Background

Ukraine has a long list of environmental reform priorities. However, the speed of the reforms in the area of sustainable energy and environment (SEE) is slowed down by the difficulties in adopting the needed legislation related to the capacity of the Parliament and a large number of low-quality legal initiatives. To speed up the sustainable energy and environment (SEE) related reforms, UNDP seeks to improve the capacity of the Parliament of Ukraine ((VRU) and enhance environmental advocacy among politicians, mass media and the public.

The Project aims to support the Parliament members (MPs) and the relevant Parliament Committees (specifically, on Environmental Policy and Environmental Management and on Energy, Housing and Utilities) with quality analytical support on the legislation making, organizing stakeholders’ consultations, round tables, development of communication products, and engagement of various stakeholders into the SEE issues.

The analytical support that is provided by the Project covers a wide range of issues in the SEE area, including but not limited to: climate change mitigation and adaption; energy efficiency and security; waste management; GHG monitoring reporting and verification; green auctions; sustainable transportation; green finance and more. The overall work of the Secretariat is based on the sustainable development principles and where possible and necessary links with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Besides, the Project aims at increasing awareness among Members of Parliament on principles of development and status of implementation of key obligations of Ukraine in the field od SEE, including Association Agreement between Ukraine and EU and other international environmental and climate processes.

Recently, an unprecedented situation with fires and burning of grass and organic scraps has been recorded in Ukraine on the lands of nature reserve fund, forestry, those used for agriculture and recreational purposes, which has already led to significant damage to infrastructure, natural resources and biodiversity.

In Poland and the Baltics, widespread open burning was reduced to EU levels in a period of 5 years. However, the effort requires a combination of farmer extension education, improvement of fire management systems, political will and financing and, not least, connections with related work by major stakeholders such as FAO, UNEP and the multilateral development banks, as well a regional governmental and farmer interest and support. In order to identify the best international practices and experiences in preventing open burning, UNDP is seeking to hire an Individual Consultant with strong practical experience in the subject matter.

Duties and Responsibilities

Main Objectives of the Assignment

The overall objective of the assignment is to provide technical assistance with research of the best international practices, experiences, key approaches and practical solutions to tackle the problem of open burning, analysis of their effectiveness and elaboration of recommendations taking into account Ukrainian context.

Description of Responsibilities / Scope of Work

Under the overall supervision of the UNDP Sustainable Development, Energy and Environment Programme Coordinator / Portfolio Manager, in close day-to-day coordination with the Project Officer and collaboration with the Project Team the Consultant is expected to undertake the following activities:

1. Review the background documents provided by UNDP to obtain a better understanding of the goals and context.

2. Review international best experiences and practices of preventing open burning (poor Agri practices, underdeveloped fire prevention and management systems, burning of household waste, arson and other) separately for each type of land use (nature reserve funds, forestry, agricultural and recreational) and prepare the following materials, including:

• Develop a concept and research plan on studying international practice identifying timelines, activities, priorities and deliverables for the period of assignment in consultation with UNDP and submit to UNDP for approval. The concept and the plan should cover the outline of research methodology and suggest the countries that are subject for the study (Eastern Europe and the Baltics should be prioritized), it should also explain how the research will take into account the current situation and Ukraine and derive the most applicable recommendations.
• Draft overview of legal and policy approaches in the selected countries (including significant changes within the last 20 years), as well as review of past international assistance projects aimed at preventing open burning. Such draft should be prepared in MS Word document, as well as prepared slide-deck with a summary.
• Prepare Analytical Report on experience of local communities and governments in preventing open burning for each type of land use, summarizing what which legal/policy interventions proved to be efficient, and which had to be changed. Elaborate recommendations taking into account best international practices and existing national system and legislation in Ukraine.
• Develop a mind map, systems map or other visual representation of key principles, interventions, stakeholders and success factors that helped countries to overcome the problem of open burning.
• Prepare a summary of social, technological, economic, environmental, legal action undertaken by the ecosystems of stakeholders in selected counties (with examples).
• Prepare policy recommendations, in particular, which need to be addressed by the Parliament.

3. Elaborate recommendations for further expanding research of the issue of open burning for UNDP Ukraine separately for each type of land use (nature reserve funds, forestry, agricultural and recreational).

4. Provide support to organize at least 2 (two) events/workshops/working meetings to share and discuss the findings with various audiences, as per request of UNDP, in particular:

• Develop agenda of the event, relevant presentations (PowerPoint or another format agreed with UNDP, in English) and visualizations, as required.
• Act as an expert/panel member/moderator to present the findings. Provide explanatory notes and facilitate discussion of offered recommendations with policymakers, governmental representatives, local communities and other interested parties.

These events / discussions are planned to be organized virtually online; the format is to be agreed with UNDP.

5. Develop a final report covering the whole assignment, highlighting main learnings of the study and proposed recommendations and all relevant Annexes with all outputs produced and accepted by UNDP.

To ensure the delivery of the above tasks, the Consultant will:

• Liaise and ensure constant communication/coordination with UNDP regarding all aspects of the assignment.
• Submit all the deliverables for review, comments and approval to UNDP as requested.
• Hold consultations with UNDP as requested.

The timeframe and deliverables of the assignment are as follows:

Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in this Terms of Reference as follows: 

• 30% of the total contract value will be paid upon completion of the Deliverables 1- 2 as per TOR;
• 70% of the total contract value will be paid upon completion of the Deliverable 3 - 4 as per TOR.

The satisfactory completion of each of the deliverables shall be subject to the endorsement of the UNDP Programme Coordinator (Sustainable Development, Energy and Environment). 

Monitoring/Reporting Requirements

The Consultant will work under the overall supervision of the UNDP Sustainable Development, Energy and Environment Programme Coordinator / Portfolio Manager, in close day-to-day coordination with the Project Officer and cooperation with Project Team. Work-progress reporting/monitoring meetings will be held with the Consultant on a regular basis.

The consultant will interact with UNDP to receive any clarifications and guidance that may be needed. The Consultant will duly inform UNDP of any problems, issues or delays arising in the course of implementation of assignment and take necessary steps to address them.

UNDP will be the final authority to control the quality and evaluate the work. The satisfactory completion of each of the deliverables shall be subject to the endorsement of the Programme Coordinator. Each deliverable will be delivered in a draft for comments and feedback before finalization. No reports or documents should be published or distributed to third parties without the approval of UNDP.

The Consultant will duly inform UNDP of any problems, issues or delays arising in the course of implementation of assignment and take necessary steps to address them.

All reports and results are to be submitted to the UNDP in electronic form (*.docx, *.xlsx, *.pptx, and *.pdf or other formats accepted by UNDP). The language of reports is Ukrainian and English. 

Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling 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:

• At least Master’s/Specialist’s degree in Economics, Law, International Law, Environmental Management, Social Sciences, International Relations or related field.

Work Experience:

• At least 5 years of working experience in developing methodologies and conducting studies and/or research, capturing experiences of communities and/or governments, and/or analysing legal and policy interventions and/or other fields relevant to the assignment;
• At least 2 years of experience in international affairs and/or international law and/or closely related fields;
• At least 1 year of previous experience in the fields of sustainable development, energy and environment. Specific experience related to air pollution and open burning prevention, would be a strong asset;
• Prior experience in the national policy design, policy advice and/or advisory support for reforms would be an asset;
• Previous experience developing mind maps, systems maps or other visual representation of key principles, interventions, stakeholders and/or success factors (at least 1 sample must be provided);
• Previous relevant experience with UNDP, other UN Agency, international organizations or donors would be an asset;
• Knowledge and understanding of the existing national system, current practices and/or legislation of Ukraine related to the assignment would be an asset;
• Excellent writing skills, with analytic capacity and ability to synthesize inputs and relevant findings (proven with samples of at least 2 previously prepared or co-authored analytical reports, policy analysis, presentations or other publications in the relevant fields).

Language(s):

Fluency in English is required.  At least working knowledge of Russian or Ukrainian would be an asset.

Documents to be Included when Submitting the Proposals

• Letter of interest/proposal, explaining why the applicant considers him- or herself the most suitable for the work and providing brief methodology on how the work will be conducted and/or approached.
• Personal CV or P11, including information about past experience in similar projects/assignments and contact details of referees.
• At least 2 samples of different kinds of prepared or co-authored analytical reports, policy analysis, presentations or other publications in the relevant fields in the relevant fields.
• At least 1 sample of previously prepared mind map, systems map or other visual representation of key principles, interventions, stakeholders and/or success factors.
• Financial proposal.
• Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP.

NB: Please note that online system does not recognise Russian or Ukrainian language, information you provide in on-line application should be in English. You may combine your CV, financial proposal and other necessary information in one PDF file and upload the document.

Financial Proposal

Lump-sum contract

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 (including travel, per diems, and a number of anticipated working days).  

Travel costs

All envisaged travel costs must be covered by the Consultant and included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station. In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the Consultant wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.

In the case of unforeseeable travel requested by UNDP, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between UNDP and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

Logistics arrangements for the events, where participation of the Consultant is requested by UNDP, to be provided by UNDP and shall not be included in the financial proposal. 

Administrative costs

The contractor will rent/use at his/her own expense office space, any equipment and materials that may be required for completion of the task.

Evaluation Criteria

Educational Background:

• Educational background – 3 points max.

At least Master’s/Specialist’s degree in Economics, Law, International Law, Environmental Management, Social Sciences, International Relations or related field (3 pts – PhD degree in the relevant field; 2 pts – Master’s / Specialist’s degree in the relevant field).

Professional Experience:

• At least 5 years of working experience in developing methodologies and conducting studies and/or research, capturing experiences of communities and/or governments, and/or analysing legal and policy interventions and/or other fields relevant to the assignment – 15 points max (up to 15 pts – 6 years and more; 13 pts – 5 years);
• At least 2 years of experience in international affairs and/or international law and/or closely related fields – 13 points max (up to 13 pts – 3 and more years; 11 pts – 2 years);
• At least 1 year of previous experience in the fields of sustainable development, energy and environment. Specific experience related to air pollution and open burning prevention, would be a strong asset – 12 points max (up to 11 pts – 3 and more years; 9 pts – 1-2 years; additional 1 point for prior experience specifically related to air pollution and open burning prevention);
• Prior experience in the national policy design, policy advice and/or advisory support for reforms would be an asset – 4 points max (4 pts – Yes; 0 pts – No);
• Previous experience developing mind maps, systems maps or other visual representation of key principles, interventions, stakeholders and/or success factors (at least 1 sample must be provided) – 6 points max (up to 6 pts – 2 samples and more than; 5 pts – 1 sample);
• Previous relevant experience with UNDP, other UN Agency, international organizations or donors would be an asset – 1 point max (1 pt – Yes; 0 pts – No);
• Knowledge and understanding of the existing national system, current practices and/or legislation of Ukraine related to the assignment would be an asset – 3 points max (3 pts – Yes; 0 pts – No);
• Writing skills – 7 points max.

Excellent writing skills, with analytic capacity and ability to synthesize inputs and relevant findings proven with samples of at least 2 previously prepared or co-authored analytical reports, policy analysis, presentations or other publications in the relevant fields (up to 7 pts – 3 and more samples; 5 pts – 2 samples).

Language skills:

• Fluency in English is required. At least working knowledge of Russian/Ukrainian would be an asset – 6 points max (6 pts – fluent in English, fluent in Russian or Ukrainian; 5 pts – fluent in English, working knowledge of Russian or Ukrainian; 4 pts – fluent in English).

Maximum available technical score - 70 points.

Evaluation Method

Cumulative analysis

Contract award shall be made to the incumbent whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
• having received the cumulative highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Technical Criteria weight: 70%

Financial Criteria weight: 30%

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% from the maximum available technical score (49 points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

The maximum number of points assigned to the financial proposal is allocated to the lowest price proposal and will equal to 30. All other price proposals will be evaluated and assigned points, as per below formula:

30 points [max points available for financial part] x [lowest of all evaluated offered prices among responsive offers] / [evaluated price].

The proposal obtaining the overall cumulatively highest score after adding the score of the technical proposal and the financial proposal will be considered as the most compliant offer and will be awarded a contract.

Additional requirements for the recommended contractor:

Recommended contractors aged 62 and older shall undergo a full medical examination including x-ray, and obtain medical clearance from the UN-approved doctor prior to taking up their assignment. The medical examination shall be paid by the consultant.

The BSAFE training course must be completed before the commencement of the contract.