Background

Until 2004, land registration was carried out annually in Georgia, compartmentalizing the land according to designation/categories, property types and characteristics of the quantitative and qualitative status of land resources. The national land balance (document reflecting the quantitative-qualitative status of land resources) was approved by the Government of Georgia (GoG) and recommendations for rational land use were issued. Land Inventory was carried out by the local and central government through strictly defined and distributed competences/functions based on legislations. But the whole process was organizationally supported by the state department of land management.

In 2004, as a result of the institutional reform carried out by the GoG, the state department of land management was abolished - a key institution in the coordination process of land inventory and land balance production. Out of all the department’s functions, only those related to the rights of land registration and land rights cadaster functions were transferred to the LEPL National Agency of Public Registry (NAPR). No other government agencies were responsible on conducting activities targeted on the accounting of land actual use and based on the results, land balance production. Accordingly, in 2004 agricultural land registration and balance production were ceased in Georgia.

Presently, reliable information related to the land management is unavailable in the country.  The largest part of the land fund is not registered by NAPR and it is unknown what part of land belongs to the state and or the private owner. Accordingly, the government cannot set boundaries of state-owned land plots or already privatized one. Moreover, MEPA does not have the actual data of agricultural and arable land fund, pastures, etc. Providing comprehensive and up-to-date information on the state of land resources in the country is a prerequisite for land market development, rational land use and defining land policy.

Taking the current challenges into consideration, in 2019 the Parliament of Georgia has adopted a revised land legislation (https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/4596113?publication=0)- Law of Georgia on “target land designation and sustainable management of agricultural land”, initiating the resumption of the land inventory process ceased in 2004. According to the new law, the LEPL National Agency for Sustainable Land Management and Land Use Monitoring will be established under MEPA and will start operation from 1st January, 2020. The agency will be responsible for the registration of agricultural land resources, production of land balance, creation of an integrated database, etc.

Due to the many years of interruption in this field, the country is facing the lack of experienced or qualified human resources in land management field. Moreover, the Ministry and the newly established Agency should consider the new methodologies and technological approaches for land registration and land balance production.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia has approached UNDP Governance Reform Fund (GRF) to seek its support in providing an international consultant to assist in institutional development of the newly established LEPL National Sustainable Land Management and Land Use Monitoring Agency. A fundamental aspect of this consultancy is to define the Agency’s structure and functional model that considers both good international practices in sustainable land management and, at the same time, the country’s current situation of land use.

Duties and Responsibilities

The overall objective of the consultancy is to provide support to MEPA in capacity development and the international expert in elaboration an institutional structure of the LEPL National Sustainable Land Management and Land Use Monitoring Agency. The aim of the initiative is to assist the Agency to effectively implement its functions assigned by the new legislation using modern technologies, methodologies and approaches. The scope of work for the local consultant will include, but may not be limited to:

• Assist the international expert in undertaking desk review of the legislation, general situation, current practice and competences of different state institutions in land management and land use monitoring process;
• Organize and co-facilitate the inception workshop with participation of key stakeholders (the relevant governmental institutions, independent experts, non-governmental organizations, academia, associations).
• Assist the international expert in organizing additional independent consultations with stakeholders, if applicable;
• Compile situational analysis findings and submit to international consultant for further analysis;
• Assist the international expert in researching international good practices on modern approaches and methodologies of land management methods, land-use monitoring, land inventory and land information systems;
• Assist the international expert in elaboration land management and land use monitoring concept paper and institutional setting for the newly established Agency;
• Assist the international expert in presenting the first draft of concept paper, institutional setting and recommendations on establishment of remote sensing system to MEPA and the Agency for comments and suggestions;
• Organize and co-facilitate the workshop with MEPA and key stakeholders to present the elaborated documents (concept paper, institutional setting, recommendations on establishment of remote sensing system overview of international practice);
• Provide input in finalizing the documents (concept paper, institutional setting, recommendations on establishment of remote sensing system overview of international practice) based on solicit feedback provided by MEPA, the Agency and stakeholders;
• Assist international expert in all his/her tasks, including communication with involved stakeholders, providing coordination and gathering/exchanging information from the stakeholders, day-to day support as required for smooth finalization of the activities listed in scope of work, providing translation during the bilateral meetings, as required, etc.;
• Analyze the accessibility of the data and collaborate with relevant agencies;
• Retrieve, receive and process the information in order to register land resources and provide input in creation a land information system;
• Provide assistance and expertise to the international expert on land legal issues, if applicable;
• Assist the international expert in translating relevant documents for the final consultancy output;
• Represent the international expert during his/her absence, as required.

Payment modality and deliverables:

The payment schedule is given below and will be made upon competition, submission and approval of deliverables by the supervisor:

• Input for elaboration of desk review report of the existing land governance practices (including workshop and consultation with stakeholders) and presentation to MEPA; Minutes of consultations conducted with key stakeholders; Input in co-facilitating the inception workshop with participation of MEPA and key stakeholders; Input for reviewing international good practices (in collaboration with the international expert): due by end of November 2019, 35% of the consultancy fee
• Input in elaborating the first draft of Land Management and Land Use Monitoring Concept Paper and institutional setting; Input in elaborating recommendations on establishment of remote sensing system: due by end of January 2020, 35% of the consultancy fee
• Input in presenting the elaborated package of documents (concept paper, institutional setting, recommendations on establishment of remote sensing system overview of international practice) to MEPA; Input in co-facilitating the workshop with participation MEPA and key stakeholders to present the elaborated documents; Final draft of concept paper, institutional setting and recommendations on establishment of remote sensing system; Final consultancy report covering the activities undertaken, the completed accomplishment and recommendations for future implementation: due by end of February, 30% of the consultancy fee

Management Arrangements:

The Local Consultant will be coordinated by the International Expert under the overall supervision of GRF Project Manager and the direct supervision of the GRF Environmental Coordinator. The expert will have close working relations with representatives of the MEPA and other governmental institutions during the process of developing the documents with the aim of ensuring the overall vision and priorities of the Government of Georgia (GoG) are taken into consideration.

The service provider will be directly responsible to, reporting to, seeking approval from, and obtaining certificate of acceptance of outputs from the above-mentioned persons. In addition, the respective GRF team will be responsible for sharing relevant documents, contact details and other necessary information with the service provider.

Competencies

Corporate competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Understanding of the mandate and the role of UNDP would be an asset;
• 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 competencies:

• Strong communication and analytical skills;
• Demonstrated skills in drafting reports;
• Ability to work under pressure with several tasks and various deadlines;
• Actively generates creative, practical approaches and solutions to overcome challenging situations;
• Excellent writing, presentation/public speaking skills;
• A pro-active approach to problem-solving;
• Computer literacy.

 Leadership and Self-Management skills:

• Builds strong relationships with the working group and with the project partners; focuses on impact and results for the project partners and responds positively to feedback;
• Cooperates with the working group effectively and demonstrates strong conflict resolution skills;
• Consistently approaches work with energy, positivity and a constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates strong influencing and facilitation skills;
• Remains calm, in control and good humored under pressure;
• Demonstrates openness to change, new ideas and ability to manage ambiguity;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
• Demonstrates the ability to transfer knowledge and competencies;
• Is able to work independently and hurdle competing priorities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Land Governance (Land Management and Land Administration) or Social Sciences (focusing on Law or Public Policy) or Environmental study (minimum qualification ?requirement: Bachelor's degree - 9 points; Master's degree - additional 1 point).

Experience:

• At least three years of hands-on experience supporting governmental agencies in the field of land governance or other related fields, including experience in the elaboration of policy and strategic documents, policy analysis and consultancy of government reforms; (minimum qualification requirement: 3 years - 13 points, more than 3 years - additional 2 points);
• At least two years of proven working experience with governmental agencies and/or international organizations implementing or supporting land management or land information systems; (minimum qualification requirement: 2 years - 13 points; more than 2 years - additional 2 poitns);
• Knowledge of organizational arrangement is an asset (10 points);
• Experience with the UN organization is an asset.

Language requirements:

• Excellent English language skills (both written and oral).

Evaluation:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the cumulative analysis method: Offerors will be evaluated against combination of technical and financial criteria. Maximum obtainable score is 100, out of which the total score for technical criteria equals to 70 and for financial criteria – to 30. Offerors that do not meet Minimum Qualification Criteria will be automatically rejected, while the rest will form up the long list. The offerors who obtain minimum 35 points as a result of the desk review will be invited for the interview. Offerors who pass 70% threshold, i.e. obtain minimum 14 points, as a result of the interview will be requested the financial proposal.

Financial Proposal:

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, 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 this lump sum amount. Maximum 30 points will be assigned to the lowest price offer. All other price offers will be scored using the formula (inverse proportion):  Financial score X = 30* the lowest price offer/suggested price offer. All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal as well.