Background
UNDP has been supporting the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in meeting its national and international environmental priorities and commitments. These include close to 40 projects in the area of biodiversity conservation, sustainable resource management, climate change and chemical management. UNDP’s support focusses on technical and policy advisory, institutional strengthening and building capacities of various stakeholders to utilize natural resources in a sustainable way, while increasing resilience to climate variability and associated risks and impacts.
UNDP & WFF also support India’s engagement with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and works with Central Ministries and state governments to implement GEF projects.
UNDP & WWF are developing a full-size project (FSP) entitled, “Strengthening conservation and resilience of globally-significant wild cat landscapes through a focus on small cat and leopard conservation”, with financial support of the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The project will be anchored in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The project will fall under the GEF 7 Global Wildlife Program, comprising a series of national child projects. The development of the FSP will thus entail working closely with a range of stakeholders – government departments and agencies at centre and state level, community -based institutions, civil society organizations, academic and research institutions, private sector and local communities.
UNDP seeks to engage a national Safeguards Specialist for project preparation at the national level. Under the overall coordination of the Executing Partner (Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change) and in coordination with the International GEF Project Development Specialist and National Lead Consultant, the WWF GEF safeguards specialist, and UNDP Country Office and Regional Technical Advisor; and in close collaboration with other PPG Team members (particularly the Community Engagement Specialist), this consultant will participate in and support the Project Preparation Grant (PPG) process, assessments, field visits, and the preparation of the ProDoc/GEF CEO Endorsement Request package (with all mandatory and project-specific Annexes and supporting documentation required to meet UNDP and WWF GEF Agency Requirements), providing specialist inputs and expertise relevant to safeguards.
Duties and Responsibilities
Specific functions to be performed by the consultant include:
The Safeguards Specialist will support adherence of project development to UNDP and WWF social and environmental safeguards policies and specific requirements, and develop mandatory project Annexes, safeguards related project budget and implementation arrangements, and supporting documents related to the application safeguards as required for UNDP and WWF. S/he will provide specialist advice and support on identifying social and environmental risks for the project and developing management frameworks and responses to mitigate these risks in accordance with UNDP and WWF requirements. S/he will have specialist expertise in social and environmental safeguards from MDBs and other multi-lateral or bilaterals, including experience in working with local communities.
1) Formulation of the ProDoc, CEO Endorsement Request and Mandatory Annexes as well as project specific annexes (Component B): Prepare inputs and support the required analyses/studies, as agreed with the GEF Project Development Specialist, including:
a) Review the UNDP pre-screening (SESP) of the PIF; agree to a project-specific safeguards approach with both GEF Agencies that meets agency processes and requirements; Assess potential project impacts on local communities in demonstration landscapes and if required, support the application of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) for the PPG in accordance with WWF and UNDP safeguards requirements for indigenous peoples; Familiarize other PPG team members with UNDP and WWF specific safeguards requirements, as appropriate.
b) In accordance with UNDP safeguards policy: Update the UNDP SESP; conduct initial assessments of all Moderate and High risks (focussing on Components 1 and 4); assist and/or advise the PPG Team in securing initial FPIC, where required; develop a draft UNDP Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) for the project (in line with UNDP’s Guidance Note on Assessment and Management); finalize the ESMF based on stakeholder consultations and close engagement; update and finalize the SESP, based on the ESMF.
c) In accordance with WWF safeguards policy (see https://www.worldwildlife.org/pages/safeguards-resources): Specific process and outputs to be determined based on project categorization by the WWF Safeguards Specialist, and may include, for example, prepare an Environmental and Social Management Framework, or a Process Framework and if necessary an Indigenous People Planning Framework (IPPF) as required in accordance with the safeguards categorization given to the project by WWF for Components 2 & 3 of the project;
d) Provide inputs, advice and/or feedback on relevant sections of the ProDoc to ensure alignment with and consideration of safeguards, including but not limited to: specialist inputs to the Stakeholder Engagement Plan; Gender Analysis and Action Plan; Risk Table and “Risks and Assumptions” section; Relevant project Outputs and Activities; Management Arrangements; Terms of Reference for the project management unit; Budget figures and budget notes.
2. Validation Workshop (Component C):
a) Contribute to the validation workshop; and
b) Support all necessary revisions that arise during the workshop, as appropriate.
Deliverables:
Deliverable 1: UNDP SESP; Due date: 29 November 2019
Deliverable 2: UNDP Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF); Due date: 20 December 2019
Deliverable 3: Required documents based on WWF Safeguards Categorization, which may include for example an ESMF, or a Process Framework, and an Indigenous People Planning Framework (if necessary) for WWF; Due date: 2 March 2020
Deliverable 4: Appropriate inputs on the integration of safeguards in the Project Document and Annexes, as agreed with GEF Project Development Specialist and the two GEF Agencies; and final drafts of SESP, ESMP, Process Framework; Due date: 10 March 2020
Competencies
Functional Competencies:
- Excellent drafting, documentation and communication skills in English;
- In-depth knowledge of social and environment issues and working with local communities;
- Proven record on similar documentation work at the National level.
Corporate Competencies:
- Promote the highest standards of ethics and integrity;
- Support creativity and innovation;
- Help create an enabling environment for open communication;
- Share knowledge and support a culture of learning;
- Demonstrate fairness and transparency.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Master’s degree or higher in a relevant field, such as social development, environmental management, international development or relevant area;
Experience:
- Minimum 10 years of demonstrable experience in social and environmental standards and impact assessment in an international development context, with experience working with MDBs and multilaterals/bilaterals;
- Specific technical expertise in local communities’ engagement and application of FPIC;
- Experience working with UNDP and/or WWF on GEF projects and familiarity with the safeguards standards of these agency(ies) an advantage.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
Language:
- Excellent command of English is required.
Duration:
- 8 weeks (maximum of 40 days) spread over 10 months.
Payment Schedule:
- 10% on successful completion and acceptance of Deliverable 1;
- 35% on successful completion and acceptance of Deliverable 2;
- 30% on successful completion and acceptance of Deliverable 3;
- 25% on successful completion and acceptance of Deliverable 4;
Evaluation Criteria:
Cumulative analysis
The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:
- Responsive;
- Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.
Technical Criteria weight - 70%;
Financial Criteria weight - 30%.
Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.
- Technical Proposal : 35 marks
- Relevant Experience : 25 marks
- Qualification : 10 marks
Documents to be submitted:
- Offeror letter to UNDP confirming interest and availability for the Individual Contractor Assignment;
- Updated Curriculum Vitae including experience in similar projects, name / contact details of 3 referees;
- A brief (not more than 3 pages) technical proposal that includes a write-up on the methodology for achieving the activities mentioned above.
- A financial proposal indicating all-inclusive per day consultancy rate, excluding travel expenses. All Travel will be arranged and borne by UNDP following UNDP’s rules and regulations or will be reimbursed on submission of F10 on the most direct and economical route.
All the above documents should be clubbed in one pdf file before uploading as the system will accept only one attachment.
Notes:
- Any kind of miscellaneous charges i.e. internet, phone etc. would not be reimbursed;
- Individuals working with institutions may also apply, contract would be issued in the name of institution for the specific services of individual;
- Please note proposals without financial proposal will not be considered;
- All the documents should be clubbed in one file (pdf) for uploading;
- Consultants must bring his/her own computing equipment.
The following documents can be accessed by clicking the link:
General Conditions for Individual Contract-
http://www.in.undp.org/content/dam/india /docs/procurement/UNDP%20General%20Conditions%20for%20Individual%20Contracts.pdf
Offerors Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability for the Individual Contractor (IC) Assignment, including Financial Proposal template-
For any queries in this regard, please email to: ic.india@undp.org
UNDP strives to have a workforce which reflects diversity and gender balance, and applies an equal opportunities approach. Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. All selections are on merit.