Historique

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. 

Addressing climate change is one the key global challenges and priorities for UNDP. Working in over 170 countries and territories, UNDP is uniquely placed to work with all sectors of society to help mobilize the institutions and resources required to support countries implement their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in the context of the Paris Agreement. The NDC Support Programme is a UNDP flagship programme delivered by and embedded within the GPN.  The Programme, launched in November 2017 and funded by the European Union and the Governments of Germany and Spain, provides technical and financial assistance to 36 countries to implement their NDCs and design more ambitious climate targets that are aligned with national development priorities. The Programme is a key initiative under UNDP’s strategy to support NDC implementation and enhancement at the global level, which also builds on UNDP’s larger portfolio of support to countries on climate change. 

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. 

The Programme 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 Programme’s role in achieving the Climate Promise, the team also continues to deliver on the Programme’s own work plan and results framework. This includes supporting the Programme’s countries to implement NDCs and carry out related activities – in parallel to and beyond the immediate timeframe of the Climate Promise.

Objective: 
The purpose of this procurement exercise is to contract an individual consultant who can help to strengthen internal coordination on NDC enhancement to ensure we are capturing and sharing knowledge from across the GPN and among other strategic partners.

Devoirs et responsabilités

SCOPE OF WORK, RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ANALYTICAL WORK

The consultant will support UNDP in strengthening internal coordination efforts and key partnerships that advance UNDP’s vision for supporting NDC enhancement and implementation on behalf of the Programme. The consultant will support and coordinate outreach within the GPN to ensure the Programme complements and creates synergies with other relevant UNDP and partner initiatives in the context of UNDP’s Climate Promise and broader NDC strategy. She/he will also engage with other GPN teams and strategic partners to identity opportunities for collaboration and knowledge-sharing on integrated solutions to address climate change and accelerate the SDGs.

The consultant will track key issues in relevant climate fora and conduct research and analytics on the technical assistance needs of countries under the Programme so it is well-positioned to respond to emerging priorities. The consultant will also contribute to knowledge management, thematic thought leadership, and other tasks, as outlined below.

The Consultant will report to the NDC Support Programme, Programme Specialist and the Climate Promise Global Coordinator.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables:

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

Support strengthened internal coordination efforts on NDC enhancement and implementation

• Increase impact and awareness of Programme activities and key results within the broader GPN.
• Support and strengthen coordination with related UNDP initiatives within the GPN at global and regional level.
• Serve as Programme’s focal point on resource efficiency and circular economy.
• Contribute to Programme systems that capture relevant data and information on NDCs for Programme countries.
• Contribute to Programme monitoring, evaluation and reporting efforts.

Support coordination efforts with key strategic partners on behalf of the NDC Support Programme and UNDP

• Lead coordination efforts on resource efficiency and circular economy with partners for the Programme.
• Lead the planning, implementation and reporting of UNDP/UNFCCC Regional NDC Dialogues and serve as focal point for the UN Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat.
• Support UNDP in NDC-related international and regional events, including event design, participant travel, execution and participation, as well as preparation of engagement strategies and contributions to messaging and summary reports.

Support knowledge sharing and learning development 

• Lead efforts to build out an internal knowledge-sharing platform related to Climate Promise activities and internal support services.
• Lead and coordinate the process to develop Climate Promise resources (e.g., thematic briefs) for regional and country-level colleagues. 
• Serve as focal point for the NDC Partnership on Good Practice Database and contribute to resource building and evaluation.
• Support the knowledge-sharing of best practices and lessons learned to strengthen the capacity of Programme and Climate Promise countries.
• Contribute to the development of knowledge products (e.g., guidance documents, thematic briefs, etc.), as required.
• Contribute to briefing notes, talking points, progress reports, and other inputs to Programme and Climate Promise materials, as required.
• Support the organization of webinars to foster south-south exchange.

Carry out analytical work on targeted areas to identify opportunities for NDC enhancement and implementation

• Contribute to thought leadership within the GPN on linkages between circular economy and climate/NDCs.
• Research and consolidate policy constraints and entry points for integrating circular economy into NDCs.

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 an NDC Coordinator to support in the above-mentioned outputs and deliverables.
• The consultant will be given access to relevant information necessary for execution of the tasks under this assignment.
• This ICFA 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: up to a maximum of 521 working days within three years renwal every year subject to satisfactory performance evaluation.
• No guarantee of minimum assignments will be given in advance.
• The consultant shall be available and flexible to take on short-term assignments on an as-needed basis.
• The consultant will report to and seek approval/acceptance of outputs from NDC Support Programme, Programme Specialist and the Climate Promise Global Coordinator.

Compétences

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:

• Demonstrated understanding of thematic areas of climate change, as well as of climate change groundwork in countries (in particular, countries under the Programme).
• Previous experience with UNDP rules and regulations, particularly as they relate to project development and implementation.
• Demonstrated ability to build strong relationships with key partners involved in climate change.
• Demonstrated experience working with UNDP and/or other multilateral, bilateral and civil society development partners.
• Excellent analytical, writing, and communications skills.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, work in an independent manner and across time-zones.

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.

Qualifications et expériences requises

Academic qualifications:

• Master’s degree in sustainable development, environment, climate change, or related fields is required.

Experience:

• At least 4 years of relevant progressively responsible experience supporting global and regional processes on climate change and NDCs. 
• Solid understanding of activities in Programme countries, particularly as they pertain to resource efficiency and circular economy is required
• Experience organizing webinars and developing knowledge products and communication materials on climate change and NDCs (or related topics) is required. 
• Demonstrated experience working with UN/DP and/or other multilateral, bilateral, national or civil society actors on climate change and NDC issues, is desired. 
• Demonstrated experience organizing large international workshops on NDCs (or related climate change topics) in coordination with numerous strategic partners, is desired.
• Demonstrated ability to engage GPN (or similar type network) and external audiences on key issues related to NDCs, particularly as they pertain to resource efficiency and circular economy is desired. 
• Knowledge of UNDP/UN regulations, policies, procedures and practices is an asset. 

Language:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
• Fluency in French is highly desired

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.
• Confirm availability and flexibility to take on short-term assignments on an as-needed basis.
• Link to the writing samples

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).
• 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 assignment, therefore, there is no envisaged travel cost to join duty station/repatriation travel.  
• 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 instruction through Atlas E-Tendering 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 consultant 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 (500 points), and interviews (200 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 (Maximum 500 points) 

• Criteria 1. Demonstrated ability to engage GPN (or similar type network) and external audiences on key issues related to NDCs, particularly as they pertain to resource efficiency and circular economy; Maximum Points 150; 
• Criteria 2. Experience (minimum 3 years) organizing webinars and developing knowledge products and communication materials on climate change and NDCs (or related topics) to encourage coordination and collaboration: Maximum Points 150; (3-4 year experience 140 points 5 years and above experience 150 points)
• Criteria 3. Experience organizing large international workshops on NDCs (or related climate change topics) in coordination with numerous strategic partners Maximum Points: 70;
•  Criteria 4. Quality of sample(s) provided by the applicant; Maximum Points: 100;
• Criteria 5. Working knowledge of other UN languages; Maximum Points: 30.

Interview: Maximum Points: 200.
The top 3 candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% (350 points) of the maximum obtainable points for Desk Review (500 points) shall be considered for the interview. The passing score for interview is 140 points.  

Candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% (490 points) of the maximum obtainable points for the technical criteria (700 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 and must be expressed on the basis of “a daily fee”.  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
• Any travel expenses will be paid for directly by UNDP and should not be included in the price proposal.

Contract Award

Candidate 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 Long Term Agreement with UNDP.

Framework Agreement

UNDP plans to enter into the Long-Term Agreement (LTA) with the First ranked successful Individual Contractor to assure resource availability at the required timeframe and/or increased demand for services requested. The service of who will be used on an intermittent and repetitive basis when needed and based on the fixed unit price.  Other prospective applicants that are not contracted, at the UNDP’s discretion, may be placed in the roster of consultants to be used based on an on-call basis for similar services.

Please note that the LTA does not form a financial obligation or commitment from UNDP at the time the LTA contract is signed, and that such an agreement is non-exclusive. When a specific need arises, the successful Individual Contractor/s will be approached and be provided with a specific TOR and deliverables (and time frame) but still within the scope of the responsibilities stated in the LTA. The successful Individual Contractor(s) is expected to provide Confirmation of Interest on the specific services required at the agreed LTA Daily Rate Consultancy Fee. Financial commitments will only be established each time a Purchase Order for the specific services/TOR for Individual Contractor is committed.

This LTA has a cumulative ceiling amount that may accrue to the individual contractor during the life of the LTA, but said amount shall remain as an upper limit, and must not and cannot be interpreted nor understood as neither a financial commitment nor guarantee of business

Institutional arrangement 

The Framework Agreement and the potential secondary engagements will be managed by the Programme Manager and supervised directly by the relevant team for each assignment.  Prior to initiation of work, each assignment will be outlined in a Statement of Work signed by the consultant, contract manager, and relevant supervisor. Payments will be made upon satisfactory achieved deliverables under each assignment and submission of time sheet in accordance with number of days worked. All payments are subject to the clearance and approval of the direct supervisor. Direct supervisors shall share with contract managers signed performance evaluation of the assigned consultant. Final payment shall require a signed performance evaluation of the assigned consultant.

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

Payments:
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

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.

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.