Background

The path from the Rio+20 World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2012 to the recent passage of the new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Climate Change Agreement has seen strong levels of commitment by world leaders to shift to a green economy.

The priorities and concerns identified in the field of green economy during the Rio+20 World Summit on Sustainable Development provide for historical platform for the establishment of an international entity aimed to promote the widespread and increased adoption of green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication, and to serve as a platform for international cooperation and knowledge-sharing between developed and developing countries. 

This, in turn, stems from the understanding that green, low-emission climate-resilient solutions could help create new high-tech sectors around sustainable use of energy and water and cleaner, more sustainable cities, while at the same time reducing risks from climate change, and food and water insecurity. As the climate crisis escalates and resource insecurity grows, countries' hard-won achievements in poverty reduction are at risk. A green economy approach could help reduce inequalities and bring multiple social, economic, and environmental benefits, across gender lines. 

In response to the priorities and concerns identified, World Green Economy Organization (WGEO) was established with the intention to help support emerging global actions towards the green, low-carbon, climate-resilient development model. 

To achieve this vision of WGEO serving as a global partner for developed and developing countries in the transition to a green economy, WGEO would tap into the potential of South-South and Triangular cooperation in balancing growth and equity on a global scale, and in complementarity with traditional North-South cooperation model.  Even in the midst of severe economic, social and political instabilities, South-South and Triangular cooperation has continued to drive sustainable trade and financial flows in recent years.  The countries of the South are building new models of development cooperation that emphasize mutual benefit and solidarity as well as cost-effectiveness. 

In order to achieve WGEO ambitious agenda and long-term vision, the UNOSSC will support WGEO partnership mobilization and global outreach efforts, helping to mobilize action around seven WGEO partnership platforms. UNOSSC, working in close cooperation with other partners, will help to bridge the WGEO values to the needs and aspirations of the organization’s numerous stakeholders.

Type of Contract: IC (Individual Consultant) -  The offered assignment will be implemented through individual contract designed as the framework long-term agreement as the indicated services are needed on an intermittent and repetitive basis. The individual contract designed as the framework agreement does not form a financial obligation or commitment from the UNDP/UNOSSC at the time the Individual Contract is signed.  Financial commitments will be established each time the services are requested within the scope of the Individual Contract, through the call-off in the standard one-page service request form accompanied by the issuance of a purchase order.

Duration: estimated August 2018 – April 2020, up to 240 full working days, given that 8 working hours - whether within one or several days - constitute a full working day.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance and supervision of WGEO Global Director, the incumbent is responsible for the provision of legal support services in support to the promotion of WGEO. More specifically, the incumbent will:

• Ensure compliance of WGEO with the local operational legal framework of the host country;
• Take charge of all compliance matters in DIFC and elsewhere as required;
• Provide high quality legal advice on all matters that affect or potentially affect WGEO;
• Provide advice to the WGEO Leadership and other WGEO officials on legal matters pertinent to WGEO and the performance of their duties, including contemplated actions;
• Provide assistance in drafting of WGEO’s constituent treaty and otherwise facilitate its negotiation with internal stakeholders and interested potential member states;
• Provide support in drafting and reviewing WGEO's contract terms with a view to protect WGEO's interests
• Provide support in developing WGEO’s internal policies and procedures and ensuring their alignment with international best practices, benchmarking with other international organizations;
• Provide support in development of WGEO contract templates in all areas (procurement, consulting, client engagement etc.);
• Provide support effectively handling the day to day transactional business; 
• Provide support in the procurement of goods and services for the needs of WGEO;
• Provide administrative support including organization of register of inward and outward formal, correspondence, contracts, asset inventory;
• Provide logistical support in organization and coordination of WGEO events, including conferences, round tables, workshops, and trainings, support any other knowledge sharing and advocacy activities as may be required;
• Perform any other relevant responsibilities as may be required in the interest of the organization.   

Target Deliverables:

• The set of WGEO's contract terms drafted, reviewed and finalized with a view to ensure implementation of WGEO's institutional priorities and mandate;
• WGEO operational legal framework is drafted, discussed and elaborated, including WGEO agreement and bylaws;
• WGEO’s internal policies and procedures developed with a view to ensure alignment with international best practices, benchmarking with other international organizations;
• Other targets related to specified tasks can be agreed between the supervisor and the consultant. UNDP/UNOSSC in close consultation with WGEO reserves the right to review the schedule of service requests or cease further service requests based on the need or in case the above-mentioned conditions are not met. 

Competencies

• Professionalism – Shows pride in work and achievements; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.
• Teamwork – Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity, including gender balance.
• Communication - Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and respond appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience, demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• Client Orientation – considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from the clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identified clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
• Technological awareness – keeps abreast if available technology; understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office; activity seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• University degree (at least bachelor degree) in law, or another relevant field is essential.

Working experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in legal support services or another relevant field.
• Experience in the field of sustainable development is a considerable asset.
• Knowledge and experience in the use of standard office software (e.g. word processing, spreadsheets).
• Demonstrated ability to assess, plan, coordinate and monitor related activities.

Languages:

• Fluency in English both written and spoken is required. Knowledge of Arabic both written and spoken is a considerable asset.
   

Evaluation of Applicants

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.
The award of the contract should 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 (P11 desk reviews and written test) and financial criteria specific to the solicitation. 

Only those candidates who will obtain min. 70% of points for P11 desk review will be invited for the next stage of the technical evaluation (written test) and financial proposal evaluation.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 35 points:

• Criteria A: (desk review) number of years and quality of working experience in legal support - max points: 15
• Criteria B: (desk review) type and quality of working experience in sustainable development – max points: 10
• Criteria C: (written test) results of the written test where analytical skills of candidates relevant to the assignment will be assessed – max points: 10

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 15 points

Application procedures

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website. The application should contain:

• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application. 
• Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from http://www.eurasia.undp.org/content/dam/rbec/docs/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc ; please upload the P11 instead of your CV. 
• Financial Proposal* - The financial proposal shall indicate the hourly fee in the US Dollar equivalent.
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.

*Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, vaccination, personal security needs and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...) except for the costs related to the mission travel. Mission-related costs shall be calculated as per UNDP rules and regulations and paid for separately.  

Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP/UNOSSC on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner. 

Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org
General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://on.undp.org/t7fJs.

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.
Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.