Background

In June 2019, the project concept entitled “Implementing the National Framework on Access and Benefit Sharing of Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge in the Philippines” with a budget proposal of USD4,384,000.00 was cleared by GEF CEO.  The project aims for the Nagoya Protocol implemented effectively in the Philippines by strengthening the national Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) framework, building national and local capacities and developing critical experience in ABS agreements. Specifically, the project is envisioned to address the following barriers:

Barrier 1: Inadequate and weak enforcement of policies, institutional and regulatory frameworks on ABS implementation : The granting of access is delegated to three government agencies: DENR, DA, and PCSD which implement differently the existing procedures and approval process and there is a weak coordinating mechanism among these agencies including possible streamlining and harmonization of their processes and procedures;

Barrier 2: Lack of awareness and weak capacity of key stakeholders on ABS implementation at the national and local level : The academic community, local government units, and industry have limited awareness on the basic rules and rationale of existing ABS policies resulting in poor compliance and indifference. As a result, very few have actually applied for access to genetic resources, negotiated bioprospecting agreements, and developed ABS products.  Similarly, there is low awareness on  patent information by researchers and scientists which contributed to the low patent applications from local researchers in the country.;

Barrier 3: Absence of good practices on ABS implementation from the initial stage of bioprospecting to research and development, product  innovation and commercialization : Since the passage of relevant ABS laws and issuance of policies to facilitate bioprospecting as early as 1995,  there  has not been a single case to cite as best practice in the whole continuum of ABS process from securing FPIC to conducting of R&D up until the commercialization of research products and to the sharing of benefits down to local communities.

To detail out the project concept into a full blown project proposal, the GEF has provided a project preparation grant (PPG). This grant aims to prepare and develop the following documents for final submission and approval by the GEF:

1.            UNDP-GEF Project Document (ProDoc), using the 2017 standard template.

2.            Mandatory annexes to the ProDoc, including gender analysis and action plan, and stakeholder engagement plan, among others, and project specific annexes (e.g. landscape profile, institutional and legal analysis, feasibility studies etc).

3.            GEF CEO Endorsement Request.

4.            Validation Workshop report (as appropriate for projects with a moderate and high SESP risk rating).

UNDP seeks the services of a Project Development Specialist, who will be responsible for quality assurance and timely preparation of all reports and documentation[1], including the finalized UNDP Project Document (ProDoc) and CEO Endorsement Request, with all mandatory and project specific Annexes and supporting documentation. S/he will be responsible for managing all the other consultants on the GEF PPG Team and coordinating the Team’s work. The consultant will provide an overall orientation to the PPG team in relation to GEF requirements for project planning and monitoring; provide methodological guidance for data collection related to project planning and monitoring with particular attention given to the description and quantification of the baseline investments; based on the inputs from the national experts[2] and in close cooperation with the key national stakeholders and compiles final baseline/situational analysis for the full-size project (FSP).

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the ISD Programme Manager through the ISD Programme Analyst, the Project Development Specialist shall:

1. Management of the GEF PPG Team

• Define and submit a detailed methodology and work plan in consultation with the other consultants with clear delegation of responsibilities for the National Consultants.
• Ensure that project development is participatory, gender-responsive and based on extensive stakeholder engagements; and
• Verify and ensure that all project components are technically sound and cost effective.

2. Preparatory Technical Studies and Reviews (Component A): With inputs from the national consultants, as detailed in their respective TORs:

• Compile baseline/situational analysis for the full-size project (FSP). This will include a precise definition of baseline projects, activities, budgets, goals and co-financial links to GEF outcomes; definition of GEF incremental value per outcome and output; and presentation of results of the incremental cost-analysis in matrices as appropriate;
• Coordinate with national consultants2 in ensuring that the stakeholder analysis and consultations are complete and comprehensive;
• Coordinate with the Gender Specialist on the conduct of the gender analysis and ensure its findings are meaningfully integrated into the project’s strategy, theory of change and results framework;
• Ensure action points, including risk assessments, from the UNDP Social and Environmental Screening Procedure (SESP) at the PIF stage (“pre-screening”) are fully implemented during the PPG, and update that screening in an iterative fashion throughout the PPG, as appropriate;
• Coordinate with the national consultants in the identification of the project sites, with documentation of selection criteria;
• Ensure the conduct of financial planning and budgeting; and
• Ensure completion of any additional studies that are determined to be needed for the preparation of the ProDoc and all other final outputs.

3. Formulation of the ProDoc, CEO Endorsement Request and Mandatory and Project Specific Annexes (Component B): With inputs from the other consultants, as detailed in their respective TORs, and based on international best practice:

• Develop, present and articulate the project’s theory of change;
• Develop the Results Framework in line with UNDP-GEF policy;
• Develop a detailed Monitoring and Evaluation Plan and Budget;
• Ensure the preparation of a Stakeholder Engagement Plan and an Indigenous Peoples’ Plan;
• Ensure the preparation of a Gender Action Plan and Budget;
• Update the SESP based on assessments undertaken during Component A, and ensure the development of environmental and/or social management plan(s) for all risks identified as Moderate or High in the SESP;
• Accomplish the relevant GEF core indicators and prepare the required GEF tracking tool(s);
• Secure and present agreements on project management arrangements;
• Ensure the completion of the required official endorsement letters; and
• Synthesize all analyses, studies, etc. that are prepared under Components A and B to produce the draft UNDP-GEF ProDoc, GEF CEO Endorsement, and all mandatory and project specific Annexes, using the required templates.[1]

4. Validation Workshop (Component C):

• Lead, in cooperation with the national consultants, the validation workshop to present, discuss and validate the final draft ProDoc and mandatory and project specific annexes, with a special focus on the SESP and any management plans;
• Oversee all necessary revisions that arise during the workshop; and
• Ensure completion of Validation Workshop Report.

5. Consolidation of all technical and consultation inputs including from national stakeholders, UNDP, GEF Secretariat, STAP and GEF Council, into a well written and concise UNDP ProDoc with all required sections and Annexes, in line with the standard UNDP-GEF ProDoc template and annotated guidance;

6. Completion of the GEF CEO Endorsement Request;

Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
• Expertise in data collection and analysis
• Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines;
• Strong analytical and research skills; and
• Excellent organizational, and communication skills

Required Skills and Experience

1. Criteria for Selection of the Best Offer

Offers will be evaluated based on combined scoring method – where the Technical Proposal will be evaluated based on qualifications in the CV and brief description of previous work. The Technical evaluation is weighted a max. of 70%.

The Financial Proposal that will be evaluated through submission of the Offeror's Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability for the IC including Financial Proposal Template and combined with the price offer will be weighted a max of 30%

 Applicants who will only receive 70 points  from the assessment of the CV and Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment will be qualified for the assessment of the Financial Proposal.

2. Recommended Presentation of Offer

Offerors must upload in one (1) file the documents below:

You may download the editable version of the Offeror's Letter to UNDP Confirming Insterest and Availability for the IC by clicking on this link: http://gofile.me/6xdJm/bE9TCw8fU

1. Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;
2. Personal CV or P11, 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;
3. Sample of previous papers or proposals (at least two) where he/she was the principal author
4. Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided.  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. 

In view of the volume of applications UNDP receives, only shortlisted offerors will be notified.