Background

Project Title: Reduction of POPs and UPOPs through integrated sound management of chemicals

Project Description

According to the recently completed “the update of the National Implementation Plan (NIP) of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) of the Philippines,” the Philippines still needs to work further in sound management of chemicals, in particular, the issues of:

1. inappropriate management and unclear labelling of products containing POPs labelling;
2. the need for a more comprehensive inventory on the use and stockpiles of PFOS and PBDE;
3. review of government policies on the new POPs for its reduction and eventual elimination;
4. necessity of regulatory control of newly included POPs such as Lindane, Chlordecone and Endosulfan;
5. Lack of awareness and reduction measures of POPs, particularly PFOs and PBDEs, as hazardous chemicals;
6. Inefficient and in sufficient monitoring of the health impacts of POPs pesticides, PCBs, UPOPs, PFOs and PBDEs; and
7. Lack of the knowledge and capacity to introduce clean alternative technologies/substances.

In light of the above, UNDP Philippines in collaboration with the Environment Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (EMB-DENR) will be developing a project to be funded under the Global Environment Facility (GEF) with the aim to reduce POPs and unintentionally produced POPs (UPOPs) through integrated sound management of chemicals by having a sound chemical management practice in place. A Project Preparatory Grant (PPG) Team will be formed to develop the full-size Project Document entitled – “Reduction of POPs and UPOPs through Integrated Sound Management of Chemicals”.

The project will also contribute to the implementation of some of the national priorities and strategies in chemical waste management identified through the updated NIP of the Philippines. The project intends to address the intentional use or secondary contamination of POPs (PBDEs, PFOS, PFOA, HBCD, SCCP) in paint, chrome plating, non-ferrous metal, plastic recycling and other related sectors, with the general objective to protect human health and the environment. This will be ensured through technical and financial support to enterprises, and improvement and enforcement of environmental regulations.

The first aspect to be undertaken by the project is the revision of the Philippines regulation concerning the use of POPs and PTSs, to make it compliant with the amended list of POPs under the Stockholm convention and to introduce principle of Green Chemistry and Circular economy. The revision will obviously envisage the complete banning of use, manufacturing and import of these chemicals as required by the Convention, giving industries a deadline to comply, and implementing a strict enforcement and a support mechanism for industries who will ensure compliance through the project lifetime by the adoption of a Green chemistry compliant project.

Especially because of the current economic crisis associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the capacity of industry to invest in environmental protection technologies is currently limited. For this reason, the core of the project will be the establishment of a Green Financing Fund (FREEME – Financing the Roadmap for the Environmental Enhancement of Manufacturing Enterprises) which will support firms with loan granted at a very low or null interest rate, provided that the loan is used to implement technologies or activities compliant with Green Chemistry principles or preventing the use and release of POPs. 

Institutional Arrangement

• For the duration of the contract, the International Project Development Consultant shall work under the supervision of the Climate Action Team, headed by the Team Leader, ably assisted by the Programme Associate, and will provide technical inputs and approve the outputs of the consultant.
• The UNDP Montreal Protocol Unit in Bangkok Regional Hub shall be a resource throughout the PPG process. They will provide technical inputs, guidance and quality assurance as required.
• A Project Coordinator shall be hired to work with the PPG team and liaise with government for the duration of the PPG phase.

Duration of Work

• To undertake the tasks and deliver the expected outputs, the consultant shall be engaged for a period of 60 working days spread over 8 months (February-September 2021).
• Effectivity of the engagement will be upon signing of the contract and will be valid until all outputs have been delivered and accepted.
• A period of one (1) week will be the estimated lead time for UNDP or Project Implementing Partners to review outputs, give comments, certify approval/acceptance of outputs, etc. 

Duty Station

• The duty station is in Manila, Philippines.
• The consultant, as needed to complete the tasks, is preferred to travel to the Philippines. If travel is not permitted due to travel restrictions, the consultant is required to do the work online, including spearheading consultations and meeting and the validation workshop.
• In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and declaration of State of Public Health Emergency in the Philippines, all work and travel of the Individual consultant shall be done within the guidelines and protocols set by the local and national government
• The Consultant will not be required to report to office regularly but status report on the outputs shall be expected from time to time.

Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

The proposed contract price is based on a lump sum amount paid all-inclusive for the actual professional services (indicate daily fee X number of working days), travel expenses, communications, medical insurance, supplies, etc. Payment will be made in installments based on UNDP’s acceptance of the following milestones/outputs

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives and Scope of Work

The International Project Development Specialist will be the GEF Project Preparatory Grant (PPG) Team Leader and will be responsible for quality assurance and timely preparation of all reports and documentation, including the finalized UNDP Project Document (ProDoc) and CEO

Endorsement Request, with all mandatory and project specific Annexes and supporting

documentation. The consultant is expected to lead and coordinate the project formulation team, draft and finalize the documents but not limited to:

1. a full-sized UNDP project document (ProDoc);
2. completed Co-financing letters;
3. a GEF CEO Endorsement Request (CEO ER)/Template with completed relevant GEF tracking tool;
4. respond matrix for comments from GEF and GEF council members.

Specifically, the consultant will be tasked to do the following:

1. Management of the GEF PPG Team
   1. Define and submit a detailed methodology and work plan in consultation with the other consultants with clear delegation of responsibilities for the International Consultant (IC) and National Consultants (NCs);
   2. Ensure that project development is participatory, gender-responsive and based on extensive stakeholder engagements; and
   3. Verify and ensure that all project components are technically sound and cost effective.
   4. Liaise with the DENR-EMB and the UNDP in securing of the Co-Financing letters
2. Preparatory Technical Studies and Reviews (Component A): With inputs from the national consultants, as detailed in their respective TORs:
   1. Compile baseline/situational analysis for the full-size project (FSP). This will include a precise definition of baseline projects, activities, budgets, goals and co-financial links to GEF outcomes; definition of GEF incremental value per outcome and output; and presentation of results of the incremental cost-analysis in matrices as appropriate;
   2. Lead and oversee the stakeholder analysis and consultations, with support from national consultants, particularly the National Stakeholder Expert and ensure that they are complete and comprehensive including consultations with the private sector and tourism associations and bodies;
   3. Ensure the preparation of the gender analysis by the Gender expert is complete and ensure its findings are meaningfully integrated into the project’s strategy, theory of change and results framework;
   4. Ensure action points, including risk assessments, from the UNDP Social and Environmental Screening Procedure (SESP) at the PIF stage (“pre-screening”) are fully implemented during the PPG, and update that screening in an iterative process throughout the PPG, and as appropriate;
   5. Ensure the design of appropriate project knowledge management processes and platforms, ensuring appropriate linkages to existing mechanisms and knowledge sharing in project landscapes;
   6. Lead and oversee the identification of opportunities for private sector engagement and co-financing;
   7. Ensure the preparation of partner capacity assessments and discussions on management arrangements early in the PPG process;
   8. Oversee the consultations with partners regarding financial planning; and
   9. Ensure completion of any additional studies that are determined to be needed for the preparation of the ProDoc and all other final outputs.
3. Formulation of the ProDoc, CEO Endorsement Request and Mandatory and Project Specific Annexes (Component B): With inputs from the national consultants, as detailed in their respective TORs, and based on international best practice:
   1. Develop, present and articulate the project’s theory of change;
   2. Develop the Results Framework in line with UNDP-GEF policy;
   3. Develop a detailed Monitoring and Evaluation Plan and Budget;
   4. Oversee and ensure the preparation of a comprehensive Stakeholder Engagement Plan;
   5. Oversee and ensure the preparation of a Gender Action Plan and Budget;
   6. Oversee and ensure the updating of the SESP based on assessments undertaken during Component A, and ensure the development of required environmental and/or social management plan(s) as required;
   7. Oversee and ensure inclusion of Knowledge Management systems and processes;
   8. Oversee the preparation of the required GEF tracking tools (if required) and GEF Core Indicators and ensure these are supported by robust and validated data;
   9. Secure all co-financing letters;
   10. Prepare the indicative procurement plan;
   11. Secure and present agreements on project execution and management arrangements and ensure that the project aligns with UNDP-GEF guidance on UNDP execution support;
   12. Ensure the completion of the required official endorsement letters; and
   13. Synthesize all analyses, studies, etc. that are prepared under Components A and B to produce the draft UNDP-GEF ProDoc, GEF CEO Endorsement, and all mandatory and project specific Annexes, using the templates.
4. Validation Workshop (Component C):
   1. Lead the validation workshop to present, discuss and validate the final draft ProDoc and mandatory and project specific annexes, with a special focus on the SESP and any management plans;
   2. Oversee all necessary revisions that arise during the workshop; and
   3. Ensure completion of Validation Workshop Report.
5. Final Deliverables:
   1. Consolidation of all technical and consultation inputs and comments including from national stakeholders, UNDP, GEF Secretariat, STAP and GEF Council, into a well written and concise UNDP ProDoc with all required sections and Annexes, in line with the standard UNDP-GEF ProDoc template and annotated guidance;
   2. Completion of the GEF CEO Endorsement Request;
   3. Finalized SESP (and stand-alone management plans as required);
   4. All documentation from GEF PPG (including technical reports, meeting minutes, etc.); and
   5. Validation Workshop Report.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

Competencies

Corporate competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling 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.

Functional and technical competencies

• Ability to work in a diverse and multi-cultural environment;
• Self-motivated and ability to work under pressure and to meet strict and competing deadlines;
• Displays analytical judgment and demonstrated ability to handle confidential and politically sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities

Required Skills and Experience

Criteria for Selection of the Best Offer

To select the best offer for this post, the combined scoring method will be used where the qualifications will be weighted a maximum of 70%, and combined with the price offer which will be weighted a maximum of 30%.  

For the evaluation of the CV, the selection of the successful consultant will be based on the following qualifications (with the appropriate obtainable points):

Only applications with minimum 70 points will be qualified for the financial evaluation.

Recommended Presentation of Offer

• Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;
• Curriculum Vitae, indicating all past experiences from similar projects, to prove criteria cited in technical qualification. The applicant must indicate specifically his/her role in the aforementioned experiences, e.g, Team leader, team member, Lead researcher, etc. below is a proposed format to be provided, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the candidate and at least three (3) professional references;

• Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, including the cost for the travel, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided.
• Submission of one (01) completed Project Document / Concept Paper

Interested applicants to note that personal Medical/health insurance (to be purchased by the individual at his/her own expense) is mandatory for the issuance of contracts. Upon award of the contract, the consultant must be ready to submit proof of insurance valid during the contract duration.

The following templates / Annexes and IC General Terms & Conditions can be downloaded from http://gofile.me/6xdJm/bE9TCw8fU:

• General Terms and Conditions for Individual Contract
• Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability
• P-11 form

In view of the volume of applications, UNDP receives, only shortlisted offerors will be notified.