Background

The GEF Council has recently approved the Project Identification Form (PIF) for the full sized project titled “Eliminating POPs through Sound Management of Chemicals” (PIMS 5918) implemented through the UNDP.  UNDP is now commencing a detailed project preparation phase expected to last by June 2018.  The PIF was approved by the GEF Secretariat on 2nd May 2017. At the end of the preparation phase, UNDP will finalize a project document for approval/endorsement by the GEF CEO.
The project aims to reduce the risks of POPs on human health and the environment through strengthening institutional capacity and the policy and regulatory framework for the sound management and disposal of chemicals, POPs and wastes, and developing sustainable systems for the sound collection, labelling, storage, and disposal of hazardous chemicals and waste.
According to the National Implementation Plan (NIP) developed under the Stockholm Convention on POPs, the two highest ranking national priorities are: 

1. The implementation of measures to strengthen the institutional and regulatory framework (including: Developing legislation for chemicals management; Strengthening institutional capacity; Improving data collection and management systems and Conducting research on the effects of POPs); and 
2. Developing an action plan to eliminate PCB-containing equipment and its wastes by 2025 (including Identifying, labeling and mapping where PCBs and equipment containing PCBs are located in the country; Put in place labelling mechanism for all PCB containing equipment; Establishing adequate storage facilities for replaced equipment containing PCBs; Formulating guidelines for disposal of equipment containing PCBs; and Disposing safely of equipment containing PCBs). 

Since the ratification of the Stockholm Convention in 2006, there has been no specific action towards the environmentally sound management of POPs of hazardous wastes at national level. The Environment Protection and Preservation Act (Law no. 4/93) of the Maldives has particular provisions for the sound management of hazardous waste. However, limited data, capacity, resources and a general lack of understanding related to the management of POPs and hazardous wastes have hampered the substantive realization and implementation of these specific provisions, or POPs related interventions. Now that the NIP process has been concluded and the country’s national priorities related to POPs have become more defined, the Government is committed to start addressing the most pressing POPs priorities.
In order to reduce the risks of POPs on human health and the environment and address the challenges that the Government of the Maldives faces in achieving the sound management and disposal of POPs, POPs containing wastes and reducing releases of POPs to the environment, the project proposes the following interventions:

Component 1. Strengthening the regulatory and policy framework and institutional and technical capacity for the sound management and disposal of POPs, chemicals and wastes

Component 2. Establish systems for the sound collection, labeling, storage and disposal of hazardous chemicals and wastes

Component 3. Monitoring and learning, adaptive feedback, outreach and evaluation

With this background and in order to support the efforts of the Government of Maldives to eliminate POPs through Sound Management of Chemical and Waste, UNDP in its capacity as the Implementing Agency for the GEF, requires the support of a National Coordinator with experience in developing Institutional and Policy Framework. The consultant is requested to work together with relevant parties (International PPG Coordinator and rest of the team, UNDP Country Office, Ministry of Environment and Energy, Utilities companies, etc) to facilitate the Project Preparation Grant (PPG) phase during which the detailed preparation of a country project for Maldives will take place.
The consultant is expected to support the design and preparation of a UNDP/GEF ProDoc and support the preparation of additional supporting documents required for approval by the GEF with guidance from the International PPG Coordinator

Duties and Responsibilities

The overall output of the PPG will be the final full-sized project proposal in two formats: GEF CEO Endorsement Document and UNDP project document format with detailed definition of the project scope in terms of technical details, cost estimates (both GEF eligible and co-financed), co-financing commitments, and implementation arrangements as set out in the Project Document, including:

1. endorsement of project design with the government and other counterparts,
2. barrier analyses, based on consultant reports and a multi-stakeholder workshop;
3. a logical framework, based on a multi-stakeholder workshop and the recommendations of consultancy studies, including indicators and quantified targets, combined with baseline values;
4. a project budget and work plan in standard UNDP and GEF format inclusive of co-financing commitments;
5. a monitoring and evaluation strategy;
6. Social and Environmental Screening Procedure (SESP)/ ESMP
7. Chemical and Waste focal area Tracking Tools such as GEF 6 Chemical and Waste Tracking Tool, GEF POPs tracking Tool
8. a learning and replication strategy and
9. Text and supportive technical analyses detailing the justification and strategies of the project.

Scope of work:

Under the guidance of UNDP Assistant Resident Representative, guidance of UNDP Regional Technical Adviser from Bangkok Regional Hub, the Consultant will act as an overall advisor and technical resource person during the development of the Project Document with respect to its detailed design and documentation in the Full sized GEF CEO Endorsement document for further submission to the GEF for final approval.  S/he will be responsible to complete and submit the outputs on time. This will involve provision of technical support for the various tasks defined in the PPG including:

1. Overall coordinating function for the formulation of the FSP with elements of peer review and mediation of various interests;
2. Provision of international references, specifications, documentation and standards for the PCB stockpile management and site remediation activities planned;
3. Development of UNDP project component and sub-component design and cost estimates;
4. Finalization of full-sized project proposal and related GEF submission materials; 
5. Liaison with the implementing agencies and parallel bilateral initiatives as requested;
6. Advice on acquisition of formal detailed co-financing commitments for UNDP components, and the project in general; and 
7. Advice to the government on implementation of the project in future.

Consistent with the above general scope, the Consultant will undertake the following activities in support of the overall development of the project proposal:

• S/He will be the team leader of PPG team.
• Provide overall technical guidance to the  National Project Coordinator and other international consultants on the type of information required to prepare the Project document, co-financing possibilities; GEF fundability of proposed interventions, etc. 
• Review the various outputs of the other consultants as they are completed, to ensure quality control and that all provided is fit for purpose for input in the GEF proposal and UNDP Project Document
• Undertake 5-6-day (no of days can be calculated based on the mission requirement) missions to the project country (PPG inception workshop and validation workshop required), with subsequent preparation of Back to Office Report (BTOR).
• Prepare an annotated outline of Project Document based on information contained in the PIF with clear indication of the type of information needed for each section of the Project Document and to be provided by the consultants.
• Carry out the role of quality control and related oversight, in reviewing, commenting and guiding the National Coordinator in drafting of the Project Results Framework (PRF), the elements of the UNDP Project Document, its annexes, as well as all documents required in the CEO endorsement package to meet GEF and UNDP GEF rules and standards.
• Complete the required GEF focal area tracking tools such as GEF 6 Chemical and Waste Tracking Tool, GEF POPs tracking Tool.
• Ensure the comments received on Pre-Screening UNDP Social and Environmental Screening Procedure are considered and reflected in the final document.
• Ensure that the CEO endorsement package, prodoc etc, are provided in English, are of high quality (meeting with all GEF and UNDP standards); and, working with the National Coordinator, oversees that comments received from the LPAC/Validation Meeting are included.
• Address and Annex GEF SEC, GEF Council and STAP comments/suggestions (if any) to the project document.
• Elaborate on the programmatic baseline projects as discussed in the PIF; analyse gaps and, in concert with the rest of the consultant team, identify opportunities for co-financing;
• Develop M&E framework for the project
• Develop a communication/awareness raising plan for the project in coordination with the National Coordinator
• Document the above in technical reports and data sheets suitable for use in developing required sections of FSP, and applicable sections of FSP implementation specifications and TORs

The Complete CEO endorsement documentation package shall include the following documents and the consultant is responsible to ensure all the documents are prepared and submitted for UNDP internal review no later than 30th May 2018:

- Finalized UNDP Project Document

- Finalized GEF Request for CEO Endorsement

- Finalized SESP /ESMP

- GEF Chemical and Waste Tracking Tools (such as GEF 6 Chemical and Waste Tracking Tool, GEF POPs tracking Tool)

- All Co-financing Letters

Expected Outputs/Deliverables

The consultant will work closely with the rest of PPG team and will guide the National Coordinator to achieve the deliverables. S/he will be responsible for the timely submission of the following;   

To achieve the deliverables, the consultant must liaise closely with the rest of the PPG team accordingly.  The frequency and medium of communication with rest of the team will be agreed upon signing the contract. All documents, report must be approved by the PPG Coordinator and UNDP. The Final UNDP/GEF project Document must be ready for UNDP internal review by latest 30th May 2018.

Institutional Arrangement

The consultant will be home based with travel to the Maldives, twice; one for inception workshop and one for the validation workshop. Field Visit to the Project Sites will be included during the initial mission for the inception workshop. S/He will be supervised by the Assistant Resident Representative (ARR) of Resilient and Climate Change UNDP Country Office and will work closely with the National Coordinator for PPG, Designated Official from Ministry of Environment and Energy, and Regional Technical Advisor in Bangkok Regional Hub (BRH). In order for the smooth implementation of the deliverables the consultant must liaise with other consultants recruited for PPG. Regular updates between the consultant and the National Coordinator must take place.  The frequency and medium of updates/feedback between the PPG team will be mutually agreed upon contract signature. He/she should carry out his/her tasks in accordance with the rules and procedures of UNDP and those of the Government of Maldives. Any other task that are not included above but during the assignment period later deemed important to ensure the quality of the deliverables could be proposed by the incumbent and shall be agreed jointly.

Duration of the Work:

The Consultant will perform his/her assignment with the following timeline:

• S/he will work  60 working days within 12 months to complete the assignment
• The expected effective working date is 12 November 2017
• Delay in submitting report will impact on the completion of work and release of payment.
• The Final UNDP/GEF project Document must be ready for UNDP internal review by latest 30th May 2018.

Duty Station

The consultant will be home-based with travel to Maldives as indicated in the travel plan.

Travel Plan

The assignment foresees two missions to Maldives;   one for inception workshop (tentatively set for late Nov 2017) and later for the validation workshop (tentatively set for April 2018) All travel expenses associated with the trips (tickets, accommodation DSA) will be included in the financial offer (which needs to include (i) consultancy fees and (ii) estimated travel cost) as per UNDP rules and regulations.

Below is an indicative travel plan for the duration of the assignment. There may be also unforeseen travel that will come up during the execution of the contract which will be agreed on ad-hoc basis.

Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UN/UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
• Demonstrates ability to manage complexities and work under pressure, as well as conflict resolution

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• Advanced University degree (MSc, MA or PhD) in environmental protection and management, chemical and industrial engineering, and other relevant fields. A relevant university degree in combination with qualifying experience in the project design, monitoring  and management may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree

Experience

• Knowledge of and experience with implementation of the multilateral environmental agreements (Stockholm, Basel and other related conventions and agreements) and their detailed requirements in terms of GEF strategic priorities;
• Long-term specialization in POPs and hazardous waste management is a strong advantage;
• At least 5 years of proven, high quality experience in GEF project design, preparation and implementation under UNDP and other Implementing Agencies; handling of GEF review processes; is preferred;
• Understanding of and practical exposure to the institutional framework governing chemical and waste management in middle income countries, countries with economies in transition and Small Island Developing States would be an advantage;
• Proven practical experience in information gathering and research methodology; experience in coaching/mentoring/assisting team of consultants; 

Language Requirement

• Excellent Communication Skills in English

Application Documents

• The application must include a letter of interest to undertake this task, the CV, Personal History Form (P11), and a financial proposal (indicating the daily fee (in USD) for the assignment).
• The applicant must also submit the reference letters from past supervisors/clients. To download P11, kindly please visit the link: http://www.mv.undp.org/content/maldives/en/home/operations/jobs
• Please combine all the documents into one single file, as the system will allow for only one document to be uploaded.
• We will only accept online applications