Climate change presents the single biggest threat to sustainable development and is already causing widespread, unprecedented impacts that disproportionately burden the poorest, marginalized and most vulnerable. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) indicates that urgent and transformative action is necessary to keep global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees or below, adapt to global threats, and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Under the 2015 Paris Agreement, countries unanimously agreed to work toward global goals that would limit global average temperature rise. A key principle in the Paris Agreement is that no country should backslide on its intentions, which were put forward in climate action plans known as “Nationally Determined Contributions”, or NDCs. All countries are expected to submit increasingly ambitious NDCs every five years, often described as a “ratchet mechanism”. A first opportunity to do so is in 2020. Achieving the Paris Agreement’s goals will require an emissions peak as soon as possible, followed by sharp reductions in GHG emissions. Therefore, many see high ambition in 2020 as fundamental to get on track to 1.5oC and counter a worrying trend of rising emissions.

UNDP is well-positioned to support countries on these efforts, with a long track record of supporting NDC processes globally, which has led to insights on critical bottlenecks, key success factors, emerging trends and anticipated support needs. In 2014, UNDP and UNFCCC jointly launched a series of regional technical dialogues that provided a neutral space for countries to share experiences on NDCs and build trust. In all, 22 dialogues have been held, attracting 2200+ participants from 150 countries. UNDP also assisted 43 countries to submit intended NDCs in 2015 and now supports 63 countries to strengthen core elements of NDC architecture, such as gender-responsive institutional coordination, whole-of-government approaches, strengthened transparency systems, and mainstreaming of NDC targets. These efforts are underpinned by a $3.2BN grant-financed portfolio of climate action in 142 countries.

In response, UNDP announced its Climate Promise landmark initiative to leverage its extensive climate portfolio and scale up urgently-needed support for NDC enhancement in 100 countries, working in close collaboration with UN system partners (e.g. UNEP, FAO, UNICEF), IRENA, the NDC Partnership, the Green Climate Fund, and other strategic partners. An integrated approach will be used that harnesses the wide-ranging expertise of UNDP’s Global Policy Network to strengthen climate solutions with perspectives from governance, health, water, gender equality, women’s and youth empowerment, disaster risk reduction, and inclusive growth, among others.

UNDP service lines in the framework of Climate Promise include the following:

1: Build Political Will & Societal Ownership at National/Sub-National Levels;

2: Review, Align & Update/Enhance Current NDC Targets, Policies & Measures;

3: Incorporate Additional Sectors &/or GHGs;

4: Assess Costs & Investment Opportunities;

5: Monitor Progress & Strengthen Transparency.

Given the above, UNDP Country Office in Azerbaijan is recruiting a consultant to facilitate and coordinate implementation of the UNDP Climate Promise in Azerbaijan. The consultant will work under overall guidance of the Resident Representative, the direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative in collaboration with the relevant environmental team.

After being static from 2014 to 2016, global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions rose to historic highs in 2018 according to the IEA 2019 Global Energy and CO2 Status Report, driven by higher energy consumption.

Scope and Timing

The assignment is expected to take place over a 10 months’ period from 01st July 2020 to 30th April 2021 with a goal to complete the documentation package to be submitted to the Resident Representative and Deputy Resident Representative not later than April 2021.

Role

The main objective of this assignment is to support UNDP Country Office in Azerbaijan to implement the Climate Promise and to assist the governments in the process of updating/enhancing their NDCs under the Paris Agreement. The Consultant will also support Country Office by delivering advice on a broader climate change and climate policy development agenda. The Consultant will support the preparation of at least one (1) environment related project document, based on the work undertaken in enhancing the NDC.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the UNDP DRR and will closely coordinate with the global and regional Climate Promise coordination and support team. The Consultant will provide support to Country Office in delivering UNDP Climate Promise and supporting climate action and project development, will be assessing country’s progress with implementing NDCs, will guide country in the process of updating the NDCs, and will support Country Office reporting on Climate Promise. The specific deliverables are:

Task 1. Needs assessment and work plan for the assignmnet:

1. Desk review of UNDP Climate Promise offer and finalize Climate Promise Work Plans in Azerbaijan;

2. Conduct consultations with the Energy, Climate, and Environment programme as well as IRH and HQ Climate Promise coordination team and technical teams supporting the Climate Promise;

3. Map needs for technical advice and support for the Climate Promise implementation in Azerbaijan;

4. Map potential public and private funds to prepare a costed plan to meet Climate Promise in Azerbaijan;

5. Develop a detailed work plan for the assignment;

6. Identify and synthesize of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to the Climate Promise and, the UNDP programme portfolio including SDG integration, Accelerator Labs and climate/environment portfolio;

7. Keep well-informed of new developments and innovative approaches/solutions in the areas of climate change and environmental management and actively prepare proposals, contribute to the country office knowledge management, learning process and corporate knowledge tools;

8. Identify preliminary concepts for project development related to environment and energy efficiency, climate finance.

Task 2. Stakeholder management, resource mobilization on the Climate Promise implementation and climate action in Azerbaijan.

1. Support  high-level dialogues between UNDP and the Government on the implementation of the Climate Promise Work Plan and in particular on advancing low-carbon development agenda and raising the ambition of Azerbaijan NDC;

2. Assist the CO and the Government in identifying and liaising with high quality internal (UNDP) and external expertise and think tanks on climate policy instruments, low carbon development, renewable energy, economic analysis of low-carbon development options, climate finance instruments and climate investment;   

3. Track implementation of the Climate Promise Work Plan and update the Work Plan upon consultations with the national counterparts by flagging and addressing the bottlenecks in the implementation of the Climate Promise Work Plan in Azerbaijan

4. Organize  and lead/participate in the national Climate Promise workshops and dialogues at the request of CO;

5. Develop a bankable project document based on the environmental priorities of Azerbaijan and the national priorities highlighted in the enhanced NDC to submitted for funding through the Climate Investment Platform and other sources.

6. Provide recommendations on incorporating best international practices in the NDC development, propose options for engagement of the private sector and civil society in Climate Promise delivery;

7. Provide technical advice to IRH and CO on the low carbon and resilient development, including mainstreaming climate action into development policies and plans, and promoting whole of government approaches that integrate the 2030 Agenda the Paris and Sendai agreements;

8. Provide recommendations for longer-term strategic service lines for UNDP in support of decarbonization of Azerbaijan economy in line with Climate Promise goals and for building up UNDP’s climate change pipeline in the country;

9. Provide regular monthly reports on the implementation of this deliverable.

Task 3. Analytical reports and communication on the NDC update and Climate Promise progress and results in Azerbaijan.

1. Review and assess individual deliverables under the national Climate Promise Plans in consultations with the CO and Climate Promise support teams;

2. Contribute to the UNDP corporate communication materials on Climate Promise and on a broader climate change agenda;

3. Support knowledge management on climate change policies and strategies, integrated low carbon and resilient development and climate action;

4. Support UNDP Azerbaijan in analyzing and consolidating its climate change portfolio in order to maximize efficiency of Climate Promise support and identify entry points for new programming;

5. Contribute to the corporate analysis and reporting on Climate Promise upon request;

6. Develop regular reports on Climate Promise implementation in Azerbaijan to CO, IRH and HQs – at least monthly, ad-hock reports could be requested - end of each calendar month;

7. Develop final report on Climate Promise implementation in Azerbaijan with the analysis of results, lessons learned and recommendations. 

3. EXPECTED DELIVERABLES AND TIMETABLE

Language: The reports and all final documents and reports should be submitted to UNDP in English. If the reports and documents are to be translated into Azerbaijani, then they will need to be done at the cost of the UNDP Country Office.

Location: The assignment is home and mission based.

Travels: This assignment will include missions to Azerbaijan (4  missions for 5 days ) and UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub (2 missions per 5 days). And 1 in New York, Headquarter.

In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and the Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed. In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources. Approval of the DRR is required prior to planning of the trips and relevant logistics.

Reporting:

The consultant will work under overall guidance of the Resident Representative, the direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative in collaboration with the relevant environmental focal person to ensure successful achievement of the main deliverables.

The consultant must ensure timely fulfillment of his/her assisting and support actions, including reporting, thus making timely and sufficient contribution to the timely preparation and submission of the assignments.

In number of deliverables and content. They should be aligned.  Here you might not need to repeat the wording but may reference above section. But number of deliverables should be the same and they all should be linked to payment.

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in economics, energy, environmental studies, climate policy or related disciplines;

• At least 5 years of professional experience with developing climate change policy (NDCs or LEDS) and projects on the international level and/or at national level;

• Experience with climate change policies and projects in the following additional sectors is an asset: energy, industry, transport, agriculture;

• Experience with developing or implementing of climate change policies and projects is considered an asset;

• Working experience especially in Azerbaijan in climate change and projects is an advantage;

• Knowledge of policy issues associated with the Paris Agreement and its implementation, specifically in the area of NDC development and implementation;

• Knowledge and experience on climate finance, Green stimulus plans, post-COVID 19 Building back greener is an asset;

• Previous experience with UNDP is an asset.

• Excellent English writing skills are essential;

7. EVALUATION

8. MONITORING

The  Consultant will work under the supervision of the DRR to ensure successful achievement of the main deliverables.

The  Consultant will:

• No later than 10 working days after signing the Contract, submit for the approval of the DRR an approach of work for each of the deliveries and a detailed work plan.

• Submit final report for each deliverable identified above summarizing all outputs produced.

• The Consultant shall be solely liable for the accuracy and reliability of the data provided, links to sources of information used;

• The Consultant will be submitting the reports based on the results achieved to be approved by DRR, which will serve as justification for payments;

• All materials produced by the Consultant are the property of UNDP and can be used only upon agreement.

9. ATTACHMENTS:

• UNDP General Conditions of Contracts for the services of individual contractors

• Template for confirmation of interest

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate eligibility of their qualifications:

• Offeror’s letter to UNDP conforming interest and availability for the Individual Contractor (IC) Assignment, including the Breakdown of Costs Supporting the Final All-Inclusive Price as per Template.

• CV or duly filled out and signed P11 Form. The applicants may download the above forms from the following link:  https://www.az.undp.org/content/azerbaijan/en/home/procurement.html

• Description of Approach to Work

As the system accepts only 1 attachment, the applicants are required upload all the 3 documents above to the system as a one combined file attachment.

If any of the above-mentioned documents is missing UNDP holds the right to reject the respective proposal altogether.