UNDP Jobs - 90317- International Consultant on Support to UNDP Climat

International Consultant on Support to UNDP Climate Promise in Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia (EECCA) (IRH)

Location :

Home Based with missions

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

estimated March-December 2020

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

app. 100 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

Climate change presents the single biggest threat to sustainable development and is already causing widespread, unprecedented impacts that disproportionately burden the poorest, marginalized and most vulnerable. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) indicates that urgent and transformative action is necessary to keep global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees or below, adapt to global threats, and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Under the 2015 Paris Agreement, countries unanimously agreed to work toward global goals that would limit global average temperature rise. A key principle in the Paris Agreement is that no country should backslide on its intentions, which were put forward in climate action plans known as “Nationally Determined Contributions”, or NDCs. All countries are expected to submit increasingly ambitious NDCs every five years, often described as a “ratchet mechanism”. A first opportunity to do so is in 2020. Achieving the Paris Agreement’s goals will require an emissions peak as soon as possible, followed by sharp reductions in GHG emissions. Therefore, many see high ambition in 2020 as fundamental to get on track to 1.5oC and counter a worrying trend of rising emissions (After being static from 2014 to 2016, global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions rose to historic highs in 2018 according to the IEA 2019 Global Energy and CO2 Status Report, driven by higher energy consumption.).

UNDP is well-positioned to support countries on these efforts, with a long track record of supporting NDC processes globally, which has led to insights on critical bottlenecks, key success factors, emerging trends and anticipated support needs. In 2014, UNDP and UNFCCC jointly launched a series of regional technical dialogues that provided a neutral space for countries to share experiences on NDCs and build trust. In all, 22 dialogues have been held, attracting 2200+ participants from 150 countries. UNDP also assisted 43 countries to submit intended NDCs in 2015 and now supports 63 countries to strengthen core elements of NDC architecture, such as gender-responsive institutional coordination, whole-of-government approaches, strengthened transparency systems, and mainstreaming of NDC targets. These efforts are underpinned by a $3.2BN grant-financed portfolio of climate action in 142 countries.
In response, UNDP announced its Climate Promise landmark initiative to leverage its extensive climate portfolio and scale up urgently-needed support for NDC enhancement in 100 countries, working in close collaboration with UN system partners (e.g. UNEP, FAO, UNICEF), IRENA, the NDC Partnership, the Green Climate Fund, and other strategic partners. An integrated approach will be used that harnesses the wide-ranging expertise of UNDP’s Global Policy Network to strengthen climate solutions with perspectives from governance, health, water, gender equality, women’s and youth empowerment, disaster risk reduction, and inclusive growth, among others.
UNDP service lines in the framework of Climate Promise include the following:

Build Political Will & Societal Ownership at National/Sub-National Levels
Review, Align & Update/Enhance Current NDC Targets, Policies & Measures
Incorporate Additional Sectors &/or GHGs
Assess Costs & Investment Opportunities
Monitor Progress & Strengthen Transparency

In the EECCA region the implementation of UNDP Climate Promise is facilitated and coordinated by the Istanbul Regional Hub (IRH) of the Regional Bureau for Europe and CIC (RBEC) and through 17 Country Offices in close consultations with the beneficiary governments.

Objectives
The main objective of this assignment is to support UNDP Country Offices in the Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia (EECCA) region to implement Climate Promise and to assist EECCA Governments in the process of updating/enhancing their NDCs under the Paris Agreement. The International Consultant will also support IRH and EECCA Country Offices by delivering advice on a broader climate change and climate policy development agenda.

Location:
Home Based with missions to Istanbul Regional Hub and EECCA countries

Duties and Responsibilities

The International Consultant will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub Climate and DRR Team (IRH CDT) and will closely coordinate with the UNDP HQs Climate Promise coordination and support team. The International Consultant will provide support to the EECCA Country Offices in delivering UNDP Climate Promise and supporting climate action, will be assessing countries’ progress with implementing NDCs, will guide countries in the process of updating the NDCs, and will support IRH regional level reporting on Climate Promise. The specific deliverables are:

Deliverable 1. Needs assessment and work plan for the assignment:

Desc review of UNDP Climate Promise offer and Climate Promise Work Plans from EECCA countries;
Conduct Consultations with the national Climate Promise Focal Points at UNDP Country Offices;
Conduct consultations with the IRH Climate promise coordination team and technical teams supporting the Climate Promise;
Map needs for technical advice and support for the Climate Promise implementation in each of the EECCA countries;
Develop a detailed work plan for the assignment– March 2020.

Deliverable 2. Technical recommendations for and reports on the Climate Promise implementation and climate action in EECCA – March - December 2020.

Regularly liaise with the Climate Promise/NDC enhancement teams in the Country Offices, IRH and HQs to identify needs, information and capacity gaps and requests for assistance;
Deliver technical advice and trouble-shooting for the Climate Promise implementation and climate action in EECCA;
Regularly assess progress against Climate Promise Work Plans in all EECCA countries and report on delays and bottlenecks to IRH CDT;
Assist the COs to fill the information and capacity gaps by linking them to expertise and resources within and outside of UNDP;
Provide advice and technical backstopping to enhance UNDP’s support to EECCA countries along the UNDP Climate Promise service lines;
Contribute to and lead/participate in the national Climate Promise workshops and dialogues at the request of COs;
Provide recommendations on incorporating best international practices in the NDC development, propose options for engagement of the private sector and civil society in Climate Promise delivery;
Provide technical advice to IRH and COs on the low carbon and resilient development, including mainstreaming climate action into development policies and plans, and promoting whole of government approaches that integrate the 2030 Agenda the Paris and Sendai agreements.
Provide regular monthly reports to IRH CDT on the implementation of this Deliverable – end of each calendar month starting from 31 March 2020.

Deliverable 3. Analytical reports and communication on the NDC update and Climate Promise progress and results in EECCA – March-December 2020.

Review and assess individual deliverables under the national Climate Promise Plans in consultations with the COs and Climate Promise support teams;
Contribute to the UNDP corporate and regional communication materials on Climate Promise and on a broader climate change agenda;
Support knowledge management on climate change policies and strategies, integrated low carbon and resilient development and climate action in EECCA;
Contribute to the corporate analysis and reporting on Climate Promise upon request.
Develop regular reports on Climate Promise implementation in EECCA to IRH and HQs – at least monthly, ad-hock reports could be requested - end of each calendar month starting from 31 March 2020;
Develop final report on Climate Promise implementation in EECCA with the analysis of results, lessons learned and recommendations – December 2020;

Monitoring / Reporting Requirements
The International Consultant will work under the supervision of the IRH CDT Team Leader to ensure successful achievement of the main deliverables.

The International Consultant will:

No later than 10 working days after signing the Contract, submit for the approval of the IRH CDT Team Leader an approach of work for each of the deliveries and a detailed work plan.
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 100 working days. The breakdown corresponds to the expected outputs and schedule of payments as follows:

10% of payment upon acceptance of the work plan and first progress report by the IRH CDT Team Leader (March 2020);
20% upon submission and acceptance of the second and third monthly progress reports under deliverables 2 and 3 (May 2020);
20% upon submission and acceptance of the forth and fifth monthly progress reports under deliverables 2 and 3 (July 2020);
20% upon submission and acceptance of the sixth and seventh monthly progress reports under deliverables 2 and 3 (September 2020);
20% upon submission and acceptance of the eighth and ninth monthly progress reports under deliverables 2 and 3 (November 2020);
10% upon submission and acceptance of the final reports under deliverables 2 and 3 (December 2020).

The Certifying Officer of this assignment is UNDP IRH CDT Team Leader;
The International Consultant shall be solely liable for the accuracy and reliability of the data provided, links to sources of information used;
The International Consultant will be submitting the reports based on the results achieved to be approved by the IRH CDT Team Leader, which will serve as justification for payments;
All materials produced by the International Consultant are the property of UNDP and can be used only upon agreement.

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;
Experience with climate change policies in the following additional sectors is an asset: energy, industry, waste management, transport, agriculture;
Experience in delivering training and capacity building on climate policy development and implementation is considered an asset;
Experience with developing or implementing of climate change policies in ECIS and/or EU countries is considered an asset.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English is required;
Fluency in Russian language will be considered as an asset.

Travel

This assignment will include missions to the EECCA countries and UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub.

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 IRH CDT Team Leader 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: responsive/compliant/acceptable, and having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical (CV/P11 desk reviews and interviews) and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Only candidates who receive min 70% of points in desk review (Criteria A-E) will be considered for interviews. Only candidates who receive min 70% of points in technical evaluation (Criteria A-G) will be considered for the financial evaluation.

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

Criteria A – (desk review) Advanced university degree in the fields related to economics, energy, environmental studies, climate policy – up to 10 points;
Criteria B – (desk review) Experience with analysing/developing NDCs and/or providing technical advice on NDC development – up to 15 points;
Criteria C – (desk review) Experience with implementing climate policy at the national and/or sectoral levels (energy, industry, waste management, transport, agriculture) in ECIS countries and/or EU – up to 15 points;
Criteria D – (desk review) Methodology on the approach to conduct the work – up to 10 points;
Criteria E – (desk review) At least two samples of the similar assignments delivered by the applicant – up to 10 points;
Criteria F – (interviews) Fluency in English and Russian: up to 5 points.
Criteria G – (interviews) Experience with implementing climate policy at the national and/or sectoral levels (energy, industry, waste management, transport, agriculture) in ECIS countries and/or EU – up to 5 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.