Background

For more than 40 years (1963-2009), UNDP has supported the people and Government of Korea, delivering 270 projects in 20 areas mirroring Korea’s development path. UNDP closed its Country Office in 2009, as Korea joined the OECD Development Assistance Committee, affirming its status as a significant contributor of development aid. In this context, the UNDP Seoul Policy Centre (USPC) was established in 2011, with the objective of brokering new partnerships between Korea and the developing world through UNDP networks. As one of the six UNDP Global Policy Centre, USPC is tasked with:

• representing UNDP in Korea

• working with Korea on international issues

• sharing Korea’s development experiences with other countries

USPC is co-funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea and UNDP.

Initiated in 2014, Development Solutions Partnership (DSP) is an established approach for USPC, acting as a knowledge broker and facilitator, to connect Korea with the wider UNDP network and enhance the Korea-UNDP partnership on strategic development issues globally. Out of Korea’s own history of rapid development rising from the impacts of Korean War and becoming a donor country, there is substantial practical experience and knowledge to be shared with developing countries today. There is also high demand among developing countries for Korea’s know-how.

Development Solutions Partnership (DSP)s create and deepen a triangular cooperation among Korea, UNDP (USPC together with UNDP’s relevant global/regional teams), and partner countries (consisting of UNDP country offices and their partner Government institutions). They package Korea’s experience and knowledge, facilitate dynamic exchange of lessons learned & peer-to-peer mentoring, and support the national adaptation of the tools at the country level, by channeling seed funding and technical support to the partner countries through existing project facilities of UNDP country offices.

For the period of 2018-2019, from the environment portfolio, USPC has three specific focus areas for sharing Korea’s experiences & lessons learned with developing countries

(1) Sustainable waste management and waste water management

• Which has led?to Development Solutions Partnerships in both the areas

(2) Sustainable Energy

• which has led to Development Solutions Partnerships in energy efficiency and energy audits and renewable energy

(3) Sustainable Forestry in context of SDG Implementation

•  leading to Development Solutions Partnership on Sustainable Forestry

This specific consultancy focuses on the third focus area of sustainable forestry; and will lead to fulfilling USPC's mandate to convey Korea's development experience to other countries with sustainable results.

Investing in forests, and forestry represent an investment in people and their livelihoods, especially the rural poor, youth and women. It is also directly related to the 2030 Agenda, a plan of action for people, planet and prosperity. In fact, forestry and its related themes have implications for multiple Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)s and relevant targets and remains at the core of localizing SDGs. Around 1.6 billion people—encompassing more than 2,000 indigenous cultures—depend on forests for their livelihood. Forests are the most biologically-diverse ecosystems on land, home to more than 80% of the terrestrial species of animals, plants and insects. They also provide shelter, jobs and security for forest-dependent communities. Sustainable Development Goal 15 specifically aims to “protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss”.

As the United Nations’ global development network, UNDP advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build better lives. Recognizing the benefits of forests to livelihoods and to ensuring ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration. UNDP’s contribution to sustainable forest management ranges from strengthening forest governance to ensuring the inclusion of indigenous peoples and civil society in sectoral decision making, working with the private sector and governments to promote forest-friendly commodity supply chains, and strengthening the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities. UNDP also works to integrate issues of climate, disaster risk at the country level with a focus on building resilience and ensuring that development remains risk-informed and sustainable.

There is a timely convergence of UNDP’s work on sustainable forest management with the

In the 1960s, the introduction of the ‘Forest Law and the Erosion Control Law’ and establishment of the Korea Forest Service (KFS) marked the start of Korea’s reforestation policy. The Korea Forestry Research Institute (KFRI), an affiliate agency under KFS, conducted Korea’s first forest inventory survey (1964-1969) with support from UNDP and FAO. This field study mapped Korea’s forest areas and analysed the land quality and soil conditions. It was followed by other UNDP support for the development of the national forest policies and plans.? The increase in Korea’s forested area is a testimony to achievements.

The Republic of Korea is one of only four countries and the only (former) developing country that has a successful history of forest rehabilitation following World War II, according to FAO (1982). Korea has managed to balance the need for reforestation with the livelihood needs of the poor and vulnerable, and rehabilitate its old forests, ecosystems, and biodiversity. Through the five National Forest 10-Year Plan, Korea has managed to rehabilitate its forests with total benefits exceeding total costs since 1982 (UNDP 2017). The following table provides a summary of the Five National Forest 10-Year Plans of Korea:

Under the current work plan, USPC has been mandated by the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs to conduct policy-oriented research on the Republic of Korea’s sustainable forest management experience and explore the possibility of developing a DSP on this topic. The selected national consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Green Economy Policy Specialist, and under overall supervision of the Centre’s Director, and will support various aspects of the sustainable forestry DSP development to share Korea’s practical policy tools and lessons learned through UNDP’s global network, also elements relating to public outreach activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Duration of the Work

Scope of Work

Through this consultancy, support will be provided to the UNDP Seoul Policy Centre until 31 December 2018 in producing the following deliverables:

• Overall guidance and substantive inputs to the forestry background paper USPC is drafting (which includes research and analysis of the policy development process in Korea’s forest management work, current sustainable forest management options, and ideas for application in developing countries). This deliverable will involve review of substantial content of the paper’s outline, recommendations for research area, providing background materials and written inputs to the substantive parts of the paper, and a review of the full draft
• Full guidance in preparing for the forestry technical workshop (in October 2018), preparation of background papers, support in securing national speakers (including from MOFA, KFS and NIFOS) and experts, ensuring overall quality of the workshop and its focus on developing the essence of the DSP
• Presentation on Korean forestry experience at the USPC forestry Technical Workshop in October 2018; and, if needed, facilitation of session(s)
• Finalization of forestry research paper based on various discussions and comments received at the October workshop, and follow-up
• After the technical workshop, support and guidance in deepening the substance of the forestry DSP work and developing the Call for Expression of Interest
• Participation and input in the DSP country selection committee
• Availability for providing technical support to the DSP pilot project(s) development and implementation in selected countries (planned for 2019)

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

Institutional Arrangement

The Consultant will report to the Green Economy Policy Specialist, under the overall supervision of the Director of the UNDP Seoul Policy Centre.  

Duration of the Work: 

2 July 2018 – 31 December 2018, up to 120 days (with possibility of extension until 31 Dec 2019)

Duty Station: Seoul, The Republic of Korea, with possible travel.

Competencies

• Strong analytical, research and synthesizing skills.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills; ability to work independently against tight deadlines.
• Ability to actively engage in substantive discussions related issues
• Ability to write and speak clearly and convincingly, adapting style and content to different audiences.
• Proficiency in the usage of computers and office software packages.
• Excellent writing, editing and oral communication skills in English and Korean essential.
• Experience with translation of Korean-English texts, and vice versa, particularly in the relevant work areas would be an advantage.  

Required Skills and Experience

?Educational Qualifications

• PhD Degree in forestry studies/management; environment policy, development studies, forest ecology, development finance/policy, natural resource management, economics, environmental policy, or related field.

Experience

• 15 years of professional experience in sustainable forestry relevant field at the national and/or international level;
• Experience with development cooperation work in a Korean context and deep knowledge of Korea’s reforestation history;
• Excellent track record of high quality research and publications on policies relating to forestry, and sustainable development ;
• UN work experiences and familiarity with UN programming and practice preferred.

Language requirements

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in Korean and English language.

Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

The contract will be based on Lump Sum

Consultant must send a financial proposal based on Lump Sum Amount. The total amount quoted shall be all-inclusive and include all costs components required to perform the deliverables identified in the TOR, including professional fee, travel costs, living allowance (if any work is to be done outside the IC´s duty station) and any other applicable cost to be incurred by the IC in completing the assignment. The contract price will be fixed output-based price regardless of extension of the herein specified duration. Payments will be done upon completion of the deliverables/outputs and as per below percentages:

• Deliverable 1: Overall guidance and substantive inputs to the forestry background paper USPC is drafting: 20% of total contract amount
• Deliverable 2: Full guidance in preparing for the forestry technical workshop, preparation of background papers, support in securing national speakers and experts, ensuring overall quality of the workshop and its focus on developing the essence of the DSP: 10% of total contract amount
• Deliverable 3: Presentation on Korean forestry experience at the USPC forestry Technical Workshop in October 2018: 10% of total contract amount
• Deliverable 4: Finalization of forestry research paper based on various discussions and comments received at the October workshop, and follow-up: 10% of total contract amount
• Deliverable 5: After the technical workshop, support and guidance in deepening the substance of the forestry DSP work and developing the Call for Expression of Interest: 10% of total contract amount
• Deliverable 6: Participation and input in the DSP country selection committee: 10% of total contract amount
• Deliverable 7: Availability for providing technical support to the DSP pilot project(s) development and implementation in selected countries (planned for 2019): 30% of total contract amount

In general, UNDP shall not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources

In the event of unforeseeable travel not anticipated in this TOR, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and the Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

Travel costs shall be reimbursed at actual but not exceeding the quotation from UNDP approved travel agent.  The provided living allowance will not be exceeding UNDP DSA rates. Repatriation travel cost from home to duty station in Bangkok and return shall not be covered by UNDP.

Evaluation Method and Criteria

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology;

Cumulative analysis

The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as a) responsive/compliant/acceptable; and b) having received the highest score out of set of weighted technical criteria (Desk review+ Interview), (70%) and financial criteria (30%). Financial score shall be computed as a ratio of the proposal being evaluated and the lowest priced qualified proposal received by UNDP for the assignment.

Technical Criteria for Evaluation (Maximum 100 points)

·        Criteria 1: Education Qualification -  Max 20 points;

·        Criteria 2: Professional experience in sustainable forestry relevant field at the national and/or international level - Max 30 points;

·       Criteria 3: Experience with development cooperation work in a Korean context and deep knowledge of Korea’s reforestation history - Max 30 points;

·       Criteria 4: Excellent track record of high quality research and publications on policies relating to forestry, and sustainable development - Max 10 points

·    Criteria 5: UN work experiences and familiarity with UN programming and practice preferred – Max 10 points

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for Interview and Financial Evaluation.

Documentation required

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications. Please group them into one (1) single PDF document as the application only allows to upload maximum one document:

·        Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided in Annex II.

·        Personal CV or P- 11, 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.

·        Financial proposal which indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs (in USD currency) as per template provided in Annex II. Note: National consultant must quote price in U.S. Dollar. If an Offeror is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP.

*Incomplete proposals may not be considered. The shortlisted candidates may be contacted and the successful candidate will be notified.*

To download P- 11, and other forms, please click the link below:

http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=47183