Background
The Republic of Palau is an archipelago in the Western Pacific located between 7º North latitude and 134º East longitude. Palau consists of about 586 islands stretched approximately 700 miles on a northeast to southwest axis and covering a land area of 535 km2 and a maritime Exclusive Economic Zone of 616,000 km2. Only 12 islands are currently inhabited but 95% of the population live on three islands: Koror, the population and commercial center; Babeldaob, the largest island and center of government; and Peleliu, a population center south of Koror.
The National Capacity Self-Assessment states that considering the lack of quantitative data and monitoring capacity for many environmental processes and species in Palau, effort has been made to identify qualitative indicators of ecosystem health. It is hoped that using qualitative indicators can be used to improve environmental until local capacity for qualitative data collection and management improves. Some progress has been made in improving understanding of possible indicators of ecosystem health. The Belau National Museum, in cooperation with the Palau Conservation Society and the Palau International Coral Reef Center, has completed preliminary studies to identify bird species that can be used to indicate near shore environmental quality. More research and analysis are needed to improve understanding of the conservation needs facing Palau as well as to improve the ability to monitor and analyse the outcomes of conservation initiatives.
The Palau CB2 project aims to develop innovative and sustainable capacities to create a more resilient environmental management information system that will support a better environmental decision-making process. For full details please refer to the Terms of Reference .http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=56613
Duties and Responsibilities
The project was designed to strengthen Palau's capacities to meet national and global environmental commitments through improved management of environmental data and information. In response to the GEF-funded National Capacity Self-Assessment (NCSA) project conducted in Palau during the period of 2006-2007, which identified environmental information as a constraint for good environmental decision-making. The reported emphasized on the need for more comprehensive datasets to be made available to stakeholders including decision-makers and a greater capacity of stakeholders for analysing and using this information in related policy and programme making. In doing so the objectives will be achieved through three components:
Improved management information system for the global environment: This component focuses on improving existing management information systems to measure achievements towards global environmental objectives. It will concentrate on assessing and strengthening those sets of measurement methodologies, negotiating agreements towards harmonizing these and institutionalizing them within the relevant agencies and sharing protocols in a cost-effective manner.
Strengthened technical capacities for monitoring and evaluating the state of the environment: This component will strengthen technical capacities to monitor and evaluate the state of the environment in Palau. While the first component focuses on strengthening the institutional and organizational capacities for improving data and information collection, management and sharing, this component focuses on the strengthening of human capacities to use improved data and information for strategic decision-making in the interest of meeting global environmental obligations.
Improved and institutionalized decision-making mechanisms for the global environment: The third component will also focus on enhancing the institutional sustainability of capacities developed under the project through the assessment and targeted strengthening of monitoring and evaluation processes. As such, this component will be strategically implemented alongside component/outcome 1 that will strengthen the institutional linkages of data and information systems across agencies and stakeholder organizations. Lessons learned and best practices will be shared in the region.
A Terminal Evaluation will be conducted according to the guidance, rules and procedures established by UNDP and GEF as reflected in the UNDP Evaluation Guidance for GEF Financed Projects.
The objectives of the evaluation are to assess the achievement of project results, and to draw lessons that can both improve the sustainability of benefits from this project, and aid in the overall enhancement of UNDP programming.
For full details please refer to the Terms of Reference .http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=56613
Competencies
Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience
Knowledge of UNDP and GEF evaluation process and has lead evaluation process for at least 2-3 of UNDP/GEF funded projects
Previous experience with results-based monitoring and evaluation methodologies;
Technical knowledge in the targeted focal area(s) especially on Multi-focal areas - capacity building projects, 3 Rio Conventions and other MEAs
Has worked in the Pacific and is familiar with some of the PI’s country CCCD issues
Knowledge on key environmental challenges in the Pacific
Experience environmental policy development process
Competencies:
Competence in adaptive management, as applied to climate change adaptation projects and ecosystems management;
Project evaluation/review experiences within United Nations system will be considered an asset;
Required Skills and Experience
Minimum Master’s Degree in environmental science/environmental affairs or related discipline that directly pertains to the three conventions of the UNFCCC, the UNCBD and the UNCCD
Consultancy Proposal ( CV &Fiinancial Proposal using UNDP Template ) should be sent via email to etenderbox.pacific@undp.org no later than 28th June 2019 (Fiji Time) clearly stating the title of consultancy applied for. Any proposals received after this date/time will not be accepted. Any request for clarification must be sent in writing, or by standard electronic communication to procurement.fj@undp.org. UNDP will respond in writing or by standard electronic mail and will send written copies of the response, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to all consultants. Incomplete, late and joint proposals will not be considered and only offers for which there is further interest will be contacted. Failure to submit your application as stated as per the application submission guide (Procurement Notice) on the above link will be considered incomplete and therefore application will not be considered.
Template for confirmation of interest and Submission of Financial Proposal is available under the procurement section of UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji website (www.pacific.undp.org)