UNDP Jobs - 84255- Individual Consultant: Project Advisor for the Fif

Individual Consultant: Project Advisor for the Fifth Operational Phase of GEF-Small Grants Programme in the Philippines (For Filipino Nationals Only)

Location :

Manila, PHILIPPINES

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

02-Apr-19 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

35 working days spread over 6 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Project Title

Fifth Operational Phase of GEF-Small Grants Programme in the Philippines

Project Description

The Philippines is one of the most biologically diverse and unique places on Earth, hosting over 52,000 recorded plant and animal species, and counting. Many communities, especially the poor, depend on biodiversity for life and livelihood. It is also a big part of many cultures. Biodiversity is a source of environmental services from shelter to food, fuel, water, medicine and even protection from disasters or extreme weather events. However, habitat destruction, overexploitation and pollution, among others, continue to threaten the integrity of biodiversity. In fact, the Philippines is considered to be the most threatened megadiverse country in the world.

The poor are the most at risk with biodiversity loss. Working on their own or through their organizations and other partners, many of these communities have taken the responsibility of protecting and managing the natural resources on which they depend. Armed with legal and other policy instruments as well as customary laws and traditional practices, these local stakeholders have proven the indispensable role of community-based stewards in biodiversity conservation. Through the years, their efforts have attained varying levels of success.

Thus, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) established the Small Grants Programme in 1992. SGP is a global program, pursued through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to provide grants of up to US$ 50,000 to support the initiatives of local stakeholder groups in five focal areas: Biodiversity, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, Land Degradation, Sustainable Forest Management, and International Waters and Chemicals.

SGP embodies the very essence of sustainable development by "thinking globally, acting locally". By providing financial and technical support to projects that conserve and restore the environment while enhancing people's well-being and livelihoods, SGP demonstrates that community action can maintain the fine balance between human needs and environmental imperatives.

Currently, SGP is in its fifth operational Phase in the Philippines and is leveraging the experiments, experiences, and achievements of the past two decades to further explore innovative and improved responses to the great variety of evolving needs at local and country levels.

nstitutional Arrangement

The ISD Programme Manager with ISD Programme Analyst shall directly supervise the Project Advisor. S/he will be directly reporting to the ISD Programme Analyst. At different points during the contract, the Project Advisor is expected to liaise/interact/collaborate/meet with the DENR-BMB and project stakeholders. As needed, the SGP-5 project staff shall provide logistical assistance to the Project Advisor in order for her/him to accomplish enumerated outputs.

Duration of Work

The expected duration of work is estimated to be 35 working days spread over 6 months.

Duty Station

The Project Advisor is not expected to report daily to the SGP office but can be provided a space should s/he need a work area.

Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

The financial proposal should be an all-inclusive amount which indicates the professional daily fee (multiplied by the number of working days), and taxes. Insurances, cost of transportation and communication, travel to and from duty station, and other expenses must be detailed in the cost breakdown (using UNDP template for Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability and Submission of Financial Proposal).

First Tranche - 10% Upon submission of Inception Report;
Second Tranche - 30% Upon submission and approval of the following:
   - Draft management response on the SGP-5 audit observations, including the drafting of the Audit Action Plan;
   - Final Draft Quality Assurance Report for the Project Closure of SGP-5 and analysis on the change/progress from the previous QA reports;
   - Inputs to the responses on the GEF comments on the PIF of SGP-7
Third Tranche - 30% Upon submission and approval of the following:
- Progress report on the technical advices and support provided to the PMT;
- Co-facilitate the landscape assessment;
Fourth Tranche - 30% Upon submission and approval of the following:
- Project Terminal Report;
- Project Extension Report

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the ISD Programme Manager and ISD Programme Analyst, the Project Advisor shall:

General Function

The Project Advisor has the responsibility to deliver the agreed outputs per this TOR. S/he shall provide technical advice to the Project Management Team ensure the project’s smooth operational and financial closure to include the finalization of all required documents.

Duties and Responsibilities

a. Provide guidance and advice to the work of project staff to ensure the production of the expected outputs until project closure as per project document and work plan:

i. Closely coordinate with the project M&E Officer to ensure mobilization of project inputs in accordance with UNDP and GEF procedures and requirements;

ii. Support the preparation and finalization of all required technical and financial reports;

iii. Support the conduct of the final Project Board meeting of SGP;

b. Provide support all throughout the audit exercise;

c. Provide technical guidance to project sub-contractors and SGP grantee/s, such as but not limited to:

i. Conduct of landscape planning consultation and workshops;

ii. Ensure that gender mainstreaming is integrated into the landscape planning in the priority sites identified for SGP-7;

iii. Drafting and finalizing of work plan of SGP grantee/s.

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 favouritism.

FUNCTIONAL 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;
Demonstrates self-management, including conflict management/negotiating skills on interpersonal issues;
Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Filipino;
Excellent organizational skills and ability to work effectively in teams, delivering through and with others;
Computer literate; good knowledge of Microsoft Office Applications

Required Skills and Experience

Minimum passing score is 70 out of 100 points.

Education 30 points

The position requires an advance degree in Social Sciences, Community Development, Political Science or Economics, and another field with direct relevance to the project

Experience

At least 5 years of experience in managing and implementing large-scale projects, preferably funded/supported by multi-lateral agencies like UNDP, on natural resource management and biodiversity conservation in the Philippines - 30 points
At least 4 years of grant-making experience supporting local initiatives in five focal areas: Biodiversity, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, Land Degradation, Sustainable Forest Management, and International Waters and Chemicals - 30 points
At least 5 years of proven experience in working with key stakeholders of environmental projects, such as but not limited to, local people’s organizations, NGOs and CBOs, national and local government agencies, Indigenous Peoples, etc. - 10 points

Language:

Fluency in written and spoken English and Filipino

Criteria for selection process:

The offer will evaluated based on the Combined Scoring method – where the qualifications will be weighted a max. of 70%, and combined with the financial offer which will be weighted a max of 30%.

Application requirements:

Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability (Financial Proposal Template) using the template provided by UNDP;
Personal Curriculum Vitae, indicating all past experiences from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the candidate and at least three (3) professional references;

Application requirements should be emailed to procurement.ph@undp.org and registry.ph@undp.org on or before 02 April 2019.

Attachments can be downloaded at http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=54140

- Financial Proposal Template and Terms & Conditions for Consultants.

Incomplete submissions may be disqualified.

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