Background

The Republic of Armenia is landlocked country with complex mountainous topography that makes it more prone to the hydro-geomorphological processes and climatic hazards. Among the countries of the Europe and Central Asia Region, Armenia is one of the most exposed to natural hazards. In the 2005 report ?Natural Disasters Hotspot – A Global Risk Analysis[1], the World Bank lists Armenia in the top 60 countries exposed to multiple hazards. In fact, according to the Natural Hazards Assessment Network (NATHAN), 100 percent of Armenia is prone to earthquakes; 98 percent is at risk of drought; and 31 percent of flooding, showing that more than 80 percent of population is at risk of exposure to catastrophic events which is the highest rate in the broader region Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia. Landslide sites cover 4.1 percent of country total territory and affect 233 communities (about 25 percent). Landslides are active in more than 100 communities and have affected 1,744 hectares—5.2 percent of total residential space; 240 km of roads/highways—3.2 percent of the total; and 4.8 km of railways—0.5 percent of the total. Landslide destruction has incurred direct social and economic costs amounting to some US$43 million according to 2004 landslide inventory data. Around 40% of Armenia is susceptible to mudflow, especially in medium-altitude mountainous areas. During 2004-07, mudflows damaged some 200 settlements and 600 sites on main transportation routes. In overall, between 2005-2014 around 3535 natural hazards were registered with severe loses, including 28 people died and 38 injured, and at least 120-130 million USD of economic losses annually. In 2016 around 389 disaster cases were recorded, causing temporary evacuation of 5.294 people[2].  

This is expected to continue to exacerbate in the face of climate change. Historical long-time series data analysis in the framework of the Second and Third National Communications proved that climate change and climate variability have been increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme hydro-meteorological events. In accordance to the Third National Communication, the annual mean temperature increase and decline in precipitation is already observed in Armenia, however, spatial distribution of changes in the precipitation is irregular with high seasonal intensity

Issues of Armenia vulnerability to climate change, risks posed by hydro-meteorological hazardous events and country’s resilience building / adaptive capacity to withstand / cope with the consequences of those were and remain a high priority for the Armenian Government. Since late 90s the Government introduced serious efforts in addressing the emerging environmental and socio-economic consequences of hydro-meteorological hazards. Special attention paid to the progressing trend of water related hazards, particularly floods and mudflows, registered during last few decades. With essential support of international community[3] and following the commitments Armenia assumed as a party to relevant international conventions and treaties, the Government adopted a series of laws, national and sectoral strategies, thematic concepts and regulatory acts forming certain legal and institutional bases for meeting the challenges posed by floods and mudflows through the improvement of risk management and adaptive national capacity. At the same time, according to different local and international reviews/reports despite all the efforts already taken there are still barriers and gaps in water-related hazard management and adaptation areas to be tackled (including institutional aspects, capacity building measures, adaptation planning, etc.) and further support is required Having said these, UNDP in partnership with the governments of Armenia initiated the preparation of the national project to be presented to the Adaptation Fund (AF) with aim to enhance resilience of mountain ecosystems and highly exposed regions of Armenia to hydro-meteorological threats that are increasing in frequency and intensity because of climate change. The objective is to assist the government of Armenia and the population of selected regions in the implementation of an integrated climate-resilient basin management approach in order to improve existing capacities to plan and implement pro-poor adaptation measures to manage water-hazard risks in the most vulnerable communities.  This will be pursued through:

• establishment of area-based climate-change adaptation and relevant risk management strategy and plan with consideration of ecosystem approach;
• strengthening capacities of municipal structures and relevant institutions in risk-informed development and natural resource management in alignment with community adaptation to climate change;
• increase the resilience of communities by supporting structural and non-structural adaptation measures for sustained ecosystem and livelihoods, including landscape restoration efforts.

[1] http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/621711468175150317/pdf/344230PAPER0Na101official0use0only1.pdf

[2] http://www.armstat.am/file/article/eco_book_2016_15.pdf

[3] UN (UNDP, FAO), EU (within the frames of PPRD-East Program), inter-governmental bilateral cooperation schemes (USAID, GIZ), international non-governmental organizations (CENN, OXFAM, REC Caucasus), etc.

Duties and Responsibilities

The objective of this assignment is to develop a Project Concept Note and full Project Proposal to be submitted to the Adaptation Fund in the end of July, 2020. The International Consultant will act as a resource person to lead the project preparation process, to coordinate project scoping and to deliver the Project Concept Note and the Project Proposal’s full packages in line with the format and requirements of the Adapation Fund.  This will also involve provision of technical support in: i) reviewing of the existing materials and outputs of local consultants; ii) designing the project components, implementation strategy and detailed activities, including cost-estimates, incremental analysis, detailed log-frame; iv) finalization of the project concept note and the proposal and related Adaptation Fund submission materials;  iv) liaison with the relevant national stakeholders and parallel bilateral initiatives as requested; v) advice on the project implementation strategy in general.

The consultnat will have to address technical comments from AF and UNDP before and after submission for final approval by the AF’s Board including the case if approval period will exceed contracting period. The International Consultant will be responsible for coordination with other consultant(s) as needed and ensuring overall quality and timeliness of the delivered proposal’s package. The consultant will act under the overall supervision of UNDP Armenia Sustainable Growth and Resilience (SGR) Programme Analyst and direct coordination of UNDP SGR Programme Policy Adviser, and as informed by guidance from the UNDP Regional Technical Specialist.

Duties and responsibilities:

Consistent with the above general scope, the Consultant will work closely with local experts as coordinated by UNDP Armenia and will perform the following duties:

Coordination

• Lead and advice a team of multi-disciplinary national experts engaged in the process of preparation to ensure complementarity in data gathering, analysis and provision of inputs into the package preparation;
• Ensure the concept and proposal are evidence-based and has all necessary references to proof a that the proposed adaptation solution demonstrates its feasibility across all project outputs;
• Provide guidance for data collection related to project planning and monitoring with particular attention to the description and quantification of the baseline investments; Support UNDP in coordination the project development with the on-going and planned climate change and related regional and national initiatives to ensure synergies and avoid duplication;
• Work closely with relevant government and non-government agencies, support stakeholder consultations and document their inputs and incorporate into the concept and proposal;

Design of the concept note and the full proposal

• Building on the existing pre-concept note to review subject related policies, reports and material and the experience of relevant national initiative in the subject area, as well as similar projects approved by the AF to come with a solid baseline and justification for climate resilient water hazard management practices;
• Finalize project scoping with the provision of project strategy, evidence and in-depth situational analysis to support the design of the concept and project addressing additionality, climate and non-climate drivers, gaps and needs, best practices and lessons learned. Provide summary note on available global evidence on the efficiency of the proposed project strategy; 
• Develop a Theory of Change (TOC) for promoting water-related hazard management practices integrated with ecosystem-based adaptation;
• Further elaborate on the purpose, expected outcomes, outputs and activities of the proposed project with cost estimates, based on a coherent logical framework that should include SMART indicators to measure performance with sources of verification and key assumptions;
• Provide clear indication of social, environmental and economic benefits, innovative aspects, project sustainability and replication potential, etc.;
• In cooperation with international expert on Social and Environmental Safeguard, identify and indicate the compliance with national technical codes and standards, as well as compliance with the Environmental and Social Policy of the Adaptation Fund. Support in preparation and provision of inputs into environment and social safeguards assessment through data collection and analysis.
• Identify the roles and responsibilities of all concerned stakeholders and outline a practical mechanism for project implementation. Work closely with UNDP Country national and regional offices to design project management arrangements in accordance with UNDP rules and procedures;  
• Identify possible risks and challenges to be faced by the proposed project, as well as design risk matrix with mitigation actions to ensure its success and sustainability;
• Prepare the project budget, as well as the procurement plan, detailed as requested by the AF full funding proposal template;
• Consider cross-cutting issues related to gender aspects and vulnerable groups and ensure input into gender analysis as required;
• Elaborate the project tentative work plan and implementation timetable, TORs for core project management, etc;
• Prepare the project monitoring and evaluation framework with cost estimates;
• Develop the full AF project proposal with all mandatory annexes;
• To address comments from the Governments, UNDP and review committees on the proposal during submission and final approval processes (including the case if approval period will exceed contracting period);
• To contribute and participate in the project design consultation and validation meeting, to disseminate related materials and to deliver presentations as necessary;      

Terms and Conditions for provision of services:

• The assignment will be a combination of in country missions and the desk study; One country visit to Armenia for 5 days is envisaged to conduct interviews, gather first-hand information, present project scope and overall strategy, and provide inputs into discussions around project log-frame and implementation strategy at the project design meeting;
• UNDP reserves a right to terminate the contract at any phase if the requirements as per the TOR are not met.

Expected outputs:   

Payment mode:

Payment will be conducted in the following installments upon completion of the tasks under each output and approval of deliverables by UNDP country offices and Regional Technical Specialist:  

• Output 1 and 2 - 50%  of total amount
• Output 3 and 4 -  40%  of total amount
• Output 5 -  10% of the total amount

Competencies

• Understanding of and practical exposure to the institutional and operational framework governing climate induced hazards and disaster risk reduction in the countries with economies in transition; Strong interpersonal skills with ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with people of different social and cultural backgrounds;
• Strong track record with producing high quality research and strong quantitative skills in project design, scenario analysis;
• Proven knowledge of communication tools, excellent writing skills;
• Excellent coordination and collaboration skills, with ability to work under time pressure and handle multiple activities and projects concurrently;
• Ability to work independently and to participate effectively in a team-based information sharing;
• Good computer literacy, knowledge of MS office software and web-based applications.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: 

• Advanced University Degree (MSc, MA or PhD) in natural and environmental sciences, development studies, risk management and other relevant discipline. A relevant university degree in combination with qualifying experience in the project design and evaluation may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• At least 7 years of proven experience in Adaptation Fund, GEF, GCF project design and evaluation under UNDP, UNEP, WB and/or other international organizations in the area of CC adaptation, ecosystem and community resilience, DRR; handling of AF and GEF review processes;
• Proven practical experience in information gathering and research methodology; experience in coaching/mentoring/assisting team of consultants;

Languages: 

• Proficiency in the English language is required. Knowledge of Russian is an advantage 

INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS WILL BE EVALUATED BASED ON THE FOLLOWING METHODOLOGY:

Candidates will be evaluated using a cumulative analysis method taking into consideration the combination of the applicants' technical qualifications,  experience and financial proposal. The contract will be awarded to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as technically responsive/compliant/acceptable to the requirements of the ToR and received the highest cumulative (technical and financial) score out of below defined technical and financial criteria.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points in the technical evaluation would be considered for financial evaluation.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation - max. 70 points

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation - max. 30 points.

DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE APPLICATION.

• Financial Proposal and Availability form: OFFEROR’S LETTER TO UNDP   (exclude travel fees from the proposal: in addition to the consultancy fee, the expert will be paid cost of economy class round trip ticket, terminal and visa (if needed) expenses, as well as DSA during in country mission according to established UNDP rates and procedures.  
• CV shall include Education/Qualification, Processional Certification, Employment Records /Experience

General Conditions of Contract is available here: http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/documents/procurement/documents/IC%20-%20General%20Conditions.pdf.

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