UNDP Jobs - 87317- International Consultant on NDC Support in the EU

International Consultant on NDC Support in the EU Eastern Partnership Countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia)

Location :

Home-based with missions

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

25-Sep-19 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

estimated September 2019 – November 2020

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

app. 80 working days

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

The EU4Climate Project helps governments in the six EU Eastern Partner countries - Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine - to take action against climate change. It supports countries in implementing the Paris Climate Agreement and improving climate policies and legislation. Its ambition is to limit climate change impact on citizens lives and make them more resilient to it. EU4Climate is funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The objective of the project is to support the development and implementation of climate-related policies by the Eastern Partnership countries that contribute to their low emission and climate resilient development and their commitments to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. It identifies key actions and results in line with the Paris Agreement, the "20 Deliverables for 2020”, and the key global policy goals set by the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The project will also translate into action priorities outlined in the Eastern Partnership Ministerial Declaration on Environment and Climate Change of October 2016.

The following results will be achieved: (i) Finalized/up-dated nationally determined contributions and national mid-century strategies and communicated to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), (ii) Improved inter-institutional awareness and coordination at political and technical level of the Paris Agreement and the corresponding national commitments, (iii) Established or strengthened measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) systems, with countries getting on track with Paris Agreement transparency requirements, (iv) Establishment of concrete sectoral guidelines for the implementation of the Paris Agreement in each of the Eastern Partners, especially in the field of energy (v) Advanced alignment with EU acquis as provided by bilateral agreements with EU and in the context of the Energy Community Treaty, (vi) Increased mobilization of climate finance, and (vii) Enhanced adaptation planning. As of July 2019, the project has conducted consultations with the governments of the Partner Countries, and has identified priority areas of work and key deliverables for each of the countries.

Main Objectives

Under the overall supervision of the Project Manager the International Consultant is expected to contribute to achieving the main outputs of the projects: (i) implementation and update of nationally determined contributions and national mid-century strategies; (ii) establishment of concrete sectoral guidelines for the implementation of the Paris Agreement; (iii) Mainstreaming climate in other policy sectors; (iv) Increased mobilization of climate finance, specifically, identification of bankable projects to be included in the Partner Countries’ NDCs; and (v) Enhanced adaptation planning with relation to the NDC process.

Duty Station:

Home Based with missions to Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia
Expected places of travel (if applicable): Four missions to the following locations: Yerevan, Armenia (3 days); Baku, Azerbaijan (3 days); Tbilisi, Georgia (two missions, 3 days each)

Duties and Responsibilities

The International Consultant is expected to provide assistance to the governments of the Eastern Partnership countries in assessing their progress with implementing NDCs, and contribute to the process of updating the NDCs in some of these countries. The specific deliverables are:

Deliverable 1A. Perform a 3-day mission to Armenia to communicate with the government and other stakeholders relevant for the NDC implementation – by December 2019.
Deliverable 1B. Develop Roadmap for NDC update in Armenia – by March 2020.
Based on the review of the current NDC and mission findings, develop a roadmap for updating the national NDC of Armenia. The roadmap for NDC update shall identify priority sectors for mitigation and adaptation efforts, the potential policy instruments to be applied in the updated NDC, and proposal for macroeconomic modeling to assess the emissions scenarios in the key economy sectors. The NDC review roadmap shall be developed no later than March 2020.
Based on the NDC review and mission findings, propose options for engagement of the private sector in delivering goals set in the NDC, including proposal of potential bankable projects.
Deliverable 2A. Perform a 3-day mission to Azerbaijan to communicate with the government and other stakeholders relevant for the NDC update – by April 2020.
Deliverable 2B. Assessment of the NDC progress in Azerbaijan – by August 2020.
Review the current NDC of Azerbaijan. Develop the Roadmap for updating the national NDC of Azerbaijan. Provide recommendations on incorporating best international practices in the updated NDC document. Identify potential risks impacting NDC implementation and recommend risk mitigation measures.
Provide technical backstopping to the project team in facilitating the preparation of NDC implementation roadmaps/plans.
During the process of NDC update, develop recommendations for sectorial ministries in the priority sectors
During the process of NDC update, propose options for engagement of the private sector in delivering goals set in the NDC, including proposal of potential bankable projects.
Deliverable 3A. Perform a 3-day mission to Georgia to communicate with the government and other stakeholders relevant for the NDC implementation – by December 2019.
Deliverable 3B. Review the updated NDC of Georgia (for internal purposes of the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia) – by December 2019.
Overview the updated NDC of Georgia expected to be delivered by the end of 2019. Provide juxtapositions on incorporating best international practices in the NDC document – by November 2019.
Based on the overview of the current NDC, develop recommendations for sectorial ministries on climate mainstreaming in priority sectors
Based on the NDC document and mission findings, propose options for engagement of the private sector in delivering goals set in the updated NDC, including prioritization of potential bankable projects.
Develop recommendations for communication and involvement of stakeholders in the discussion of the updated NDC prior to the submission in collaboration with NDC partnership national consultant on communications.
Deliverable 4. Contribute to the preparation and delivery of the Regional NDC workshop
Develop training materials for the Regional NDC workshop, focusing on the following subjects: a) the best international practices with developing NDCs, b) approaches to finance NDC implementation; and c) addressing climate change adaptation in the NDCs.
Participate in the workshop (3-day mission trip to Georgia) with up to three presentations on the topics identified above – by November 2019.

The scope of the deliverables above will be specified in more detail based on the results of the missions to the respective countries, and upon approval by the Project Manager.

Monitoring/Reporting requirements

The International Consultant will work under the supervision of the Project Manager to ensure successful achievement of the main Project outcomes. The Consultant is expected to communicate to the governments of the Partner States, and work in close cooperation with the Project’s National Consultants.

The International Consultant will:

No later than 10 working days after signing the Contract, submit for the approval of the Project Manager an inception report, including the travel plan, an extended methodology explaining the status of the NDC process in each country and the approach of work for each of the deliveries.
Submit final report for each deliverable identified above summarizing all outputs produced.

Schedule of payments

The total number of days of work is up to 80 working days. The breakdown corresponds to the expected outputs and schedule of payments as follows:

10% of payment upon acceptance of the inception report by the Project Manager;
10% upon completion of the Deliverable 1A. Mission trip to Armenia and acceptance of the mission report by the Project Manager;
15% upon completion and acceptance by the Project Manager of the Deliverable 1B. Develop Roadmap for NDC update in Armenia;
10% upon completion of the Deliverable 2A. Mission trip to Azerbaijan and acceptance of the mission report by the Project Manager;
15% upon completion and acceptance by the Project Manager of the Deliverable 2B. Assessment of the NDC progress in Azerbaijan;
10% upon completion of the Deliverable 3A. Mission trip to Georgia and acceptance of the mission report by the Project Manager;
15% upon completion and acceptance by the Project Manager of Deliverable 3B. Review the updated NDC of Georgia;
15% upon completion and acceptance by the Project Manager of Deliverable 4. Contribute to the preparation and delivery of the Regional NDC workshop.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Strong interpersonal skills;
Ability to work independently and in teams;
Knowledge of policy issues associated with the Paris Agreement and its implementation, specifically in the area of NDC development and implementation;
Ability to provide quality assurance and attention to detail;
Excellent communication skills.

Corporate 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;
Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Required Skills and Experience

Minimum requirements to qualifications and experience:

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in economics, energy, environmental studies, climate policy or related disciplines.

Experience:

At least 5 years of professional experience with developing climate change policy (NDCs or LEDS) on the international level;
At least 5 years of proven experience with developing or implementing climate change policies in the energy sector;
Experience with climate change policies in the following additional sectors is an asset: industry, waste management, transport, agriculture;
Experience with and excellent knowledge of international climate policy, in particular the Paris Agreement and EU Climate Change acquis;
Experience with developing or implementing of climate change policies in one or more of the following countries is considered an asset: EU Candidate Countries, EU Eastern Neighborhood Partner Countries, EU Southern Neighborhood Partner Countries.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English is required;
Fluency in Russian language or one of languages of the EU Eastern Neighborhood Countries (Armenian, Azerbaijani, Georgian) will be considered as an asset.

Travel

The International Consultant is expected to conduct field missions as follows:

One mission for 3 days to Yerevan, Armenia;
One mission for 3 days to Baku, Azerbaijan;
Two missions for 3 days each to Tbilisi, Georgia;

Interpretation services (if necessary) during the field missions will be provided by the UNDP country offices.

In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and International Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed. In general, UNDP should 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. Approval of the Project Manager is required prior to planning of the trips and relevant logistics.

Evaluation of Applicants:

Individual consultant will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.

The award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and b) having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical (CV/P11 desk reviews) and financial criteria specific to the solicitation. Only the highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job will be considered for the Financial Evaluation”.)

Technical Criteria 70% of total evaluation – max. 70 points:

Advanced university degree in the fields related to economics, energy, environmental studies, climate policy – up to 10 points;
Experience with implementing climate policy in the energy sector and other relevant sectors (industry, waste management, transport, agriculture) – up to 15 points;
Experience with developing and/or implementing of climate change policies for EU Candidate States or EU Neighborhood States: up to 15 points;
Methodology on the approach to conduct the work – up to 10 points;
At least two samples of the similar assignments delivered by the applicant – up to 10 points;
Fluency in English, Russian and/or one of the EU Eastern Neighborhood Countries (Armenian, Azerbaijani, Georgian): up to 10 points.

Financial Criteria 30% of total evaluation – max. 30 points.

Application procedure:

The application submission is a two-step process. Failing to comply with the submission process may result in disqualifying the applications.

Step 1: Interested candidates must include the following documents when submitting the applications (Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF attachment as the system only allows upload of one document):

Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the assignment
Filled P11 form or CV including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from http://www.eurasia.undp.org/content/dam/rbec/docs/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc);
Brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work
At least two samples of the similar assignments delivered by the applicant, focusing on the NDC and/or LEDS processes. The samples shall be developed no earlier than August 2014.

Step 2: Submission of Financial Proposal Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and requested to provide a financial offer.

Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.

Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org

General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://on.undp.org/t7fJs.

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.

Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.