Background

UNDP is one of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) accredited Entities. The GCF is a financial operating entity of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which was set up in compliance with Article 11 of the Convention to contribute significantly to the collective efforts of the international community to combat climate change. Montenegro is eligible for submission of project proposals to the Green Climate Fund, with the representative from Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism acting as the National Focal Point (NFP).
The Green Climate Fund’s vision is to support a paradigm shift to low-emission and climate resilient development. It is driven by innovation and targets its investments for transformational impacts. The Fund has identified the following eight impact areas which will deliver major mitigation and adaptation benefits:
Shifting to low-emission sustainable development pathways (mitigation) through: (i) Low-emission energy access and power generation, (ii) Low-emission transport, (iii) Energy efficient (EE) buildings, cities and industries, and (iv) Sustainable land use and forest management.
Increasing climate-resilient sustainable development (adaptation) for: (v) Enhanced resilience of livelihoods of the most vulnerable people, communities, and regions, (vi) Increased resilience of health and well-being, and food and water security, (vii) Resilient infrastructure and built environment to climate change threats, and (viii) Resilient ecosystems.
In addition to this, GCF has established six criteria in its Investment Framework to guide its investment decisions: (i) impact potential, (ii) paradigm shift potential, (iii) sustainable development potential, (iv) needs of the recipient, (v) country ownership, and (vi) efficiency and effectiveness.
The transport  sector is a key segment of the Montenegro economy recognized as such within Montenegro's energy policy to 2030. This document specified development of the Montenegrin energy sector, identifying key strategic commitments in 20 topics. Among others, the document presents two key strategic commitments relevant for transport sector:

• Efficient use of energy in the transport sector through the promotion of public transport, the promotion of energy efficient and low-emission vehicles, and integration of the criteria of energy efficiency into the projects of transport infrastructure;
• Increase in the share of use of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) in traffic movements with the goal of achieving the national target.

As the main directions of development for the transport sector The Strategy recognizes the following priorities:

• program for inclusion of criteria of energy efficiency and environmental protection in investments in transport infrastructure introduced;
• introduction of more stringent requirements for the environmental characteristics of the vehicle;
• promotion of the use of energy-efficient means of transport;
• more efficient use of transport and infrastructure through introduction of  improved systems for transport management, information systems and advanced logistics. Reduction specific energy consumption per unit of service (ton-kilometers or passenger-kilometers);
• special measures for the improvement of EE in public and municipal transport, including training drivers, better vehicle maintenance, more efficient fleet management systems, etc.;
• public awareness campaigns for around the purchase of energy-efficient vehicles, alternative fuel vehicles, energy conscious driving, greater use of the public transport as well as alternative forms of transport (eg bicycles, hiking), etc .;
• redirecting freight traffic to railways to electric power;
• increased use of liquid petroleum gas, compressed natural gas, as well as use of electric vehicles.

Within this concept, the overall objective of the proposed contract is to improve the resilience of Montenegro transport sector and support identification of priority actions that could, jointly and with support of GCF, secure achievement of national targets set for transport sector and in parallel open opportunities for economic development.
Project preparation will be carried out in two phases: Phase I includes development of a Concept note and Phase II development of Full proposal package with all required annexes.

Considering that the consultation process will involve wide range of national partners, the selected consultant will use the opportunity it presents to start the mapping of needs, priorities and possible project concepts to be focused for GEF financing. As per conclusions from 51st meeting of the GEF Council the Trustees are requested to, in cooperation with the Secretariat, initiate discussions on the seventh replenishment of resources of the GEF Trust Fund (GEF-7). This discussion will result in formulation of GEF – 7 replenishment and priorities strategy. In order to secure timely preparation and good understanding of the process consultant will facilitate discussion and mapping of priorities and possible interventions financed by GEF-7.

Objective of the assignment: The principal responsibility of the international consultant is to lead to the development of the GCF Concept note and Full package proposal fully compliant with the GCF rules and standards. Second goal is to facilitate discussion and mapping of priorities and possible interventions financed by GEF-7. The Consultant is expected to closely collaborate with UNDP CO, national and international partners as well as with UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub Advisers.  The Consultant shall work based on information provided by UNDP, the National Focal Point, as well as relevant other stakeholders in the area of climate change adaptation.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of work: The international consultant will be supported by a team of national and international partners (representatives of relevant ministries, UNDP, UNDP IRH or other organisations identified as relevant partners) forming project development team.
Within the framework of this ToR and under the direct supervison of Programme Analyst for Economy and Environment Cluster, the Consultant is expected to perform the following tasks:
General:

• Ensure that proposed project is aligned with national priorities and coordinated with undergoing or planned activities by other actors in the country;
• Undertake, during missions, consultations with relevant public and private actors and ensure project beneficiaries participate in defining project focus and activities;
• Liaise with UNDP gender consultant and provide inputs for conducting gender analysis and formulating a strategy for a proactive gender-based approach to project implementation including M&E.

Phase I (25 working days):

• Scope the project preparation activities and develop workplan for both Phase I and Phase II and provide guidance for data collection related to project planning and monitoring with particular attention to the description and quantification of baseline investments;
• Establish a system of data management of acquired information and data, using UNDP-provided technological support;
• Define scope of work and deliverables for ToRs for national partners in such way to ensure complementarity of inputs and outputs of each involved institution; 

The 1st Mission to Podgorica: 

• Gather and systematize baseline information;
• Prepare presentations for the discussion of the project idea closely with relevant government and non-government actors and other stakeholders and incorporate their inputs into the Concept note;
• Revise, as appropriate, the project idea based on the inputs;
• Support stakeholder consultations and coordinate and document the inputs to inform the design and development of the Concept note;
• Provide inputs to and facilitate co-financing consultations and develop the project co-financing framework;
• Together with the national consultants define the data and information gaps and additional research needs, review and update the project development work plan and individual tasks of the national consultants.
• Present currently available data on GEF – 7 processes and facilitate discussion and mapping of priorities and possible interventions financed by GEF-7.
• Concept note and GEF-7 consultations report formulation (approximately 15 days):
• Develop GCF Concept note according to GCF requirements and templates;
• Conduct pre-feasibility and viability assessment of the project idea and draft a pre-feasibility study report for the Concept note;
• Provide background information and the context of the project with clear additionality arguments;
• Outline options, conduct the options analysis and justify the choice of a specific adaptation pathway for the GCF proposal;
• Develop project description, objective, outputs/expected results, activities, sub-activities;
• Identify project interventions boundaries and scope, project duration and size;
• Outline the Theory of Change;
• Define paradigm/transformational shift potential, sustainable development potential, coherence with country needs, country ownership (in both project design and implementation) and efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed project;
• Identify indicative financing and cost information, including potential sources of co-financing as identified during the mission and/or through remote consultations and develop project co-financing framework;
• Work with UNDP gender expert on gender screening and advancing gender considerations within the proposal
• Define all relevant aspects of the project justification, including rationale for GCF involvement as well as an exit strategy and risk analysis;
• Ensure the proposal is evidence-based and has all necessary references to prove that proposed solutions demonstrate feasibility across all project outputs;
• Assess all technical, institutional and financial feasibility of the proposed interventions to ensure that they are cost-effective and sustainable; 
• Identify available information and information gaps to develop Full proposal package (Phase II)

Phase II  (30 working dasy) 

• Gather additional baseline information;
• Discuss closely with relevant government and non-government actors and other stakeholders and incorporate their inputs into project proposal;
• Support stakeholder consultations and coordinate and document the inputs to inform the design and development of the project proposal;
• Provide inputs to and facilitate co-financing consultations and develop project co-financing framework;
• Validate the proposed project strategy with the national stakeholders.

Full proposal package:

Based on consultation with national experts and inputs from UNDP staff, develop a GCF funding proposal that contains justification for GCF key investment criteria;

• Facilitate and guide consultations to determine project strategy, priorities, key partners, and key barriers to success;
• Oversee and support completion of all background studies, ensuring they are appropriate in scope and provide required analyses in good quality;
• Provide technical and professional support to local experts and national stakeholders;
• Develop a Theory of Change (TOC) for project that adequately reflects project impacts;
• Prepare project M&E framework and logical framework with SMART indicators;
• Prepare project budget as well as the procurement plan, detailed as requested by the GCF full funding proposal template;
• Develop co-financing framework and the assessment of resources leveraging potential;
• Preparation of environment and social impact assessment, economic and financial evaluation and social safeguards assessment;
• Design, together with CO, implementation arrangements, in accordance with UNDP’s rules and regulations under the DIM modality;
• Coordinate inputs from other consultants and UNDP CO to prepare and/or package all annexes associated with the proposal;
• Assume main responsibility for finalizing the Full proposal package, with input from all local experts and ensure timely completion of the proposal and facilitate its smooth submission;
• Address technical comments on the draft submission package.

Time duration and travel: The assignment will be carried out within 55 working days during February 2018 to December 2018, pending approval of the Concept Note. Two visits are planned to Montenegro, in duration of 15 days in total, by end of February 2018 and in second half od 2018 in order to assess current state of affairs and implementation of consultations.

Payment for services:

1. The Consultant shall be contracted and, upon satisfactory performance, receive payment from UNDP for deliverables of Phase I as it shall be agreed prior to signing the contract.
2. At their discretion, the parties may agree to amend the Contract for the deliverables under Phase II as listed in Deliverables and timelines.
3. The contract for Phase I or any aspect thereof, shall not be construed by neither of the parties as having any bearing upon the subsequent decision by either of the party as to the amendment of the Contract and inclusion of some or all aspects of the Phase II into the Contract Amendment.

Responsibility for expenses and their reimbursement: This is a lump sum assignment. The Consultant will be responsible for all personal administrative and travel expenses associated with undertaking this assignment including office accommodation, printing, stationary, telephone and electronic communications, report copies as well as other costs incurred in this assignment.

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: 

• University degree in the fields of Environmental Management, Economy, Transport, Business or relevant related fields;
• Advanced University degree in the fields of Environmental Management, Economy, Transport, Business or relevant related fields would be considered as an advantage;

Experience:

• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience;
• Proven experience in developing similar projects – preferably in the region;
• Experience in working on climate change adaptation/mitigation projects, particularly on designing projects related to energy efficiency, transport, etc.;
• Knowledge with GCF and GEF policies, templates and requirements;
• Preparation of at least one successful proposal for GCF;
• Preparation of at least one successful proposal for GEF;
• Good understanding of the fiduciary, environmental and social safeguards standards and requirements of the GCF/GEF and/or UNDP would be considered as an asset;
• Previous experience with UNDP would be considered an asset;
• Experience in Balkan region countries would be considered an asset.
• Knowledge and understanding of the GCF and GEF modality of financial support;

Language:

• Excellent English writing skills are essential.
• Local language writing/reading skills would be considered as an advantage.

Criteria for selection

• Combined Scoring method will be used. When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the inidividual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: (i) responsive, compliant, acceptable, and (ii) having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.
• Technical criteria weight - 70% (Background and education 10%; Relevant previous experience 20%; Substantial knowledge/Required competencies 30%; Required language 10%);
• Financial criteria weight - 30%.
• Only offerors obtaining a minimum 490 points for technical criteria will be considered for the financial evaluation.
• For more information on procurement methodology for Individual Contractors, please refer to Procurement Notice.

Application procedure:

• Interested applicants are requested to submit their applications by January 21st, 2018 by using the Apply now button. The application should contain a duly completed Personal History Form (P11) that can be downloaded from http://www.me.undp.org/content/montenegro/en/home/operations/jobs.html. Please note that UNDP jobsite system allows only one uploading of application document, so please make sure that you merge all your documents into a single file.
• Only the short-listed applicants will be contacted and requested to submit a letter of interest including a price quotation indicating the lump sum (in EUR) requested for the work envisaged in the section "Description of Responsibilities".