Empleos en el PNUD - 100659- International expert in agricultural economics

International expert in agricultural economics

Localidad :

Home Bases (with missions to Tbilisi)

Tipo de contrato :

Individual Contract

Fecha de comienzo del contrato :

Fecha límite de postulación :

20-Aug-21 (Medianoche Nueva York, Estados Unidos)

Nivel de puesto :

International Consultant

Duración del contrato inicial :

Idiomas requeridos :

Inglés

Duración esperada del puesto :

Up to 80 days in total during September 2021- September 2023 with up to 3 missions of up to 15 days

El PNUD está comprometido con lograr la diversidad de su personal en términos de género, nacionalidad y cultura. Se alienta por igual a las personas que pertenecen a grupos minoritarios, a pueblos indígenas o que tienen alguna discapacidad a presentar su candidatura. Todas las solicitudes se tratarán con la mayor confidencialidad. UNDP no tolera la explotación y el abuso sexual, ningún tipo de acoso, incluido el acoso sexual, ni la discriminación. Por lo tanto, todos los candidatos seleccionados serán sometidos a una rigurosa verificación de referencias y antecedentes.

Antecedentes

With funding from Green Climate Fund (GCF), Swiss and Swedish governments, UNDP Georgia and Government of Georgia is implementing 7-year program dedicated to Reducing the Risk of Climate-Driven Disasters since 2019. The program includes three inter-related on-going projects, including

GCF funded, 7-year project entitled: “Scaling-up Multi-Hazard Early Warning System and the Use of Climate Information in Georgia” (hereafter GCF project). SDC funded 5-year project “Strengthening the Climate Adaptation Capacities in Georgia” and SIDA funded 4-year project on “Improved Resilience of Communities to Climate Risks”. The program is implemented under National Implementation Modality (NIM) with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture (MEPA playing) an executing entity’s/implementing partner’s role for it.

An overall objective of the project is to reduce exposure of Georgia’s communities, livelihoods and infrastructure to climate-induced natural hazards through a well-functioning nation-wide multi-hazard early warning system and risk-informed local action. The GCF project will provide critical climate risk information that would enable the Government of Georgia to implement a number of nation-wide transformative policies and actions for reducing exposure and vulnerability of the population to climate-induced hazards. The project will thus catalyse a paradigm shift in the national climate risk management, climate-proofed disaster risk reduction and early warning approaches. The project innovation and transformative change will also include (a) participatory “Last Mile” communication solutions tailored to the needs of local communities, including Community-based Early Warning Systems (CBEWSs); (b) increasing implementation capacities for carrying out cost-effective risk reduction and community resilience measures through such innovative approaches as watershed/floodplain restoration, agroforestry, etc., and combination of structural and non-structural protection measures aimed at reducing exposure and increasing effectiveness of the early warning; (c) combining best available science and local knowledge for vulnerability assessment, hazard and risk mapping, disaster modelling and forecasting; (d) (e) carrying out a comprehensive community, municipal and national-wide awareness raising, education and capacity development activities on multi-hazard risk reduction, including preparedness, response and Early Warning Systems (EWSs).

The project objective will be achieved through three outputs: i) expanded climate-induced natural hazard observation network and modelling capacities secure reliable information on climate-induced hazards, vulnerability and risks; ii) Multi-hazard early warning system (MHEWs) and new climate information products supported with effective national regulations, coordination mechanism and institutional capacities; iii) improved community resilience through the implementation of MHEWs and priority risk reduction measures.

Under the output dedicated to establishing Multi-hazard early warning system and new climate information products, the project aims to enhance access and use of tailored climate and weather information products and advise farmers/agricultural enterprises through number of activities, which includes i. support to GoG in integrating climate risk and adaptation priorities into the agriculture sector plans, investments and budget framework; ii. development of guidance documents/methodologies and technical regulation for the agricultural sector on climate risk assessment and management and the use of climate information; iii. development of new climate information products for the agricultural sector and delivery of these products to the farmers; iv. supporting improvement of agrometeorological advisory service and capacity building for relevant GoG agencies (MEPA, NEA, NFA, RDA, Scientific-Research Center of Agriculture).

This specific assignment is dealing with providing support to GoG agencies (MEPA and its sub-ordinate agencies: NEA, NFA, RDA, SRCA) in 1) integrating climate risk and adaptation priorities into the agriculture sector plans, investments and budget frameworks, including the investment appraisal skills, economic valuation of climate change impacts, based on sector model, trade off analysis and cost-benefit assessments for a range of plausible adaptation options in agriculture. and 2) Development of guidance documents, methodologies and technical regulations for the agricultural sector on climate risk assessment and management and the use of climate information. To this end, it is expected to assess international best practices of integrating climate risk and adaptation priorities into the agriculture sector plans, investments and budget frameworks, review existing methodologies and tools, compare international practice to national context and suggest and develop tools, approaches, methodologies most applicable to Georgian reality and come-up with the medium-term and long-term strategy for its introduction and implementation.

2) Review existing guidance documents, methodologies and technical regulations for the agricultural sector on climate risk assessment and management and the use of climate information and adapt/tailor those guidance documents and methodologies to Georgian context and to translate them into technical regulations for the agricultural sector on climate risk assessment and management and the use of climate information.

Under the output dedicated to establishing Multi-hazard early warning system and new climate information products, the project aims to enhance access and use of tailored climate and weather information products and advise farmers/agricultural enterprises through number of activities, which includes i. support to GoG in integrating climate risk and adaptation priorities into the agriculture sector plans, investments and budget framework; ii. development of guidance documents/methodologies and technical regulation for the agricultural sector on climate risk assessment and management and the use of climate information; iii. development of new climate information products for the agricultural sector and delivery of these products to the farmers; iv. supporting improvement of agrometeorological advisory service and capacity building for relevant GoG agencies (MEPA, NEA, NFA, RDA, Scientific-Research Center of Agriculture).

Deberes y responsabilidades

The overall objective of the consultancy is to prepare :

Desk Review

Conduct detailed desk research of international best practice on approaches, tools, or methodologies on integrating of climate risk and adaptation priorities into the agriculture sector plans, investments and budget frameworks (including the investment appraisal skills, economic valuation of climate change impacts, based on sector model, trade off analysis and cost-benefit assessments for a range of plausible adaptation options in agriculture).
Based on the analysis identify the list of economic valuation methods for agromet sector most applicable for Georgian reality (considering capacities, expertise, data availability, etc.)
Review existing guidance documents and methodologies for the agricultural sector on climate risk assessment and management and the use of climate information. Assess the extent to which climate risk information and adaptation priorities are currently integrated into agricultural sector plans, investment and budget frameworks in Georgia. Identify gaps and entry points.

Develop Agriculture sector damage and loss methods for multiple hazards

Analyze the specific vulnerabilities of the agri-subsectors in Georgia (crops, livestock, aquaculture, fisheries, and forestry) to each of 7 major hydrometeorological hazards (floods and flashfloods, landslides, mudflow/debris flow, snow avalanches, droughts, windstorms and hailstorms), each of different duration or severity that will result in large-scale shocks to small and medium-scale events, and from sudden-onset to slow-onset disasters. Combinations of hazards should also be considered. It should be noted that the methodologies for modelling and mapping each of the individual hazards and multi-hazards have been developed and is being implemented by the project. The expert will use the outputs from these hazard models and will be able to work closely with the hazard modellers as necessary.
Develop standard methodologies (based on the FAO framework) to assess disaster damage and loss in agriculture for Georgia per agri-sub-sector, for each hazard and for multi-hazards. These damage and loss methodologies will be used in socio-economic risk and vulnerability modelling being developed separately and will also be key to informing policy on disaster risk reduction in the agricultural sector. The consultant will also be expected to work closely with the project’s International Socio-economics Expert.
The methodology should consider the country/regional contexts, and should be precise enough to consider all agricultural subsectors (crops, livestock, apiculture, forestry, aquaculture and
fisheries) and their specificities.

Institutional Policy, legal and capacity

Adapt most applicable guidance documents and methodologies for the agricultural sector on climate risk assessment and management and the use of climate information for national context
Identify and recommend requested technical regulations for the agricultural sector on climate risk assessment and management and the use of climate information
Undertake the technical capacity assessment of relevant institutions (NFA, NEA, RDA, Scientific-Research Center) to be user of valuation methodologies, through the capacity assessment scorecards developed by the Institutional Capacity Assessment Expert.
Develop the technical capacity development plan for the relevant GoG institutions (NFA, NEA, RDA, Scientific-Research Center) to build capacity in agriculture sector adaptation, damage and loss assessment and cost-benefit analysis;
Identify on-job training needs, identify and develop the most appropriate medium and long-term training strategy (including relevant online courses, training materials, etc)

Participate in different meetings dedicated to agrometeorological component including technical advisory working group meetings, meeting with stakeholders, project experts, etc

All documents shall be developed in English.

Deliverables:

10% Deliverable: 1. Report on best practice on approaches, tools, or methodologies for integrating climate risk and adaptation priorities into the agriculture sector plans, investments and budget frameworks (Mid Oct 2021)

5% Deliverable 2. Report on methodologies for Agriculture sector damage and loss methods for 7 hazards and multiple hazards (End October 2021)

10% Deliverable 3. Completed Scorecard on technical capacity of relevant GoG agencies in using approaches, tools, or methodologies on integrating of climate risk and adaptation priorities into the agriculture sector plans, investments and budget frameworks (early Nov 2021)

5% Deliverable 4. Capacity development report for approaches, tools, or methodologies on integrating of climate risk and adaptation priorities into the agriculture sector plans, investments and budget frameworks with detailed long-term and short-term training needs assessment and relevant training strategy and curriculum (End of Nov 2021)

10% Deliverable: 5. Compendium of methodologies for climate risk assessment and management (End of January, 2022)

10% Deliverable 6: Detailed workplan/resource plan for development of guidance documents for doing climate risk assessment and the use of climate information to be implemented by national implementing agency (Mid-March, 2022)

10% Deliverable 7: Quarterly report for Quarter II, 2022, on guidance provided to relevant national stakeholder (MEPA/NFA, etc) and description of progress and lessons learned

10% Deliverable 8: Quarterly report for Quarter III, 2022, on guidance provided to relevant national stakeholder (MEPA/NFA, etc) and description of progress and lessons learned

10% Deliverable 9: Quarterly report for Quarter IV, 2022, on guidance provided to relevant national stakeholder (MEPA/NFA, etc)and description of progress and lessons learned

10% Deliverable 10: Quarterly report for Quarter I, 2023, on guidance provided to relevant national stakeholder (MEPA/NFA, etc) and description of progress and lessons learned

10% Deliverable 11: Quarterly report for Quarter II, 2023, on guidance provided to relevant national stakeholder (MEPA/NFA, etc) and description of progress and lessons learned

10% Deliverable 12: Quarterly report for Quarter III, 2023, on guidance provided to relevant national stakeholder (MEPA/NFA, etc) and description of progress and lessons learned

Management Arrangements

The international expert will work under direct supervision of Project Manager. The Environment and Energy Team Leader will be engaged in overall quality assurance, while the Chief Technical Advisor will guide the expert’s work. The expert will be directly responsible to, reporting to, seeking approval from, and obtaining certificate of acceptance of deliverables from the above-mentioned persons.

Competencias

Competencies:

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modelling 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.
Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Ability to work as a part of a team, sharing information and coordinating efforts within the team.
Ability to work under tight deadlines.
Very good inter-personal skills and demonstrated ability to engage and work with governmental institutions.
Strong analytical skills.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education:

MSc in Applied Economics, Agricultural economics, Agro-Meteorology, Meteorology, Climatology, agronomy or Hydrometeorology, Environmental Sciences (minimum requirement – MSc – 15 points, PhD - additional 5 points.

Experience

At least 5 years of experience in quantitative and accounting economics applied to agrometeorology and agricultural systems (minimum requirement) – 10 points
At least 5 years of experience of agrometeorological and agricultural processes, practices and institutions (minimum requirement) – 10 points.
Appreciation of how agrometeorology and climate change impact agriculture and food (and related) systems and how the latter can respond/adapt (asset) – 5 points
Experience of linking between science, policy and practice in the field of agrometeorology (asset) – 5 points.

Language Requirements:

Excellent written and verbal English skills.

Evaluation:

Offerors will be evaluated based on the cumulative analysis method, against combination of technical and financial criteria. Maximum total obtainable score is 100, out of which the total score for technical criteria (desk review and interview) equals to 70 and for financial criteria – to 30. Offerors that do not meet any of the Minimum Requirements will be automatically rejected, while the rest will form up the long list. Technical evaluation will comprise of desk review and interview stages. Candidates who collect 70% (35 points) of points obtainable.as a result of the desk review will form up short list and be invited to the interview. Offerors passing 70% threshold as a result of the interview (i.e. obtain minimum of 14 points) will be recommended for financial evaluation. .

Financial proposal - Lump sum contracts

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 instalments 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.