Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) operates in over 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, to reduce inequalities and to increase sustainability. One of its critical priorities for 2020 is to support countries to accelerate ambitious action on climate change.

Climate change is the single greatest challenge humanity has ever faced, threatening water and food security, health, livelihoods, and the safety of billions of people. The global response to this challenge must be just, inclusive, and leave no one behind, while seeking the most efficient climate solutions that advance multiple Sustainable Development Goals at once.

UNDP focuses our climate action support to countries on three strategic and transformative pathways that are inclusive, rights-based and gender-responsive contributing to efforts to reduce poverty and inequality and leave no one behind. They are (1) increasing ambition and accelerating NDC implementation; (2) mobilizing institutions and resources; and (3) aligning policies, plans and budgets with climate-risk informed approaches. Building on its active climate support across the world, UNDP promotes partnership and coalitions building among state and non-state actors including private sectors for transformative change at local, national, regional and global levels.

UNDP has recently launched its ambitious “Climate Promise” which will support 100 countries to enhance their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement by 2020, with demonstrated increase in ambition for greater emissions reduction and resilience building. To deliver this promise, UNDP is leveraging its extensive expertise and capacities around the world, including through our donors and partners as well as independent experts, to support country offices.

UNDP is putting together a pool of experts to support this ‘Climate Promise’. While the roster of experts will be utilized throughout 2020 to provide direct support to countries on NDC enhancement, it will be further maintained beyond 2020 to provide a continued pool of expertise to countries for implementation of their enhanced NDCs, focusing on supporting implementation of actions and delivering results on the ground.

The Experts Roster for Rapid Response (ExpRes) is a recruitment and deployment mechanism which maintains pre-vetted consultants on a roster and contracts them quickly for country office support. The primary purpose of this roster has been to deploy Crisis Prevention and Recovery (CPR) technical experts to UNDP Country Offices on short notice.

The ExpRes roster provides pre-selected and technically vetted consultants across 21 profiles and 79 sub-profiles to support the work of UNDP Country Offices/units and other UNDP partner agencies in the area of crisis prevention and recovery.

Duties and Responsibilities

To support the update/enhancement of NDCs, UNDP has defined five concrete service lines of support that can be made available to support countries. These include:

• Service Line 1: Build political will and societal ownership at national and sub-national levels: support under this service line focuses on using a whole-of-government approach to strengthen the NDC enhancement process.  It involves different government ministries and institutions at all levels, while also ensuring strong engagement of civil society, youth organizations, cities, movements and networks, media, academia and the private sectors. This is to ensure that the second generation of NDCs is developed in a way that targets and empowers key constituencies to meaningfully engage in an inclusive and transparent process.
• Service Line 2: Review, align and update/enhance current NDC targets, policies and measures: Support will be provided under this service line to address common gaps in the first generations of NDCs/INDCs including lack of timeframes, scale, and/or quantifiable targets for priority actions. This includes, among other things, support on quantifying mitigation and adaptation options, ensuring alignment of NDC targets with relevant national policies and strategies, defining linkages to the SDGs, updating with new information and data, and incorporating gender considerations and other social dimensions for effective action.
• Service Line 3: Incorporate additional sectors and/or greenhouse gases: Support under this service line is to identify key additional sectors and/or greenhouse gases that were not considered in the first NDC and that have potential for accelerating contributions to meet the targets and to raise high ambitions. While many of these activities are contextualized depending on the sectors and the country status/context, common support services identified include undertaking a stocktake and analysis of sectoral studies, policies and plans, support the identification of entry points and priorities of actions to be included into the NDC, raise awareness and build capacities of key relevant institutions and stakeholders, as well as documenting lessons learned and generating evidence to advocate for more ambitious NDCs.
• Service Line 4: Assess costs and investment opportunities: Support under this service line includes assessing costs and benefits of priority actions and technology options, identifying financing gaps and preparing a financing plan, developing investment strategies or frameworks, and conducting de-risking analysis and other targeted investment barrier analysis to guide government policy and regulations to encourage investment and financial flows from private sector.
• Service Line 5: Monitor progress and strengthen transparency: UNDP will support countries to strengthen and improve data for tracking progress of NDCs, developing MRV systems, and providing training on transparency-related requirements under the Paris Agreements (e.g. Enhanced Transparency Framework and Modalities, Procedures and Guidelines). Advisory and technical support will also be provided to countries on GHG emissions accounting and methodologies, as well as on means of implementations and governance arrangements to be used to deliver NDCs which can improve clarity, transparency and understanding.

In order to respond to the increasing demand from countries in delivering the services outlined above, UNDP is looking to recruit international consultants against the following profiles.

1. NDC development and coordination expert
2. NDC stakeholder engagement expert
3. NDC and gender mainstreaming expert
4. NDC Sectoral analysis expert (key sectors of focus: Energy, Transport, Forests, Ecosystems and Biodiversity, Water/Sanitation, Agriculture and Food, Urban/Cities)
5. Climate investment and financing expert
6. Climate change monitoring and transparency expert
7. Climate communication, knowledge management and advocacy expert

Applicants can apply to one or more options from the above expert list. Successful applicants will join the UNDP’s roster of experts and be contacted based on arising country needs.

Competencies

Functional competencies:

• Strategic vision, strong technical and analytical capabilities;
• Strong reporting and writing abilities;
• Ability to work in a team, develop synergies and establish effective working relations with government counterparts, donors, NGOs and other development partners;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, resourcefulness, initiative, maturity of judgment, tact, and negotiating skills, and the ability to cope with situations which may pose conflict;
• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
• Ability to accommodate additional demands on short notice; 
• Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations;
• Ability to manage heavy workload and solve complex problems with minimum supervision.

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 favouritism.
• Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Required Skills and Experience

1. NDC development and coordination expert

• Advanced university degree in environmental sciences, development studies, international development, engineering, economics, natural resources management or other closely related field
• Demonstrated experience working with governments and international organizations in a developing country context  
• At least 5 years of experience in climate change policy and strategy support at the national level, with specific focus on I/NDC design and implementation
• Demonstrated experience in conducting gap analysis and prioritization of actions in government’s national climate action policies and plans
• Experience in designing and facilitating capacity building processes, consultations and coordination processes;
• Demonstrated strong technical knowledge of UNFCCC processes
• Excellent organizational skills, especially for facilitating meetings and writing reports; 
• Excellent writing, editing and oral communication skills in English is required.
• Fluency in other languages including French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian or Arabic will be required based on the language spoken in a country to support. Please indicate your language level in languages other than English.

2. NDC stakeholder engagement expert

• Advanced university degree in environmental sciences, development studies, international development, engineering, economics, natural resources management or other closely related field
• At least 7 years of experience establishing, and/or facilitating multi-stakeholder engagement process related to climate change policy or strategy designing and implementation processes in developing countries, specifically related to NDCs.
• Demonstrated experience working with civil society, youth, women’s groups or private sector
• Demonstrated strong technical knowledge of UNFCCC processes and Nationally Determined Contributions
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English. 
• Fluency in other languages including French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian or Arabic will be required based on the language spoken in a country to support. Please indicate your language level in languages other than English.

3. NDC and gender mainstreaming expert

• Master’s degree in any of the related areas: gender, climate change, environment, sustainable development. 
• Work experience in relevant technical areas for at least 7 years in international development, climate change/environment and gender; 
• Proven ability to undertake gender analysis, design relevant criteria and gender strategy; 
• Demonstrated understanding of issues related to climate change/environment, relevant strategies and policy documents, particularly NDCs,
• Experience in designing and facilitating capacity building processes; 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English. 
• Fluency in other languages including French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian or Arabic will be required based on the language spoken in a country to support. Please indicate your language level in languages other than English.

4. NDC Sectoral analysis expert (key sectors of focus: Energy, Transport, Forests, Ecosystems and Biodiversity, Agriculture and Food, Urban/Cities)

• Advanced university degree in environmental sciences, development studies, international development, engineering, economics, natural resources management or other closely related field
• At least 7 years of experience conducting relevant sectoral analysis and prioritization of actions for NDCs and/or climate change policies, plans and strategies.
• Demonstrated experience working with governments and international organizations in developing country context.
• Demonstrated strong technical knowledge of UNFCCC processes and Nationally Determined Contributions
• Excellent writing, editing and oral communication skills in English is required.
• Fluency in other languages including French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian or Arabic will be required based on the language spoken in a country to support. Please indicate your language level in languages other than English.

5. Climate investment and financing expert

• Advanced university degree in Business/Finance, Economics or related field
• A minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience in finance and investment according to the specific assignment (i.e., de-risking approach, development of investment plan, establishment of financing strategy or framework)
• Knowledge of climate finance from both public and private sources is preferred; 
• Familiarity and experience in developing countries
• Familiarity and experience in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) investment environments is an asset for specific assignments.
• Excellent organizational skills, especially for facilitating meetings and writing reports; 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English. 
• Fluency in other languages including French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian or Arabic will be required based on the language spoken in a country to support. Please indicate your language level in languages other than English.

6. Climate change monitoring and transparency expert

• Advanced university degree in environmental sciences, IT/data management, development studies, international development, engineering, economics, natural resources management or other closely related field
• At least 7 years of experience developing climate change monitoring and transparency systems and/or GHG inventory systems, including MRV systems
• Demonstrated experience working with governments and international organizations in developing country context.
• Demonstrated strong technical knowledge of UNFCCC processes and Nationally Determined Contributions, particularly the transparency-related requirements under the Paris Agreement.
• Excellent writing, editing and oral communication skills in English is required.
• Fluency in other languages including French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian or Arabic will be required based on the language spoken in a country to support. Please indicate your language level in languages other than English.

7. Climate communication, knowledge management and advocacy expert

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, media, marketing, environmental sciences, social sciences, or other relevant fields. Master’s degree in communications, journalism or other relevant field is an advantage
• At least 5 years of professional experience working on different aspects of communications such as media relations, content production, social media management and campaign management.  Working in the private sector, NGO sector, and/or international organisations on social and environmental issues is an advantage
• Demonstrated success in managing communications campaigns related to climate, environment, and relevant development issues.
• Demonstrated experience in developing, producing, and editing videos
• Demonstrated experience in multi-media management platforms including social media; 
• Fluency in oral and written communications and presentations skills in English
• Fluency in other languages including French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian or Arabic will be required based on the language spoken in a country to support. Please indicate your language level in languages other than English.

Evaluation of Applicants

Applicants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicant's qualifications and financial proposal. The contract will be awarded 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 and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.
• Only those candidates who obtained a minimum of 50 points in the technical evaluation would be considered for financial evaluation.
• The consultant will be evaluated against a combination of technical and financial criteria. Maximum score is 100% out of a total score for technical criteria equals 70% and 30% for financial criteria.

Technical Evaluation (70% of total evaluation; maximum 70 points):

Financial Evaluation (30% of total evaluation; maximum 30 points).

The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal:

•  p = y (µ/z), where;
•  p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated;
•  y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal;
•  µ = price of the lowest priced proposal;
• z = price of the proposal being evaluated.

Contracting Arrangements

Successful candidates will be included into the relevant thematic area of the UNDP’s GPN ExpRes ONE Roster. Entry into the expert roster system does not necessarily mean that contract with UNDP is guaranteed. This will depend on forthcoming needs. During this period, the GPN/ExpRes ONE Roster will follow up with consultants and keep them informed of upcoming assignments.  

Where a request for services arises, the UNDP office will share a specific Terms of Reference (TOR) outlining specific services, outputs and timeline for that assignment with consultant(s) matching the requested profile and consultants will be requested to provide a price offer. A consultant offering a best value for money will be contracted. 

Payments
Payments will be made as specified in the actual contract upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner. 

Application procedures

• Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website. The application should contain:
• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application. Clearly mention the ‘profiles’, you are interested in applying for.
• 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); please upload the P11 instead of your CV. 
• Offeror’s Letter (blank template can be downloaded from https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yCHvoIir4sCz3qEtJ-QzlC9uF1x1Ua33/view?usp=sharing).
• Financial Proposal* in USD – specifying all-inclusive maximum daily fee
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials

Applicants will be screened against qualifications and the competencies specified above and only short-listed candidates will be interviewed. Interested candidates are advised to carefully review this advertisement and ensure that they meet the requirements and qualifications described above.  Qualified women are encouraged to apply. Interested consultants may obtain further information at the below address: