Background

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life, as envisaged by 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We are on the ground in more than 170 countries and territories, working with governments and people on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and our wide range of partners that can bring about results.

The Bureau for Policy and Program Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan and help countries to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.  BPPS’s staff provides technical advice to Country Offices; advocates for UNDP corporate messages, represents UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora including public-private dialogues, government and civil society dialogues, South-South and Triangular cooperation initiatives, and engages in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas.

In line with SDG 7, sustainable energy is a priority area in UNDP’s current strategic plan as energy is an engine for poverty eradication, social progress, gender equality, enhanced resilience, economic growth and environmental sustainability. Unsustainable patterns of energy production and consumption threaten not only human health and quality of life but also affect ecosystems and contribute to increased anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions which accelerate climate change. Without access to sustainable energy services other development goals cannot be achieved.

Similarly, the Strategic Plan renews UNDP’s commitment to support countries in crisis to recover. The ability of countries and communities to cope with and rapidly recover from disasters and conflicts, hinges in many ways on their ability to gain access to sustainable energy. Energy fuels communities’ access to water, to social services like health and education, to transport and communication needs, and is critical for regenerating livelihoods and resuming local economies. On the other hand, recovery is critical for restoring access to energy where it got interrupted and offers opportunities for resilience building by introducing renewable energy sources, and strengthen preparedness and early warning practices in the energy sector.

As countries seek new resilience-based approaches to development and recovery from disasters and crisis, the role of sustainable energy solutions has come into greater focus. In these contexts, expanding sustainable energy solutions is seen not as an end in itself but as an enabler on the road from fragility to long-term recovery and resilience. 

Duties and Responsibilities

SCOPE OF WORK, RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ANALYTICAL WORK 

The Energy and Recovery Consultant will support the emerging area of sustainable energy for recovery from disasters and other crises. The rationale for developing this new work-stream on  the nexus of energy, post-disaster and conflict settings is: 1) the growing demand from UNDP developing country partners for support to respond to energy needs of populations in the context of  disaster and crisis;  2) to capitalize on existing experiences in UNDP’s work on providing access to energy services in crisis and post-disaster and post-conflict situations; and 3) to help position UNDP in this area of work and demonstrate how integrated efforts can further advance the achievement of the SDGs.

The Energy and Recovery consultant will be home-based but s/he is expected to travel to NY to meet with UNDP HQ relevant colleagues at the beginning and end of the consultancy. S/he will be responsible for mapping and identifying strengths and gaps in UNDP's current activities related to energy and recovery and support the development of a number of products to further advance UNDP's programatic work and resource mobilization in this area. 

She/he will work closely and consult with UNDP Advisors on energy, recovery and crisis/conflict at global, regional (particularly Arab States and Africa), and country-levels (particularly countries with post-disaster recovery support from UNDP). 

Under the direct supervision of the Policy Specialist, Disaster Recovery based in NY, the Consultant will be responsible for the following deliverables and activities:

• Conduct a mapping exercise of existing work across different regions, projects/programs and strategies (Energy, Post-disaster Recovery, Conflict and Crisis Prevention & Response) with energy components and/or implications identifying strengths and gaps in UNDP's work.
• Based on this mapping and UNDP’s current strategic plan, develop a guidance note for UNDP COs on how to integrate work on energy and post-disaster/crisis recovery in their programmatic offer;
• Conduct a mapping exercise of key partners/donors - including UN agencies and private sector entities, foundations and regular donors and examine existing projects and programs/strategies/ initiatives to identify collaborative opportunities for UNDP; 
• Develop a resources mobilization strategy for UNDP - including key messages on UNDP’s work on energy & recovery. 

Expected Outputs:

• Report on the mapping exercise and analysis, identifying key strengths and gaps in UNDP’s current work, and opportunities for future proposals (approx. 20 days);
• Guidance Note on how energy should feature in UNDP’s crisis-prevention/recovery work (approx. 20 days);

Draft resource mobilization strategy and proposal framework, including key partners/donors & key messages (approx.20 days). 

Reporting:

The Policy Specialist will regularly evaluate progress in meeting the specific deliverables; every other week meetings will be set up for this purpose.

The following is a list of key deliverables and their timeline and payment schedule:

Travel:

There is no anticipated travel for this assignment. In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between UNDP Energy & Recovery Teams and the Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be covered and paid by UNDP.

The fare will always be “most direct, most economical” and any difference in price with the preferred route will be paid for by the expert.

UNDP will not cover any costs associated with moving to the duty station. If applicant is requesting for such coverage the cost to be calculated and included in the financial proposal.

Institutional arrangement

The consultant will work under the guidance of the Energy and Recovery Advisors and under the direct supervision of the Policy Specialist – Disaster Recovery who will be responsible for the fulfilment of the deliverables as specified above.

The consultant will work closely with the other Energy, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction and Conflict teams of UNDP at global, regional and country level as necessary.

The Consultant will be responsible for providing her/his own laptop.

Payment modality

• The consultant will be paid as a lumpsum, per output delivered;
• Payments will be based on the submission of outputs expected;
• Outputs delivered will be verified by the direct supervisor;

Three tranches (one tranche per output) upon satisfactory evaluation from the direct supervisor.

Competencies

Organizational 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.

Functional Competencies:

• Strong analytical, negotiation and communication skills, including ability to produce high quality practical advisory reports and knowledge products;
• Professional and/or academic experience in energy and recovery or related fields with a demonstrated understanding of emerging global energy challenges related to the countries in crisis, conflict, and post-disaster and fragile states;
• Familiarity with key actors within and outside the UN system, including donors, CSOs, academic networks etc. working on issues related to energy, environment and recovery;
• Experience in project design and resource mobilization in relevant areas.

Project and Resource Management:

• Ability to produce high quality outputs in a timely manner while understanding and anticipating the evolving client needs.
• Strong organizational skills;
• Ability to work independently, produce high quality outputs;
• Sound judgment, strategic thinking and the ability to manage competing priorities.

Partnership building and team work:

• Demonstrated well developed people management skills;
• Excellent negotiating and networking skills;
• Demonstrated flexibility to excel in a multi-cultural environment.

Communications and Advocacy:

• Strong ability to write clearly and convincingly, adapting style and content to different audiences and speak clearly and convincingly;
• Strong presentation skills in meetings with the ability to adapt for different audiences;
• Strong analytical, research and writing skills with demonstrated ability to think strategically;
• Strong capacity to communicate clearly and quickly;
• Strong inter-personal, negotiation and liaison skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic qualifications: 

Master's Degree in energy, environment, international development or other related field.

Years of experience:

• Minimum of 7 years of international professional experience in policy and/or program implementation in developing countries – required.
• Demonstrated experience working in an international context with a variety of stakeholders on global energy challenges (access, renewables, efficiency, fragile states etc.) - desired
• Alternatively, direct international experience in designing and implementing post-disaster and post-conflict interventions. A combination of work experience in both energy and recovery context will be considered as an asset - desired
• Excellent writing, research, analysis and presentation skills - desired
• Proven experience in resource mobilization and strategy design -desired
• Knowledge of UN or experience working for an international organization, government, academic institutions or non-profit sector. Specific knowledge of UNDP’s programs will be considered a strong asset – desired.

Language:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required;
• Working knowledge of French or Spanish would be an asset.

Evaluation Process:

Applicants will be screened against qualifications and competencies specified below through a desk review. If deemed necessary by the panel,  an interview process might also be held. Applicants will be evaluated based on: Cumulative analysis method that combines the results of technical and financial evaluation results.

The award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as responsive/compliant/acceptable, and having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation. Only the highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Criteria 1:  Additional to 7 years and relevant international professional experience in policy and/or program implementation in developing countries - 5 points;

Criteria 2:   Demonstrated experience working in an international context with a variety of stakeholders on global energy challenges (access, renewables, efficiency, fragile states etc.) – 15 points;

Criteria 3: Alternatively, direct international experience in designing and implementing post-disaster and post-conflict interventions – 15 points; 

Criteria 4:  Proven experience in resource mobilization/strategy design – 10 points;

Criteria 5:  Excellent writing, research, analytical and presentation skills – 10 points;

Criteria 6: Methodology - 15 points.

Candidates are requested to submit a methodological note for development of the expected outputs.

Having reviewed applications received, UNDP might invite the top three/four shortlisted candidates for interview if deemed necessary. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Technical evaluation - Total 70% (70 points)

Candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% (49 points) of the maximum obtainable points for the technical criteria (70 points) shall be considered for the financial evaluation.

Financial evaluation - Total 30% (30 points)

The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal:

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

Contract Award

Candidate obtaining the highest combined scores in the combined score of Technical and Financial evaluation will be considered technically qualified and will be offered to enter into contract with UNDP.

Application Procedure

The application package containing the following (to be uploaded as one file):

• Online application with brief description of why the Offer considers her/himself the most suitable for the assignment;
• A methodological note for development of the expected outputs, and
• Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experiences from similar projects and specifying the relevant assignment period (from/to), as well as the email and telephone contacts of at least three (3) professional references.

Note: The above documents need to be scanned in one file and uploaded to the online application as one document.

Shortlisted candidates (ONLY) will be requested to submit a Financial Proposal.

• The financial proposal should specify an all-inclusive lump sum taking into account various expenses that will be incurred during the contract, including: the daily professional fee; cost of travel from the home base to the duty station and vice versa, where required; living allowances at the duty station; communications, utilities and consumables; life, health and any other insurance; risks and inconveniences related to work under hardship and hazardous conditions (e.g., personal security needs, etc.), when applicable; and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services under the contract.
• In the case of unforeseeable travel requested by UNDP, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between UNDP and Individual 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.
• If the Offeror is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under a Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP.

The Financial Proposal is to be emailed as per the instruction in the separate email that will be sent to shortlisted candidates.

Annexes (click on the hyperlink to access the documents):

Annex 1 - UNDP P-11 Form for ICs

Annex 2 - IC Contract Template

Annex 3 – IC General Terms and Conditions

Annex 4 – RLA Template

Any request for clarification must be sent by email to cpu.bids@undp.org 

The UNDP Central Procurement Unit will respond by email and will send written copies of the response, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to all applicants.