UNDP Jobs - 91972- International Consultant on Agriculture Sector Vul

International Consultant on Agriculture Sector Vulnerability and Adaptation Issues

Location :

Yerevan, ARMENIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

08-Jul-2020

Application Deadline :

15-Jun-20 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

July 2020 – July 2022 (Framework Agreement -estimated 40 work days per year)

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

"National Adaptation Plan (NAP) to advance medium and long-term adaptation planning in Armenia” UNDP project builds on the national climate priorities summarized in the 2015 NDC, and will support the Government of Armenia to advance its medium and long-term adaptation planning. The Green Climate Fund resources will be used to enable the government to integrate climate change related risks, coping strategies and opportunities into ongoing development planning and budgeting processes. The Government of Armenia sees the NAP process as a key step to achieving the adaptation objectives of its 2015 Nationally Determined Contribution.

With the development of a NAP process, Armenia will lay the groundwork for the systemic and iterative identification of medium- and long-term climate-induced risks, climate change adaptation priorities, and specific activities that promote climate adaptive and resilient growth in its key sectors. Concurrently, as part of the localization of the Sustainable Development Goals, the NAP process will contribute to the formulation of corresponding national climate-responsive indicators and targets.

The project will develop national, sectoral and territorial adaptation plans, their implementation strategies and other related documents to be approved by the Government of Armenia and/or Prime-Minister of Armenia. The priority sectors of the project: water, agriculture, energy, health, tourism and human settlements.

For more project information visit: http://www.nature-ic.am/en/projects/National-Adaptation-Plan/1030.

The objective of this assignment is to provide professional and comprehensive consultancy to the UNDP- GCF NAP Project Management Unit in relation to agriculture sector vulnerability under climate change and adaptation issues.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of UNDP CO and overall guidance of UNDP Climate Change Programme Coordinator and direct supervision and guidance of the Project Manager, the International Consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

Review the UNDP-GCF NAP Project Document with regard to the objectives and goals related to the agriculture sector adaptation, as well as relevant current agricultural policies and programs in Armenia, vulnerability assessments and forecasts to obtain an understanding of the operating environment of the project. Provide professional consultancy and assist the Project management in identifying the most important issues that need to be sorted out and addressed on a priority basis.
Based on identified needs related to the agriculture sector vulnerability and adaptation issues, present and agree with the project management the key directions and envisaged deliverables for service provider companies and individual contractors; develop TORs for outsourcing of respective professional services according to the UNDP standards. The developed TORs requirements should to the ultimate goal of the project aimed at increasing country resilience with particular agriculture sector V&A analysis. Inter alia focus on climate change considering vulnerability and adaptation assessments under National Communications, Armenian’s NDC, EU CEPA as well as other international obligations and gender aspects must be considered in the TORs.
Provide professional input into the review and evaluation of the applications of the service provider companies as well as individual contractors against the TOR requirements.
Conduct oversight over the task implementation process by the contracted service provider companies and individual contractors and professional review of the planned deliverables, including review of the reports (interim, final); prepare comments and recommendations on the submitted reports.
Assist Project management and provide professional input in identification of necessary improvements for mainstreaming of the climate change adaptation concerns through regulatory framework and sector development plans through development of appropriate background documentation based on analysis done, in the frames of the project, including cost benefit analysis.
Participate in the events related to the above mentioned activities and make presentations whenever required. Participate in and co-facilitate trainings and workshops with the UNDP GCF Project team whenever required.
Provide reports on all undertakings as relevant. All reports must be submitted to the UNDP CO Armenia and made in accordance with requirements to reporting, in line with agreed timelines with the project management. The reporting language is English.

Note: Services under this assignment are needed on an intermittent and repetitive basis, therefore Framework Agreement modality will apply. For each single specific call-offs, the respective detailed TOR with specified outputs and applicable number of working days will follow in line with the main scope of works of this assignment.

Competencies

Good knowledge of agriculture management, particularly related to the vulnerability under climate change;
Strong analytic and strategic thinking to advise on climate change adaptation strategy in agriculture sector;
Ability to work independently and to participate effectively in a team based information sharing, good communication skills;
Strong track record with producing high quality research and strong quantitative skills in project design, and planning; Demonstrated attention to details and organizational skills;
Strong interpersonal skills with ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with people of different professional, social and cultural backgrounds;
Excellent coordination and collaboration skills, with ability to work under time pressure and handle multiple activities and projects concurrently
Excellent analytical and writing skills;
Timely delivery of high quality products.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Advanced university degree in agriculture, soil science or other relevant fields.

Experience

At least 7 years of working experience in the agriculture sector;
At least 5 years of experience of the context of climate change related issues and adaptation planning in agriculture sector;
Experience with agriculture sector project planning and consulting, including the effective provision of substantive guidance, oversight, monitoring and reporting for projects with similar scope and complexity;
Experience and good knowledge of transition economies, or countries with similar to Armenia national circumstances.

Language Skills

Fluency in English, knowledge of Russian is an asset.

INDIVIDUAL CANDIDATES WILL BE EVALUATED BASED ON THE FOLLOWING METHODOLOGY:

Candidates will be evaluated using a cumulative analysis method taking into consideration the combination of the applicants' technical qualifications, experience and financial proposal. The contract will be awarded to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as technically responsive/compliant/acceptable to the requirements of the ToR and received the highest cumulative (technical and financial) score out of below defined technical and financial criteria.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points in the technical evaluation would be considered for financial evaluation.

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

Criteria A-desk review: (Advanced degree in agriculture, soil science or related field) – 5 max points
Criteria B-desk review : (At least 7 years of working experience in the agriculture sector) – 10 max points
Criteria C-desk review: (At least 5 years of experience of the context of climate change related issues and adaptation planning in agriculture sector) – 15 max points
Criteria D-desk review and interview: (Knowledge and Experience with agriculture sector project planning and consulting, including the effective provision of substantive guidance, oversight, monitoring and reporting for projects with similar scale, scope and complexity) – 25 max points
Criteria E-desk review and interview: (Proven experience and good knowledge of transition economies, and the context of climate change related issues in agriculture sector) – max 10 points
Criteria F- desk review and interview: (Language skills) – 5 max points

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation - max. 30 points.

Note: The financial proposal is all-inclusive daily fee and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services).

If country missions are requested, in addition to the consultancy fee the expert will be paid the cost of economy class round trip ticket, terminal and visa (if needed) expenses, as well as DSA during in country missions according to the established UNDP rates and procedures

DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE APPLICATION.

Financial Proposal and Availability form: OFFEROR’S LETTER TO UNDP
CV shall include Education/Qualification, Processional Certification, Employment Records /Experience

General Conditions of Contract is available here: http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/documents/procurement/documents/IC%20-%20General%20Conditions.pdf.

Note: Please note you can upload only one document to this application (scan all documents in one single PDF file to attach).