UNDP Jobs - 90296- International Consultant on LEDS Support in the EU

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

Location :

home based with missions

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

03-Mar-20 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

estimated March 2020 – February 2021

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

app. 60 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 OF THE ASSIGNMENT
Under the overall supervision of the Project Manager the International Consultant is expected to contribute to achieving the main outputs of the projects: (i) development of long-term low GHG emissions strategies; (ii) establishment of concrete sectoral guidelines for the implementation of the Paris Agreement; (iii) mainstreaming climate in other policy sectors.

Duties and Responsibilities

The International Consultant is expected to provide assistance to the governments of the Eastern Partnership countries in developing their long-term low emissions strategies, contribute to the process of updating the existing strategies based on the results of NDC update, and contribute to the development of sectoral low emissions strategies. The specific deliverables are:

Deliverable 1A. Upon approval by the Project Manager, perform a 2-day mission to Azerbaijan to communicate with the government and other stakeholders relevant for the formulation of low emissions strategies – by March/April 2020.

Liaise with an International Consultant hired by the project team on developing roadmap/plan to develop LEDS and all the local experts in the LEDS team to understand the needs of the assignment and get familiarized with the statuses of the ongoing and completed works
Share her/his international experience on developing similar documents and advise the best approach and practices possible to design the LEDS roadmap/plan
Review the drafted concept on LEDS plan and provide his/her inputs
Provide technical oversight and backstopping to the development of the LEDS plan/roadmap

Deliverable 1B. Upon approval by the Project Manager, develop a Roadmap for the low emissions development strategy – by July 2020.

Review the final version of the LEDS roadmap/plan before submitting to the relevant governmental institutions for approval and provide recommendations based on the best international practices
In consultations with UNDP Azerbaijan, national experts and International expert hired by UNDP CO, submit a finalized Roadmap for LEDS, including: a) timeframe and a mechanism with detailed steps on how to prepare a LEDS; and b) recommendations on incorporating best international practices into the strategy.

Deliverable 1C. Upon approval by the Project Manager, assist the project team to initiate the development of the low emissions development strategy – by September 2020

Develop a draft TOR on hiring a team of experts or private company to develop the LEDS in accordance with the roadmap/plan
Once reviewed and approved by the National Coordinator, submit a final version of the TOR on developing the LEDS
Provide technical backstopping to the team of experts developing LEDS and guide them through the LEDS development process by maintaining the linkage and alignment with the approved roadmap/plan
Deliverable 2A. Upon approval by the Project Manager, perform a 2-day mission to Armenia to communicate with the government and other stakeholders relevant for the formulation of low emissions strategies – by July 2020.
Contribute to organizing the workshop on LT-LEDS by developing workshop’s agenda and delivering a presentation on LT-LEDS development methodology in line with UNFCCC requirements during the workshop;
Review the draft recommendations for the content, structure and expected outcomes of LT-LED strategy for Armenia developed by the National Expert, and finalize it based on the country specifics, results of the workshop and consultations with stakeholders.

Deliverable 2B. Upon approval by the Project Manager, perform review of the draft National Program on Energy Saving and Renewable Energy for 2021-2030 in Armenia – by November 2020.

Provide technical backstopping to the project team in facilitating the preparation of National Program on Energy Saving and Renewable Energy for 2021-2030 (the ‘NP’), particularly support to design the NP log-frame, to identify effective policy instruments in line with European integrated energy and climate concept and relevant to the country development agenda, including monitoring and evaluation indicators.
Review the assessment of Second National Energy Efficiency Action Plan for Armenia (NEEAP-2) conducted by the national consultant team in Armenia and assess the impact. Summarize lessons learned from the results of NEEAP-2.
Review the draft NP document developed by the team of national consultants. Based on the principles of the "Clean Energy for all Europeans" package, and the lessons learned from NEEAP-2 develop recommendations on incorporating best international practices in the national long-term strategies, including: a) long-term low emissions strategy until 2050; b) National Program on Energy Saving and Renewable Energy for 2021-2030.

Deliverable 3A. Upon approval by the Project Manager, perform a 2-day mission to Georgia to communicate with the government and other stakeholders relevant for the formulation of low emissions strategies – by October 2020.

Liaise with the national team of UNDP Georgia on developing roadmap/plan to develop LEDS and all the local experts in the LEDS team to understand the needs of the assignment and get familiarized with the statuses of the ongoing and completed works
Share her/his international experience on developing similar documents and advise the best approach and practices possible to design the LEDS roadmap/plan
Provide any necessary technical oversight and backstopping to the development of the LEDS plan/roadmap
Review the final version of the LEDS roadmap/plan before submitting to the relevant governmental institutions for approval
Assist the national project team to draft the TOR on hiring a team to develop the LEDS in accordance with the roadmap/plan

Deliverable 3B. Upon approval by the Project Manager, review the draft versions of long-term low emissions development strategy of Georgia until 2050 – by January 2021.

Assist, UNDP Georgia and EU4Climate Georgia National Project Coordinator in reviewing Terms of Reference and cost estimations for developing long-term low emission development strategy of Georgia till 2050.
Review and provide quality assurance of the draft versions of long-term low emissions development strategy of Georgia till 2050.
Based on the principles of the "Clean Energy for all Europeans" package, and other relevant international experience, develop recommendations on incorporating best international practices in the national LEDS during the update process.

Deliverable 4A. Upon approval by the Project Manager, perform a 2-day mission to Belarus to communicate with the government and other stakeholders relevant for the formulation of low emissions strategies – by November 2020.

Liaise with the national team of UNDP Belarus on developing roadmap/plan to develop LEDS and all the local experts in the LEDS team to understand the needs of the assignment and get familiarized with the statuses of the ongoing and completed work
Share her/his international experience on developing similar documents and advise the best approach and practices possible to design the LEDS roadmap/plan
Provide technical oversight and backstopping to the development of the LEDS plan/roadmap
Review the final version of the LEDS roadmap/plan before submitting to the relevant governmental institutions for approval and provide recommendations based on the best international practices
Based on the best international practices, contribute to the project’s team work on preparing the TOR on hiring a team to develop the LEDS in accordance with the roadmap/plan
Provide technical backstopping to the team of experts developing LEDS and guide them through the LEDS development process by maintaining the linkage and alignment with the approved roadmap/plan

Deliverable 4B. Upon approval by the Project Manager, develop a Roadmap for the low emissions development strategy of Belarus – by February 2021.

Review the existing country’s relevant strategic plans and road-maps, also review the results of the previous and current projects with relevance to low emissions development.
In consultations with UNDP Belarus and national experts, develop a Roadmap for LEDS, including: a) timeframe and a mechanism with detailed steps on how to prepare a LEDS; and b) recommendations on incorporating best international practices into the strategy.
Based on the principles of the "Clean Energy for all Europeans" package, and other relevant international experience, develop recommendations on incorporating best international practices in the national LEDS during the update process.

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 LT-LEDS and other relevant long-term low emissions strategies process in each country and the approach of work for each of the deliveries.
Submit regular monthly progress reports to the Project Manager, containing a summary of the work completed during the past 30 calendar days, and plans for the next 30 calendar days. The first progress report shall be submitted 30 calendar days after signing the contract.
Upon 10 working days after completing a mission trip, submit travel report summarizing main findings from the mission, and explaining any changes to the methodology and/or approach to work based on the mission findings.
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 60 working days. The breakdown corresponds to the expected outputs and schedule of payments as follows:

4% of payment upon acceptance of the inception report by the Project Manager;
8% upon completion of the Deliverable 1A. Mission trip to Azerbaijan and acceptance of the mission report by the Project Manager;
10% upon completion and acceptance by the Project Manager of the Deliverable 1B. Roadmap for the low emissions development strategy for Azerbaijan;
6% upon completion and acceptance by the Project Manager of the Deliverable 1C. assist the project team to initiate the development of the low emissions development strategy
8% upon completion of the Deliverable 2A. Mission trip to Armenia and acceptance of the mission report by the Project Manager;
16% upon completion and acceptance by the Project Manager of the Deliverable 2B. Review of the draft National Program on Energy Saving and Renewable Energy for 2021-2030 in Armenia;
8% upon completion of the Deliverable 3A. Mission trip to Georgia and acceptance of the mission report by the Project Manager;
16% upon completion and acceptance by the Project Manager of Deliverable 3B. Review the existing Low Emissions Development Strategy of Georgia until 2050;
8% upon completion and acceptance by the Project Manager of Deliverable 4A. Mission trip to Belarus and acceptance of the mission report by the Project Manager;
16% upon completion and acceptance by the Project Manager of Deliverable 4B. Develop a Roadmap for the low emissions development strategy of Belarus.

Travel

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

One mission for 2 days to Yerevan, Armenia;
One mission for 2 days to Baku, Azerbaijan;
One mission for 2 days to Tbilisi, Georgia
One mission for 2 days to Minsk, Belarus;

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.

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

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 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, Belarusian, Georgian, ) will be considered as an asset.

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: responsive/compliant/acceptable, and 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, EU Eastern Neighborhood Partner Countries or EU Southern Neighborhood States: up to 15 points;
Methodology on the approach to conduct the work – up to 10 points;
One sample 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, Belarusian, 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.