Background

The Czech-UNDP Partnership for SDGs (hereafter CUP) project “Transfer of Czech experience in the development and implementation of the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan of the Chisinau Municipality” is linked with the UNDP/GEF project “Moldova Sustainable Green Cities – Catalyzing investment in sustainable green cities in the Republic of Moldova using a holistic integrated urban planning approach”,  to be implemented during 2018–2022 years.

The objective of the project is to activate investments in low carbon green urban development based on integrated urban planning approach by encouraging innovation, participatory planning and partnerships between a variety of public and private sector entities. 

As a tool for this, the project will support the design, launching, and establishment of the Green City Lab (hereafter GCL) to become the leading knowledge management and networking platform, clearing house, an inter-mediator of finance  and a source of innovations and expertise to catalyze sustainable low carbon green city development in Moldova with a mission to transform Chisinau and other urban centers in Moldova into modern green and smart European cities with improved quality of life for their citizens, while also demonstrating opportunities for sustainable economic growth.

The direct global environment benefits of the project are expected to reach at least 200,000 tons of CO2, resulting from the concrete pilot/demonstration projects in the building energy efficiency, transport and waste sectors. These are complemented by project’s indirect GHG emission reduction impact at the estimated amount of 2.4 million tons of CO2 by scaling up, replicating and mainstreaming the project results and activities, including those of the Green City Lab.

1. GENERAL CONTEXT

The Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP) is the key document that shows how a Covenant signatory will reach its commitments by 2030. The development of the SECAP primarily draws on the findings from the Baseline Emission Inventory (BEI) and the Climate Change Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (RVA). Through the development of the BEI, the signatory is able to develop an overview of its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and set appropriate strategies to reach its reduction target (of at least 30% by 2030 compared to the baseline). Similarly, the RVA identifies the most relevant climate hazards and vulnerabilities affecting the local authority, facilitating the process of addressing such risks through the development of an adaptation strategy and identification of appropriate adaptation actions. Through the combination of these aspects, the SECAP defines concrete measures for both climate mitigation and adaptation, with timeframes and assigned responsibilities, translating the long-term strategy into action. Signatories commit themselves to submitting their SECAPs within two years following adhesion.

To ensure that adequate action is taken to mitigate and adapt to Climate Change, the SECAP should not be regarded as a fixed and rigid document. Since circumstances can change and the ongoing actions provide results and generate local experience, it may be useful or necessary to revise the plan on a regular basis.

Opportunities to make cities more climate-resilient arise with every new development project to be approved by the local authority. The impacts of missing such an opportunity can be significant and will last for a long time. This means that climate related considerations should be taken into account for all new developments, even if the SECAP has not yet been finalized or approved.

For more information please acces the following link : http://www.undp.md/newjobs/jobdetails/1887/

Duties and Responsibilities

The international Consultant shall transfer knowledge, skills and good practices through provided consultancy services in close collaboration with national consultant in Energy and climate planning to the official representatives of the Chisinau Municipality. The Consultant will work under direct supervision of the Green Cities Project Manager and UNDP Country Office in Moldova. The consultant will provide his assistance based on Guidebook 'How for preparatory works related to the development of Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP)':

https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/en/publication/eur-scientific-and-technical-research-reports/guidebook-how-develop-sustainable-energy-and-climate-action-plan-secap

Additionally, to the SECAP development consultant is asked to provide the methodological advice for Energy Management Unit of the Chisinau municipality (EMU) in terms of (i) Energy Management standards and (ii) Methodologies for Baseline Emissions Inventory and Climate Change Risk and Vulnerability Assessment. Also, it is expected that the consultant will screen current capacities of the EMU and based on an analytical work will develop basic capacity building needs. 

Competencies

The consultant will have the following responsibilities:

1. Carrying out an analysis of the status quo of the developed SEAP;
2. Providing support in clearly identifying overall commitments of the SECAP;
3. Gap analysis of data availability for SECAP development;
4. Estimating stakeholders’ engagement potential and their roles in data collection for transport, building, water, municipal and hazardous waste sectors, etc.
5. Providing support in assignment of Energy Management Unit as official administrative structure, responsible for SECAP elaboration and implementation;
6. Providing support regarding the involvement of stakeholders and citizens in the preparation of SECAP and their further role in the ensuing implementation;
7. Providing support to national consultants and group of experts in data collection and preliminary analysis.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic qualifications:

• Master’s degree in energy, environment and/or climate planning, urban development and/or other related fields;

Experience:

• At least seven (7) years of professional experience in energy, environment and/or climate planning, urban development and/or other related projects funded by international donors including UNDP or other donors
• Previous working experience from the Czech Republic and /or EU in terms of a specific track record of cooperation with institutions and bodies responsible for public policies in energy, environment and/or climate planning, urban development;
• Previous working experience with UNDP or other international agencies will be an asset;
• Good knowledge of state-of-the-art approached and best international practices in action planning
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills and the related ability for adaptive management with prompt action on the conclusion and recommendations coming out from the assignment;
• Demonstrated understanding of issues related to gender; experience in gender sensitive evaluation and analysis;
• Proven experience in preparation of written reports in an accurate and concise manner in English;
• Excellent computer literacy (Word, Excel, Internet, Power Point).

Language skills:

• Proficiency (verbal and written) in English; working level of Romanian and/or Russian will be an asset;