UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work – carried out at the headquarters, regional, and country office levels – forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan.

Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan. BPPS staff provide technical advice to country offices; advocate for UNDP corporate messages; represent UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora, including public-private, government, and civil society dialogues; and engage in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas.

Climate change is a top UNDP corporate priority, as the impacts are affecting the lives of millions of people around the world and putting the SDGs in jeopardy. The 2015 Paris Agreement seeks to limit dangerous climate change by requiring countries to submit increasingly ambitious national climate action plans every five years. These plans, known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs), describe each country’s approach for reducing their carbon footprint. However, the aggregate impact of current NDCs falls far short of what is needed to prevent climate change. The 2020-2021 period is important because it provides the first opportunity for countries to revise their current NDCs and submit more ambitious ones.

In the lead up to the UN Climate Action Summit in September 2019, the Administrator launched UNDP’s Climate Promise, which is now supporting 114 countries to submit enhanced NDCs in 2020-2021. UNDP has deployed over $25 million in core resources to carry out the Climate Promise in close collaboration with partners. Because of Covid-19 and the delayed UN climate negotiations, the next 12 months are crucial for delivering on the Climate Promise and incorporating opportunities for green recovery in enhanced NDCs.

UNDP’s flagship NDC initiative, the NDC Support Programme (NDCSP), plays a critical role in these efforts, providing an immediate surge of technical capacity and advisory services to regional hubs and country offices to respond to government needs and priorities. In addition to the NDCSP’s role in achieving the Climate Promise, the NDCSP team also continues to deliver on the Programme’s own work plan and results framework. This includes supporting NDCSP countries to implement NDCs and carry out related activities – in parallel to and beyond the immediate timeframe of the Climate Promise.

The purpose of this procurement exercise is to contract up to three consultants who will deliver country level technical assistance to support UNDP’s work in delivering on both the Climate Promise and NDCSP results framework, as needed.

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work – carried out at the headquarters, regional, and country office levels – forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan.

Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan. BPPS staff provide technical advice to country offices; advocate for UNDP corporate messages; represent UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora, including public-private, government, and civil society dialogues; and engage in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas.

Climate change is a top UNDP corporate priority, as the impacts are affecting the lives of millions of people around the world and putting the SDGs in jeopardy. The 2015 Paris Agreement seeks to limit dangerous climate change by requiring countries to submit increasingly ambitious national climate action plans every five years. These plans, known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs), describe each country’s approach for reducing their carbon footprint. However, the aggregate impact of current NDCs falls far short of what is needed to prevent climate change. The 2020-2021 period is important because it provides the first opportunity for countries to revise their current NDCs and submit more ambitious ones.

In the lead up to the UN Climate Action Summit in September 2019, the Administrator launched UNDP’s Climate Promise, which is now supporting 114 countries to submit enhanced NDCs in 2020-2021. UNDP has deployed over $25 million in core resources to carry out the Climate Promise in close collaboration with partners. Because of Covid-19 and the delayed UN climate negotiations, the next 12 months are crucial for delivering on the Climate Promise and incorporating opportunities for green recovery in enhanced NDCs.

UNDP’s flagship NDC initiative, the NDC Support Programme (NDCSP), plays a critical role in these efforts, providing an immediate surge of technical capacity and advisory services to regional hubs and country offices to respond to government needs and priorities. In addition to the NDCSP’s role in achieving the Climate Promise, the NDCSP team also continues to deliver on the Programme’s own work plan and results framework. This includes supporting NDCSP countries to implement NDCs and carry out related activities – in parallel to and beyond the immediate timeframe of the Climate Promise.

The purpose of this procurement exercise is to contract up to three consultants who will deliver country level technical assistance to support UNDP’s work in delivering on both the Climate Promise and NDCSP results framework, as needed.

The consultant(s) will support UNDP in delivering technical assistance to countries on NDC enhancement and implementation, contributing to UNDP corporate priorities and objectives.  He/she will support countries in implementing the work plans of NDCSP and Climate Promise countries in all regions, in close coordination with UNDP’s Regional Hubs and external partners.  The consultant(s) will also contribute to knowledge management, thematic thought leadership, project oversight, and other tasks, as needed and as able based on skill set as it relates to scope and expansion of initiatives.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables:

The consultant(s) will perform the following tasks on an as-needed basis:

• Provide targeted technical assistance and advisory services to countries on NDC revision and implementation under the NDCSP and Climate Promise.
• Provide backstopping support to UNDP country offices on implementation and monitoring of NDCSP and Climate Promise activities, including through country missions as needed.
• Coordinate delivery of thematic and sectoral technical assistance with the UNDP regional hubs, UN sister agencies, international partnerships, and other stakeholders.
• Provide technical review of national-level, NDC-related deliverables, including draft NDC revisions.
• Monitor NDCSP and Climate Promise national-level work plan delivery in countries and contribute to global reports and updates.
• Contribute to knowledge management and learning by developing knowledge products (e.g., technical guidance, tools) and communications pieces (e.g., articles on successes and lessons learned).
• Contribute to webinars and events to strengthen capacity of and share experiences among NDCSP and Climate Promise countries. 
• Serve as team thematic focal point on assigned themes and contribute to thought leadership on linkages between assigned theme and climate/NDCs.
• Represent UNDP in international events, partnerships, and negotiations, and present on technical issues as needed.
• Provide technical input for briefings and speeches for high-level UNDP officials.

Duration of Work / Contractual Arrangements:

• The overall objective of this agreement is to facilitate and expedite the process by which BPPS can engage the services of Climate Change Technical Specialists to support countries in the process of revising and implementing NDCs and keep it flexible as the portfolio includes a number of different individual projects with varying timelines and deliverables.
• The consultants will be given access to relevant information necessary for execution of the tasks under this assignment.
• This ICFAs shall come into effect for a period of one (1) year from the date of signing the agreement by UNDP and will be extendable up to two (2) additional years based on performance and availability of funds.
• Number of working days: Maximum 521 days during three years.
• No guarantee of minimum assignments will be given in advance.
• The consultant shall be available and flexible to take on specific assignments on an as-needed basis.
• The consultant will report to and seek approval/acceptance of outputs from NDC Support Programme Manager.

Given the global consultations to be undertaken during this assignment, the consultant is expected to be reasonably flexible with his/her availability for such consultations taking into consideration different time zones.

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.

Technical / Functional Competencies:

• Possesses technical expertise in NDCs and related concepts (e.g., nationally appropriate mitigation actions, low-emission development strategies, SIDS and youth strategies and outreach, private sector/investment).
• Demonstrates knowledge of the UN climate negotiations (UNFCCC) and the NDC process under the UNFCCC. 
• Demonstrates ability to implement the scope of activities envisioned for the consultancy.
• Demonstrates understanding of the links between climate change/environment and development.
• Has excellent analytical, writing, and communications skills.
• Demonstrates ability to work in an independent manner.

Teamwork and Professionalism:

• Works collaboratively with team members by sharing information openly and displaying cultural awareness and sensitivity.
• Establishes, builds, and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and with internal and external partners.
• Has positive and results-oriented attitude and is able to meet targets/deadlines.
• Possesses good organizational, time management, and interpersonal skills.

Academic qualifications:

• Master’s degree in environment, climate change, international development, or international affairs is required.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of work experience in climate change policy and/or sustainable development, is required;
• At least 5 years of work experience providing programming and technical support to developing countries on NDCs and related technical areas (e.g., nationally appropriate mitigation actions, low-emission development strategies), is desired;
• Relevant experience contributing to concrete project design, development and/or oversight of programming on climate change adaptation or mitigation; experience with the vertical funds (GEF, GCF, Adaptation Fund) an asset;
• Demonstrated experience with climate change support initiatives, with a regional focus on specific regions (Latin America and Caribbean preferred), private sector finance, and/or SIDS and youth will be considered favorably;
• Demonstrated experience providing country-level backstopping support, including the development and monitoring of project work plans, is required;
• Experience with knowledge management on climate change and NDCs (e.g., developing guidance, articles, webinars analytical reporting), is desired;
• Demonstrated knowledge of critical global and regional actors, partnerships and coalitions supporting climate change efforts will be considered an asset;
• Experience working with UNDP and/or other multilateral, bilateral, or civil society development partners is will be considered an asset;
• High quality analytic, writing and communications skills in English demonstrated through previous products required. Please submit at least 2 writing samples in the form of a blog, guidance document, or news article.

Language:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required, Spanish and/or French are an asset.

Application Procedure

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

• Cover letter with brief description (no longer than 1 page) of why the Offer considers her/himself the most suitable for the assignment; and
• Personal CV or P11, indicating all experience 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.
• Submission of at least 2 writing samples in the form of a blog, guidance document, news article.

Note: The above documents need to be scanned in one file and uploaded to the online application as one document. Applications that do not contain the above-mentioned documents may be disqualified.

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

• The financial proposal should specify an all-inclusive daily fee (based on a 7-hour working day - lunch time is not included - and estimated 21.75 days per month). Candidates will be asked to submit two different all-inclusive professional daily fees: home-based and office-based.
• The financial proposal must be all-inclusive and take 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.
• This consultancy is a home-based and office-based assignment, dependent on final specific assignment)  
• 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 submitted as per the instructions that will be sent ONLY to shortlisted candidates.

Evaluation process

Applicants are reviewed based on Required Skills and Experience stated above and based on the technical evaluation criteria outlined below. Applicants will be evaluated based on cumulative scoring.  When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract will be made to the individual consultants whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Being responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
• Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical, interview and financial criteria specific to the solicitation where technical and interview criteria weighs 70% and Financial criteria/ Proposal weighs 30%.

Technical evaluation - Total 70% (700 points):

The technical evaluation will comprise of desk review (400 points), and interviews (300 points). All applicants will be initially screened against the minimum qualification requirements as specified above. Responsive candidates will then be further evaluated against the following criteria and shortlisted applicants invited for the interviews:

Desk Review: Weight = 40%; Maximum Points: 400;

• Criteria 1. Experience in providing programming and technical support to developing countries on NDCs and related technical areas (e.g., nationally appropriate mitigation actions, low-emission development strategies, private sector investment; Maximum Points: 70;
• Criteria 2. Experience contributing to development, implementation and/or oversight of programming on climate change mitigation; experience with the vertical funds (GEF, GCF, Adaptation Fund) an asset; Maximum Points: 70;
• Criteria 3. Demonstrated experience with climate change support initiatives, with a regional focus on specific regions (Latin America and Caribbean preferred), private sector finance, and/or SIDS and youth; Maximum Points: 50;
• Criteria 4. Experience with knowledge management on climate change and NDCs (e.g., developing guidance, articles, webinars analytical reporting): Maximum points 50;
• Criteria 5. Demonstrated knowledge of critical global and regional actors, partnerships and coalitions supporting climate change efforts; Maximum Points: 40.  
• Criteria 6. Experience working with UNDP and/or other multilateral, bilateral, or civil society development partners; Maximum points 30;
• Criteria 7. High quality analytic, writing and communications skills in English demonstrated through previous products; Maximum Points: 50;
• Criteria 8. Fluency in Spanish and/or French; Maximum points: 40.

Interview: Weight = 30 %; Maximum Points: 300.

The top 6 candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% (280 points) of the maximum obtainable points for Desk Review (400 points) shall be considered for the interview.

Candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% (210 points) of the maximum obtainable points for the interview (300 points) shall be considered for the financial evaluation.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Financial evaluation - Total 30% (300 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

• Financial proposals must be all inclusive[i] and must be expressed on the basis of “a daily fee”.
• Any travel expenses will be paid for directly by UNDP and should not be included in the price proposal.

Both home-based and office-based all-inclusive professional daily fees will be considered during the financial assessment and will have an equal impact on the evaluation’s result. The most competitive financial proposal for each of the categories (home-based and office-based) will be awarded a total of 15 points.

Contract Award

The top three candidates 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.

Institutional arrangement

• The Framework Agreements will be overseen by the NDC Support Programme Manager and directly supervised by a global coordinator and technical advisor.  Prior to initiation of work, each assignment will be outlined in a Statement of Work signed by the consultant, contract manager, and relevant supervisor.

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

Payment Modality

Payments to the individual contractor will be made based on the actual number of days worked, acceptance of deliverables, and certification of satisfactory delivery of services by the supervisor.

All payments are subject to the clearance and approval of the direct supervisor. Direct supervisors shall share signed performance evaluation of the assigned consultant. Final payment shall require a signed performance evaluation of the assigned consultant.

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.

[i] The term ‘all inclusive” implies that all costs (professional fees, communications, utilities, consumables, insurance, etc.) that could possibly be incurred by the Contractor are already factored into the final amounts submitted in the proposal