Antecedentes

ELD Initiative strengthens the national ability to assess the costs of land degradation and the economic benefits of investments in sustainable land management / Evergreen Agriculture (objective) and include this information into decision-making processes. Targeting key institutions from the national research and policy sector, the activities focus on the joint development of economic assessments of selected land degradation phenomena and land use options. Training on-the-job is provided for both policy-makers and researchers, for young professionals/post-docs as potential future leaders and decision-makers, including tutoring by international experts, joint development of economic monitoring and decision-making tools and exposition to the international research community through learning events. The macroeconomic benefits of sustainable land use methods will be widely communicated to stakeholders and decision-makers of relevant sectors, targeting different levels of governance as well as the wider public and using stakeholder-specific communication materials. Thereby, a multi-sectoral policy dialogue shall be inspired.   

Deberes y responsabilidades

A. Scope of Work

The general objective of the assignment is to support the national trainees/researchers in undertaking their studies on the costs of land degradation and economic viability of alternative land management approaches, focusing on rangeland degradation. This was decided during the project kick-off workshop by national stakeholders. Rangelands are of great economic importance to Somalia as they support the livestock sector which contributes 30% of the total gross domestic product (GDP) and more than 50% of foreign exchange earnings. Degradation of rangelands due to overgrazing and deforestation coupled with recurrent flash floods and droughts have undermined the carrying capacity of important rangelands in meeting the feeding requirements of livestock populations. The studies will take place in the context of the above-named project, building on the already field-tested ELD methodology.

Contribution to national LDN process

The studies shall contribute to the national SDG-visions of achieving a land degradation neutral (LDN) state. The ELD studies shall provide more detailed information on what kind of sustainable land management practices could be implemented in the rangelands and indicate the related costs and benefits of the practices, which contribute positively to achieve SDG 15.3. They will ultimately add relevant information on the economic returns from reaching the LDN vision in Somalia (as expressed in the National Action Program (NAP) to Combat Desertification) to be embraced.

Capacity building

Throughout the studies, emphasis shall be put on strengthening the capacities of national researchers/trainees in undertaking economic assessments. Relevant institutions in Somalia were identified (research organisations, universities, Governmental institutions) who then nominated researchers/ “trainees”for the process. The selected researchers/ “trainees” have under undergone a start-up training. The consultant shall support the national researchers/ “trainees” from the study onset, so that they practise their knowledge developed during the training on how to frame an ELD study and how to value ecosystem services specific to their cases. The researchers/ “trainees” through their institutions shall contribute data, calculations and text inputs for the studies and the study report. The national consultant will provide technical backstopping and support to the trainees to deliver their studies.

Study methodology

The studies will be based on the methodological framework adopted by the ELD Initiative to guide users through the process of establishing scientifically sound cost-benefit analyses. With the 6+1 step approach as outlined in the user guide (ELD (2015), comparability will be ensured with other ELD studies undertaken in other countries as part of the wider project.  Adaptations may be made to the 6+1 methodology in the context of this study in Somalia to reflect potential data and time constraints due to unavailable information. This is likely to mean that provisioning Eco-system Services (ESS) will be emphasised.

1. Inception

Through the project kick-off workshop which was held in Mogadishu on the 6th May 2018 the national stakeholders have delimited the strategic focus of the study to be on rangeland degradation in Somalia. During the training and study kick-off workshop the study topic was further finetuned and it was decided that the Somalia case study should have three studies with different geographical focus. The first focusing on deforestation/tree cutting for charcoal production with national focus, the second on the Cost benefit analysis of grazing management practices in Puntland and the third on Effect of private enclosures on land degradation in Somaliland.

2. Geographical characteristics

The study will cover rangelands across Somalia, however specific geographic sites and ecological boundaries for sample data collection for the study have been identified together with the national partners during the training and study kick-off workshops. The case study on deforestation/tree cutting for charcoal production will have a national coverage, the case study in Puntland will be in select villages dharoor and Nugaal valleys and Balligubadle, faraweyne and Alaybaday of Maroodijeex region for the Somaliland case study. Additionally, the spatial distribution and ecological characteristics of rangeland types will be analysed through a Geographical Information System (GIS) as far as available and appropriate.

3. Types of Ecosystems Services (ESS) provided 

For Rangeland degradation, the relevant ESS (provisioning, regulating, cultural and supporting services) have been identified, with guidance of the study leaders, during the training workshop and captured in the draft concept notes prepared by the trainees in each of the study locations.

4. Roles of ESS and economic valuation

This step identifies the role of the assessed ESS in the livelihoods of communities living in rangelands and the role for wider society. It requires estimating the total economic value of these services to estimate the benefits of action or the cost of inaction, taking relevant societal scales into consideration. Additional effects on employment, conflict mitigation, biodiversity, adapting climate change impacts or wider economic benefits generated through sustainable land management practices may be considered as well, depending on the focus identified during the training and in the studies’ concept notes.

5. Land degradation patterns and pressures

This step involves the identification of rangeland degradation patterns and drivers and pressures on land resources. It includes the assessment of factors causing rangeland degradation. Furthermore, it answers the question about the drivers of adoption of sustainable land management (including determining the role of property rights and legal systems). This is also covered in the concept notes developed following the training.

6. Cost-benefit analysis and decision-making

This step involves a cost-benefit analysis to compare the costs of adopting a sustainable land management practice against the benefits derived from it. The economic benefits and costs are calculated under alternative scenarios, an `action` scenario to that of a `business-as-usual` scenario. The Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis should be used so as to compare different land use options.

SLM practices suitable for the study regions to form the action scenarios have been identified in the concept notes developed by the trainees. The linkages between land management practices, and the ecosystem services of focus in the rangelands should be established. Multiple time horizons will be taken into account to demonstrate impacts of inaction and long-term impacts of investments in sustainable land management and to ensure linkages to relevant policy time frames. The trainees have received training on this but it will be important for the consultant to provide support in assisting them with the CBA calculations. Appropriate discount rates shall also be applied.

The final step in the ELD approach is the actual implementation of the most economically desirable options by private actors and public decision-makers. The consultant shall support the study leaders in a dialogue involving multiple stakeholders which will be undertaken by the study leaders to facilitate steps to adapting the legal, policy, institutional and economic contexts at multiple scales and levels. It requires relevant and suitable impact pathways to be identified, to promote and facilitate actions that can be scaled-up. A link to the Sustainable Development Goal 15.3 on Land Degradation Neutrality and 15.9 (but not limited to these) should be established during engagement with decision-makers and implementers on the ground, too.

The national consultant is expected to closely work with the study leaders to deliver the following results of the study using the above-described methodology (adapted as needed in discussions with the study leaders) and including the described capacity-building elements.

• Contribute to preliminary data and information collection (i.e. review of institutional analysis reports with lists of relevant instructions and partners related to land management as well as a context analysis with information on drivers and causes for rangeland degradation and policies in Somalia context, Somalia NAP, ELD report, DINA/RRF report, SWALIM reports and other relevant reports);
• Support the study leaders and study teams (team means the researchers/ “trainees”) in the delivery of the research described in their concept notes, following the ELD methodology where appropriate;
• Support the trainees in consultation with study leaders, on the collection tools and protocols before the data collection starts;
• Support in the trainees in conducting cost-benefit analysis of relevant scenarios in the respective case studies;
• Contribute to the preparation of a comprehensive report with the results of each case study including a thorough documentation which can be utilised for further training;
• Support in the drafting policy recommendations for decision-makers to translate the results into applicable policy frameworks and review the “policy briefs” the project management team is going to prepare;
• Provide the project management team with an internal evaluation regarding further capacity building needs of the national researchers/ “trainees”.
• Facilitate smooth communication among the study leaders, the study teams and government counterparts at national and regional levels; and
• Translate important documents that are written in Somali to English at the request of the study leader.

B. Expected Outputs and Deliverables

The deliverables will be forwarded by the study leaders after their review.

Competencias

Corporate Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability; and
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Functional Competencies

• Promotes innovation and knowledge management in the project and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
• In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills; and
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of the project.

Management and Leadership

• 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;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Ability to lead effectively, mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
• Demonstrates outstanding communication skills oral and written communication skills;
• Negotiation skills: capacity to work with diverse partners including Government, donors and civil society;
• Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure; and
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure in a difficult multi-cultural environment on a wide range of tasks and delivery of quality outputs on time.

Language requirements

Fluent in spoken and written English and Somali languages.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Qualifications of the Successful Individual Contractor

Should have relevant experience in conducting economic, socio-economic and environmental studies. preference will be given to candidates with experience in conducting Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) and studies on the Economics of Land Degradation (ELD) and the valuation of ecosystem services and be familiar with the ELD methodology.

Education:

A minimum of a Master’s degree in relevant discipline(s) such as environmental economics, geography, agricultural economics or similar area of expertise.

Experience and Skills:

• A minimum of 5 years substantive working experience related to natural resource management (NRM);
• Demonstrated substantive understanding and knowledge on cost benefit analysis;
• Demonstrated substantive understanding and knowledge on the concept of ecosystem services and their valuation methods;
• Demonstrated experience in undertaking Economics of Land degradation studies/research;
• Substantial knowledge Sustainable Land Management (SLM);
• Demonstrated knowledge in the effective facilitation of complex multi stakeholder processes;
• Knowledge and experience in NRM monitoring, including methodologies on monitoring and assessing land use change, land productivity and soil organic carbon;
• knowledge of GIS and remote sensing applied to natural resources monitoring and assessment at (sub)national level is an added advantage; and
• Experience in working with international organisations.

Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

• The financial offer should be quoted based on a daily professional fee.  The number of days for which the daily feel shall be payable under the contract is a maximum of 80 working days;
• The total professional fee shall be converted into an output-based contract based on the weighted percentage of contract price corresponding to the Deliverable; and
• Payments under the contract shall be made on submission and acceptance of Deliverables under the contract in accordance with the schedule of payment linked with Deliverables specified in Section D and certification of payment by UNDP’s Resilience and Climate Change, Portfolio Manager, UNDP Somalia.

Recommended Presentation of Offer

Interested Offerors are required to apply via the UNDP jobsite system at  https://jobs.undp.org on or before 19 February 2019.  The application must include the following documents in ONE SINGLE PDF DOCUMENT:

1. Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP (Annex II); and
2. Personal CV 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;

Technical Proposal:

1. Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment;
2. A brief methodology not exceeding five pages on how you will approach and complete the assignment; and
3. Financial Proposal:  the financial proposal shall be based on an all-inclusive daily professional fee. 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 any other costs (if any) in separate lines as per the template provided (Annex II).   Please do not include costs related to mission travel during the assignment as these will be borne by UNDP.

Any request for clarification/additional information on this consultancy shall be communicated to UNDP in writing via email at procurement.so@undp.org

Criteria for Selection of the Best Offer

Evaluation

Applicants will be evaluated based on the combined scoring method using the 70%-30% distribution whereby the technical proposal will be weighted at a maximum of 70% and combined with a price offer which will be weighted at 30%.

A two-stage procedure will be used to evaluate offers whereby the technical evaluation will be completed prior to price comparison. 

Technical Qualification Evaluation Criteria: (70% of total evaluation; Maximum 70 points)

Only proposals obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) shall be considered for price comparision.

Financial Evaluation Criteria: (30% of total evaluation; Maximum 30 points)

The maximum number of points assigned to the financial proposal is allocated to the lowest price proposal.  All other proposals receive points in inverse proportion.  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

Final Score

The final score will be the sum of the two scores obtained for the technical and financial criteria.

Contract Award

The award of the contract shall be made to the proposer whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

1. Being responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
2. Having received the highest combined score out of the pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation. 

Annexes to the TOR

• Annex I - Individual Contract and General Terms and Conditions.  See link; http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=46870 
• Annex II - Offeror’s Letter to UNDP confirming Interest and Availability for the Individual Contract including financial proposal template. See link; http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=45780 

Due to the large number of applications we receive, only short-listed applicants shall be notified of the outcome.