Background
The Commonwealth Vulnerability Index ranks Vanuatu as one of the world’s most vulnerable countries due to its high exposure to natural disasters, scattered island geography, narrow and economic base, inadequate communication and transportation networks and limited capacity to cope with disasters including climate change. With mostly volcanic islands, human settlements are found mostly along the coastlines and this region is a primary focus in efforts to build climate resilience. Vanuatu’s National Adaptation Program of Action (NAPA) include specific measures focused on the coastal zone such as the promotion of community-based marine resource management and integrated coastal zone management.
To better adapt to the impacts of climate change, the government launched the project “Adaptation to Climate Change in Coastal Vanuatu” (VCAP) in November 2014. The was project funded $8.030 million grant from the Least Developed Countries Fund of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and was implemented by UNDP. The project was implemented in 6 provinces of Vanuatu covering at least 5-6 communities in each province to improve their resilience to climate change, to sustain their livelihoods, improve food production and preserve/improve the quality of life.
The interventions of the V-CAP project had ranged from the following:
1. The climate proofing of public conveyance infrastructure such as river crossing bridges, roads and pedestrian walkways and tracks to facilitate access needs to population centers, health facilities, markets and schools for children regardless of weather conditions.
2. The climate proofing of existing Provincial/Area Council offices as shelters during natural disasters for 8 island communities. These also included training and equipping of existing resource personnel to respond to climate disaster needs.
3. The extension of agricultural services in order to facilitate the demand for food supply as a result of growing population in the outer islands and the increasing disease and pests in subsistence crops. These included the setup of nurseries and model farms in 7 island communities to supply climate resilient crops. In addition, these communities were also trained and provided farming materials to allow them to be self-sufficient. Similarly, livestock management trainings were conducted, and start-up of livestock initiatives were provided to more than 1,000 local farmers to generate further household incomes opportunities and create employment.
4. The development of Upland Management Action Plans to address sustainable farming practices, land erosion and water security in 9 island communities. This also included the planting of vertiver grass and plants in coastal eroding hotspots and replanting of native trees and water catchments areas. In addition, water tanks and gravity feeders were installed on Torres and Epi island communities which often are affected the most during the drought seasons.
5. The development of Disaster Plans in 1 District, 3 Area Councils and 9 communities to be able to address disaster risk events accordingly.
6. The successful setup of Integrated Weather Forecasting and Automated Weather Stations in the 6 provincial sites to allow a systematic analysis and predictions of climate-related events such as cyclone, storms, drought etc in order for communities to prepare beforehand.
With V-CAP completed in 2019, the government had expressed its intention to implement a phase II of V-CAP. Its decision is based on the positive outcome and contribution of V-CAP project in the local communities and the level of assistance to Vanuatu Government sectors which have benefited greatly from its interventions in the project sites in Vanuatu. A funding of $US 12 million was approved by GEF in November 2019 and will therefore be focusing on upscaling the successful interventions of the earlier V-CAP work.
Duties and Responsibilities
Specific to the work of the consultant he/she will be expected to conduct the following:
- Work in consultation with the PPG Team Leader in the submission of a detailed methodology and workplan. Ensure that there is efficient consultation with key stakeholders before any plans are finalised.
- Coordinate in the organising of the PPG inception workshop with key stakeholders. Ensure that there are proper consultations with the PPG Team Leader, International and Local Consultants on key stakeholders to invite.
- Provide logistic support to ensure that all in-country preparations are well mapped and carried out especially for all workshops and meetings etc.
- Contribute to the development of the inception reports.
- Facilitate discussions on site selections and finalisation with key stakeholders to finalise project sites selection following agreed criteria and lead in the collection of marine information (Coastal Zone Management, Marine Managed Areas, Protected Areas) situation based on available data in the target sites.
- Work with PPG Team to finalise a schedule of field visits and the overall PPG timelines.
- Work with the PPG team to identify opportunities for private sector engagement and co-financing. Take lead in talking with key government stakeholders on co-financing and secure co-financing letters.
- Advise the PPG Team Leader on partner capacity assessments and facilitate discussions on management arrangements early in the PPG process.
- Contribute to the work and write up tasked by the PPG Team Leader where and when needed.
- Assist team leader in the development of an indicative procurement plan for the project with support from UNDP.
- Work with the Team Leader in securing and presenting of project execution and management arrangement and ensure that the project is aligned to UNDP-GEF guidance on UNDP execution support.
- Coordinate the implementation of the validation workshop and work with the PPG Team Leader to present, discuss and validate the final draft ProDoc and mandatory and project specific annexes, with a special focus on the SESP and any management plans.
- Work with the Team Leader to develop and finalise a validation workshop report
- Provide support to the Civil and Water Engineers and Meteorological Specialist in the designing of their respective components in the ProDoc.
- Follow up on any further input to the first draft of the ProDoc and in also finalising the ProDoc in-country.
- Facilitate minute taking of meeting conducted by the Team Leader with key government stakeholders etc
Competencies
- Minimum 5 years of demonstrable experience in the technical area climate change adaptation and mitigation, early warning system etc
- Experience in implementing and managing of climate change projects particularly for UNDP and GEF projects;
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English;
- Experience working in the Vanuatu on related initiatives highly desired
Language Requirements:
Fluency in written English is essential and must also be able to speak Bislama
Required Skills and Experience
- Minimum Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field, such as Natural Resources Management, Architectural/Building Designing and Planning;
- A detailed Terms of Reference and other supporting documents can be obtained from UNDP Pacific Website
- https://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=62994
Offerors must send the following documents.
1) CV including names of at least 3 referees
2)Cover letter setting out:
A statement of how the applicant meets the qualifications and experience requirements.
3)Completed template for confirmation of Interest and Submission of Financial Proposal
Consultant must send a financial proposal based on Professional Fees payment and any other cost associated with undertaking this consultancy. In country travel arrangements to the outer island will be organized by UNDP. In the event of unforeseeable travel not anticipated in this TOR, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and the Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.