Background

Energy and Environment unit of UNDP is supporting the Government of India in meeting national development objectives along with commitments under important multilateral environment agreements. The overarching goal of the Energy and Environment portfolio is to support the Government of India to meet its environmental commitments, better manage natural resources, address climate change and be energy secure.

UNDP has been supporting the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in meeting its national and international environmental priorities and commitments. These include close to 40 projects in the area of climate change, sustainable natural resource management and chemical management. The technical and policy support provided by UNDP focus on institutional strengthening and building capacities to utilize natural resources in a sustainable way, while increasing resilience to climate variability and associated risks and impacts.

UNDP also supports India’s engagement with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Montreal Protocol Multilateral Fund and works with Central Ministries (Steel, Railways, Urban Development, New and Renewable Energy, Commerce and Power) and 12 state government to implement GEF funds.

UNDP is implementing a full-size project entitled, “India High Range Mountain Landscape Project” in Munnar landscape of Kerala. The project is supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and is anchored in the Wildlife Division of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The project aims to conserve the globally significant biodiversity of the region while taking into account the development imperatives, need for sustaining livelihoods and also addressing retrogressive factors including impacts of climate change. The project will also embrace an “adaptive management approach” for addressing threats to biological diversity and associated challenges.

UNDP seeks to engage a technical consultant for supporting the process of updating the State Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (SBSAP) in Kerala; and also, to develop resource mobilization strategies for implementing the State Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan in state of Kerala. S/he will be responsible for the following tasks: 

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Biodiversity Expenditure Review (BER)

• Identify and map relevant biodiversity schemes of key sectors through a detailed review of budgetary schemes and programs in the central and state budgets for the last 4-5 years. Selection of years shall be done in consultation with Kerala State Biodiversity Board and UNDP.
• Compile budgetary data on both Allocations and actual Expenditure on various biodiversity relevant schemes and programs -- which have positive impact on biodiversity.
• Compile budgetary data on both allocations and actual expenditure on the schemes and programs of key sectors -- which have/may potentially have negative impact on biodiversity.
• Identify subsidies and other fiscal policies that may directly or indirectly provide incentives to enterprises, processes, practices, and behavior which may not be in sync with biodiversity conservation.
• Analyse the proportion of expenditure attributable to biodiversity conservation under each of the identified schemes into six CBD themes.

1. Finance Needs Assessment (FNA)

• Estimate the financial need assessment required to implement SBSAP in alignment with existing schemes and programs.

3) Resource mobilization Strategy

• Develop strategies for mobilization of additional funds for implementing SBSAP in the state.
• Analyze the scope for leveraging existing sources like MNREGA, CAMPA, and various sectoral schemes with strong convergence with biodiversity conservation.
• Assess strategies to augment Environment Fund, Ecology fund, and or set up a Biodiversity Fund through rationalizing user charges, environment tax/cess, and tapping CSR, Other Sources, such as Carbon Credits, Payment for Ecosystem Services, innovative Fintech instruments and strategies.

Deliverables:

• Submission of inception report with detailed methodology for undertaking the study along with timeline
• Proceedings of the round table for preparation of BER & FNA
• Submission of the draft Biodiversity Expenditure Review
• Submission of the draft Finance Needs Assessment and resource mobilization strategy (a menu of potential financial sources, and innovative economic instruments as financial solution).
• Submission of final report with BER, FNA and resource mobilization strategy

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

• Excellent drafting, documentation and communication skills in English;
• In-depth knowledge of environment issues and project management skills;
• Proven record on similar documentation work at the National level.

Corporate Competencies:

• Promote the highest standards of ethics and integrity;
• Support creativity and innovation;
• Help create an enabling environment for open communication;
• Share knowledge and support a culture of learning;
• Demonstrate fairness and transparency

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Masters’ in Economics or any other related field
• PhD in Economics is desirable

Experience:

• At least 10 years of research experience in environment project/programmes.
• At least 8 years of working in managing research projects with the Government
• Experience of working with organizations of national and international repute

Language:

• An excellent command of English is required.

Documents to be submitted:

• Detailed CV with contact details of three references;
• Financial proposal specifying per day consultancy fee. Prior approved travel expenses will be reimbursed as per actuals in line with UNDP rules or would be arranged by UNDP.

Duration

6 months

Deliverables and Payment Schedule

Evaluation Criteria

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodologies i.e. 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:

• Responsive;
• 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%.

Shortlisting would be done based on the following criteria:

• Relevant Experience:50 Mark
• Qualification:20 Marks
• Financial: 30 Marks

Technically qualified consultants will be requested to submit their daily fee rate i.e. consultants who score more than 70% i.e. 49 marks with respect to the above-mentioned evaluation criteria. Consultant should not specify their consultancy fee on their CV or with the submission. The CV will not be evaluated further in case the consultant submits the same.

Notes:

• Any kind of miscellaneous charges i.e. internet, phone etc. would not be reimbursed; Tickets will be issued considering the most direct and economical option and Consultants are not eligible for DSA;
• Individuals working with institutions may also apply, contract would be issued in the name of institution for the specific services of individual.