Background
This is the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the UNDP-GEF Midterm Review (MTR) of the full sized project titled Strengthening Climate Information and Early Warning System in Cambodia to Support Climate Resilient Development and Adaptation to Climate Change (PIMS# 5235) implemented through the UNDP Cambodia, which is to be undertaken in 2019. The project started on the 28 November 2014 and is in its fourth year of implementation. In line with the UNDP-GEF Guidance on MTRs, this MTR process was initiated before the submission of the fourth Project Implementation Report (PIR).
The Royal Government of Cambodia’s (RGC) preferred situation is to implement an effective early warning system (EWS). The purpose of an EWS is to monitor climate and environmental data on a real-time basis, detect adverse trends and make reliable predictions of possible impacts in the form of early warning information. An early warning therefore refers not only to advisories in emergency situations, but also to information related to the changing climatic trends revealed after tracking and analysing climate and weather data over time. An effective EWS would thus enable timely response to natural hazards and extreme weather events, as well as informed planning in light of changing climate trends.
The RGC faces several challenges in realizing its preferred situation. With few working climate and weather observation stations, there is insufficient data to refine predictions and forecasts based on sector, geographic areas, or vulnerability. Further, limited human resources and high staff turnover make it difficult for institutions such as the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology (MOWRAM) to develop capacity and maintain qualified forecasters and modelers. Appropriate dissemination of information is also a challenge. MOWRAM is responsible for providing climate and weather information to the planning, line ministries to inform climate resilient planning, and for the communication of natural hazards and extreme weather events for disaster risk reduction. However, the information is often not presented in manner that can be easily understood or applied and standard operating procedures (SOPs) defining roles, responsibilities, and accountability are lacking. MOWRAM is also responsible for maintaining the EWS infrastructure such as automated weather stations and water gauge stations. Urgent needs to improve the national EWS infrastructure in light of imminent climate risks has prompted some donors to assist the Government in rehabilitating old or installing new weather stations. However, there is a significant risk of unsustainability of the newly built infrastructure due to limited financial resources to cover all the O&M requirements. The National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM) is responsible for disaster risk management and communicating disaster related information, yet there is still room for improvement so that NCDM can fulfil all its mandate.
The project “Strengthening climate information and early warning systems in Cambodia to support climate resilient development and adaptation to climate change” (henceforth “the EWS project”) has been designed to help the Government overcome these gaps and challenges. Funding of approximately US$4.9 million was approved by the Least Developed Countries Fund Council in October 2014 and the project was officially launched in May 2015. The project seeks to address the current barriers through three complementary outcomes:
1. Increased institutional capacity to assimilate and forecast weather, hydrological, climate and environmental information.
2. Climate and weather information available and utilized for national, sectoral and sub-national planning as well as for transboundary communication in the region.
3. Strengthened institutional capacity to operate and maintain EWS and climate information infrastructure, both software and hardware, in order to monitor weather and climate change.
Duties and Responsibilities
The MTR Consultant will assess the following four categories of project progress. See the Guidance For Conducting Midterm Reviews of UNDP-Supported, GEF-Financed Projects for extended descriptions.
Project Strategy
Progress Towards Results
Project Implementation and Adaptive Management
Sustainability
The consultant will produce the following deliverables to UNDP:
- Develop inception report to include methodology and plan for midterm evaluation.
- MTR mission: stakeholder meetings, interviews, field visits
- A presentation of evaluation methodology and the findings to key stakeholders;
- Preparing draft report
- Finalization of MTR report/ Incorporating audit trail from feedback on draft report ortant Notice:
Interested Offerors must visit this link http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=53189 to download Individual Consultant Procurement Notice, Terms of Reference, and Document Templates to be included when submitting this online application.
Competencies
Competence in adaptive management, as applied to climate resilient development and adaption to climate change;
Excellent communication skills;
Required Skills and Experience
Education: A Master’s degree in natural resource management, agricultural development, climatology/meteorology, water resources management, environmental sciences, disaster management or related field, or other closely related field.
Experience:
Minimum 7 years of experience in conducting evaluation for development projects and GEF funded project. Experience working in the UN system is a strong asset
Minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience in relevant technical areas of Early Warning System.
Demonstrated understanding of issues related to gender and climate resilient development and adaption to climate change; experience in gender sensitive evaluation and analysis
Experience working for development projects, with multi stakeholders including government agencies, development agencies, and UN agencies
Knowledge of UNDP and GEF monitoring and evaluation policies
- Previous experience with results-based monitoring and evaluation methodologies, application of SMART indicators and reconstructing or validating baseline scenarios
Language Requirement: High proficient in English
Interested Offerors must visit this link http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=53189 to download Individual Consultant Procurement Notice, Terms of Reference, and Document Templates to be included when submitting this online application.
UNDP reserves right to reject any applications that is incomplete.
Please be informed that we don’t accept application submitted via email.
Interested Offerors are required to submit application via UNDP jobsite system as the application screening and evaluation will be done through UNDP jobsite system. 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. Your on-line applications submission will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. Please combine all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.
Any request for clarification/additional information on this procurement notice shall be communicated in writing to UNDP office or send to email aphikovith.phin@undp.org and cc procurement.kh@undp.org . While the Procurement Unit would endeavor to provide information expeditiously, only requests receiving at least 5 working days prior to the submission deadline will be entertained. Any delay in providing such information will not be considered as a reason for extending the submission deadline. The UNDP's response (including an explanation of the query but without identifying the source of inquiry) will be posted in Individual Consultant (IC) Procurement Notice page as provided above. Therefore, all prospective Offerors are advised to visit the page regularly to make obtain update related to this Individual Consultant (IC) Procurement Notice.