Background

A. BACKGROUND 

In the north-east of the country, the area known as the haor basin is considered a unique ecosystem, with each of the haor basin wetlands representing key elements of a complex hydrological, biological and ecological system, supporting a significant assemblage of rare and vulnerable species of plants and animals, including endemic species. The whole area supports large numbers of migratory water-birds arriving from northern Palearctic regions upon the onset of the winter season. Within this region lies the Tanguar Haor - a unique freshwater wetland ecosystem covering 9,727 hectares. This complex ecosystem, known for its many species of fish and as a staging and over-wintering area for at least half a million migratory birds, supports the lives of about 60,000 inhabitants in 88 villages around its periphery. It also supports the last vestiges of freshwater, evergreen swamp forests. The Government of Bangladesh declared the wetland an Ecologically Critical Area (ECA) in 1999, considering its critical condition as a result of the overexploitation of its natural resources. The haor was declared a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention (Ramsar site) in 2000 on account of its rich biodiversity, supporting many nationally and globally threatened species.  The principal wetland habitats in Tanguar Haor include open water vegetation (with submerged and floating aquatic plants), seasonally inundated mixed herbaceous vegetation, freshwater evergreen swamp forests, reed beds, and rice fields.  At least two plant species, Duchesnea indica and Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides, are considered very rare and about 25 species are considered rare. There are about 54 small, medium and large beels within Tanguar Haor that are connected to rivers or inter-connected among each other, which contribute to its unique character and the range of ecosystems and habitats represented. Some of the beels are perennial while others are seasonal.

People living around Tanguar Haor are generally poor, of which around 95% are dependent on the wetland for their livelihoods, mostly through fishing, fish trading, boating and agriculture.  The provision of ecosystem services makes the wetland a major livelihood source for the people. Most economic activity includes commercial fishing, fuelwood sales, hunting of waterfowl, harvesting, and sale of grass and reed, and farming. Additionally, the wetland provides water storage, drinking and irrigation water, flood control, groundwater recharge, recreation, and transport services. An estimate of the total annual benefits from Tanguar Haor based on different ecosystem values is USD 20.46 million, of which provisioning services account for an estimated 78% of the total. Annually harvested wetland products are estimated at USD 1.6–4 million, with fish contributing around 64% of the net value.

Despite the high level of biodiversity and variety of ecosystems and the economic value of the Tanguar Hoar to the local population, ecological degradation is taking place.

The threats to Tanguar Haor are as follows:

·  Habitat degradation and fragmentation is caused by expanding human settlement and agriculture, shifting cultivation in the hills, and other changes in patterns of land use that result in the conversion of natural wetlands to other land use.

·  Changes in hydrological regime, also caused by changes in land-use patterns and the associated construction of flood management infrastructure.

·  Pollution of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems from the discharge of effluents, dumping of waste, agro-chemicals, erosion of soil due to agricultural and construction activities, and vehicle emissions.

·  Over-exploitation and other unsustainable uses of natural resources.

·   Unplanned tourism, particularly badly conceived and implemented nature-based tourism that relies on responsible, sustainable approaches to developing and managing tourism destinations.

·   Invasive alien species, particularly the introduction of exotic species of fish since the 1950s, resulting in rivers and wetlands becoming colonized by highly invasive species that predate on, or outcompete indigenous species.

·   Climate change impacts, including rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and increasing frequency of extreme weather events (e.g. flooding, cyclones, flash floods, etc.).

There are also barriers that need to be addressed to restore and maintain favorable ecological conditions in the Tan guar Hoar.

They are:

• Limited institutional coordination, funding, and recognition of the benefits of community participation in the long-term sustainable management of the Tanguar Hoar
• Conflicts in resource management and limited recognition of ecosystem service values
• Limited opportunities for local institutions and communities to improve livelihoods
• Limited awareness, knowledge sharing, information collection, and monitoring related to wetland resource management

Considerable experience and information have accumulated over the last few years from a number of wetland projects, supported the establishment and management of Tanguar Haor to address pressures on natural resources. In 2002, a historic milestone was achieved in the management and conservation of Tanguar Haor and its rich biodiversity after the traditional leasing of Tanguar Haor was stopped and its management was brought under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC). As a result, the nodal MoEFCC took the initiative to establish a community-based management system in Tanguar Haor during a three-phased project (December 2006-August 2016). However, this effort requires substantial strengthening and commitment to strengthening the role of the community in the planning and management of the wetland.

Building on the past initiatives, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) and UNDP Bangladesh has developed a full-sized project (FSP) project concept for GEF funding i.e. “Community-based Management of Tanguar Haor Wetland in Bangladesh” with the objective to promote sustainable use of wetland resources by local communities to conserve globally significant biodiversity, improve ecosystem services and secure local livelihoods in Tanguar Haor. Thus, the project will thus, the proposed project will contribute directly to the delivery of Aichi Biodiversity Targets 11, 12, 14, 15, and 18. The long-term solution that the project seeks to address is to further strengthen an integrated ecosystem co-management approach for Tanguar Haor, through appropriate institutional and financial resource arrangements.

The project components are:

1. Components 1: Integrated ecosystem co-management framework for Tanguar Haor;
2. Components 2: Strengthened community management of wetland resources; and
3. Components 3: Knowledge Management, M&E, Communications, and Gender Mainstreaming

B. OBJECTIVES:

The email objective of this assignment is to develop a comprehensive project document and guide other national consultants to finalize the project document with all mandatory and project-specific annexes and supporting documentation. The project concept (Project Identification Form/PIF) for the FSP has been endorsed by the GEF Secretariat and a Project Preparation Grant (PPG) approved. The PIF can be accessed via https://www.thegef.org/project/community-based-management-tanguar-haor-wetland-bangladesh

Duties and Responsibilities

C. SCOPE OF WORK

The International Consultant for Project Development will be the GEF PPG Team Leader and 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. S/he will be responsible for guiding and overseeing the work of all consultants in the GEF PPG Team, working closely with the other national consultants, UNDP CO project team, and govt counterpart.

Due to the ongoing COVID pandemic, it is likely that the bulk of the work might have to be conducted remotely, but the consultant is expected to travel to Bangladesh if travel restrictions are eased.

1. Management of the GEF PPG Team

• Define and submit a detailed methodology and work plan in consultation with the other consultants and clear delegation of responsibilities of the National Consultants and the International Consultant;
• Ensure that project development is participatory, gender-responsive, and based on extensive stakeholder engagements; and
• Verify and ensure that all project components are technically sound and cost-effective;

2. Preparatory Technical Studies and Reviews (Component A): With inputs from national consultants, as detailed in their respective TORs:

• 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;
• Lead and oversee stakeholder analysis and consultations with support from the national consultants, and ensure that they are complete and comprehensive;
• Ensure the preparation of gender analysis and ensure its findings are meaningfully integrated into the project’s strategy, the theory of change, and results in the framework;
• 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 ensure that the screening is updated (using the new SESP) in an iterative process throughout the PPG, and as appropriate; including the COVID risk analysis and opportunities and climate screening opportunities;
• Oversee the identification of the project sites, with documentation of selection criteria and making sure that geo-referenced data and maps are clearly presented both for targeted protected areas and broader landscapes, as applicable;
• Ensure the design of appropriate project knowledge management processes and platforms, ensuring appropriate linkages to existing mechanisms and knowledge sharing in project landscapes;
• Lead and oversee the identification of opportunities for private sector engagement and co-financing;
• Incorporate the results of partner capacity assessments and/or HACTs provided by UNDP CO and the discussions and agreements on management and execution arrangements into the Project design;
• Oversee consultations with partners regarding financial planning; and
• 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 ProDoc, CEO Endorsement Request, Mandatory and Project Specific Annexes (Component B): With inputs from national consultants, as detailed in their respective TORs and based on international best practice:

• Develop, present, and articulate the project’s theory of change;
• Develop the Results Framework, including indicator baselines, mid-term and end-of-project targets, in line with UNDP-GEF policy;
• Develop a detailed Monitoring and Evaluation Plan and Budget;
• Oversee and ensure the preparation of a comprehensive Stakeholder Engagement Plan;
• Oversee and ensure the preparation of a Gender Action Plan and Budget;
• Oversee and ensure the update of the SESP based on assessments undertaken during Component A, and ensure the development of the required environmental and/or social management plan(s) as required;
• Oversee the preparation of climate change risk assessments (refer to STAP guidance on climate risk screening) and GHG emission reduction estimates.
• Prepare Knowledge Management and Communication strategy for the project;
• Oversee the preparation of the required GEF tracking tools and GEF Core Indicators and ensure these are supported by robust and validated data;
• Support UNDP CO Bangladesh in securing all co-financing letters;
• Prepare an indicative procurement plan with support from UNDP CO;
• Secure and present agreements on project execution and management arrangements and ensure that the project aligns with UNDP-GEF guidance on UNDP execution support, working closely with UNDP CO;
• Support UNDP CO Bangladesh in ensuring the completion of the required official endorsement letters; and
• 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):

• Lead a validation workshop to present, discuss and validate the final draft ProDoc and mandatory and project-specific annexes, with a special focus on SESP and any management plans. (validation workshop will be organized virtually if COVID-19 restrictions are in place);
• Oversee all the necessary revisions that arise during the workshop; and
• Ensure completion of Validation Workshop Report;

5.Final Outcome

• 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;
• Completion of GEF CEO Endorsement Request;
• Timely submission of the finalized SESP & ESMF (and any stand-alone management plans as required) ensuring that these are submitted for the internal safeguards review and clearance at least two months before the internal PTA technical clearance of the rest of the documents;
• Finalized Gender Mainstreaming Plan, Stakeholder Plan, Climate Risk Screening Report, COVID Analysis Report, and all other documentation from GEF PPG (including technical reports, meeting minutes, etc.); and
• Validation Workshop Report

Competencies

D. COMPETENCIES

• Excellent oral and written English and Bangla communication skills, and exceptional technical writing and presentation capabilities;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
• Teamwork, plans, prioritizes, and delivers tasks on time;
• Demonstrates integrity by modeling UN values and ethical standards;
• Displays culture, gender, religion, race, nationality, age sensitivity, and adaptability;
• High-level planning, organizational and time management skills, including flexibility, attention to detail, and the ability to work under pressure to meet challenging deadlines;
• Analytical and problem-solving skills of a high order, including the ability to formulate recommendations and advise senior management on tackling difficult scenarios;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish strong cooperative relationships with senior government officials, civil society, and donors;
• Ability to quickly adapt to change, and to remain calm under pressure;
• Proven cross-cultural communication and the ability to function effectively in an international, multicultural environment.
• Responds flexibly & positively to change through active involvement;
• Demonstrated leadership, facilitation, and coordination skills with the ability to manage technical teams, engage with stakeholders, design participatory processes, and form strategic partnerships and alliances;
• Ability to deliver results, while remaining flexible and adaptive in light of challenging circumstances due to the evolving COVID-19 situation; 

Required Skills and Experience

E. ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum Master’s degree in natural sciences/environmental sciences/biodiversity conservation/wetland ecology or forestry or closely relevant field;

F. EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum 15 years of demonstrable experience in wetland or ecosystem management and biodiversity conservation;
• Proven work experience in preparing GEF project documents, preferably for biodiversity conservation or wetland management projects in Asia and the Pacific;
• Demonstrated experience of working in developing countries, preferably in South Asia;
• Extensive working knowledge and understanding of the GEF rationale and procedures, and demonstrated experience in formulation of GEF-funded project proposals, using the logical framework and the results-based management approaches;
• Proven working knowledge in community-based conservation and related initiatives;

G. SUPERVISION AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

The consultant will report directly to the Programme Specialist (Nature, Climate, and Energy). S/he will also closely coordinate tasks with the Country Office through other team members in the cluster and in the regional office in Bangkok. S/he will liaise on a day-to-day business with UNDP GEF Regional Technical Adviser based at Bangkok Regional Hub. S/he will also work closely with the other PPG team (national and international consultants) recruited by UNDP and the relevant stakeholders of the Government. S/he will keep UNDP informed of any issues that emerge during the PPG process which will likely affect the scope of the project design.

H. INPUTS:

The Consultant will use his/her own personal computer or laptop. UNDP will provide a working station while visit in Bangladesh.

I. TRAVEL AND DSA:

No DSA will be paid at the duty station. If unforeseen travel outside the duty station not required by the Terms of Reference is requested by UNDP, and upon prior agreement/approval, such travel shall be UNDP’s expenses and the individual contractor shall receive a per-diem not to exceed the United Nations daily subsistence allowance rate in such other.(if applicable).

J. DUTY STATION:

The International Consultant- Team Leader consultancy will be home-based combined with at least one in-country mission and project site trip (in the Tanguar Haor area) in Bangladesh. The consultant is expected to spend at least 10 days out of the total 50 working days in Bangladesh for stakeholder consultation and field trips.

An individual consultant who is expected to travel to the Country Office (CO) to undertake the assignment in the country (Bangladesh) is required to undertake the Basic Security in the Field (BSIF) training and clearance for COVID-19. (https://dss.un.org/dssweb/WelcometoUNDSS/tabid/105/Default.aspx?returnurl=%2fdssweb%2f) prior to traveling.

K. TIMEFRAME AND DEADLINES

The assignment is for a total of 50 days over a period of 8 months on an intermittent basis from 1 March 2021 to 31st October 2021(Tentative).

Timelines and milestones will be reflected in the inception note which will be prepared by the PPG team and reviewed jointly by UNDP and MoEF.  The final document shall be submitted to GEF SEC by 30 October 2021(Tentative).

L. FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

1. Lump-sum contracts

 The financial proposal shall specify the daily rate of service and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e., whether payments fall in installments 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 daily rate (including international travel, domestic travel, per diems, and a number of anticipated working days, etc.).

Payments shall be made in four installments based on actual days worked and submitted deliverables documenting this, upon approval by the contract administrator (Programme Specialist) of the deliverable and indicating the days worked in the period and activities performed

Deliverables are linked to the payment schedule:

 M. EVALUATION

 Individual Consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodologies:

1. Cumulative analysis

When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

b) Having received the 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 who obtain a minimum of 49 out of 70 points in technical criteria would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

N. Financial Evaluation: (Total obtainable score – 30)

All technically qualified proposals will be scored out 30 based on the formula provided below. The maximum points (30) will be assigned to the lowest financial proposal. All other proposals receive points according to the following formula:

 p = y (µ/z)

        Where:

p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated

y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal

µ = price of the lowest priced proposal

z = price of the proposal being evaluated

O. Recommended Presentation of Offer

Interested individuals must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications.

1. Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;
2. Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references.

http://www.bd.undp.org/content/bangladesh/en/home/operations/jobs/

1. Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment and a methodology on how they will approach and complete the assignment.
2. Financial Proposal: Financial Proposal has to be submitted through a standard interest and availability template which can be downloaded from the link below:

http://www.bd.undp.org/content/dam/bangladesh/docs/Jobs/Interest%20and%20Submission%20of%20Financial%20Proposal-Template%20for%20Confirmation.docx

Please combine all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows you to upload maximum of one document.