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The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is a global organization with 17,000 staff working in approximately 170 offices globally towards supporting governments in developing strong policies, institutions and partnerships to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Recently, United Nations (UN) Joint Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Fund short-listed the UN Multiagency led concept note from Fiji as a potential pipeline project on SDG financing for 2020. In this context, the project design team from the participating agencies (UNDP, UNCDF, UNEP) are looking for a consultant to design and develop the financing part of the full proposal by December 2020. The initial concept note, which was shortlisted proposes investment in key SDG 14 initiatives (life under water) that leverage public and private financing in order to advance the SDGs. The concept aims to deliver on integrated, transformative policy change and innovative financial investment for healthy coral reefs.  The consultant is expected to scope and structure the financial fund flow model on SDG financing mainly through use of innovative financing mechanisms preferably with commercial return on investments bearing in mind the context of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) mainly Fiji.

There are multitude of economic, social and cultural ramifications of dying coral reefs, declining fish populations, and an increase in coastal erosion. Thriving coral reefs and related ecosystems are vital for achieving the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and delivering on nature-dependent Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In total, 11 SDGs targets can be addressed through entry points such as coral reef tourism, food security, shoreline protection, and human health and wellbeing. Two of the primary SDG targeted are as follows:

- Goal 14, ‘life below water’ is the clearest as the proposal centres on coral reefs and the blue economy.

- Goal 17 ‘partnerships for the goals’ is targeted through use of a blended financial instrument that promotes innovation and offers a different kind of partnerships bringing UN organizations, Member states, Philanthropists, Private investors (BNP Paribas, Althelia, Vulcan), Non-profit organizations (Prince Albert II Foundation, Paul Allen Family Foundation, Blue Finance), and oceans focused networks where the UN are active members or founders, like ICRI and ORRAA.

Broad aims and objectives

The aim of the proposed consultancy would be to identify and build consensus among a core constituency of actors/investors for financing solutions that help to unlock and mobilise new sources of financing (mainly crowding in private capital) for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in particular  increase private investments for saving the lives of coral reefs and blue economic growth in Fiji.

Within these overall objectives the consultancy will focus on particular key issues including (i) identifying and incentivizing private capital/investment flow (ii) identifying and developing innovative and sustainable revenue mechanisms for SDG 14 and the Blue economy (iv) leveraging UN Joint Fund’s grant investment to crowd in private capital (V) design and develop blended finance investment solutions.

The objectives for the assignment will be discussed and refined after a scoping exercise which will initiate the processes for structuring financing mainly to establish a blended finance facility for the coral reefs and blue economic development in Fiji.

Specific objectives of the scoping exercise/mission

The initial scoping mission (Home-based is possible during the current COVID-19 outbreak) will be held in September-October 2020. The aim of this scoping mission will be to solidify investor relationships, secure their participation in the process and to identify potential financing opportunities for the coral reefs and blue economy.

Initial desk-based analysis of headline financing trends will be undertaken in advance of the scoping mission in order to facilitate dialogue amongst the stakeholders to develop a full proposal on investing in coral reefs and blue economy. This will likely be based primarily on international data, investor interest, UNDP’s and Fiji’s ongoing initiatives.

Partnerships

The consultancy will assist the team to deepen engagement with the investors, public actors, representatives of the private sector/banks, think tanks, civil society (WWF, Nature Conservancy) multilateral financial institutions (ADB, WB etc) and other key development partners. The consultancy will focus on building investor awareness about the exercise, invite their participation in the consultative phases of the process and discuss specific roles or inputs from particular actors/investors in solidifying the proposal on investing in coral reefs and blue economy in Fiji.

Devoirs et responsabilités

Scope of Work

The scoping mission is expected to build agreement with the government, key development partners and other actors

The key responsibilities of the consultant are as follows: outputs to be finalised shortly after the scoping exercise/mission to investors/stakeholders are:

1. Initial headline analysis of the financing landscape (blended finance) in the Small Island Developing States and in Fiji for SDG14 and Blue economy.

2. High-level feasibility of a pipeline of investible projects suitable to the Pacific context, with a focus on Fiji. Pre-feasibility screening will be based on a scoring matrix with legal & governance, business and socio-ecological criteria (through desk study and preliminary consultations with local stakeholders).

3. Guidance note/option paper for the deployment of blended finance facility for the coral reefs and blue economy in Fiji. This includes but is not limited to the financing mechanism that is fit-for- purpose to catalyse additional financing, as well as an investment structure that aligns with investment strategies of target investors.

1. A preliminary indication of the activities, resources required, timing/phasing and estimated costs, and a preliminary roadmap for the deployment of blended finance solutions/innovative financing for the coral reefs and blue economy in Fiji.
2. As appropriate, recommendations for further actions for project formulation and implementation.
3. All applicable supporting documents for a successful submission of the full proposal to UN Joint SDG Fund on coral reefs and blue economy.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

The expected deliverables are as follows:

1. Pre-feasibility screening report presenting all studied investment opportunities in Fiji and the Region with a criteria table and rationale for prioritization

2. Guidance note for a blended finance facility with key-aspects of the investment facility and preliminary roadmap

3. Full draft inputs for Proposal Package with necessary annexes (Workplan, Budget including blended solutions, business model profiles and M&E framework)

4. Comments of project design team (UNDP, UNCDF, UNEP) addressed and proposal finalized for submission to the UN SDG Joint Fund

Institutional Arrangement

• The consultant will work under the guidance of the core proposal writing team and UNDP focal points on SDG financing and will be responsible for the fulfilment of the deliverables as specified above;
• The consultant will engage with other relevant UNDP staff as needed. Detailed work plans, including timeline, external organizations and individuals to engage and consult with will be developed at the beginning of the assignment;
• The Consultant will be responsible for providing her/his own laptop;

Duration of the Work

The assignment will be for fifty-five working days and is expected to start by mid-September until November 2020.

The tentative timeline for deliverables will be as follows:

Duty Station

• The IC will be home-based.

Compétences

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills;

• Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities skills;

• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;

• Ability to plan, organize, implement and report on work;

• Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines;

• Proficiency in the use of office IT applications and internet in conducting research;

• Outstanding communication, project management and organizational skills;

• Excellent presentation and facilitation skills.

• Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;

• Positive, constructive attitude to work;

Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Qualifications et expériences requises

Educational Qualifications:

• Minimum of master’s degree in business management, economics and finance or equivalent.

Experience

• Extensive knowledge on the socio-economic, natural resources governance and political context of Fiji. A similar knowledge and experience in Small Island Development States is desirable;

• A minimum of 10 years of demonstrable experience in conservation finance with a focus on SDG14 (specifically coral reefs) and impact investment

• Solid knowledge of project finance, debt instruments, investor relationship management and derisking strategies;

• 7 years of experience in project design/structuring financial architecture for fund management and disbursement, management, for global conservation /environment projects.

• Extensive knowledge in government, corporate sector, community enterprises with a focus mainly on pipeline development of investible projects.

• Solid understanding of Sustainable Finance Principles and Green Finance approaches

Language requirements

• Fluency of English language is required;

Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

Consultant must send a financial proposal based Lump Sum Amount. The total amount quoted shall be all-inclusive and include all costs components required to perform the deliverables identified in the TOR, including professional fee and medical insurance and any other applicable cost to be incurred by the IC in completing the assignment. The contract price will fixed output-based price regardless of extension of the herein specified duration. Payments will be done upon completion of the deliverables/outputs and as per below percentages:

• Deliverable 1: Pre-feasibility screening report

• Deliverable 2 Guidance note for a blended finance facility: 50% of total contract amount

• Deliverable 3 Full Proposal Package with necessary annexes

• Deliverable 4 Comments of project design team addressed, and full proposal revised and finalised: 50% of total contract amount

Due to the current Cov-19, no travel is foreseen. However in the event of unforeseeable travel not anticipated in this TOR if required by the assignment following post-Covid19 payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and the Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

Evaluation Method and Criteria

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology.

Cumulative analysis

The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as a) responsive/compliant/acceptable; and b) having received the highest score out of set of weighted technical criteria (70%). and financial criteria (30%). Financial score shall be computed as a ratio of the proposal being evaluated and the lowest priced proposal received by UNDP for the assignment.

Technical Criteria for Evaluation (Maximum 70 points)

• Criterion 1: 10 years of expertise and experience related to the science, conservation and financing of coral reef ecosystems (preferably with knowledge of coral reef countries in the near and far Pacific i.e. Philippines and PNG; Samoa and Fiji); 10 points

• Criterion 2: 7 years of experience in project design/structuring financial architecture for fund management and disbursement, management, for global conservation /environment projects. 20 points

• Criterion 3:  Proven experience of conducting similar nature of assignment in past preferably for INGOs / UN organizations; 20 points

• Criterion 4: Quality of the methodology proposed for completing the assignment mainly invertor solicitation and development of innovative financing funding mechanisms for the proposal on coral reefs and blue economy; 20 points

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Shortlisted candidates shall be called for an interview which will be used to confirm and/or adjust the technical scores awarded based on documentation submitted.

Documentation required

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications. Please group them into one (1) single PDF document as the application only allows to upload maximum one document on UN Job site.

• Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided in Annex II.

• Personal CV, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references.

• Technical proposal, including a) a brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment; and b) a methodology, on how they will approach and complete the assignment.

• Financial proposal, as per template provided in Annex II.

  Note: Successful individual will be required to provide proof of medical insurance coverage before commencement of contract for the duration of the assignment.

Incomplete and joint proposals may not be considered. Consultants with whom there is further interest will be contacted. The successful consultant shall opt to sign an Individual Contract or a Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA) through its company/employer with UNDP.

Annexes

• Annex I - Individual IC General Terms and Conditions

• Annex II – Offeror’s Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability for the Individual IC, including Financial Proposal Template

All proposals shall be submitted etenderbox.pacific@undp.org copying ronald.kumar@undp.org or via UNJobs website.