Background

UNCDF works with local and central government institutions to improve the capacity of local governance institutions in planning, public expenditure management, procurement and delivery management and other areas related to the application of development capital and other resources.

UNCDF is supporting an expanding portfolio of programmes in all regions that provide capital resources to local governance processes to enable them to meet the challenges of poverty reduction, the Millennium Development Goals and climate change. These programmes promote local level public financial management and decentralized governance responses to these challenges.

In Asia – Pacific and Africa, the Local Climate Adaptive Living Facility Project of UNCDF (hereafter referred to as “LoCAL”) aims to promote climate change resilient communities and economies by increasing financing for and investment in climate change adaptation at the local level in least developed countries.  

LoCAL focuses on the delivery of three outputs that will directly contribute to increasing local governments’ access to climate finance and building resilience to climate change:

Output 1 – Climate change adaptation is mainstreamed into local government’s planning and budgeting systems;
Output 2 – Increased awareness and support for the role of local government in climate change adaptation;
Output 3 – Increased amount of finance available to local governments and local economy for climate change adaptation and resilience.

The LoCAL approach entails into capacity building of local governments and operates through Performance Based Climate Resilience Grants (PBCRG).

LoCAL works in three phases.

Phase I: Following scoping, the first phase entails testing in a small number (2-4) of local governments. Phase I is usually financed directly with the LoCAL global project seed capital and has a budget of less than USD 250,000. It can include co-financing from government or other partners. Phase I introduces the Performance-Based Climate Resilient Grant (PBCRG) over one or two fiscal cycles; it tests the minimum conditions and performance measures of the PBCRG and the relevance of the menu of investments (eligible adaptation measures). It provides the necessary experience and lessons for the refinement of the approach and the design of phase II in conjunction with the appropriate national authorities and partners. Countries under phase I include Benin, Bangladesh, Mali, Mozambique, Lao PDR, Niger, Nepal, Solomon Islands and Ghana.

Phase II: Phase II takes place in around 5% to 10% of local governments (of the appropriate tier) in a country. Phase II is usually financed by UNCDF together with financing partners and has a budget of up to USD 5 million. Funding can come directly through the LoCAL project or through parallel financing if government or other development partners make resources available to the LoCAL methodology. The purpose of this phase is to demonstrate the effectiveness of LoCAL and create the conditions for a full national rollout of the approach. Countries under phase II include Bhutan and Cambodia.

Phase III: Phase III consist of a full national rollout of the PBCRG in the country based on the results and lessons of the previous phases. It is gradually extended to all local governments (of the appropriate tier). Phase III is expected to be financed by central government through a re-adjustment of the architecture of existing resources to enable financing of local adaptation, as well as through financing from international organizations, financing institutions and funds such as the Green Climate Fund.

Information about us may be found at www.uncdf.org  and www.local-uncdf.org

LoCAL Tuvalu:

As one of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Tuvalu is highly vulnerable to climate change, and changing weather patterns affect communities in different ways, including loss in agricultural production and food security, water stress and insecurity, rising sea levels and exposure to climate disasters, changes to ecosystems and loss of biodiversity, and human health. There are reported incidents where islanders have been relocated because their islands are sinking, food gardens affected because of soil salinity and irregular weather patterns – these examples and other evidence are high priority concerns.

As a small archipelago country in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, the impact of climate change depends on the geography and local specificities of individual islands, and their adaptation strategies should vary accordingly. The capacity of local governments to deal with the climate change issues at the provincial level is still very slow. This is despite the fact that they are on the front line to deliver services to the community, including building the community resilience to the climate change effects

In line with the objective of the LoCAL Global Project mentioned above, the LoCAL project in Tuvalu aims to increase the climate change resilience by mainstreaming climate change adaptation activities into the local government planning and budgeting process through Performance Based Climate Change resilience Grant System (PBCRG). Considering the specific context of vulnerabilities in Tuvalu, the LoCAL Tuvalu will also address climate related disaster preparedness measures (e.g. cyclones, prolonged drought).

One of the requirements of the Tuvalu LoCAL Project is for the recruitment of a local project consultant to be based within DRD/ MOHARD to be responsible for the efficient and effective management of the project, primarily in terms of the requirements of the newly introduced PFM systems and processes as well as other related tasks and activities.

Subsequently, and in consideration of the current nature and status of Tuvalu administration in terms of the skills and qualifications of its human resources and the urgent need for capacity development both at national and local level it was decided to recruit a local consultant who is qualified to take over the responsibilities of the identified position of LoCAL Project Officer in addition to other responsibilities and relevant tasks necessary to ensure the successful implementation of the LoCAL Project in Tuvalu.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives of the Assignment

The objective of this assignment is for the Local Consultant and encompass inputs and recommendations from the Scoping and Design Missions, including consultations with various stakeholders from Tuvalu, UNCDF and other partners.

The Local Consultant shall be recruited to successfully manage the Tuvalu LoCAL Project to ensure it is effectively and efficiently implemented in accordance with the stipulations and requirements of the Project Document and other related documents (MOA etc).

The Local Consultant, whilst contractually responsible to both the Tuvalu Government and UNCDF for the successful implementation of the LoCAL Project, shall be at the same time representing the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) in Tuvalu, acting on its behalf, albeit in fulfilling the latter’s obligation and commitments to the LoCAL Project, especially in delivering and implementing the identified CD activities in the project.

The LoCAL Project Consultant shall work with the Government of Tuvalu under the responsibility of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Rural Development (MoHARD). Because of the nature and requirements of the LoCAL Project, the Local Consultant shall liaise closely with and work in collaboration with the other key institutions and primary stakeholders, such as the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MoFED), as well as with other relevant ministries, whose portfolios and responsibilities requires them to deal with and collaborate with Kaupules/ local governments, as well as climate change, to ensure the successful implementation of the proposed activities.

In broad terms, the Local Consultant shall primarily be responsible, in collaboration with the MoHARD/ DRD and UNCDF and other principal stakeholders and LoCAL Project experts, to coordinate and facilitate the project activities under the 5 Project Outputs for the overall achievement of the LoCAL Project Outcome as stipulated below:

Project Outcome:
The resilience of Kaupules/Falekaupules to climate change has improved as a result of an increase in access to climate change adaptation financing through performance-based based climate resilience grants (PBCRG) and capacity development (CD) support.

This single Outcome of the project has five specific Outputs with related Activities that will contribute to its achievement as follows:
Project Output 1: Effective Performance-based Climate Resilience Grant system (finance mechanism) is established in Tuvalu and operational for additional funding.
Output 2: Inclusive, effective and accountable Climate Adaptation and Risk Reduction planning and budgeting processes at the Kaupule level.
Project Output 3: Activities are implemented and managed efficiently, effectively and transparently implemented in the selected Kaupules
Output 4: Lessons Learned from LoCAL are mainstreamed within national policies, Kaupules Public Financial Procedures and guidelines
Output 5: Completed LoCAL scaling up strategy including capacity development support by end of Program (JS completed).

Duties and Responsibilities

Working under the direct supervision of the LoCAL Project Managers, in close collaboration with international technical team, the government of Tuvalu and UNCDF regional and country teams, the consultant will be responsible for providing high quality technical support to programmes including:

1.    Provide the required support to MoHARD/ DRD and other primary national and local stakeholders for the implementation of the PBCRGS, including support to CARR planning, plan activity implementation, PFM, M&E and reporting within Kaupules/MoHARD and for LoCAL Secretariat;
2.    Support Capacity Development of participating Kaupule and Kaupule Staff including MoHARD/ DRD staff on the PBCRGS and all the related LoCAL Guidelines and Manuals;
3.    Support MoHARD/ DRD with design of Capacity Strengthening Program on wider planning and PFM capacities;
4.    Assist MoHARD/ DRD to strengthen Institutional Arrangements in terms of the Implementing Agencies and Coordinating Bodies for the PBCRGS, considering MoHARD’s nation-wide scaling-up objective;
5.    Support the PBCRGS/APA mission design and preparation on the three pilot outer islands, which includes amongst others:

• Discussion and collection of inputs from DRD on mission ToR;
• Advice on mission timing in relation to availability of DRD and arrangements regarding the boat schedule for the three islands’ visit;

6.    Support the implementation and Quality assurance of PBCRGS Performance Assessment

• Inform the Kaupules on the upcoming APA and the visit schedule;
• Support DRD with developing a draft MC compliance overview and collection of evidence (MoV) in advance to the mission;
• Follow-up with Kaupules on MC compliance and prepare the Kaupules for the coming PA
• Support the preparation of meetings between Ministry, LoCAL PM and mission team on LoCAL progress, implementation issues and scaling-up potential;
• Join the in-country mission and support the participate in the PA on all three islands;
• Support the discussion with DRD on assessment findings, and finalization of the PA outcome
• Support the development of the MC compliance report, the PA report and the mission report, including performance-based CR Grant calculations and recommendations;
• Support DRD with organizing the KDCC for final approval of the PA and related CR Grant calculations;
• Arrange meetings with DRD, Ministry and other stakeholders, as required;

7.    Facilitate detailing of CARR Plans from Kaupules and the CR Grant transfers to Kaupules after release from UNCDF/LoCAL;
8.    Support engagement of MoHARD and PM with the International Technical Team on any matters related to European Union – Scaling-up design

Deliverables

The consultant will deliver the following within the framework of the TORs:

1.    PBCRGS implementation: 20%

• Submission of the 12 months work schedule and operational budget for the task assigned;
• Quarterly progress report based on the ToR;
• Progress reports from DRD based on agreed M&E and progress reporting requirements;
• All DRD submissions of documents as agreed by LoCAL project document.

2.    Capacity Development plan for 12 months PBCRGS implementation: 10%

3.    Agree with the international technical team and submit specific work plan in providing support on PBCRGS/APA:10%

• Mission design and preparation;
• Support implementation;
• Quality assurance of PBCRGS Performance Assessment;
• Approval process by GoT of the PA results and PBCR-Grants 2017/2018.

4.    PBCGRS Annual Performance Assessment: 15%

• Draft MC compliance overview and collection of evidence (MoV);
• (contribution to) MC verification report and APA report;
• KDCC minutes.

5.    Finalized detailed CARR Plans for three pilot Kaupules and funds released to Kaupules as per CR Grants allocation: 10%

6.    Progress report on the overall activities of the TORS and as indicated under payment 2 and report progress of CR Grant transfers to Kaupules after release from UNCDF/LoCAL 20%

7.    Annual Report 2017 for LoCAL in Tuvalu: 15%

All reports and documents to be submitted in English.
Payment will be 2 weeks after the submission of the report with satisfactory rating.

Monitoring and Progress Control

Where the primary client for this assignment are UNCDF and the Government of Tuvalu, the consultant will be working under the guidance and report to LoCAL Global Programme Manager in close consultation with the Regional/Country Technical Advisor/Programme Officer in the regional and country offices.

Competencies

• Owns a comprehensive knowledge and experience of sustainable and local development climate change in Tuvalu;
• Owns a comprehensive knowledge and experience on the administration of project management and community development;
• Owns a comprehensive knowledge and skills in participatory consultations and planning;
• Owns a comprehensive knowledge and experience in Capacity Development both at the national and local government levels in Tuvalu;
• Has knowledge and understanding of  performance-based grants and similar tools like budget support, ideally for climate change adaptation.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• Minimum Master Degree in the Development Administration, local government, rural development

Experience

• 15 years of professional experience with at least 10 years in Pacific;
• Having at least 5 years of direct experience working with or related to Tuvalu Government Administration;
• Proven track record of providing advisory service and coordination with the high level government official in the Pacific, especially in Tuvalu;
• Proven track record of directly involving in performance-based grants and similar tools like budget support;
• Experience in capacity development and institutional strengthening in Pacific, ideally in Tuvalu in the context of fiscal transfer, decentralization processes and/or climate change adaptation.

Languages

• Fluent written and spoken in Tuvaluan and English.

Evaluation of applications  

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the combined scoring method.

The formula for the rating of the Proposals will be as follows:

Rating the Technical Proposal (TP): 70%
TP Rating = (Total Score Obtained by the Offer / Max. Obtainable Score for TP) x 100

Rating the Financial Proposal (FP): 30%
FP Rating = (Lowest Priced Offer / Price of the Offer Being Reviewed) x 100

Total Combined Score:
(TP Rating) x (Weight of TP, e.g. 70%)+ (FP Rating) x (Weight of FP, e.g., 30%)

Total Combined and Final Rating of the Proposal

Technical Criteria weight 70% includes:
25% Competencies;
25% Professional experience;
10% Academic qualification;
05% Geographical working experience (proven);
05% Language

Total maximum obtainable score for Technical proposal = 70 points. Only candidates obtaining a minimum score of 49 points under Technical evaluation will be considered for the financial evaluation

Application Guidelines

Interested candidate should submit the following information as part of the application package:

• When applying for this consultancy position, please apply with your official name as shown in the government issued identification document (e.g. passport and/or driver license). Contract award is subject to this verification;
• Detailed updated CV including past experience in similar projects or P11 link: http://sas.undp.org/documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc;
• One page of cover letter describing why the candidate is the most suitable for the assignment;
• Confirmation of availability to take up assignments for the whole period;
• Name and contact details of 3 references.

Other

The consultant is expected to own and use his/her own equipment during and after the assignment.
Should the applicant is shortlisted, the Technical Proposal may be requested. The Technical proposal shall consist of

• The past work demonstrating comprehensive knowledge as listed under competencies.

Financial proposals will be requested only from the shortlisted candidates.

Travel

If there is any approved travel, UNCDF will pay separately travel expenses (economy airfare, terminal expenses and per diems which include hotel and food expenses) according to standard UN rates based on evidence of approved and actual travel.

References

UNDP’s Individual Consultant’s General Terms and Conditions are provided here:
http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/documents/procurement/documents/IC%20-%20General%20Conditions.pdf