Antecedentes

Title: Environment and Natural Resources Management Specialist to Support Green Economy in Selected Base Commands (BC) of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)

Project Title: Recovery and Resilience Building in the Philippines

Project Description

The Philippines is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and disasters. Mindanao in particular, is most sensitive to El Nino phenomenon, which has suffered from severe drought events, the most recent of which was in 2016.  Medium-scale climate projections for the Philippines indicate increases in annual mean temperatures ranging from 0.90C to 1.10 C in the 2020s and 1.80C to 2.20C in the 2050s; with declining rainfall over Mindanao during the wet season (June to December).

Local flooding events are also rampant, on account of deforestation and uncontrolled land use change in major watersheds and river basins.

The presence of Lanao Fault system and Cotabato trench, makes the region exposed to earthquakes.  The devastating earthquake in Cotabato in 2019 resulted in major damages and displacement of the population. As of June 2020, some 14,758 families have not returned to their homes and/or not able to have access to permanent shelters.

As the subject of protracted conflicts between revolutionary groups and state forces as well as those of intra-Moro groups/clans, the region has also experienced multitude of internal displacements, outward migration, and land conflicts. These interrelated issues have placed significant challenges in enabling the region to recover better, faster and in a more inclusive manner from disasters caused by extreme climate events; violence; and pockets of armed conflict. Violence and disasters result in displacement; in turn and/or as a result, aggravates land conflicts. These factors likewise affect the way natural resources are managed. There is a risk that many years of conflict and delays in socio economic support could lead to significant natural resources loss, such as excessive harvesting of resources, and uncontrolled land use conversion. In turn, these could compromise the region’s natural resilience, and could lead to greater damages from the impacts of climate change and disasters. The absence of clear public land tenure policies and regulations over vast areas, particularly those claimed as part of the territorial and operational jurisdiction of revolutionary groups, could also lead to conflicts and resource use rights. The open access conditions encouraged in such set-up could lead to long term devastating consequences for the region and its people.

There is great potential though to ride on the gains from the peace process between the Government of the Philippines and the MILF. Parallel to the political track of ratifying the Bangsamoro Organic Law and formally establishing the new Bangsamoro government, the normalization process also made significant strides with the second phase decommissioning of MILF combatants. The Joint Normalization Committee has also taken the initiative to expand the transformation process of six previously-acknowledged MILF camps into peaceful and productive communities to now include the other BCs outside these camps. This period is therefore an opportune time to strengthen partnership with stakeholders in the base commands for them to take on greater responsibility for development planning, sustainable management of natural resources, address land conflicts, and adopt a risk-based approach to local development. By addressing these interrelated issues in a participatory manner, the prospect of inclusive development and peacebuilding objectives being achieved through investments in green economic recovery is high.

   Villarin, J. T., Algo, J. L., Cinco, T. A., Cruz, F. T., de Guzman, R. G., Hilario, F. D., Narisma, G. T., Ortiz, A. M., Siringan, F. P., Tibig, L. V. (2016). 2016 Philippine Climate Change Assessment (PhilCCA): The Physical Science Basis. The Oscar M. Lopez Center for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management Foundation Inc. and Climate Change Commission.

Institutional Arrangements

The Consultant shall develop an integrated approach to the assignment, ensuring that there are no duplication of assessments and planning with the Camp Transformation and Resilience Building Specialist. S/he shall work very closely with the leaders of the base commands in the execution of the assignment. The outputs shall be delivered through a participatory approach, involving stakeholder workshops and focus group discussions with local stakeholders.

The UNDP Cotabato Office, in coordination with the leadership of the MILF, shall facilitate inception meetings and endorsement of the consultant to local stakeholders. Succeeding activities for data collection shall be directly managed by the Consultant. Related administrative and logistical costs (e.g., vehicle rentals, supplies, printing/reproduction, documenters, translators) should therefore be included in the financial proposal. UNDP staff will join activities anytime for process documentation and monitoring.

Technical supervision shall be provided by the Team Leader of the UNDP Climate Action Team, in coordination with the Peace Team, and Bangkok Regional Hub.

Duration of Work

It is estimated that the assignments will be 60 working days spread over 3 months.

Duty Station

The engagement requires a high level of familiarity and knowledge of the Bangsamoro context and its environs. It will also involve substantial community-level interactions and validation work. It is therefore preferable that the Consultants be based in Mindanao or BARMM

Schedule of Payment

Financial proposals must be expressed as a lump sum “all-inclusive” per-person day rate. The term “all-inclusive” implies all costs (professional fees, communication, etc.). The price is fixed regardless of changes in the cost components.  Please follow the UNDP template with a breakdown of costs. Medical/health insurance must be purchased by the individual at his/her own expense, and upon award of contract, the consultant must be ready to submit proof of insurance valid during the contract duration.

Deberes y responsabilidades

The objective of this assignment is to carry out an environment and natural resources survey and an analysis of the links between climate change, disasters, conflict, migration/displacement and natural resource degradation in two (2) BCs of the MILF within the BARMM, and provide an assessment and inputs towards a base command-wise “green” natural resources management workplan. Based on consultations with the MILF, these BCs are:

• 121st BC covering Masiu, Ganasi and Maguiang in Lanao del Sur (5 barangays[1])
• 109th BC covering Datu Paglas and Mangudadatu in Maguindanao and Columbio in Sultan Kudarat (7 barangays[2])

The Consultant shall manage the formulation of the natural resources survey report and related plans, as well as the implementation of priority green enterprise programmes. 

• Working with local communities and leaders of the base commands, assess the status of resources, and assist in the formulation of a sustainable NRM plan;
• Identify opportunities for resilience building through the green economy, and conduct value chain analysis to establish linkages of different stakeholders in the production chain. Take into account how women or women groups/enterprises can be given opportunities to participate;
• Facilitate links with potential investors from the private sector and provide technical assistance in forging appropriate partnership agreements for sustainable business models and investment opportunities;
• Provide organizational training on enterprise development and technical assistance to a community organization (or the base command organization) to prepare a proposal for a low value grant for the selected green enterprise; Include women-led community enterprises or organizations. If there are no formal women organizations, identify individuals who are interested to form women-led community groups;

Note: The project will provide up to USD 10,000 to a maximum of four (4) community-based organizations for green enterprise start-ups like nursery establishment and coco-twine production, among others.

• Assist the base command leadership in linking with agencies and appropriate organizations to develop their capacities to implement their sustainable NRM plans, including reporting and monitoring of results.

1) Brgys. Sawir, Talaguian and Lacadun in Masiu; Brgy. Pindolonan in Ganasi; and, Brgy. Malungun in Maguiang. Brgys. Mangadeg, Mao, Palao 2) Sabuto and Puya in Datu Paglas; Brgys. Paitan and Daladagan in Mangudadatu; and, Brgy. Makat in Columbio.

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.

Functional and technical competencies

• Ability to work in a diverse and multi-cultural environment;
• Self-motivated and ability to work under pressure and to meet strict and competing deadlines;
• Displays analytical judgment and demonstrated ability to handle confidential and politically sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Candidates will be evaluated based on the Combined Rating methodology:

• Technical qualifications = 70%
• Financial Proposal =    30%

The Plan of Approach and Methodology shall provide a brief description of the strategies, processes and activities to be employed by the Consultant to deliver the expected outputs. It should also contain an indicative timeline to conduct/complete proposed activities and deliver outputs by the expected due dates.

The financial proposal should indicate both breakdown and total costs of the engagement. It should be all-inclusive covering professional fees (including those of his/her support team), travel expenses, daily subsistence allowance and other related administrative-logistical expenses.

For the evaluation of the Technical Proposal, the selection of the successful consultant must be based on the following qualifications (with the appropriate obtainable points):

Familiarity with the Bangsamoro context/GPH-MILF peace process and prior work with any of the

Bangsamoro stakeholders are preferred. Previous engagement(s) as service provider for UNDP, other UN agencies, and international organizations in the Philippines as well as working knowledge/use of any of the major local languages will be considered as an advantage.

Applicants who will only receive 70 points from the assessment of the CV and interview will be qualified for the assessment of the Financial Proposal. 

Recommended Presentation of Offer

Interested applicants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications. Please group them into one (1) single PDF document as the application only allows to upload maximum one document. 

1. Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references; and
2. Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP; ?Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided.  If an 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 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. 
3. Two (2) sample outputs
4. Plan of Approach and Methodology, including timeline

The Plan of Approach and Methodology shall provide a brief description of the strategies, processes and activities to be employed by the Consultant to deliver the expected outputs. It should also contain an indicative timeline to conduct/complete proposed activities and deliver outputs by the expected due dates.

The financial proposal should indicate both breakdown and total costs of the engagement. It should be all-inclusive covering professional fees (including those of his/her support team), travel expenses, daily subsistence allowance and other related administrative-logistical expenses.

Interested applicants to note that personal Medical/health insurance (to be purchased by the individual at his/her own expense) is mandatory for the issuance of contracts. Upon award of the contract, the consultant must be ready to submit proof of insurance valid during the contract duration.

The following templates / Annexes and IC General Terms & Conditions can be downloaded from http://gofile.me/6xdJm/bE9TCw8fU:

• General Terms and Conditions for Individual Contract
• Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability
• P-11 form

In view of the volume of applications, UNDP receives, only shortlisted offerors will be notified. 

Former applicants to this same job advertisement are not required to resbmit their application.