Antecedentes

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan.

Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan.  BPPS’s staff provides technical advice to Country Offices, advocates for UNDP corporate messages, represents UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora including public-private dialogues, government and civil society dialogues, and engages in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas. BPPS works closely with UNDP’s Crisis Bureau (CB) to support emergency and crisis response.  BPPS ensures that issues of risk are fully integrated into UNDP’s development programmes. BPPS assists UNDP and partners to achieve higher quality development results through an integrated approach that links results-based management and performance monitoring with more effective and new ways of working.  BPPS supports UNDP and partners to be more innovative, knowledge and data driven including in its programme support efforts.

UNDP’s 2018-2021 Strategic Plan emphasizes the critical links between environmental sustainability, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and broader efforts to achieve the goals of the 2030 Agenda and Paris Agreement. As part of the Global Policy Network in the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, UNDP’s Nature, Climate Change, and Energy (NCE) Team promotes and scales up integrated whole-of-governance approaches and nature-based solutions that reduce poverty and inequalities, strengthen livelihoods and inclusive growth, mitigate conflict, forced migration and displacement, and promote more resilient governance systems that advance linked peace and security agendas.

In addition to UNDP’s bilateral partnerships on natural capital, environment and climate, UNDP is an accredited multilateral implementing agency of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Multilateral Fund (MLF), the Adaptation Fund (AF) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) which includes the Global Environment Facility Trust Fund (GEF Trust Fund); the Nagoya Protocol Implementation Fund (NPIF); the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF); and the Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF)). As part of UNDP’s partnership with these vertical funds, UNDP provides countries specialized integrated technical services for eligibility assessment, programme formulation, capacity development, policy advice, technical assistance, training and technology transfer, mobilization of co-financing, implementation oversight, results management and evaluation, performance-based payments and knowledge management services.

Project Description

At the 25th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP25) in Madrid (the United Nations Climate Change Conference), the Adaptation Fund has launched a new US$10 million pilot grant programme to foster innovation in adaptation in developing countries. The programme targets a broad range of potential finance recipients, including non-governmental organizations, community groups, young innovators and the private sectors. The programme is part of the Adaptation Fund’s innovation facility, providing small grants to developing countries to support innovation for effective, long-term adaptation to climate change. UNDP acts as small grant aggregators for innovation in adaptation, making small grants available to a broad scope of stakeholders on a competitive basis. In January 2021, the European Commission and UNDP signed €10 million in funding for the UNDP-led Innovation Small Grant Aggregator Platform (ISGAP).

The AF-EC-UNDP Innovation Small Grant Aggregator Platform (ISGAP) is designed to support the development, diffusion and evidence building of innovative adaptation practices, tools, and technologies in developing countries. ISGAP programme is intended to provide 20-30 direct small grant fund to local entities (i.e. programme grantees).

Under the overall guidance of the ISGAP Project Manager and Environment Policy Advisor-HQ, the Policy and Grant-Agreement Consultant is responsible to review and negotiate low value grant agreement between UNDP and project grantees and provide technical assistance around UNDP policy to the global project.

Deberes y responsabilidades

The Policy and Grant-Agreement Consultant will advise and support the ISGAP programme to ensure the policy and legal risks are well manged and programme grantees’ grant agreement have been screened and managed.

Management of the programme policy risks 

• Provide detailed advice to the ISGAP programme on the application of UNDP’s policies, procedures and accountability mechanisms related to low value grant policy;
•  Identify any potential policy and legal risks that will require further assessment and management planning during implementation, identify the level of risk and probability, and incorporate these requirements into the project annual workplan;
• Provide advice on policy and legal issues for global and regional projects, summarise learning into the low value grant SOP or webinar;
• Lead the negotiation and grant agreement review process with programme grantees
• Review and screen low value grant agreement with each programme grantee;
• Negotiate and finalise low value grant agreement with each programme grantee;
• Provide advisory to the project team on potential improvement for reviewing and signing the grant agreement process.
• Provide legal and policy advise/guidance? to programme grantees 
• Prepare and deliver materials for the programme and to be replicable in future cases.
• Attend grantee’s queries and communications around policy issues. Connect legal office for any legal discussion. 

Expected Deliverables

• Review and negotiate 15-20 programme grantees’ grant agreement to identify potential social, environmental and governance risks; 
• Work with each medium (if need) and high-risk grantee on a social, environmental and governance risks

2. Deliverables and timelines:

The Consultant will be responsible for producing the below deliverables. These deliverables are changeable subject to UNDP approval, in case unexpected incidents take place in the project, such as delay of the project or change of project scope, due to reasons uncontrollable by the Consultant. 

No Deliverables Due Date Payment %

1 Completion of Negotiation and finalization of low value grant agreement with up to 20 grantees in total; 31 August 2021 40%

2 Identify any potential policy and legal risks that will require further assessment and management planning during implementation, identify the level of risk and probability, and incorporate these requirements into the project annual work plan, estimated input required for a maximum 25 working days; 30 September 2021 40%

3 Completion of lessons learnt materials for the programme to be replicable in future cases. Includes: 1. Design a section in the low value grant project SOP around internal process; 2. Host an internal webinar and present the learning around low-value grant agreement; 3. Provide written feedback to the policy team around improvement suggestions of the current low value grant agreement template. 30 October 2021 20%

3. Information on Working Arrangements:

• The consultant will work from home; 
• The consultant will report to the Project Manager – ISGAP and under the guidance of the Environment Policy Advisor-HQ. S/he will work closely with other staff in the UNDP Regional Hubs, HQ staff and counterparts as appropriate;
• The Consultant will be responsible for providing her/his working station (i.e., laptop, internet, phone, scanner/printer, etc.) and must have access to a reliable internet connection;
• Payments will be made upon submission of a detailed time sheet and certification of payment form, and acceptance and confirmation by the Supervisor on days worked (with a “day” calculated as 8 hours of work) and outputs delivered. If the quality does not meet standards or requirements, the consultant will be asked to rewrite or revise (as necessary) the document before proceeding to payment.  

4. Key Performance Indicators during implementation of Services:

Overall, the Consultant’s performance will be evaluated based on the following key criteria:

• Planning and organizing skill: Identify priority activities and assignments; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; Uses time efficiently.
• Communication skill: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style & format to match the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information & keeping people informed.
• Satisfactory and timely completion of tasks and submission of the deliverables within the provision of above explained deliverables and outputs. 

5. Reporting:

• The consultant will report to the Project Manager – ISGAP and under the guidance of the Environment Policy Advisor-HQ. S/he will work closely with other staff in the UNDP Regional Hubs, HQ staff and counterparts as appropriate;

Competencias

Corporate:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling 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 favouritism.

Technical:

• Knowledge of climate change Including climate change international regime) and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations
• Knowledge of global development financial trends, global financial institutions and processes, and ability to apply in strategic and/or practical situations
• Knowledge of Entrepreneurship in the developing world and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations

Professionalism:

• Ability to establish and maintain good relationship with stakeholders;
• Ability to meet deadlines and prioritize multiple tasks and work under pressure;
• Demonstrated ability to work in an independent manner and ability to plan, organize, implement, and report on work

Functional:

• Proficiency in English language;
• Excellent analytical skills, excellent interpersonal and communication and writing skills as well as ability for coordination

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

A.Education:

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree is required, or Master’s degree or higher in legal, policy, international relations, or closely related fields is desirable. (max 10 points)

B.Work Experience:

• A minimum of 13 years working experience in international policy, legal contracts and contract review (max. 25 points);
• Experience with contract negotiation in an international context (max. 10 points);
• Experience in strong research, and developing policies, procedures and guidelines for the standardized management of projects is required (max. 10 points);
• Experience in successfully leading large projects, managing matrices fluidly to encourage knowledge transfer and collaboration (max. 10 points);
• Familiarity with UN or international development agencies, policies rules and regulations and its operational procedures, experience in UNDP policies & procedures will be an assets (max. 10 points);
• Experience working with NGOs/CSOs on grant projects is an asset (max. 5 points).

C.Language:

• Excellent communication skills in English language (Pass/Fail)

1.Documents to be submitted:

• Applicants must submit a duly completed and signed UNDP Personal History form (P11) and/or CV including Education/Qualification, Professional Certification, Employment Records /Experience to be downloaded from the link;P11.

• Applicants must reply to the mandatory questions asked by the system when submitting the application;
• Applicants must submit a duly completed and signed Annex II Offeror´s letter to UNDP confirming interest and availability for the Individual Contractor (IC) assignment to be downloaded from the UNDP procurement site;
• For more information on how to prepare and submit proposals through eTendering link-eTendering information portal for bidders

A.Financial proposal:

• The financial proposal shall specify an all-inclusive daily fee.  In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal must additionally include a breakdown of this daily fee (including all foreseeable expenses to carry out the assignment); 
• Financial Proposal must be submitted as a separate file encrypted with a password. None of the financial proposal data is disclosed in other documents of the submission. UNDP shall request password for opening the Financial Proposal only from the Proposers who are deemed technically compliant;
• DO NOT DISCLOSE YOUR PRICE IN THE LINE ITEMS IN THE ETENDERING SITE. YOU MUST PUT PRICE AS “1” AND PROVIDE THE FINANCIAL PROPOSAL AS PASSWORD PROTECTED DOCUMENT.

2.Selection Criteria:

The award of contract will be made to one individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as being:

1. Responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
2. Achieving the highest combined score (financial and technical).

Only the top 6 candidates obtaining a minimum of 56 points from the review of the education, experience, and languages will be considered for financial evaluation.

 Link- https://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=79758