Background

BACKGROUND

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges.

UNDP, WFP and Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment agreed to jointly implement the remaining activities of “Addressing Climate Change Impacts on Marginalized Agricultural Communities Living in the Mahaweli River Basin of Sri Lanka” Project funded by the Adaptation Fund from October 2017 to January 2019.

As a partner UNDP implements a part of the project that contributes to achieve the overall project objectives given in the project proposal in three climate vulnerable DS divisions in Medirigiriya, Lankapura and Walapane Divisional Secretariat Divisions (DSDs) in Polonnaruwa and Nuwara Eliya districts. Total 20 climate sensitive Grama Niladari Divisions (GND) were selected from each DSD to assist under the programme.

The overall goal of the proposed project is to build diversified and resilient livelihoods for marginalized farming communities in the Mahaweli River Basin through effective management of land and water resources.

Whereas the overall objective of the project is to mitigate effects of climate change induced rainfall variability and its impacts on livelihood and food security on farm households in three vulnerable divisions of the Mahaweli River Basin.

The project has identified two specific objectives to support the overall objective such as;

  1. To develop household food security and build resilient livelihoods for rain-fed farming households in Medirigiriya and Walapane DSDs by improving the use of natural resources and strengthening livelihoods in the face of climate hazards;
  2. To build institutional capacity in village, local and regional service delivery to reduce risks of climate induced rainfall variability.

Under the specific objective #2, a series of capacity building programmes are to be implemented for divisional level government officers and vulnerable farmer communities, in support of implementing climate resilient livelihood development projects identified under the specific objective 01.

The knowledge on Project Cycle Management (PCM) and technical writing skills to develop project proposals is identified as an essential requirement for the key staff, in particular, Economic Development Officers (EDO) stationed at DSD’s and Agriculture Research and Production Assistants in order to develop and effectively manage short-term village projects to be implemented under the CCAP – II Project before its closure on 31 January 2019.

In this background UNDP seeks technical expertise of a Consultant to conduct training programme on PCM and develop project proposal writing skills of the relevant officers.

 

OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE

The assignment has two fold objectives such as;

  1. To improve knowledge of a mix of 100 Economic Development Officers (EDO’s) and KUPANISAs on Project Cycle Management (PCM) and develop technical writing skills to prepare project proposals;
  2. To develop a project proposal bank at DSD level relevant to climate resilience.

The scope of the assignment as follows;

1. Conduct PCM training for 100 officers in three DS Divisions (about 35-40 from each DSD);

2. To develop technical writing skills of the selected officers in three DS Divisions;

3. Technical guidance to develop about 60 project proposals focusing on following thematic areas;

a. Climate Smart Villages;

b. Climate Smart Agriculture;

c. Climate Smart Entrepreneurs/Social Enterprises.

4. Review the proposals prepared by the relevant officers, fine-tune them and compile the project proposals in to a single project document as a master report for each DSD.

Description of work and number of Consultant days;

  1. Number of 4 days for preparation of resource materials, pre- and post-evaluation and training programme;
  2. Number of 06 days to develop capacity of 100 officers on PCM (2-day x 3 training programmes);
  3. Total number of 15 days for technical guidance to develop about 60 project proposals, and fine-tuning and standardising them as per the agreed format for the proposals;
  4. Total number of 05 days for Compilation of Master report.

Duties and Responsibilities

RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. To deliver the outputs specified in the TOR;
  2. To study the project document and guide trainees to develop proposals in line with the objectives of the CCAP II project;
  3. Discuss and agree with Technical Coordinator CCAP II on standard proposal writing format and master report format;
  4. Coordinate with the National Consultant and two Divisional Consultants of the project to deliver the outputs;
  5. Submit the draft master report to UNDP for validation and accommodate feedback as necessary.

 

Expected Output/Deliverables

Output 01: Awareness of 100 Economic Development Officers on PCM created.

Deliverables;

1.1 PCM Training Module in English Officers on;

1.2 Standard Project proposal writing format in English;

1.3 Draft Master Report Format in English;

1.4 Completion of 3 PCM training Programmes;

1.5 Pre- and post-training evaluation report.

 

Output 02: Three Divisional level master project report compiled.

Deliverables;

2.1 Minimum 60 draft project proposals developed by EDO’s;

2.2 Master project report by Consultant.

 

TIMEFRAME

The envisaged time frame of the Consultancy is 30 days within a period of 1 ½ month starting from 5 Apr to 20th May 2018.

 

Competencies

CONSULTANT PROFILE

The prospective Consultant should have the following:

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

Programme and Project Management;

  • Minimum 15 years of experience in design and planning, development and implementation of projects and programmes in agriculture and natural resources management;
  • Experience in results-based Reporting, equity-focused and gender responsive evaluations;
  • Expertise in technical proposal writing, compilation of project experiences and lessons.

 

Capacity Development /Project Assessment;

  • Experience in conducting tailor-made Project Cycle Management training;
  • Experience in capacity assessments and scientific writing training.

 

Required Skills and Experience

QUALIFICATIONS

  • MSc in Agriculture, Climate Change/Disaster Management or any other related field;
  • Specialised training on project/systems development and assessment.

HOW TO APPLY

  • To apply please access UNDP Jobs site http://jobs.undp.org.
  • The application should contain:
  • 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;
  • Updated CV to include qualifications/competencies and relevant past experience in similar projects and contact details of 3 professional referees who can certify your competencies, professionalism, quality of writing, presentation and overall suitability to this TOR;
  • Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a combination of factors including cover letter, the credentials on offer and brief interview (optional) and the offer which gives the best value for money for the UNDP;
  • Please send the Financial Proposal separately to the following e-mail address: procurement.lk@undp.org stating the vacancy number/position in the subject line.

 

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee: LKR

Or

All Inclusive Daily Fee: LKR

Amount in words:

 

Note: Payments will be based on invoices on achievement of agreed milestones i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR and certification of acceptance by the UNDP. The applicant must factor in all possible costs in his/her “All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee” including his/her consultancy and professional fee, travel (economy class flights is required to and from the Duty Station) honorarium, board and lodging, and any other foreseeable costs in this exercise. No costs other than what has been indicated in the financial proposal will be paid or reimbursed to the consultant. UNDP will only pay for any unplanned travel outside of this TOR and Duty Station on actual basis and on submission of original bills/invoices and on prior agreement with UNDP officials. Daily perdiums and costs for accommodation/meals/incidental expenses for such travel shall not exceed established local UNDP DSA rates.

For an Individual Contractor who is 62 years of age or older, and on an assignment requiring travel, be it for the purpose of arriving at the duty station or as an integral duty required travel under the TOR, a full medical examination and statement of fitness to work must be provided. Such medical examination costs must be factored in to the financial proposal above. Medical examination is not a requirement for individuals on RLA contracts.

PAYMENT FOR SERVICES

Payments will be based on milestones certified by Technical Coordinator, CCAP II Project.

Payment Milestones will be as follows:

1. First Instalment;

30% - Payment within 5 days on completion of;

  1. PCM Training Module;
  2. Standard Project proposal signing the agreement writing format;
  3. Draft Master Project Report Format.

2. Second Instalment;

40% - at the end of 01st month on completion of;

  1. Three PCM training Programmes;
  2. Pre- and post-training evaluation report.

3. Third/final Instalment;

30% - at the end of 45 days on delivery of;

  1. Minimum 60 draft project proposals developed by EDO’s;
  2. Master project report.