UNDP Jobs - 86518- Consultant in Agrometeorology

Consultant in Agrometeorology

Location :

Home-based, with three missions to Georgia, GEORGIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

05-Aug-19 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

45 consultancy days during September 2019-November 2020, with three missions (13 days) in Georgia

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

GCF board secretariat approved a 7-year (August 2018- July 2025) project for Georgia entitled: “Scaling-up Multi-Hazard Early Warning System and the Use of Climate Information in Georgia” (hereafter GCF project). The project is implemented under National Implementation Modality (NIM) with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture (MEPA playing) an executing entity’s/implementing partner’s role for it.

An overall objective of the project is to reduce exposure of Georgia’s communities, livelihoods and infrastructure to climate-induced natural hazards through a well-functioning nation-wide multi-hazard early warning system and risk-informed local action. The GCF project will provide critical climate risk information that would enable the Government of Georgia to implement a number of nation-wide transformative policies and actions for reducing exposure and vulnerability of the population to climate-induced hazards. The project will thus catalyse a paradigm shift in the national climate risk management, climate-proofed disaster risk reduction and early warning approaches. The project innovation and transformative change will also include (a) participatory “Last Mile” communication solutions tailored to the needs of local communities, including Community-based Early Warning Systems (CBEWSs); (b) increasing implementation capacities for carrying out cost-effective risk reduction and community resilience measures through such innovative approaches as watershed/floodplain restoration, agroforestry, etc., and combination of structural and non-structural protection measures aimed at reducing exposure and increasing effectiveness of the early warning; (c) combining best available science and local knowledge for vulnerability assessment, hazard and risk mapping, disaster modelling and forecasting; (d) (e) carrying out a comprehensive community, municipal and national-wide awareness raising, education and capacity development activities on multi-hazard risk reduction, including preparedness, response and Early Warning Systems (EWSs).

The project objective will be achieved through three outputs: i) expanded climate-induced natural hazard observation network and modelling capacities secure reliable information on climate-induced hazards, vulnerability and risks; ii) Multi-hazard early warning system (MHEWs) and new climate information products supported with effective national regulations, coordination mechanism and institutional capacities; iii) improved community resilience through the implementation of MHEWs and priority risk reduction measures.

As a part of the assignment under expanded climate-induced natural hazard observation network, project aims to procure, install and operationalize new agro-meteorological monitoring equipment which is operated by the National Food Agency in Georgia. The project will contribute significantly to the establishment/expansion of the national observation network covering multiple climate-induced hazards, including hydrometeorological, geological and agrometeorological network. The observation network of all hydrological, meteorological and agrometeorological variables will be established to provide an appropriate level of spatial resolution of these variables.

At proposal stage 15 automated agrometeorological stations were identified as necessary for the expansion of the agro-meteorological network and provision of technical assistance in the expansion of the network in the form of training, technical supervision and O&M is identified.

The purpose of the current assignment is to review the observation network requirements, design the optimised observation network, develop detailed specification for required equipment, assist in the procurement and installation of the observation network equipment and develop the long-term institutional capacity and O&M for the optimised network.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under technical guidance from Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) and direct supervision from Projects Coordinator, International consultant ensure i) designing and expansion of the agro-meteorological monitoring network including the purchase and installation of the 15 automated agrometeorological stations and provide ii) technical assistance in the expansion of the network in the form of training, technical supervision and O&M.

Consultant will closely work with Project team leader in Agrometeorology, National Food Agency, International consultant in hydrometeorology and will be supported by national consultant.

More specifically, he/she will:

Undertake a review and assessment of the existing agrometeorological monitoring network for all hazards. Identify and design the requirements for an effective and optimised monitoring network for strategic hazard risk management, forecasting and early warning in the future and optimised station coverage. Review the existing coverage, physical condition and data collection procedures including the quality of data.
Based on the optimised hydrometric and agrometeorological network, develop detailed specification and design including costs of the equipment and each component of the networks specified including the detailed design and bid document for the stations for rehabilitation / new installation.
Based on the optimised hydrometric and agrometeorological network, develop detailed specification and design including costs of all equipment and each component of the networks specified including the detailed design and bid documents for the stations for rehabilitation / new installation.
Work with the Telecommunications expert to undertake an assessment of the telecommunications network to support telemetered and automated stations
Assess the institutional arrangements (to be led by the institutional specialist) for the operation and maintenance of the agrometeorological observation network and suggest manpower and financial requirements, and training needs, for the efficient O&M of the optimized network. Assess existing roles and responsibilities and the capacity of staff responsible for operating and maintaining the network. Assess the existing protocols for the collection, transmission, sharing, storage, management and use of the observed data.
Develop agrometeorological network O&M plan for the optimized agrometeorological monitoring networking including optimized institutional arrangements, and financing requirements for O&M
Develop detailed training curriculum for training to be delivered during the project and identify long-term training needs as part of the institutional capacity development plan.
Provide training for National Food Agency (NFA) staff in the O&M of up-graded agrometeorological stations.

Deliverbales and reporting:

International consultant in Agrometeorology will report to the Project Coordinator as well as Team Leader in agro-meteorological monitoring and work closely with PMU staff, other stakeholders, and implementing partners.

Deliverables

Deliverable 1: Design document of the optimised national agrometeorological network.
Deliverable 2: Report on the existing institutional arrangement for agrometeorological network management, operations and maintenance.
Deliverable 3: Detailed training curriculum for training to be delivered during the project and identify long-term training needs as part of the institutional capacity development plan
Deliverable 4: Technical specification, BoQ for the optimised agrometeorological network.
Deliverable 5: Procurement plan for the optimised agrometeorological network.
Deliverable 6: Agrometeorological network O&M plan for the optimized agrometeorological monitoring networking including optimized institutional arrangements, and financing requirements for O&M
Deliverable 7: Trip reports and training reports.

Payment modality:

Payment will be done in 4 instalments:

Upon submission and clearance by UNDP Project Team Leader of the deliverable 1, deliverable 2 and Trip report 1 - due by 1 November 2019: 35% of the fee
Upon submission and clearance by UNDP Project Team Leader of the deliverable 3 and deliverable 4 – dues by 1 December 2019: 30% of the fee
Upon submission and clearance by UNDP Project Team Leader of the deliverable 5 and Trip report 2 - due by 1 March 2020: 20% of the fee
Upon submission and clearance by UNDP Project Team Leader of the deliverable 6, Trip report 3 and training report - due by 30 October 2020: 15% of the fee

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modelling 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.

Functional Competencies:

Ability to work as a part of a team, sharing information and coordinating efforts within the team.
Ability to work under tight deadlines.
Very good inter-personal skills and demonstrated ability to engage and work with governmental institutions.
Strong analytical skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

MSc degree or equivalent in Agrometeorology or meteorology or a related field (minimum requirement: 7 points).

Experience:

At least 7 years working experience in the design, installation and management of agrometeorological networks (minimum requirement: 7 years - 7 points, more than 7 years - additional 3 points)
At least 7 years working experience of interpreting and reporting on environmental data and monitoring activities (minimum requirement: 7 years - 7 points, more than 7 years - additional 3 points)
Detailed knowledge of agrometeorological data management systems
Proven experience of conventional and modern equipment and techniques for agrometeorological data collection, including up-to-date knowledge on remote sensing and data transmission technology (minimum requirement: 7 points)
Knowledge of the design, installation and maintenance of Agrometeorological operational monitoring equipment
Proven experience of a wide range of different monitoring methods, Agrometeorological Systems management and the resulting data quality (asset: 6 points).

Language Requirements:

Proficiency in written and verbal English is a must.

Evaluation:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the Cumulative analysis against combination of technical and financial criteria. Technical evaluation stage encompasses desk review and interview of applications. Experts not meeting any of minimum technical qualification requirements will be automatically excluded from the list of candidates for further technical evaluation. Maximum obtainable score is 100, out of which the total score for technical criteria equals to 70 points (70%) and for financial criteria 30 (30%). Technical criteria composed of desk review (40 points) and interview (30 points). Offerors who pass 70% of maximum obtainable scores of the desk review (i.e. 40 x 70% = 28 points as a result of a desk review of applications will be invited for the interview. Those offerors who pass 70% of maximum obtainable scores for interviews (i.e. 30x 70% = 21 points) will be considered as short-listed offerors and included in the roster of qualified consultants.

Financial Proposal:

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum. Payments are based upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR. All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel. In general, UNDP does 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 order, to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount.