Antecedentes

A nation of approximately 5.3 million citizens, Turkmenistan is in southwestern Central Asia, between the Caspian Sea and the Amu-Darya River.  Turkmenistan is bordered by Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the northeast and east, Afghanistan to the southwest, and Iran to the south. 

The population of Turkmenistan is growing by approximately one percent per year.  The country is also undergoing a steady shift toward greater urbanization, with an increasing proportion of citizens living in cities. 

The most notable recent urban growth in Turkmenistan has taken place in two distinct locales – the capital city of Ashgabat and the new resort zone of Awaza on the Caspian Sea.  Ashgabat’s population has increased by about 70 percent in the last 15 years, from about 524,000 in the year 2000 to more than 900,000 in 2014.  This population growth has triggered the creation of several new developed areas, many major new public and residential building projects, and expansion of associated infrastructure.  Notably, the city created facilities and upgraded infrastructure for hosting the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in September 2017.

Just eight years ago, Awaza was a modest beach town with minimal infrastructure or services beyond rest and recreation for local residents.  Then, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedow articulated his vision for creation of a world-class tourist resort at Awaza.  Since being designated in 2007 as a national tourist zone, Awaza has undergone rapid development, with the construction of more than 30 hotels and other lodging facilities, parks, recreation facilities, and accompanying infrastructure, including roads, a new gas-fired power plant, a desalination plant on the Caspian Sea, a sewage treatment plants, water supply networks, and a full renovation of the airport at the nearby city of Turkmenbashi.  Awaza is also being promoted as a potential spot for headquarters for corporations seeking to establish economic bases on the eastern shore of the Caspian.

Ashgabat and Awaza occupy a special place in Turkmenistan’s development, not only for their sheer scale, but also for their representation to Turkmen citizens and the whole world of the country’s pride, ambitions, and potential.  To date, development of these two cities has emphasized a grandeur consistent with the nation’s rapid rise to prosperity and its high aspirations for future growth.  But the Government also recognizes that these two showcase cities could win the respect and good will of the international community (as well as tourism revenue and investment) by demonstrating Turkmenistan’s responsible citizenship in the global community of nations, as well as its readiness to implement smart, technically sound best practices in urban planning and management. 

In Turkmenistan as in all countries worldwide, the development of cities has led to increased negative environmental impact – resource consumption, waste, local air and water pollution, and emissions of GHGs.  The sources of these impacts are varied, including rising use of private motor vehicles, expansion of public lighting, and consumption of resources and generation of waste by increasing numbers of increasingly affluent residents and tourists. 

Ashgabat and Awaza have already embraced some measures aligned with world best practices to manage this impact, such as replacement of all spent street lamps with light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in Ashgabat and limitation of private car traffic in Awaza.  But there remains much untapped technical potential to decrease the volume and impact of private vehicle traffic in all cities, further expand efficient street lighting, reduce waste and increase recycling, and introduce “green” practices to hotels.  Meanwhile, other cities in Turkmenistan, which do not have the special status and investment priority of Ashgabat and Awaza, have arguably greater need for sustainable urban planning, practices, and infrastructure in all these areas.

Fulfilling this potential –  thereby measurably reducing the impacts of urban growth in Turkmenistan while also advancing social and economic development goals – is the development challenge of the project.  To this end, the project foresees several integrated activities in planning, investment, data collection and analysis, and promotion of behavioral change among citizens, starting in Ashgabat and Awaza and extending across all the major cities of Turkmenistan.

The objective of the project is to promote and implement integrated low-carbon urban systems in Ashgabat and Awaza, thereby reducing GHG emissions and creating other environmental, social, and economic development benefits.

The project will lead to several general outcomes in Ashgabat, Awaza, and other cities across Turkmenistan:

• Improved capacities and enabling conditions in Ashgabat and Awaza to identify, design and implement integrated low-carbon and climate-resilient solutions;
• Reduction of GHG emissions and other negative environmental impacts.

Nationwide replication and scaling-up of results of first project two components, enhancement of capacity of agencies and managers, and adoption of policies and regulation.

To achieve these outcomes, UNDP, the Government and its partners in Turkmenistan have defined outputs and activities across three components – with the first focusing on Ashgabat, the second focusing on Awaza, and the third seeking scale-up via policy and regulations at the national and municipal level throughout Turkmenistan.

Component 1: Sustainable urban development in Ashgabat:

This component has two targeted outcomes:

• Improved capacities and enabling conditions in Ashgabat to identify, design and implement integrated low-carbon and climate-resilient solutions in public space;
• Reduced GHG emissions and other negative environmental impact through interventions involving public spaces and infrastructure.

Component 2: Sustainable Tourism Infrastructure and Management Practices in Awaza:

This component has two targeted outcomes:

• Improved capacities and enabling conditions in Awaza for integrated low-carbon and climate-resilient tourism development;
• Reduced GHG emissions and other negative environmental impact through interventions involving tourism facilities and infrastructure in Awaza.

Component 3: Municipal and National Policy:

This component has one broad targeted outcome:

• Nationwide replication and scaling-up of results of first two components via information dissemination, enhancement of capacity of agencies and managers, and adoption of policies and regulation.

For more detailed information about this project as well as other UNDP Turkmenistan environmental projects please visit: www.undptkm.org.

Deberes y responsabilidades

The objective of the assignment is to provide strategic guidance and support to UNDP and the project management in roll-out and inception stage of the project and its different sub-components and build the capacity of the project manager and local experts working for the project to successfully implement the project activities, ensuring that they comply with the agreed benchmarks and success indicators of the project as well as international best practices and lessons learnt. The expected level of involvement will be up to 120 days within this assignment, of which 90 days must be based in Ashgabat. In his/her methodology, the consultant should clearly elaborate his/her approach to fulfilling this assignment, including his/her proposal for a number of missions and a proposed plan/timeline for implementing the required deliverables.

Under the direct supervision of Project Manager and overall supervision of UNDP Programme Specialist on Environment, the consultant's specific responsibilities include the following actions:

Planning and advisory support to the project inception:

A. Prepare a detailed plan based on the submitted methodology, clearly defining the actions to implement the assignment and required deliverables, number and schedule of proposed missions as agreed with project manager and cleared by UNDP:

• Task Deliverables: Action plan prepared and cleared on the delivery of assignment, including the agreed number of missions, timeline and due dates.

B. Guide and lead the local project management and expert team in organizing the roll-out and implementation of the project's different sub-components at the inception phase, including support to the project manager in the preparation of the project inception report and update of the annual plan, identifying project staffing requirements, especially for the project technical components, then drafting relevant Terms of Reference for the local and, as needed, additional international experts and subcontractors, required tender documents etc:

• Task Deliverables: Inception report approved, annual plan updated, project’s technical component plans prepared as prescribed below under the component and work cleared, project staffing requirements (especially for project technical components) identified and relevant ToRs drafted and announced, specifications for key measures drafted and announced.

C. Lead in the preparation of the agenda, presentations and other relevant material for both internal and external inception meetings in close collaboration with Project Manager:

• Task Deliverables: agendas prepared for inception meetings, presentations drafted, and informational material identified.

D. Guide the project manager and project team in facilitating the inception meeting by preparing and making the key presentations with specific focus on the project technical components and outlining the project’s strategic vision to implement those:

• Task Deliverables: key component related presentations prepared and delivered at the inception meeting.

E. Lead in the preparation of an inception report and revision of the logical framework in close collaboration with Project Manager:

• Task Deliverables: inception report prepared, logical framework revised and approved.

F. Contribute to the consultations with stakeholders and internal specialists and understand where the project needs to be adjusted:

• Task Deliverables: Section in a mission report with recommendation on project updates.

G. Support Project Manager in arranging co-operation with the already identified key stakeholders and, as applicable, support the identification and establishment of new national and/or international partnerships and to support the project goals and objectives:

• Task Deliverables: Section in a mission report with recommendations and agreed action against this task.

H. Propose possible adjustments and necessary amendments, support the preparation of the overall Project Work Plan until Dec 2019, evaluation plan, monitoring plan, sustainability plan, communication strategy/action plan, and all other documents requested by the Project Document (different reports, work plans, etc.):

• Task Deliverables: overall project plan until Dec 2019, evaluation plan, monitoring plan, sustainability plan, communication plan drafted.

I. Provide inputs for establishment of effective proactive risk management strategy:

• Task Deliverables: Risk management strategy prepared and in force.

J. Facilitate the capacity development of project manager and project experts by identifying capacity development needs and preparing individual capacity development plans for the project staff, with a specific focus on innovations and efficient solutions to implement the project goals and components:

• Task Deliverables: Project staff capacity development plans are prepared and under implementation.

Specific technical tasks:

Component 1.  Sustainable urban development in Ashgabat.

K. Guide the project manager by leading the development of a road map or a plan for piloting of EE lighting linked with smart-grid feedback and dispatching and LED street lamp performance, including the use of renewable energy or other innovative solutions for EE street lighting:

• Task Deliverables: a road map for EE lighting development is prepared and cleared by the project board.

L. Lead the development of project activities on design and construction of dedicated bus and bicycle lanes, improvement of e-passes, map updates, and a mobile app for riders:

• Task Deliverables: The annual project plans include the list of specific measures on lanes, e-passes, map updates and mobile app with clear time-frames, responsible parties and resources required.

M. Guide the project manager by leading the development of a project plan for piloting of sorting of recyclable household waste in Ashgabat to be based on the most advanced global waste sorting practices and innovations:

• Task Deliverables: a comprehensive project plan is developed and cleared by the project board on piloting sustainable waste management practices.

N. Provide technical inputs and support Project Manager and UNDP communications staff in development and launch of public information campaign to reduce solid waste:

• Task Deliverables: Project plan for public information campaign is prepared and ready for launch.

Component 2.  Sustainable Tourism Infrastructure and Management Practices in Awaza:

O. Guide the project manager and project team in the development of a project strategy for development and implementation of green standards for hotels, taking into account the existing international best practices for green hotel management and containing innovative solutions that can be adapted to Awaza conditions:

• Task Deliverables: Project strategy is drafted and cleared by the project board for green hotel practices in Awaza.

P. Guide the project manager and project team in the development of a project road map for piloting of solar-powered charging stations for electric vehicles in Awaza and Ashgabat:

• Task Deliverables: A project road map is drafted and approved by the project board for promoting the use of solar powered charging solutions for vehicles.

Component 3.  Municipal and National Policy:

Q. Provide advisory support to the project manager and project team in the institutional assessment of Ashgabat municipality, relevant policy and laws to serve as the baseline for further project interventions on enhancing national policies and budgets in support of scaled-up urban sustainability practices:

• Task Deliverables: ToRs for institutional assessment is prepared and announced.

R. Guide the project manager and project team in the preparation and launch of a project strategy for development and implementation of fuel economy standards and incentives for use of fuel efficient motor vehicles, based on the latest international fuel efficiency and efficient vehicle use trends and practices:

• Task Deliverables: a project strategy is prepared and cleared by the project board for fuel economy standards and incentives.

In addition to the aforementioned outcomes and the above 'regular' Project support duties, and in close communication with the Project Manager, the Consultant as part of the Project Team will be responsible for delivering the following main results in order to successfully accomplish project objective and envisioned project results:

S. Ensure provision of relevant technical inputs during Implementation phase, work closely with the Project Team and final beneficiaries, preparation of materials and/or inputs for various trainings, workshops, meetings, etc., and preparation of all necessary Project reports, Terms of References and adequate plans;

• Task Deliverables: Mission reports, meeting and skype call notes, meeting and workshop material.

T. Undertake monitoring and progress controls: the consultant will be responsible to provide regular reports in writing to the Project Manager. The report is to contain sufficient detail and information that would allow for the appraisal of the effectiveness to date of the project's activities, as well as further direction of the project.

• Task Deliverable: Mission reports with sections on the work done against this task.

U. Act the project champion on innovations and demonstrating the “thinking out of the box” approach given the innovations focus of the project by providing tailor-made recommendations and inputs on how the project can develop and promote innovations across all the project technical components and project management approaches.

• Task Deliverable: Mission reports with sections on the work done against this task.

Deliverables and timeframe:

Deliverable 1: Plan for implementing the assignment, Mission report and products as described under Task Deliverables 1, 2, 3, 4, 19, 20, 21.

Deadline: May 2018, 40 consultancy days (including 30 days in Ashgabat).

Deliverable 2: Inception Report, Mission Report and products as described under Task Deliverables 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21.

Deadline: July 2018, 40 consultancy days (including 30 days in Ashgabat).

Deliverable 3: Mission and products as described under Task Deliverables 8, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21.

Deadline: October 2018, 40 consultancy days (including 30 days in Ashgabat).

Payment conditions:

This is an installment-based contract that should cover the costs of consultancy required to produce the above deliverables. The final schedule of payments will be agreed upon in the beginning of consultancy. The calendar of deliverables and schedule and number of associated payments is subject to changes and revisions based on the consultant’s proposed methodology to implement the assignment and the assignment action plan to be agreed and cleared by UNDP.

Time duration:

The consultant will be engaged under the Individual Contract, immediately after the completion of the selection process. The contract will be issued until 31 December 2018. The expected level of involvement will be up to 120 days within this assignment, of which 90 days must be based in Ashgabat.

Travel:

The consultant will be expected to provide long-distance advice and in-country consultations. Therefore, the consultant is expected to be able to travel to Ashgabat and project sites, pursuant to the work plan of project's activities. During the assignment, the consultant is expected to undertake missions to Ashgabat and project sites. 90 days (out of 120) must be based in Ashgabat.

Competencias

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;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
• Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Functional Competencies:

• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Excellent training, facilitation and communication skills;
• Demonstrates ability to manage complexities and work under pressure, as well as conflict resolution skills;
• Results driven, ability to work under pressure and to meet required deadlines;
• Good understanding and practice of capacity development.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education:

• Master’s degree in Energy, Economics, Environmental Sciences, Urbanization or a closely-related field.

Experience:

• At least 10 years of experience in designing, implementing and advising in technical assistance projects in the area of climate change mitigation and energy efficiency;
• Experience with project management, including the effective provision of substantive leadership and guidance, oversight, monitoring and reporting;
• Experience and good knowledge of transition economies, in particular in Turkmenistan and Central Asia;
• Track record of effectively communicating and working with multi-stakeholders, including high-level government officials, development partners, academics, private sector and communities;
• Prior experience and knowledge of GEF;
• Proven experience and success in supporting similar projects (or its sub-components) and proven record on successfully implemented innovation, preferable in relation to green urban development;
• Good knowledge of international best practices in the project related fields, state of the art approaches in the specific areas the project and its subcomponents are dealing with.

Languages requirements:

• Fluency in English. Knowledge of Russian will be an asset;

Submission of applications:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

All experts applying for this position are required to provide:

• Brief (1-2 pages) description of the methodology for the assignment. In his/her methodology, the consultant should clearly elaborate his approach to fulfilling this assignment, including his/her proposal for a number of missions and a proposed plan/timeline for implementing the required deliverables;
• Financial Proposal with the references to (1) the daily rate for the assignment and within the timing scale indicated in the present TOR, and (2) any other expenses (including transportation costs, accommodation costs, the possibility of vaccination and etc.). Template of the form can be found at: http://www.tm.undp.org/content/turkmenistan/en/home/operations/jobs. The UNDP will enter into an Individual Contract based on a lump sum amounts. The financial proposal shall represent a detailed, justified and “all inclusive” amount.  In order to assist UNDP in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount, including: a daily fee for the tasks and an estimated duration as specified in this announcement, travel (to and from the missions), per diems, any other possible costs (including vaccinations, dwelling, communication etc.);
• Cover letter explaining why they are the most suitable candidate for the assignment;
• Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc ).

Evaluation of proposals:

Individual Consultants will be evaluated based on the combined scoring methodology. When using this method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Responsive/compliant and
• Having received the highest score – out of 100 points

Out of the maximum score, the score for technical criteria equals 70% - maximum 70 points, and for financial criteria 30%.

The technical evaluation will take into account the following as per the scoring provided:

• Education in the area of energy, economics, environmental sciences, urbanization or other relevant field – 20 pts;
• Experience in designing, implementing and advising in technical assistance projects in the area of climate change mitigation and energy efficiency– 25 pts;
• Experience with project management, including the effective provision of substantive leadership and guidance, oversight, monitoring and reporting – 15 pts;
• Methodology – 10 pts;
• Prior experience and knowledge of GEF – 5 pts;
• Experience and good knowledge of transition economies, in particular in Turkmenistan and Central Asia – 10 pts;
• Fluency in English – 10 pts;
• Fluency in Russian – 5 pts.

Financial proposal – 30% of total evaluation.

Additional requirements for recommended contractor:

Recommended contractors aged 62 and older, and if the travel is required, shall undergo a full medical examination including x-ray, and obtain medical clearance from the UN-approved doctor prior to taking up their assignment. The medical examination is to be cleared by the UN physicians, and shall be paid by the consultant.