Antecedentes

The United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Jordan, in which the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is a part of, consists of 17 agencies, funds and programmes.

The guiding framework under which the UNCT operates in Jordan is the United Nations Assistance Framework (UNAF). In this context the UNCT meets to ensure that implementation of the UNAF is in line with the workplan, that it remains relevant, and that it is responsive to national priorities and targets and support national efforts in reaching a solution pathway that achieves the goal of a more inclusive and resilient nation which can effectively address the different development challenges.

 Among those priorities is the support for environmental management and nationally owned sustainable development pathways including the mainstreaming of environmental management into the national and local development processes and support the Government of Jordan in its efforts of integrating climate change consideration into the national and development policies and to continue to build on the institutional and technical capacity strengthening process in the areas of Climate Change and National Communications reporting.

To this end, the UNCT has recognized it is imperative for Jordan to develop pro-active, integrated management approach to address the adverse impacts of climate change. To do so, there is a need to strengthen the primitive governance and foster cross-sectoral policy coherence.

Consultancy Background & Climate Change Context in Jordan

Jordan is adversely impacted by climate change, climate models of the Third National Communication of Jordan on climate change indicate that warmer summers relative to other seasons are extremely likely to occur including, decrease of precipitation, heat waves, the maximum number of dry days is likely to increase per year, and consecutive dry days. An increase in the water deficit up to 30% during over the 20 years is predicted as highly likely.

Jordan is signatory to UNFCCC, the government has ratified, inter alia, the Convention in 1993, Kyoto Protocol in 2004, and the Paris Agreement in 2016. Moreover, Jordan has joined the Climate & Clean Air Coalition in 2012 and produced several policies, legislations and national reports in response to the obligations of the global collective collaboration frameworks. Jordan submitted the Initial, Second and Third National Communication Reports to UNFCCC in 1998, 2009 and 2014 respectively.

At the national level, several steps have been taken in response to the global environment obligations, the most important can be summarized as follows:

• Preparation of the Initial National Communication, prepared by the General Corporation for Environment Protection (GCEP) (which later became the Ministry of Environment), 1996-1997.
• Vulnerability and adaptation to climate change, prepared by MoEnv in 2000 to complete the Initial National Communication.
• Establishing a pilot biogas facility at Russifa domestic landfill site, implemented by the Greater Amman Municipality and commissioned in 2000.
• Technology needs assessment (TNA) and technology transfer (TT), prepared by MoEnv, 2004-2005.
• National Capacity Self-Assessment for Global Environmental Management (NCSA), implemented by MoEnv in 2005 to assess the capacity constraints and potentials for implementing the three international environmental conventions on biodiversity, climate change, and desertification.
• Enabling Activities for the Preparation of Jordan's Second National Communication to the UNFCCC, implemented by MoEnv, 2006-2009.
• National Environmental, Economic, and Development Study (NEEDS) for Climate Change, prepared by the Ministry of Environment, 2010.
• Developing Policy-relevant Capacities for the Implementation of Global Environmental Conventions, implemented by the Ministry of Environment in cooperation with UNDP and with support from GEF, 2010.
• Enabling Activities for the Preparation of Jordan’s Third National Communication to the UNFCCC, implemented by MoEnv in cooperation with UNDP and with support from GEF 2012-2015.
• Jordan`s first Climate Change Policy, supported by UNDP/GEF, 2013.
• Enabling Activities for the Preparation of Jordan’s First Biennial Update Report to the UNFCCC, implemented by MoEnv, 2015-2017.
• Mainstreaming Rio Convention into National Sectoral Polices in Jordan Project, 2015-2019.

Moreover, Jordan submitted its first Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC) in Nov 2016 with the support of The German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ) and it is expected that Jordan will submit its Second NDC in 2020. Within the INDC, Jordan nationally determines to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by a bulk of 14 % until 2030. This contribution of GHGs reduction will be unconditionally fulfilled at, maximally, 1.5 % by the Country’s own means compared to a business as usual scenario level. However, Jordan, conditionally and subject to availability of international financial aid and support to means of implementation, commits to reduce its GHGs emissions by additional, at least, 12.5 % by 2030.

The Government of Jordan with the support from UNDP has  developed pioneering National Policy on Climate Change in 2013. The policy has been developed with a dual objective in mind. The first is to strengthen Jordan's capacity to respond to the detrimental impacts of climate change expected to add a multiplying effect to current challenges in sectors like water and agriculture. The second is to strengthen Jordan's global stewardship in addressing options to reduce emissions while achieving sound and sustainable developmental objectives especially in the various sectors of energy. Since 2013, the policy outlined the backbone for climate change agenda in the country, which has been seriously under implementation by the Ministry of Environment.

As the policy document will be out-dated by the end of 2020 year, the UNCT with the lead of UNDP has commenced the process to support Jordan in updating the National Policy on Climate Change Management in Jordan. To do so, UNDP is seeking international expert; to provide an overview of international best practices related to climate change management in order to make informed comparisons between the current situation in Jordan and those practices that have proved effective in other countries, to lead and facilitate the process of updating the National Policy on Climate Change Management.

Deberes y responsabilidades

SCOPE of the Assignment

This assignment supports Jordan to meet its obligations to the global environment, contributes to strengthen the national governance capacities related to climate change management and improves the country’s preparedness to address the adverse impacts of climate change.

The main objective is to provide a strategic guidance and technical backstopping to review and update the climate change policy in Jordan in order to create an enabling policy and regulatory framework for a pragmatic, coordinated and harmonized approach to climate change management. The updated policy statement should be designed and constructed within the context of the national development priorities, aligned with the sustainable development principles including but not limited to human rights, gender equality, participation of concerned stakeholders…etc.

As travel to Jordan is currently restricted due to COVID-19 crisis, the tasks and responsibilities are expected to be performed remotely with possible travel to Jordan when the government begins to ease the lockdown procedures. However, travel cost and allowances will be covered as per the remuneration policies of UNDP. A national coordinator will be recruited to facilitate the consultations with the national climate change concerned stakeholders,  UNCT focal points and development partners and provide technical backstopping, when needed.

The consultant shall undertake this assignment in full coordination with relevant ministries, the National Climate Change Committee, NGOs, academic and research centers to ensure the best quality and sustainability of findings. Coordination can be done by video conferencing and communication platforms.

Specific Tasks

Desktop Research & Literature Review

There is rich literature on climate change in Jordan. The consultant is expected to carry out – to the extent possible- a thorough desktop and literature review including the following:

• The National Climate Change Policy 2013-2020;
• The document of the Fourth National Communication Project;
• The third national communication report;
• Jordan’s First Biennial Update Report to the UNFCCC;
• First Intended Nationally Determined Contributions;
• Any other literature relevant to the assignment.

Policy Vision, Broad Goal & Outcomes

• Undertake climate change situational analysis and identify gap in information required for the revision and update of the national policy. The situational analysis should include risk assessment in order to construct a vulnerability profile for key economic sectors, population groups, regions, and communities.
• Carry out consultative meetings with climate change concerned stakeholders to define and agree on the purpose of the policy and its broad strategic directions (vision, goal, outcomes and objectives)
• In close consultation with climate change concerned stakeholders, agree on the guiding principles of the climate change policy enshrined in the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol.

The Policy Instruments

• In consultation with concerned stakeholders, define the policy statement and policy instruments on climate change: mitigation, adaptation, education, research & technology development, capacity building, awareness and other climate change priority areas;
• Assess the existing climate change management governance in Jordan and build discussions on the most effective policy instruments that guide the policy implementation. These should include but not limited to climate financing, institutional arrangements and cross-cutting priority issues such as refugees…etc.;
• Propose monitoring and evaluation framework that measures the progress of policy implementation and provides institutional accountability mechanism;
• Draft the Climate Change Policy document;
• Circulate the drafted document for comments and feedback;
• Based on the stakeholders’ comments and feedback, polish the document and produce the Climate Change Policy Document.

Participation of Climate Change Concerned Stakeholders

The consultant in coordination with the national coordinator shall ensure full participation of climate change concerned stakeholders and convene -to the extent possible- consultative meetings to perform the preceded tasks. Online training on the climate change policy planning and validation workshops may be requested if needed.

Expected Outputs & Deliverables Timeframe

D1:   A work plan on how the above listed tasks will be achieved within the duration of the assignment.

Finalization of the national coordinator TOR

D2: Synthesis report details the findings of desktop research, the climate change situational analysis that defines gaps in information required for the revision and update of the national policy

D3:  First draft of the climate change policy document  

D4: Final draft of the climate change policy document  

Competencias

Corporate

• Demonstrates integrity and fairness, by modeling the UN/UNDP’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.

Functional

• Proven technical and intellectual skills in understanding and interpreting regional, national and local green financing issues;
• Ability to understand and analyze and political dynamics in the region;
• Demonstrated ability for facilitation and coordination skills;
• Demonstrated entrepreneurial abilities and demonstrated ability to work in an independent manner;
• Background knowledge about the SDGs, United Nations and UNDP;
• Good teamwork and interpersonal skills;
• Flexibility and ability to handle multiple tasks and work under pressure;
• Excellent drafting and formulation skills;
• Excellent computer skills especially Word, Excel and PowerPoint;

Leadership

• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and to provide credible leadership;
• Demonstrated intellectual leadership and ability to integrate green finance with broader strategic overview and corporate vision;
• Demonstrated flexibility in leadership by performing and/or overseeing the analysis/resolution of complex issues;
• Ability to conceptualize and convey strategic vision from the spectrum of development experience.

Managing Relationships

• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain strategic partnerships;
• Demonstrated well developed people management and organizational management skills;
• Excellent negotiating and networking skills with strong partnerships in academia, technical organizations and as a recognized expert in the practice area.

Managing Complexity

• Ability to address global development issues;
• Demonstrated substantive leadership and ability to integrate knowledge with broader strategic, policy and operational objectives.

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Ability to strongly promote and build knowledge products;
• Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information and best practices from within and outside of UNDP;
• Demonstrates a strong capacity for innovation and creativity in providing strategic policy advice and direction.

Judgment/Decision-Making

• Mature judgment and initiative;
• Proven ability to provide strategic direction to the project implementation process;
• Independent judgment and discretion in advising on handling major policy issues and challenges, uses diplomacy and tact to achieve result.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education

• Education: Advanced University degree in the fields of climate change, environmental management, Climatology, public administration or relevant related fields.

Experience

• Experience: Minimum of 15 years of total experience of which at least five years relevant experience to the assignment.
• Language requirement: Proficient in both written and oral English and Arabic.
• Computer skills: Demonstrable skills in office computer use - word processing, spread sheets, etc.

DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS

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

1. Proposal:

(i) Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work

(ii) Provide a brief methodology on how they will approach and conduct the work (if applicable)

2. Financial proposal

3. Personal CV including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

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 installments 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 (including travel, per diems, and number of anticipated working days).

All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel.  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.

In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

EVALUATION

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodologies:

Cumulative analysis

When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

b) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

* Technical Criteria weight; 70%

* Financial Criteria weight; 30%

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 50 out of 70 in the technical evaluation to be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Criteria for technical proposals

Experience in similar tasks, 17.5%.

Technical approach and methodology and work plan demonstrating a clear understanding of the job to be done, 17.5%.

Years of Relevant Experience, 17.5%.

Relevance of Education/ Degree, 17.5%.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. All individuals including persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with strictest confidence and equally.

Technical and financial proposals along with CV & 3 references should be submitted, and without such will not be considered). 

(Only Short Listed Candidates will be contacted)

UNDP is an employer committed to gender equity and to providing equal opportunities to both males and females.

Fund code: 62000