Background

TERMS OF REFERENCE

INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANT: Designing Coastal Protection and Resilience Strategy for Infrastructures Planning for Timor-Leste

1. Project Title:

Building Shoreline Resilience of Timor-Leste to Protect Local Communities and their Livelihoods (Coastal Resilience Project)

1. Project Description:

Building shoreline resilience of Timor-Leste to protect local communities and their livelihoods project is funded by GEF and its main objective is to strengthen resilience of coastal communities by the introduction of nature-based approaches to coastal protection. The project is under implementation in collaboration with the Government of Timor-Leste (GoTL) through the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF), its replicas in the seven target municipalities, local authorities, communities, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Environment (MCIE), Ministry of Public Works (MPW), Ministry of Social Solidarity (MSS), UNTL and implementing partner NGOs.

The coastal population of Timor-Leste is vulnerable to the threats of sea level rise and extreme events. Approximately 40% of the population lives in the coastal areas. This is comprised of almost 560,000 people residing in coastal and lowland areas with an elevation of up to 500 meters. The coastal zone and habitats of Timor-Leste are thus subject to a high degree of human dependency and resource use. Climate change projections indicate that coastal areas might in future experience increased flash floods and landslides originating from the upstream hill areas but are also likely to face increased incidents of sea surges and storms. These hazards have serious impacts on coastal and marine ecosystems, especially for mangroves, estuaries and coral reefs, which are already under stress because of coastal zone development and population growth.

Though Timor-Leste is a young country, the GoTL is moving swiftly to establish the institutional structure and policy frameworks necessary to ensure that development planning is both economically and environmentally sustainable. Lack of institutional leadership; coordinated land use decision-making and finance, however, are currently challenges towards effective coastal management. MPW is responsible for planning and carrying out works aimed at protecting, preserving and repairing bridges, roads, river banks and coastal areas, namely with a view to controlling flooding’. Issues related to coasts, such as fisheries, protected areas, tourism, environment, and natural disasters, appear in the mandated responsibilities of MAF, MCIE, MTC (Ministry of Transport and Communication) and MSS.

The ambitious targets detailed in the sustainable development plan (SDP) highlight the urgency of inter-ministerial coordination to ensure the conservation and protection of the coastal natural defenses. Though several mangrove areas already have protected area status, enforcement is difficult due to the lack of zoning regulations in surrounding areas and adequate resources for active monitoring.

Rapid infrastructure development, especially, is putting incredible pressure on Timor-Leste’s coastal areas and mangroves ecosystem. Decree-Law No. 5/2011 of 9 February 2011 on Environmental Licensing creates a system of environmental licensing for public and private projects likely to produce environmental and social impacts on the environment. The law stipulates the need for environmental impact assessments, based on technical studies and consultations with public participation, including identification and assessment of likely impacts, positive and negative, that the project may have on the environment, as well as the environmental management measures designed to avoid, minimize or compensate for adverse impacts expected.

The law further stipulates the need for an environmental management plan (EMP) to address the findings of the assessment. There are currently a number of large scale projects which must be well-planned in order to avoid destabilization of foreshores and damage to coastal ecosystems. Given the importance of a concrete protection and resilience strategy for the coastal areas through well integrated infrastructure planning, UNDP would like to hire an international consultant to develop the same for Timor Leste as a key instrument to guide the protections of the coastal landscape including mangroves and other coastal ecosystems through harmonized plan and implementation of infrastructure development along the coastal areas.  

1. OBJECTIVE:

The overall objective of the consultancy assignment is to design coastal protection and resilience strategy for infrastructure planning in Timor-Leste.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. SCOPE OF SERVICE:

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager/CTA, in collaboration with PMU, Country Office(CO) and in consultation with UNDP SDU and government relevant sector ministers, the Consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

• A thorough assessment of the current features of the major infrastructures development in Timor-Leste such as road, port, housing(settlement), jetty, different factories and industries, as well as other investments and their impact on shoreline and coastal ecosystem and communities.  This involve field visits to the coastal areas and major infrastructure sites, consultation and discussion with communities, government authorities, as well as key partners and stakeholders
• Review of existing coastal change mapping, coastal dynamics and coastal vulnerability assessment reports of Timor Leste

• Review: i) on-going and planned investments and infrastructures development in the coastal areas of Timor Leste and their impact; ii) policies, laws, executive regulations and decrees relevant to coastal management, protection and adaptation iii) the extent of integrated climate planning at national and local levels, iv) the extent to which early warning weather information is used to inform land-use planning( infrastructures), protection of coastal community and their assets  and v) the extent to which natural resource management planning and disaster risk management activities are prepared in an integrated manner to build costal resilience of Timor Leste
• A review of sector-based infrastructures assessments that outline key vulnerabilities caused to the coastal areas, gender dimensions and opportunities for reducing vulnerability through joined-up national adaptation and shoreline management interventions
• A set of recommendations that build synergy among different national infrastructure development interventions and investments to contribute to the coastal resilience building effort.  
• Develop an integrated Coastal Protection and Resilience Strategy for Infrastructure Planning for Timor -Leste including setting the estimate budget of the key intervention areas
• Preliminary cost-effectiveness analysis of the proposed Coastal Protection and Resilience Strategy (which will be validated during different consultation workshops with key stakeholders). This should include cost estimates for the proposed intervention; to ensure affordability; a financial plan to ensure financial sustainability, as well as estimates of potential benefits, where possible. The cost analysis should take into account lessons learned from past national programming experiences
• Stakeholders involvement plan in the implementation of the Coastal Protection and Resilience Strategy for Infrastructures Planning and an institutional delivery plan that describes the management structure and implementation arrangements, including the roles and responsibilities of the key stakeholders;
• A description of the adaptation and shoreline protection learning points that the interventions will generate, example, how will the pilot interventions that are being tested help government and other stakeholders to build their knowledge on and adopt the best climate change adaptation and coastal management practices.

1. EXPECTED OUTPUTS AND DELIVERABLES

The successful consultant will perform the tasks listed under Section D and deliver the following outputs;

• An inception report which sets out detail work plan and methodology including stakeholder engagement methods to assessment of the current features of the major infrastructures development in Timor-Leste such as road, port, housing(settlement), jetty, different factories and industries, as well as other investments and their impact on shoreline and coastal ecosystem and communities

• Assessment report on assessment of the current features of the major infrastructures development in Timor-Leste such as road, port, housing(settlement), jetty, different factories and industries, as well as other investments and their impact on shoreline and coastal ecosystem and communities through field visits to the coastal areas and major infrastructure sites, consultation and discussion with communities, government authorities, as well as key partners and stakeholders
• Design Coastal Protection and Resilience Strategy for Infrastructures Planning for Timor-Leste
•  

a. An inception meeting with UNDP and government officials and experts of key ministries including MAF, MPW, MTC, MSS, MSIP, MLP, and others

b. Stakeholder’s consultation workshop on the assessment findings

c. Stakeholders consultation meeting or workshop on draft coastal Protection and Resilience Strategy for Infrastructures Planning for Timor-Leste

d. Validation workshop on the final coastal Protection and Resilience Strategy for Infrastructures Planning for Timor-Leste

Timeline for implementation

Competencies

1. INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

The consultant will report directly to the Project Manager for the Coastal Resilience building project.  PMU will facilitate administrative arrangements and logistical support throughout the duration of this assignment including coordinating the in-country mission and field visits. The consultant will be provided office space in the Coastal Resilience project office, transportation will be provided to the municipalities outside of Dili and related logistical support for implementation of activities only related to the assignment only. Extensive field visit, and travel will be required to the municipalities. The consultant will be expected to facilitate the respective consultations and workshops as specified under this TOR.

• The IC will work under the close guidance of the UNDP Timor Leste Country Office (CO), MAF and the UNDP-Regional Technical Advisor
• Conduct frequent communication and advisory services with project team and relevant government ministries
• The IC will undertake her/his assignment in all target Municipalities with prior clearance by the government authorities and UNDP CO and direct consultation with local authorities
• The IC will maintain a dialogue with the national counterpart and project team/UNDP-CO as and when problems emerge during the assignment
• Frequent communication will be maintained through e-mail, telephone and skype correspondence with all relevant parties mentioned above for smooth accomplishment of the assignment

1. DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT:

The assignment is planned to commence on 01 October to 10 December 2018 for 45 working days

1. DUTY STATION

The consultant will be based in Timor Leste (70 %) and home-based (30%) with extensive field Travel to the whole Northern and Southern coast of Timor Leste, specifically to Ainaro, Baucau, Bobonaro, Letum, Liquica, Dili, Covalima, Manufahi, Manatuto and Viqueque municipalities, including Atauro and Oeccuse islands among others.

Required Skills and Experience

1. LANGUAGE Requirement

The language of this specific contract shall be English. Knowledge of Tetun, Bahasa Indonesia and Portuguese is essential.

1. SUBCONTRACTING

        Subcontracting under this contract is not allowed.

1. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE OF THE SUCCESSFUL INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTOR

        Education:

PhD or advanced Masters Degree from recognized university in environmental engineering, environmental science, climate science, environmental economic and /or combination of relevant field of studies that is relevant for the assignment.

Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of experience in developing policies, strategies, guideline and programmes on infrastructure resilience, climate change adaptation, coastal management and etc. in different regions context
• Remarkable expertise and experience in designing policies, strategies, guideline and programmes for climate resilience infrastructure development, climate change adaptation and mitigation; coastal protection and management or conducted similar assignment in (small islands developing states (SIDS) in particular in the Asia and the Pacific region.
• Solid analytical and conceptual skills as well as ability to do rapid but robust assessment and design an Integrated Coastal Landscape Management project/programme/ strategy for the protection and enhance the resilience of coastal community and ecosystem
• Excellent knowledge of English language, including the ability to set out a coherent argument in presentations and group interactions; having basic knowledge of Bahasa, Tetum and Portuguese is essential  

• Capacity to communicate fluently with different stakeholders (civil society, government authorities, local communities, project staff); and 
• Computer skills: full command of Microsoft applications (word, excel, PowerPoint), relevant software needed for the assignment and common internet applications will be required
• Work experience with UNDP and /or United Nations organization is an asset

Language requirements:

• English – excellent written and oral communication skills. In addition to excellent command of English, proficiency in Tetun, Bahasa Indonesia and Portuguese will be an advantage.

1. FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

The financial proposal must be expressed in the form of an “all-inclusive” lump-sum amount, supported by breakdown of costs as per template provided. The term “all inclusive” implies all cost (professional fees, travel costs, living allowances etc.) Under the lump sum approach, the contract price is fixed, regardless of changes in cost components. For duty travels, and other costs required to perform the demands of the TOR must be incorporated in the financial proposal.

Schedule of Payments

The payment will be made based on the deliverables. The selected consultant must submit documents as per deliverables which must be duly approved and serve as the basis for the payment of fees. The consultant will be expected to produce the following deliverables within the agreed timeline Section 3 of this TOR to be reviewed and approved as specified in the TOR.

1. RECOMMENDED PRESENTATION OF OFFER

• Letter of application with duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Statement of Availability for the entire duration of the assignment;
• Personal CV and P11 Form, indicating all past relevant experience, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) and three (3) professional references;
• Brief description of methodology on how she/he will approach and complete the assignment;
• Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided by UNDP.

1. CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF BEST OFFER

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a 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:

1. Responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
2. Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

* Technical Criteria weighting: 70%

* Financial criteria weighting: 30%

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points in the technical evaluation criteria would be considered for the Financial Evaluation

P. Approval