Background
Since its inception, the GEF instrument has supported capacity development at all levels, within regular GEF programs and projects, through specific capacity development activities and through enabling activities. The driving factors for GEF support to capacity development include guidance from conventions requesting the GEF to support capacity development and the recognition that improving capacities are critical to meet global environmental objectives. Guidance from the Conference of Parties of the UNFCCC and CBD have both requested the GEF to provide funding for country-driven capacity development activities, in particular for LDCs and SIDSs. Both the UNCCD and the Stockholm Persistent Organic Pollutants convention highlighted the need to emphasize capacity development to assist countries in meeting their commitments under their respective conventions.
The Technical Advisor will work closely with each of the three countries’ PMU, to identify and assist the formulation of project activities that are well-aligned to the project rationale. This should see the achievements of project outputs that contribute to the desired outcomes of the components for each of the three CB2 projects. The Technical Advisor’s overall objective is to see the respective projects producing quality outputs and maximising the balance of funds available to at least have some degree of the project’s expected impact. The Technical Advisor will be doing these in close consideration of the very limited project time that remains.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the UNDP Fiji Multi-Country Office (MCO), and closely liaising with and under the guidance/engagement of the Project Coordinators of the three CB2 projects; Fiji CB2, Palau CB2, and Vanuatu CB2. The Technical Advisor will be responsible for providing overall technical backstopping and management support to the three Projects. She/he will undertake the following tasks:
- Provide technical advice and support to enhance effective implementation and efficient delivery of the three CB2 projects stated above:
Provide critical technical advice and strategic thinking towards the implementation of pending project activities and ensure that they are aligned to the project document;
Provide technical supervision and support to the work of PMUs staff and consultants. Specifically, to identify essential project activities that each project can practically implement in about 7 to 8 months of time that they each have;
Monitor their work plan progress, and make adjustments if need be to enhance efficiency and alignment with project targets;
Work with each PMU team to map out quarterly activities and strategize implementation. The activities must link to quarterly advance budget request and acquittals;
Facilitate the development of TORs for pending consultants and provide guidance in conducting their expected activities as per TORs and provide constructive feedback to their deliverables;
Be ready to support and advise on the delivery of agreed technical outputs and plans in line with the requirements of UNDP through the respective PMU;
Support the PMUs with the sharing of project-related information through global, regional, and national networks;
Support, assist, and provide technical advice in the implementation of the project annual work plan and budget with each PMU team in close consultation and coordination with the personnel of authority for each of the three implementing partners, the three Project Boards, and UNDP;
Work with each PMU, government officials, NGOs, island communities, and other key stakeholders to identify capacity building needs and how projects activities and outputs can be better implemented; and
Provide technical support to the quality and delivery of training courses toto ensure overall relevance to project objectives;
- Support the three CB2 projects in reporting, monitoring and evaluation to achieve the following results:
Work with each Project Coordinator to provide support for updating the Annual Project Report (APR);
Provide technical advice to each Project Coordinator for the careful monitoring of financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports; and
Support training programs, completion of strategies, capacity building programs and other project initiatives as required.
Detailed Terms of Reference can be obtained form UNDP pacific website www.pacific.undp.org
Competencies
- Minimum 5 years in environmental project management
- Minimum 5 years in the development field, environmental science/affairs or other related area.
- Minimum 5 years of successful experience in the Pacific Region and/or Small Island Developing States
- Experience working on UNDP-GEF Project development and implementation
- Experience working on the UNFCCC, the UNCBD and UNCCD with emphasis on building capacity.
- Experience working with Government and/or NGOs on project implementation.
- Able to build strong relationships with stakeholders, focuses on impact and result for the stakeholders and responds positively to feedback; consensus-oriented.
- Highly developed inter-personal, negotiation and teamwork skills, ability to work in multi-cultural environment.
- Sensitive to and can demonstrate diplomacy and integrity within cultural complexities and unique political contexts.
Required Skills and Experience
Minimum Masters in environmental science/environmental affairs or related discipline that directly pertains to the three conventions of the UNFCCC, the UNCBD and the UNCCD
Consultancy Proposal should be sent via email to etenderbox.pacific@undp.org no later than, 5th April 2019 (Fiji Time) clearly stating the title of consultancy applied for. Any proposals received after this date/time will not be accepted. Any request for clarification must be sent in writing, or by standard electronic communication to procurement.fj@undp.org. UNDP will respond in writing or by standard electronic mail and will send written copies of the response, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to all consultants. Incomplete, late and joint proposals will not be considered and only offers for which there is further interest will be contacted. Failure to submit your application as stated as per the application submission guide (Procurement Notice) on the above link will be considered incomplete and therefore application will not be considered.
Proposal Submission: Offerors must send the following documents.
Technical Proposal
- A statement of how the applicant meets the qualifications and experience requirements.
- A Detailed CV with contact details of minimum 3 referees
Financial Proposal
- A completed Offeror’s Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability for the Individual Contractor (IC) Assignment including Annex A: Breakdown of Cost by Components.
Consultant must send a financial proposal based on a Lump Sum Amount. The total amount quoted shall be all-inclusive and include all costs components required to perform the deliverables identified in the TOR, including professional fee, travel costs, living allowance (if any work is to be done outside the Individual Consultants (IC´s) duty station) and any other applicable cost to be incurred by the IC in completing the assignment. The contract price will be fixed output-based price regardless of extension of the herein specified duration. Payments will be done upon completion of the deliverables/outputs. In general, UNDP shall 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 event of unforeseeable travel not anticipated in this TOR, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and the IC, prior to travel and will be reimbursed
Template for confirmation of interest and Submission of Financial Proposal is available under the procurement section of UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji website (www.pacific.undp.org)