Antecedentes

PROJECT NAME

Capacity Building of Diplomat and Professionals on Contemporary Aspects of Climate Change

OBJECTIVES

The major objective of this pilot project is to enhance capacity of high-level government officials on the contemporary aspects of climate change for positioning climate change in a broader foreign policy and diplomatic context to highlights Bangladesh’s climate change agenda at international level since the traditional instruments of diplomacy are not always effective in tackling global climate emergency. The impact of the project is to enhance climate resilient development and green growth. The outcome of the project is to represent Bangladesh in better position in climate change in global climate change forum and negotiation which will contribute to achieving goals set in Paris Agreement along with a well-structured and diplomatic climate negotiation team on board.

BACKGROUND 

Climate change impacts and variability are the critical development concerns for Bangladesh, given the country’s high vulnerability to its impacts. So, national legal and policy responses are required to deal with the adverse impacts of climate change and to promote climate resilient development and green growth. Capacity building (CB) could be entry point for mainstreaming climate change in development planning, programming and budgetary process. The relevant policy document like BCCSAP (2009), NAPA (revised in 2009) and NDC (2015) emphasis for capacity building on various contemporary aspects of climate change. The sixth pillar (T6: Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening) of the BCCSAP emphasized on CB and institutional strengthening to enhance the capacity of government ministries and line agencies, which is essential to meet the challenges of climate change and mainstream them as part of development actions. Revised NAPA (2009) proposed for “Build the capacity of the government to undertake international and regional negotiations on climate change”. The capacity development action plan (draft 2015) prepared by MoEFCC with support from “Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience” also identified CB a critical component for mainstreaming climate change in development agenda.

Climate negotiation is a complex multi-lateral process and hence no country negotiates in the UNFCCC as a single country, but rather within negotiating groups. Bangladesh negotiates as a member of the LDC group and was at one time the chair of the group but now remains in the senior group of LDC negotiators. Bangladesh was member of a number of important bodies set up by the UNFCCC over the years, such as the Adaptation Fund Board, the Green Climate Fund Board and the Executive Committee of the Warsaw International Mechanism on Loss and Damage. This is global recognition of Bangladesh's expertise and importance in climate change diplomacy by the other counties. The ministerial level meeting of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) held in 2011 in Bangladesh had an excellent example of success of Bangladesh in climate negotiations. The presence of the UN Secretary General at the CVF conference added value to arrive at a decision for raising common voice for the interest of vulnerable nations at different summit. GoB is now updating NDC aiming with a greater ambition and hence capacity building on implementation of ambitious NDC is also required. Moreover, the GoB is also preparing National Adaptation Plan which is expected to be complete by next year. Therefore, capacity building of NAP implementation is also urgent priority.

Bangladesh had been set up several climate change fund e.g. Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund (BCCTF), Bangladesh Climate Change Resilience Fund (BCCRF) and Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience (PPCR). BCCTF allocated more than US$300 million over the last decade from own revenue budget and created Bangladesh Climate Change Trust to advance climate resilient development and green growth. This glorified example was followed by several LDC countries.

However, there are high turnover of staff leading to frequent losses of institutional memory in relevant ministries and line agencies which are hindering advancing climate change agenda. There is limited mechanism to retain talent officials at MoEFCC and other relevant ministries. Limited coordination capacity among relevant ministries and line agencies are also hampering timely and quality delivery of results in the climate change areas. In Bangladesh climate change is still a domain under the MoEFCC and they have limited capacity to bring and convene other important ministries and line agencies. As capacity building considered as the entry point for mainstreaming climate change in development planning; that is why adopting is continues, well-coordinated, phased and transformation driven capacity building approach is very much required.

One of the nine elements of the Work Plan to be coordinated by the Paris Committee on Capacity Building (PCCB), established at COP21, is to explore means of ensuring national ownership. It has also been urged to learn from past experience in CB (paragraph 73.e of the PA). In addition, the Paris Agreement includes CB as one of its main pillars through articles 11 (capacity building), 12 (education, training and awareness) and 13 (transparency). However, capacity building is a continuous process and therefore the plan remains an open and living document subject to changes and improvement as per country’s changing needs. Bangladesh by signing up to Paris Agreement has agreed to enhance capacity building activities including the associated institutional arrangements such as the establishment of coordination instrument. By setting up the Paris Committee on Capacity Building (PCCB) and CB Initiative for Transparency (CBIT), global communities have shown both commitment and transparency in their climate action. However, immediate, midterm and long-term capacity building plans with appropriate institutional arrangements and effective coordination mechanisms are required for implementing capacity building programs.

Without mainstreaming climate change into the development strategy, no country can achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). That’s why capacity building on contemporary aspects of climate change particularly climate negotiations and diplomacy, economics and financing aspects of climate change, green growth, carbon trading system, etc. are very important for Bangladesh. Since climate change is a cross-cutting development issue, the Ministry of Planning and the Economic Relations Division (ERD) under the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change , Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, Ministry of Powe, Energy and Mineral Resources, Ministry of Water resources, and Ministry of Agriculture could be engaged in the future as potential partners for mainstreaming climate change in development planning and management.

Deberes y responsabilidades

 SCOPE OF WORK

The International Consultant-Capacity Building Expert will be responsible for quality assurance and timely preparation of six training modules including detail ToR and operational guideline for climate negotiation and diplomacy. S/he will be responsible for collecting and collating required information and critically review various training modules prepared nationally and internationally to supporting, guiding and overseeing the work of National Consultant in the Team. Output of the assignment will be a training pack containing six sets of training modules and ToR including operational guideline for climate negotiation. The International Capacity Building Expert will provide necessary technical support to the following deliverables:

• Prepare Six Training Modules: the training module will contain sessions which are outlined as followings:

1. A well-structured orientation course on climate change: This will give fundamentals of climate change which are pre-requisite for qualify for participating in other climate change courses. This course will be mandatory for all participants that will join in following courses.
2. Training on climate diplomacy: This training will discuss about profound understanding on the UNFCCC negotiation processes and outcomes and their policy implications at the international, regional and national levels. This training will also provide guidance on key aspects for the preparedness of Bangladesh as a party of the UNFCCC.
3. Training on economics and finance of climate change: This multi-disciplinary course will provide an in-depth overview of the economics, finance and governance of climate change including tracking mechanism of climate finance and transparency. This course will cover assessment of economic impacts of climate change, cost-benefit analysis of investment projects and climate-proofing options, etc.
4. Training on Inclusive Green Economy and Green Growth: This course aims at enhancing participants’ knowledge of different concepts and facets of the green economy and green growth, as well as global, national and sector-specific challenges and opportunities to advance low-carbon, resource efficient, planet responsive and socially inclusive development. 
5. Training on policy implications for a green and resilient recovery in post-COVID-19 situation: This training will discuss scope and opportunity for designing a green and resilient stimulus package for post COVID-19. This training could also discuss way of boosting climate-smart infrastructure (e.g., renewable energy, modernizing the electric grid, public transport, improving digital infrastructure to build on the global teleworking experience), developing and adopting climate-smart and ICT enabled technologies (e.g., battery/hydrogen/carbon capture & storage), supporting adaptation (e.g., flood protection, water supply, resilient agriculture, resilient roads and buildings), avoiding carbon-intensive investments (e.g., fossil-fuel power and high-emissions vehicles).This calls for fiscal policymakers to “green” and make “resilient” their response to this crisis to prevent one crisis leading to another;
6. Training on Emissions Trading Systems (ETS): This course will cover theory and rationale of emissions trading as a climate policy instrument, Technical design and implementation of an ETS, market readiness and specific challenges for developing countries, etc. This course will discuss carbon market dynamics, allocating allowances on the ETS, tools and methodology for data collection and inventory generation, leakage and competitiveness, MRV, legal and regulatory framework for ETS, etc.

• Develop Operational Guideline for Climate Negotiation:

1. Guideline will be developed to streamline current negotiation team.
2. Guideline will be jointly developed with the appropriate state institutions and it will seek to use existing training infrastructure / facilities. The process will be rolled out in a manner to ensure institutionalization of trainings.
3. Guideline will support in setup of a structured national climate negotiation team with detail ToR and operational modalities with required mandate.

• Collate training materials from well-known and internationally recognized  contemporary aspects of Climate Change negotiation sources (translation and contextualization of available training materials) targeting the identified capacity needs, and potentially covering a wide range of issues such as facilities and visitor management, traditional knowledge, environmental education and international training courses, administration, scientific knowledge and research, planning, information systems, management, leadership and decision-making, sustainable development, outreach and partnerships, fundraising, etc.;

• Design strategic approach for implementing the training;

• Conduct consultation meetings with relevant stakeholders such as government authorities, partners, communities, elaborating the current barriers and challenges in contemporary aspects of climate change negotiation coming up with advice and guide with actions’ checklist for its implementation;

• Facilitate deployment of online training tools on Contemporary Aspects of Climate Change Negotiation, with guidelines for use of online platforms (e.g. Climate Vulnerable Forum -CVF, etc.);

• Address key risks, assumptions and mitigation measures in climate change negotiation process;  

• Support other tasks, as agreed with the project management;

DELIVERABLES

The International Consultant- Capacity Building on Contemporary Aspects of Climate Change will deliver as followings:  

• A detailed methodology and work plan for preparation of Six Training Modules and details ToR and operational guideline for climate negotiation;
• Draft Final Six training modules including detail ToR and operational guidelines;
• Final Six Training Modules including detail ToR and operational guideline;

Payments shall be done in four installments based on actual days worked and submitted deliverables documenting this, upon approval by the contract administrator (Programme Specialist) of the deliverable and an indicating the days worked in the period and activities performed. 

Competencias

• Excellent oral and written English and Bangla communication skills, and exceptional technical writing and presentation capabilities; 
• Ability to work independently and participate in team-based environment; 
• Good leadership capacity; 
• Demonstrable analytical skills; 
• Knowledge management and learning. Constantly build and apply thematic expertise; 
• Integrity and modelling of UN corporate values; 
• Ability to engage with high ranking Government Officials and provide policy advisory support services; 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, team oriented work style, interest and experience of working in multi-cultural environment; 
• Excellent writing skills in the compilation of high level quality documents in English language;
• Proficiency in the use of the computer; 

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

REQUIREMENTS

 i. ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS 

At least Master’s degree in Climate Change, Environmental Science/Engineering, Sustainability Science, Natural Resource Economics, Environmental Studies and /or Resource Management, or closely related field, etc. 

ii. EXPERIENCE 

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in provision of similar consulting services, preferably in contemporary aspects of climate change adaptation and mitigation, climate change negotiation process, capacity building, monitoring and evaluation, strategy consulting, public awareness, etc. 
• At least 05 years of experience in conducting training in the field of Climate Change Adaptation, Climate Change Mitigation, Disaster Risk Reduction, Project Formulation, Planning Process, Risk Informed Development, etc. 
• Proven skills in preparation of training module, project management, technical writing, capacity building, facilitation and project implementation; Working experience in government, UN, private sector and development partner consultation and communication; 
• Experience in communicating effectively with a diversity of partners with leadership skills; 
• Extensive experience in policy analysis, legislative analysis and institutional capacity building; 
• Ability to produce concise, readable and analytical reports. 

SUPERVISION AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

The Consultant will work closely with the Programme Specialist (Nature, Climate & Energy) and engaged donor for this assignment. The International Consultant- will report directly to Programme Specialist.

The Consultant will use his/her own personal computer or laptop. UNDP will provide a working station while visit in Bangladesh.

TRAVEL AND DSA

No DSA will be paid. If unforeseen travel outside the duty station not required by the Terms of Reference is requested by UNDP, and upon prior agreement/approval, such travel shall be UNDP’s expenses and the individual consultant shall receive a per-diem not to exceed United Nations daily subsistence allowance rate in such other.

DUTY STATION

This consultancy will be home-based.

TIMEFRAME AND DEADLINES

The assignment is for total 30 working days over a period of 5 months (Tentative March-2021 to 30 July, 2021).

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

Lump sum contracts

The financial proposal shall specify daily rate of services 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 daily rate (including travel, per diems, and number of anticipated working days).

Deliverables are linked with the payment schedule:

Individual Consultant 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 49 % point in technical criteria would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Financial Evaluation: (Total obtainable score – 30)

All technically qualified proposals will be scored out 30 based on the formula provided below. The maximum points (30) will be assigned to the lowest financial proposal. All other proposals receive points according to the following formula:

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

Recommended Presentation of Offer

Interested individuals must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications.

1. Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;
2. 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: http://www.bd.undp.org/content/bangladesh/en/home/operations/jobs/
3. Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment and a methodology on how they will approach and complete the assignment.
4. Financial Proposal: Financial Proposal has to be submitted through a standard interest and availability template which can be downloaded from the link below:

http://www.bd.undp.org/content/dam/bangladesh/docs/Jobs/Interest%20and%20Submission%20of%20Financial%20Proposal-Template%20for%20Confirmation.docx

Please combine all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.