUINEA-BISSAU

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

35 workings over 6 months

Languages Required :

English French Portuguese

Expected Duration of Assignment :

35 workings over 6 months

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 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), acting as an implementing agency of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), is providing assistance to the Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development of Guinea-Bissau in the preparation of the GEF Medium Size Project (MSP) “Strengthening natural resource valuation capacities for improved planning and decision-making to conserve the global environment.”

In accordance with UNDP/GEF procedures, UNDP is hiring a team of consultants to develop the MSP proposal for ‘Strengthening natural resource valuation capacities for improved planning and decision-making to conserve the global environment’ for submission to the GEF Secretariat fully compliant with the enforced GEF rules and standards as part of the GEF Project Preparation Grant (PPG). The consultants will report to the Head of the Sustainable Development Cluster at UNDP Guinea-Bissau and work closely with UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub Regional Technical Advisor.

The purpose of the PPG is to fully design the activities, outputs, and outcomes of the ‘Strengthening natural resource valuation capacities for improved planning and decision-making to conserve the global environment’ medium size project and to fully develop a full set of project documentation for submission to the GEF Secretariat and approval. Normal rules for development of medium-sized GEF projects apply. Copies of the GEF templates and guidelines can be found at: http://www.thegef.org/gef/guidelines_templates

Project Description:

Among Guinea Bissau’s human/intangible, produced capital and natural capital, the proportion of natural capital is exceptionally high (close to 50% by World Bank estimate). The country has also preserved a large portion of its nature while its economic activities give the ranking as one the poorest in the world, making the conventional accounting particularly unfit for national planning.

While the country has elaborated various plans and reports to safeguard the environment and promote sustainable development, including the National Adaptation Programme of Action (2006) and Second National Communication on Climate Change (2011), much difficulty remains in mainstreaming the subject of the environment and in taking stock of the country’s wealth. No systematic efforts have been made to evaluate the natural capital or the ecosystemic functions that the country enjoys or provides to the outside world. An environmental accounting system – that incorporates environmental dimensions to traditional national accounting – would require cooperation among various agencies and actors across fields, but there is little coordination and cooperation as of date. In fact, the evaluation conducted in 2011 on the national capacity for environmental management cites as major drawbacks the following: (i) the lack of integrated information system on the environment on a national scale; (ii) the insufficiency of indicators on sustainable environmental management; and (iii) the lack of recognition of the link between degradation of the environment (including national resources) and the national economy. Finally, participatory approach is not well understood among the government technicians and political decision makers as a sine qua non in project formulation and implementation. Incidentally Guinea-Bissau has recently launched REDD+ readiness programme, which require the capacities to make monetary evaluations of natural resources.

In sum, the country will greatly benefit from acquiring sound capacities for natural resources valuation which allow presentation of the state of the environment in terms understandable to political decision makers, both national and international, and regular updating of such valuation. The project will aid the country in strengthening the capacity to plan its future for sustainable development by first assisting in acquisition of capacities to value natural resources.

The project will consist of following four components: (1) Strengthening targeted policy and legislative instruments for effective monitoring and decision-making on the global environment; (2) Strengthening effective monitoring and decision-making mechanisms for the global environment; (3) Development of natural resource valuation tools for improved decision-making on the global environment; and (4) Improving awareness of global environmental values through the use of natural resource valuation.

It will be implemented in line with the established Government of Guinea-Bissau and UNDP procedures in Guinea-Bissau. The Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development will take overall responsibility for implementation of the project, and for the project success. It will establish the necessary planning and management mechanisms to oversee project inputs, activities and outputs. The UNDP CO will support the Ministry as requested and as necessary. The PPG process will be used to further define the management, coordination and consultation mechanisms.

Duties and Responsibilities

Within the framework of this ToR, National Consultant – Environmental Specialist is expected to perform the following tasks and duties based on a participatory approach, involving both governmental and non-governmental stakeholders:

Assess international best practices with regards to establishment of environmental accounting and monitoring system;
Undertake baseline study and strategy development related to environmental monitoring capabilities:
Assess public entities in the field of environment with respect to the capacity to perform environmental accounting and monitoring functions and identify key institutions for the project;
Organize a consultation workshop with stakeholders to discuss strategy, priorities and partners;
Identify the most suitable pratice for estabishing an environmental monitoring system for Guinea-Bissau by providing the rationales in terms of capacity, economics and ecology;
Undertake training needs assessment for technicians and population to be involved in the monitoring;
Design project strategy to establish a team of technicians and citizens dedicated to environmental monitoring and to equip it with the necessary tools;
Contribute to drafting of project design and GEF submission documents.

The consultant will conduct the above tasks as a means to support the International Consultant in preparing the Project Document for submission to GEF Secretariat.

Competencies

Competencies:

Strong knowledge of environmental issues of Guinea-Bissau;
Strong expertise in environmental monitoring including training experience not only for technicians but also for ordinary citizens;
Strong expertise in data management;
Experience in developing institutional arrangements for national projects;
Experience in undertaking baseline studies and strategy development on environmental data collection and management:
Experience or interest in socioeconomic development of developing countries.
Proven experience in environmental monitoring (excellent knowledge and involvement in practical work);
Proven experience in data management;
Previous experience with UNDP is a great advantage;
Maturity and confidence in dealing with senior members of national institutions;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
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;
Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations;
Strong interpersonal skills, communication and diplomatic skills, ability to work in a team;
Excellent Portuguese and good English (or French) language skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced degree (Master or PhD) in the field of environmental science, ecology or relevant related fields

Experience:

At least 5 years of relevant professional experience.

Language:

Fluency in Portuguese and English or Porgutuese and French.

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:

Qualified candidates are requested to apply no later than 8 March 2017 by one of the following methods: (i) online “Environment Specialist – GEF Project” in the subject field.

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 (if applicable). Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application;
Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees, please upload the P11 instead of your CV (a template can be downloaded from http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/corporate/Careers/P11_Personal_history_form.doc);
Financial Proposal* - specifying a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this announcement. The financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (number of anticipated working days – in home office and on mission, travel – international and local, per diems and any other possible costs), preferably according to the following template.

All costs related to this assignment, including among others, subcontracting of experts, translation of documents, office supplies, and others envisaged costs shall be covered by the contractor. Thus the proposed budget should include all the necessary expenses to achieve the assignment goals.

Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, vaccination, office costs and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services);
All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel.
Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner;
Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org;
General Terms and conditions can be found under: http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/documents/procurement/documents/IC%20-%20General%20Conditions.pdf;
Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply;
Due to a large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process;
Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.

Evaluation

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodologies:

Lowest price and technically compliant offer

When using this method, the award of a contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as both:

Responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
Offering the lowest price/cost
Responsive/compliant/acceptable” can be defined as fully meeting the TOR provided.

Technical Criteria weight; 70

Financial Criteria weight; 30

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70 point would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Evaluation Criteria:

Advanced degree (Master or PhD) in the field of environmental science, ecology or relevant related fields - 5pts;
At least 5 years of relevant professional experience - 5pts;
Proven expert skills in environmental research 5pts;
Strong expertise in data management -10pts;
Strong expertise in environmental monitoring (excellent knowledge and involvement in practical work, including training experience not only for technicians but also for ordinary citizens)- 15pts;
Experience in undertaking baseline studies and strategy development on environmental data collection and management -10pts;
Strong knowledge of environmental issues of Guinea-Bissau -10pts;
Experience or interest in socioeconomic development of developing countries -2pts;
Experience in developing institutional arrangements for national projects -2pts ;
Previous experience with UNDP - 2pts;
Excellent Portuguese and good English (or French) language skills - 4pts.