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.

In order to identify the best international practices and experience in environmental education in secondary schools, UNDP is seeking to hire an Environmental Education Expert with strong practical experience and knowledge of the subject matter. 

Duties and Responsibilities

MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The overall objective of the assignment is to conduct an analysis of the compliance of Ukrainian legislation in the area of environmental education in secondary schools to the international obligations of Ukraine in the educational field, as well as to research best international practices and experiences in environmental education roll-out and regulation for elaborating recommendations in line with international obligations, relevant to and 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 in collaboration with the Project Team the Consultant is expected to undertake the following activities:

• Review the background documents provided by UNDP to obtain a better understanding of the goals and context. Develop a detailed work plan identifying timelines, activities, priorities and deliverables for the period of assignment in consultation with UNDP and submit to UNDP for approval.
• Analyse compliance of Ukrainian legislation in the area of environmental education, including climate change, in secondary schools to the international obligations of Ukraine in the educational field, assess needs and gaps, degree of overregulation at regulatory acts level (if any). Provide analysis as regards the primary school level (1-4 grades, age of 6-10 years), secondary base school level (5-9 grades, age of 10-15 years) and secondary last school level (9-12 grades, age of 15-18 years). Findings should be reflected in the Analytical Report (up to 20 pages with annexes, in Ukrainian), developed according to the structure preliminary agreed with UNDP.
• Review international best experiences and practices in the introduction and governmental regulation of environmental education in secondary schools, separately for primary, secondary base and secondary last school levels, including:

- Develop a concept and research plan on studying international practice. The concept and the plan should cover the outline of research methodology and suggest the countries that are subject for the study (Central and Eastern European countries 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.

- Review legal and policy approaches in the selected countries (including significant changes within the last 10 years), as well as identify and review past international assistance projects in the field of environmental education in schools.

- Prepare Analytical Report (up to 20 pages with annexes, Ukrainian) on experience of Parliaments/governments in introduction and regulation of environmental education is schools, summarizing which legal/policy interventions proved to be efficient, and which had to be changed. The report should also include visual representation of key principles, interventions, stakeholders and success factors (e.g. mind map or system map or similar). Such draft should be prepared in MS Word document, and complemented with a slide-deck summary.

• Elaborate recommendations for implementation and regulation of the environmental education in schools taking into account best international practices and existing national system and legislation.
• Provide support to organize stakeholder consultations to discuss draft recommendations, in particular:

a) Develop presentations (PowerPoint or another format agreed with UNDP, in Ukrainian).

b) Develop or provide support with relevant infographics and data visualizations, including coordinating the development of infographics on environmental education implementation in Ukraine with the designer, if required.

c) Develop the list of relevant stakeholders to be engaged to consultation and event agenda.

d) Act as an expert/panel member to present the reports, presentation, infographics and data visualisations developed.

e) Provide explanatory notes and discussion of offered recommendations with policymakers, governmental representatives, and other interested parties.

• Finalize the Report (up to 20 pages with annexes, Ukrainian) incorporating participants’ recommendations and comments, and provide for UNDP consideration.
• Provide support in conducting at least one workshop/event to present the Report to all interested parties (including policymakers, non-government organisations, donors and other).
• Events / discussions mentioned in 3.4.1 & 3.4.3 are planned to be organized virtually online and the format is to be agreed with UNDP. In case of unforeseeable offline events, logistical arrangements for those, in particular the venue, participants travel, catering and similar, will be covered by UNDP.
• 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.

Deliverables

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: 

• 50% of the total contract value will be paid upon completion of the Deliverables 1- 3 as per TOR.
• 50% of the total contract value will be paid upon completion of the Deliverable 4-5 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, if not mentioned otherwise. 

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, environmental management, social science, pedagogical studies, international relations or related field.

Work Experience

• At least 5 years of proven experience (consultancy, development, design) in environmental, climate, nature conservation education and related issues.
• At least 2 year of prior experience in conducting public consultation and/or events, conducting analysis and/or preparing analytical papers or reports, analysing legal and policy interventions, legal approximation and/or providing expertise of draft legal acts and/or related fields preferably in the area of sustainable development, environment or related.
• At least 1 year of experience working with or for ministries, state agencies, Parliament or its support structures.
• Previous experience in the national policy design and advisory support for reforms would be an asset.
• Previous relevant experience with UNDP, other UN Agency, international organizations or donors would be an asset.
• Extensive knowledge of environmental, climate, nature conservation education in schools in Ukraine, understanding of SDGs, proved by at least 3 samples of prepared or co-authored analytical reports, policy analysis, presentations, articles, guidebooks or other publications in the relevant fields.

Language (s)

Fluency in Ukrainian is required. Fluency in English would be an asset.  

DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS

Applicants shall submit the following documents:

• 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 3 samples of prepared or co-authored analytical reports, policy analysis, presentations, articles, guidebooks or other publications in the relevant fields.

Financial proposal

Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP

UNDP documents templates are available at the following link:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/gl77bauo27ed0l9/AACGhkF0QmlC5dhm5HZutu2Fa?dl=0

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. Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

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 – 5 points max

(At least Master’s/Specialist’s degree in economics, law, environmental management, social science, pedagogical studies, international relations or related field)

{up to 5 pts – PhD degree in the relevant field; 3 pts – Master’s / Specialist’s degree in the relevant field}

Professional Experience:

Working experience:

• At least 5 years of proven experience (consultancy, development, design) in environmental, climate, nature conservation education and related issues – 15 points max

{up to 15 pts – 6 years and more; 12 pts – 5 years}

• At least 2 years of prior experience in conducting public consultation and/or events, analysis and/or preparing analytical papers or reports, analysing legal and policy interventions, legal approximation and/or providing expertise of draft legal acts and/or related fields preferably in the area of sustainable development, environment or related – 15 points max

{up to 15 pts – 3 years and more; 12 pts – 2 years}

• At least 1 year of experience working with or for ministries, state agencies, Parliament or its support structures – 12 points max

{up to 12 pts – 3 years and more; 10 pts – 1-2 years}

• Previous experience in the national policy design and advisory support for reforms – 3 points max

{3 pts – yes; 0 pts – no}

• Previous relevant experience with UNDP, other UN Agency, international organizations or donors – 3 points max

{3 pts – yes; 0 pts – no}

Writing skills – 12 points max

Extensive knowledge of environmental, climate, nature conservation education in schools in Ukraine, understanding of SDGs, proved by at least 3 samples of prepared or co-authored analytical reports, policy analysis, presentations, articles, guidebooks or other publications in the relevant fields

{up to 12 pts – 4 samples and more; 10 pts – 3 samples}

Language skills:

• Fluency in Ukrainian is required. Fluency in English would be an asset – 5 points max

{5 pts – Fluency in Ukrainian and English; 3 pts – Fluency in Ukrainian and working level of English; 2 pts – Fluency in Ukrainian}

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:

a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

b) 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.