UNDP Jobs - 75885- Ref.2017-0063

Ref.2017-0063

Location :

home-based, with 3 trips to Kazakhstan

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

08-Jan-2018

Application Deadline :

13-Dec-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

12 months

Languages Required :

English Russian

Expected Duration of Assignment :

app. 60 working days

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

Please note! Application submission Procedure:

Application (max 10 MB) may be submitted by email to: procurement.kz@undp.org with the indication of Ref.2017-0063 in the subject line not later than December 13, 2017

For detailed information on the position, please refer to the Procurement Notice and Terms of Reference

Any request for clarification must be sent in writing or by standard electronic communication to the following e-mail ainur.amirkhanova@undp.org copying meruyert.bolyssayeva@undp.org

Background:

Supporting the Government of Kazakhstan to meet its commitment to reduce GHG emissions under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), UNDP Kazakhstan is implementing a large portfolio of GEF-funded climate change mitigation projects, including through the following on-going initiative “Sustainable Cities for Low Carbon Urban Development”, which is aimed at supporting the transition of Kazakhstan towards low-carbon development in lighting and more broadly in municipal/urban sectors. More specifically:

UNDP-GEF Project “Sustainable Cities for Low Carbon Urban Development” is aimed at supporting identification, prioritization, design, financing and implementation of nationally appropriate mitigation actions (NAMAs)/low-carbon actions and projects in the urban sector in Kazakhstan. This is a five-year project, which has been officially launched in November 2015. It is designed in five components to:

Improve the capacity of municipalities to carry out integrated municipal planning, make targets and prioritize urban mitigation actions (Component 1);
Support the creation and strengthening of institutional structures that will allow public and private sector investments (Component 2);
Provide facilitation of financing of urban NAMAs through creation of a dedicated financial mechanism (Component 3);
Piloting of an urban NAMA through investments in modernization and upgrading of the urban infrastructure (Component 4);
Linking the project with the national GHG mitigation efforts, including through standards, rules and procedures for measurement, reporting and verification (MRV), promoting better information dissemination to stakeholders, and linking the NAMA process with the domestic Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) for industrial emitters (Component 5).

Duties and Responsibilities

OBJECTIVE:

To provide the advisory and planning support to all elements of the on-going Projects of Energy Efficiency Projects Portfolio in UNDP in Kazakhstan, the specific technical contributions and oversight to selected components. As well to provide advisory and technical assistance to support implementation and further development of initiatives related to cities sustainability and urban energy efficiency.

SCOPE OF THE WORK:

Under the overall supervision of the Project Manager the Chief Technical Adviser will have the following specific duties:

Within UNDP-GEF Project “Sustainable Cities for Low Carbon Urban Development”:

Provide technical expertise and strategic guidance to all project components with a special focus on Component 3, assuming quality control of interventions, and support the Project Manager in coordination of the implementation of planned activities as stipulated in the project document/work plan;
Support in the implementation of the Financial Mechanism for urban NAMA under Component 3 (what includes but not limited with review and providing comments to the received applications from potential applicants-private investors);
Support introduction of the required changes to the project design and associated changes to the Project Document based on the outcomes of evaluations; provide recommendations for the necessary changes in the Project Document that will serve as a basis for the following Project revision;
Promote urban climate change mitigation actions through provision of policy advice, technical expertise and participation in the working and high-level meetings with the key project stakeholders;
Provide necessary input to an overarching strategy document on low-carbon urban development sharpening the focus of the respective roles and responsibilities of the governmental institutions involved;
Contribute to the discussion platforms on the issue of modern urban sustainability and sustainable energy in Kazakhstan;
Work closely with the Project Manager in coordinating and facilitating inputs of government agencies, partner organizations, scientific and research institutions, subcontractors, and national and international experts in a timely and effective manner;
Review key reports of national and international consultants and preparing the comments to these reports;
Assure timely preparation and submission of the Project Implementation Review (PIR) reports as per UNDP/GEF requirements;
Provide input into development of Terms of Reference for sub-contracts, recommend best approaches;
Assist the Project Management Unit (PMU) in monitoring the technical quality of project M&E systems (including AWPs, indicators and targets);
Provide “on-the-job” technical guidance and mentoring to the PMU in order to strengthen its capacity to effectively implement the technical aspects of the Project;
Provide strategic advice on the overall project implementation strategy to the Project Manager;
Support the Project Manager in the preparation and implementation of project evaluations;
Support the Project Manager in reporting to the Project Board on the progress of project implementation, achievement of project results and impact in accordance with the project’s logical framework matrix;
Support the PMU in project-related meetings, as might be required;
Support Project Manager in establishing co-operation with international project partners

“Within Energy Efficiency Projects Portfolio:

Advisory and technical assistance to support implementation and further development of initiatives related to cities sustainability and urban energy efficiency”

Competencies

Track record of effectively communicating and working with multi-stakeholders, including high-level government officials, development partners, academics, private sector and communities;
Demonstrable analytical skills;
Planning and organization skills

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree in Energy, Economics, Environmental Sciences, Urbanization or a closely-related field

Experience:

At least 15 years of experience in designing and implementing technical assistance projects in the area of climate change mitigation and energy efficiency;
Experience with project planning and consulting, including the effective provision of substantive leadership and guidance, oversight, monitoring and reporting;
As minimum 5 years of experience on working with international institutions/organizations. Working experience within a UN system would be an asset;
Experience with international projects financed by Global Environmental Facility and\or Green Climate Fund;
Experience and good knowledge of transition economies, CIS countries;
Specific working experience coordination at national/or regional level would be an asset

Language Requirements:

Fluency in spoken and written English and Russian

Application Procedure (The following documents must be merged in one standalone file, since the online application submission does only permit to upload one file per application. Incomplete submission can be a ground for disqualification):

Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;
Personal CV or UNDP 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;
Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment;
Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided
Other documents confirming the work experience, knowledge and skills (qualification improvement certificates\diplomas, awards, etc. with total size no more than 1 Mb)

Note!!! The application (max. 10 MB) may be sent to procurement.kz@undp.org indicating Ref.2017-0063 in the subject line of your e-mail. Only full submitted application will be considered.