Background

The National Adaptation Plans (NAP) is a Green Climate Fund (GCF) funded project "To advance the National Adaptation Plans (NAP) process for medium-term investment planning in climate-sensitive sectors (i.e. agriculture, energy, waste management, forestry and health) and coastal areas in Liberia". The project has duration of two years. The activities in this project focus on four components:

  • Strengthening institutional frameworks and coordination for  implementation of the NAPs process;
  • Expansion of the knowledge base for scaling up adaptation;
  • Building capacity for mainstreaming climate change adaptation into planning, and budgeting processes and systems;
  • Formulation of financing mechanisms for scaling up adaptation.

The direct beneficiaries of the project are the Environment Planning Authority and the National Climate Change Secretariat. Key government partners are Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, Ministry of Agriculture, National Disaster Management Agency, National Port Authority of Liberia, Liberia Maritime Authority, Bureau of National Fisheries, Liberia National Department of Meteorology, Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services and University of Liberia.
Overall, the project will contribute Fund level impact towards output A.5 --“Strengthened institutional and regulatory systems for climate responsive planning and development
The expected outputs are derived from the government of Liberia’s NAP formulation and implementation note issued in 2016, following national stakeholder consultations held during the launch of the NAP process in April 2015. A stock-taking exercise was prepared by UNDP in 2015 upon request of the government. The stock-taking exercise identified six climate sensitive sectors for Liberia’s NAP intervention-agriculture, forestry, energy, waste management, fisheries and transportation.
A SWOT analysis conducted during the stocktaking exercises for the NAPs identified weak institutional capacity  and the lack of   expert technicians as key barriers to adaptation planning. Given the multi-faceted and complex nature of climate change, it is required to be integrated into medium- to long-term planning across sectors and levels of government in a coordinated manner. However, where the necessary institutional and/or technical capacity to effectively integrate climate change risks into planning is lacking, it impedes or undermines adaptation efforts.
UNDP Liberia is seeking for a competent local individual consultant (qualify female candidates are encouraged to apply) to undertake a capacity assessment of the above units of the Environmental Protection Agency and to develop a capacity building strategy

Objective
Based on the Capacity Assessment findings and recommendations, identify and develop realistic, feasible and time-bound Capacity Development Strategy (ies) that can be implemented over the lifespan of the NAPs Project

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

  • Carry-out a gaps analysis on the three (3) units’ structures, mandate, personnel and funding, relevant to the effective implementation of their mandates and responsibilities as well as the capacity to support climate change adaptation and planning with the view to develop their capacity.
  • Conduct in-depth assessment of the capacity of the National Climate Change Secretariat and its organs and identify capacity gaps; assess institutional development of the NCCS; assess its ability to foster coordination, ensure plural representation and strengthen relationships with external stakeholders;
  • Assess capacity of NCCS to generate political will and support for climate change enabling activities, increase public participation and build collaborations; increase mobilization, access to and use of information, work with the partners.
  • Conduct an analysis on the capacity of the three (3) units to mainstream gender, climate change adaptation, and environment and fully apply result based management principles. 
  • Assess training needs and requirement of the Units staff to access training and education  opportunities;
  • Using the information gathered from the assessments and analysis, propose capacity development strategy and plan.

Methodology 

  • The Consultant must provide a methodology oh how s/he will conduct the consultancy; providing a detailed description of the essential performance characteristics, reporting conditions and quality assurance mechanisms that will be put in place, while demonstrating that the proposed methodology will be appropriate to the local conditions and context of the work”.
  • Facilitate the  active engagement of all the referenced units of the EPA in the capacity assessment and development process;
  • Include review of secondary information available; 
  • Adopt a combination of participatory tools and methodologies (e.g. desk research, self-assessment, SWOT, stakeholder analysis, interview with key stakeholders) and group facilitation techniques  to promote participation and buy-in; 
  • Coordinate and work closely with the NAPs Project Management Unit throughout the entire capacity assessment process. 

Deliverables   

  • Adoption of inception report 5 days 30%
  • Presentation of draft report  10 days 30%
  • Approval of final report 15 days 40%
     

Competencies

Corporate Competencies

  • Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN values and ethical standards 
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
  • Treats all people fairly without favouritism
  • Excellent analytical and organisational skills

Functional Competencies

  • Promotes a knowledge-sharing and learning culture
  • In-depth knowledge of environmental issues
  • Ability to provide and advocate for policy advice
  • Actively works towards continuing personal learning and successfully applies newly acquired skills

Required Skills and Experience

Education:  

  • At least Advance university degree (Masters) in the field of regional science, political sciences and public administration, natural resource management or environmental science

Experience:  

  • A minimum of five years of proven track record in producing high quality analytical research/ assessment and consulting experience in governance, natural resource management, energy and environment
  • Demonstrated managerial competence and experience in organizing, leading and coordinating multi-cultural technical assistance teams at the national level;
  • The consultant must have background in social sciences and management with extensive experience and knowledge in conducting institutional capacity assessment, strategic management, organization development and audit; 
  • Excellent oral, written, communication and reporting skills
  • Possess in-depth understanding and knowledge of the Liberian context. 
  • Excellent drafting skills is required. 
  • Ability to deliver on time.

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

Application procedure:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

  • Technical proposal:

               (i) Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work;
               (ii) Providing brief methodology on how they will approach and conduct the work; Personal CV including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references (please use the UNDP P11 form)  :http://www.lr.undp.org/content/liberia/en/home/operations/procurement/ :  http://procurement-notices.undp.org/).

  • Financial proposal

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount. Payments will be made to the Individual Consultant based on specific and measurable deliverables as specified in the TOR upon completion of the deliverables.
In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum Please use the Financial Proposal Form provided in Annex 3 :http://www.lr.undp.org/content/liberia/en/home/operations/procurement/? :  http://procurement-notices.undp.org/) for the submission of your financial proposal.

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

Cumulative analysis

The award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

  • Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
  • 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%
* Financial Criteria weight: 30%

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% of the maximum points would be considered for the Financial Evaluation

Criteria Weight  Max. Point
Technical

  • Relevance of Academic Qualifications 10.5% ; 15;
  • Professional Experience in similar projects 24.5%; 35;
  • Appropriateness of proposed methodology for the requirements 14%; 20;
  • Adequacy of competencies and skills 21%; 30%

Financial 30 points x price of the lowest price proposed / price of proposal 30.