Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), acting as an implementing agency of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), is providing assistance to the Government of Tajikistan’s Committee of Environmental in the implementation of the GEF funded “Enabling activities for the preparation of the First Biennial Update Report (FBUR) and Fourth National Communication (4NC) under the UNFCCC” project.

The Conference of Parties (COP) in Lima (2014) stressed out that climate policy is a part of a complex and comprehensive development policy, where a strong emphasis should be made on enhanced coordination between investments, climate ambitions and global development processes. Financing adaptation and mitigation ambitions are closely interlinked with sustainable development principles, while fighting against climate change is listed as a Goal 13 in SDGs. For Tajikistan, NC and FBUR preparation process will support synchronization of climate change efforts with existing global interventions at least in the context of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) initiative. At the same time, Tajikistan is expected to participate in the Central Asian regional platforms for a joint positioning on climate change and sustainable development.

The objective of the project is to assist the Government of Tajikistan in preparation of its First Biennial Update Report (FBUR) and Fourth National Communication (4NC) under the UNFCCC Convention in accordance with its commitments as a non-Annex 1 Party (as mandated by Article 4 and 12 of this Convention) and COP 17 decisions. At the same time, arrangements to establish the domestic MRV and launch a regular data collection process for GHG emissions around key categories of the national GHG Inventory in the national statistics system will be assessed and supported.

Over the past decade Tajikistan has progressed in climate policy formulation, prioritization of adaptation goals, capacity building and practical interventions on a community-based level in the context of Pilot Program for Climate Resilience (PPCR) investment envelope. The project looks at how to link NC and BUR process to the best practices and lessons learned acquired in the frames of PPCR and showcase these outside the country. 

Duties and Responsibilities

The International Consultant will design and develop an accessible MRV-based system to collect, process and analyze GHG emissions so that to ease the process of the national GHG inventory reports in a sustainable and regular manner.

The International Consultant will work closely with national experts and national stakeholder institutions, under direct supervision of Project Manager (PM) and UNDP CO Team Leader on Climate Change, Disaster Risk Management and Environmental Protection Cluster. Specifically, his/her responsibilities are but not limited to the following:

  • A prototype of the accessible MRV-based system for regular GHG inventories developed and provided for review; a first round of comments from the project team collected/documented
  • An extended version of the system (based on prototype) developed and submitted for review and testing among the national stakeholders and potential users;
  • Capacity building exercise to use the best software (at least three webinars) for the practitioners and experts, who will be using the system on inventory GHG and precursors, conducted; comments and suggestions collected, documented and integrated;
  • Final accessible MRV-based IT system architecture, based on revisions and improvements made through the testing process and feedback from the stakeholders/users produced;
  • Development of a roadmap for establishment of a complete database for the inventory of greenhouse gases (also precursors and HFCs) controlled by the Kyoto Protocol, with the technical possibilities to import data from Excel and XML format.
  • Hand-over process to a third party (governmental entity), containing a package of codes, specifications and technical requirements to host and maintain the system provided.

For detailed information, please refer to Annex 3 - Terms of Reference.

Competencies

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

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications:

  • University Degree in mathematics, calculus and/or information technology systems;

Years of experience:

  • At least 10 years of professional experience in design and architecture of IT systems with the focus on extensive set of data collection, processing and analysis;
  • Proven experience in modern interactive web design, MVC frameworks, javascript, CSS, App development, cloud computing, etc.

Competencies:

  • Knowledge in developing of MRV-based GHG inventory database system and similar types of products: experience with CIS countries and specifics in data collection is an asset;
  • Excellent analytical and outstanding communication skills;
  • Fluency in Russian is mandatory. English is an asset

Application Procedure:

Please follow the link to download Individual Consultant Procurement Notice and follow the application procedures indicated in the downloaded ICPN: 

http://www.undp.tj/va/upload/va/ICPN%20IC_System%20Architecture%20MRV.pdf 

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.