UNDP Jobs - 88488- Project Lead and Senior Finance Expert

Project Lead and Senior Finance Expert

Location :

Tbilisi, GEORGIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

19-Nov-19 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

120 consultancy days during one year period

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 global Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) was initiated in response to the urgent global need to divert more finance from all possible sources towards global and national biodiversity goals, as highlighted during the 2010 CBD COP 10 in Nagoya. A preliminary assessment conducted under the auspices of the High-Level Panel on Global Assessment of Resources for Implementing the CBD Strategic Plan for 2011-2020, estimated that the global investment required amounts to between 130 and 440 billion US$ annually.

BIOFIN is managed by UNDP, in partnership with the European Commission and the Governments of Germany, Switzerland, Norway and Flanders. The overarching objective of BIOFIN is to deliver a new methodological framework, facilitating the identification, development and implementation of optimal and evidence-based finance plans and solutions.

Guided by a global steering committee representing its partners, BIOFIN aims to develop a methodology for quantifying the biodiversity finance gap at national level, for improving cost-effectiveness through mainstreaming of biodiversity into national development and sectoral planning, and for developing comprehensive national finance plans. BIOFIN provides a framework for undertaking “bottom-up” analyses and resource mobilisation strategies, embedded in a transformative process led by national stakeholders, aimed at allowing countries to implement their NBSAPs and achieve national biodiversity targets. BIOFIN will feed into the development of NBSAPs, while the NBSAP projects in turn will provide a platform for integration into decision-making processes.

Currently BIOFIN is being implemented in 35 countries globally. Georgia joined BIOFIN in 2016 and the first phase was conducted in the years 2016-2019. During the first phase of the implementation following outputs were achieved: The country has prepared the Policy and Institutional Review (PIR), Biodiversity Expenditure Review (BER), Finance Needs Assessment (FNA) and Biodiversity Finance Plan (BFP). The latter has been officially adopted by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia (MEPA) in 2019. The BFP envisaged the implementation of priority finance solutions in order decrease the gap of the financing needed for biodiversity conservation identified by FNA through mobilization, redirection and/or realignment of funds from different sources – Public, Private, International. During the implementation of the first phase, 4 priority finance solutions have been piloted. Currently the BIOFIN Georgia has been extended for second phase. The second phase aims at the implementation of the priority solutions identified by BFP with intense cooperation with MEPA.

Duties and Responsibilities

The aim of current assignment is to lead the process of implementation of the priority solution to be implemented by BIOFIN Georgia Phase 2. More specifically, the solution aim at introduction of new regulation for non-timber forest products (NTFPs) through revision and upgrade of existing system of NTFPs commercial use in order to establish an effective, equitable and sustainable system for commercial natural resource use.

The core responsibility of the Project Lead and Senior Finance Expert (Sr. Finance Expert) is to provide overall technical guidance and project leadership at the national level and will lead the implementation of the priority finance solutions. The Project Lead and Senior Finance Expert will work under direct supervision of the National Project Coordinator in close collaboration with the UNDP CO and the global BIOFIN Team to assure the high-quality delivery of all outcomes of BIOFIN.

The Senior Finance Expert will be the overall leader and spokesperson of BIOFIN at the national level. He/she is expected to have senior experience and to provide substantial technical expertise in assuring horizontal integration and consistency of workstreams/studies, as well as quality assurance of national products and processes throughout the duration of the national project.

Specific duties and responsibilities will include:

Project Leadership:

In consultation with the National Project Coordinator, the UNDP Country Office and BIOFIN Global and supported by the Finance Assistant, elaborate/revise the work plan, reporting schedule and budget.
With support from the National Project Coordinator, ensure technical activities and administrative requirements are managed and executed in a timely and appropriate manner including within planned budget.
Lead project monitoring, reporting and evaluation at national level. Prepare BIOFIN progress reports (substantive and financial) for submission to UNDP and project partners.
Establish and maintain links with other national and international programmes (e.g. NBSAP) and projects including UNDP-GEF projects.
Lead capturing and documenting of lessons from project implementation and make recommendations to the National Steering/Advisory Committee for more effective implementation of activities
Participate in all regional and global BIOFIN webinars.

Project Outreach and Communication

Lead an extensive stakeholder consultation/engagement process for the development of all deliverables, involving actors from the public and private sector, civil society and academia.
Engage national stakeholders and strongly position BIOFIN objectives and processes towards relevant government departments and partner institutions to catalyse transformational outcomes. Ensure the inclusion of organisations representing indigenous/woman/vulnerable groups where possible.
Ensure collaboration of counterparts on data and information provision, expert review and verification.
Work with national and international counterparts, NGOs and other groups to ensure effective coordination and communication of BIOFIN project objectives and activities.
Prepare detailed reports and analyses of national BIOFIN project results and impacts including in preparation for COPs and at project’s end.

Technical Tasks and Responsibilities

Act as principal technical contact for national BIOFIN implementation with the BIOFIN Global team with regards to all questions and issues that arise during national implementation.
Provide key technical leadership on all finance issues and assure horizontal integration and consistency of workstreams/studies.
Steer the implementation of the Biodiversity Finance Plan through the implementation of priority finance solutions. This may include a set of measures or activities addressing legal, institutional, entrepreneurial, financial, awareness, capacity matters to put the BIOFIN results into action. If these activities require outside expertise, draft the Terms of Reference for these additional consultants and assist in their recruitment and activities. Review all deliverables produced and provide feedback to team members to assure quality and impact.

Deliverables and Reporting:

The Project Lead and Senior finance expert will report to the Project Coordinator as well as Environment and Energy Team Leader at UNDP Georgia, BIOFIN Global management.

Detailed workplan and schedule of activities for BIOFIN Phase 2: due by 20 December 2019
Bi-monthly update reports in line with the workplan regarding the activities conducted, challenges and lessons learned: due by 20th day of January, March, May, July, September, November in 2020.
Report on revision of existing Non-Timber Forest Products usage fees: 15 April 2020
Report on proposed new fees and quota system for NTFPs: due by 10 September 2020
Report on the support conducted during the implementation of priority finance solutions: 10 November 2020

Payment Schedule:

Payment will be made on monthly basis (up to ten consultancy days) upon submission of progress reports and the approval of the respective timesheets (indicating the engagement duration and specific activities conducted) by Project National Coordinator.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Demonstrated commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
Sensitivity and adaptability to cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age;
Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

Functional Competencies:

Excellent organizational skills.
Strong analytical, writing and communication skills.
Excellent financial and budgetary skills.
Ability to prepare publications, reports and presentations.
Ability to manage and work with a multidisciplinary and multicultural team.
Strong motivation and ability to work and deliver under short deadlines.
Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to critical feedback.
Able to work independently with little or no supervision.
Familiarity with government planning and budgeting processes strongly desired

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree in finance, economics, public administration or a closely related field (minimum requirement: 9 points, higher - additional 3 points).

Experience:

At least 6 years of working experience with an environment / biodiversity focus (minimum requirement: 6 years - 9 points, more than 6 years - additional 3 points);
At least 5 years of experience in public finance (minimum requirement: 5 years - 9 points, more than 5 years - additional 3 points);
At least 2 years of experience in biodiversity finance issues (minimum requirement: 2 years - 8 points, more than 2 years - additional 4 points);
Experience in working with international and national experts and institutions will be an asset (2 points).

Language requirements:

Fluency in Georgian is a must.
Good command of English.

Evaluation:

Offerors will be evaluated based on the cumulative analysis method, against combination of technical and financial criteria. Maximum total obtainable score is 100, out of which the total score for technical criteria (desk review and interview) equals to 70 and for financial criteria – to 30. Offerors that do not meet any of the Minimum Requirements will be automatically rejected, while the rest will form up the long list. Technical evaluation will comprise of desk review and interview stages. Candidates who collect 70% (35 points) of points obtainable as a result of the desk review will form up short list and be invited to the interview. Offerors passing 70% threshold as a result of the interview (i.e. obtain minimum of 14 points) will be recommended for financial evaluation.

Financial Proposal:

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in instalments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the ToR. 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. Maximum 30 points will be assigned to the lowest price offer. All other price offers will be scored using the formula (inverse proportion): Financial score X = 30* the lowest price offer/suggested price offer. All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal as well.