Background

Ukraine has a long list of environmental reform priorities. However, the speed of the reforms in the area of sustainable energy and environment (SEE) is slowed down by the difficulties in adopting the needed legislation related to the capacity of the Parliament and a large number of low-quality legal initiatives. The recent legislation breakthroughs and the existing leadership in the Government and Parliament in this area could be jeopardized by the anticipated 2019 elections.

To speed up the sustainable energy and environment (SEE) related reforms and ensure representation of the SEE issues in the programmes of the next President and the next Parliament, UNDP seeks to improve the capacity of the Parliament of Ukraine and enhance environmental advocacy among politicians, mass media and the public.

The Project aims to support the Parliament members and the relevant Parliament Committees (specifically, on Environmental Policy, Nature Resources Utilization and Elimination of the Consequences of Chornobyl Catastrophe and on Fuel and Energy Complex, Nuclear Policy and Nuclear Safety) with quality analytical support on the legislation making, organizing stakeholders’ consultations, round tables, development of communication products, and engagement of various stakeholders into the SEE issues.

The analytical support envisioned by the Project will cover a wide range of issues in SEE area, including but not limited to: climate change mitigation and adaption; energy efficiency; waste management; natural resources management; environmental pollution, etc. A special attention will be made on mitigating negative environmental consequences of the ongoing military conflict in the east of Ukraine, as well as to the greening of the development path of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The overall work of the Secretariat will be based on the sustainable development principles and where possible and necessary will link with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

To ensure the implementation of the Project and day-to-day advisory support to the Parliament on SEE policy UNDP is seeking to hire a National Consultant to provide analytical and expert support to the Parliamentary Committee on Environmental Policy, Nature Resources Utilization and Elimination of the Consequences of Chornobyl Catastrophe, its members and staff on the issues of environment and sustainable development.

Duties and Responsibilities

MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The overall objective of the assignment is to ensure provision of analytical support and expertise to the Parliamentary Committee on Environmental Policy, Nature Resources Utilization and Elimination of the Consequences of Chornobyl Catastrophe on the issues of environment and sustainable development.

DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES / SCOPE OF WORK

Under the direct supervision of the Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development Programme Coordinator and in close coordination with the Secretariat of the Parliamentary Committee on Environmental Policy, Nature Resources Utilization and Elimination of the Consequences of Chornobyl Catastrophe, the National Consultant will carry out the following activities:

•             Provide organizational, administrative and analytical support to the Committee’s Secretariat day-to-day activities;

•             Provide support in analysing draft legislation, legislation and implementation of the state policy and conduct the analysis;

•             Provide analytical support on drafting legislation and its support documents in accordance with VRU regulation;

•             Provide support in drafting expert conclusions and recommendations and draft legislation conclusions and other legislation supporting documents;

•             Provide support on preparation and conducting secretariat and committee meetings and meetings with MPs and interested stakeholders;

•             Conduct the information and data searches related to draft legislation under secretariat mandate; 

•             Provide support on day-to-day communication within the mandate of the secretariat; 

To ensure the delivery of the above tasks, the Consultant will:

• Liaise and ensure constant communication/coordination with UNDP project team regarding all aspects of the assignment;
• Coordinate the work with the Team Lead/Head of Secretariat as well as other experts supporting the Parliament;
• Submit all the deliverables for review, comments and approval to UNDP project team as requested.

Deliverables

The expected duration of the assignment is up to 6 months. The contract can be extended based on performance and funds availability. The target date for the start of work is 2 May 2019. The Consultant would be required to regularly coordinate the list of short and medium-term plans/deliverables with UNDP Programme Coordinator and proceed with implementation. Deliverables will be monitored and certified based on the following reports:

- Monthly reports capturing the list of deliverables and progress made, timesheets and the plan for next month - each month in the format agreed with UNDP

- Final report covering the whole assignment, followed with recommendations and all relevant Annexes - by the end of 6th contractual month.

The Intermediate and Final reports should be submitted in English. 

Specific deliverables to be achieved during the contract period include:

The satisfactory completion of each of the deliverables shall be subject to endorsement of the UNDP Programme Coordinator (Sustainable Development, Energy and Environment).

The Consultant will be paid monthly, on the basis of the number of days worked in each month upon acceptance and approval of the services provided by him/her in that respective month.

monitoring/REPORTING requirements

Work-progress reporting/monitoring meetings will be held with the Consultant on a regular basis. UNDP will be the final authority to control the quality and evaluate the work. No reports or documents should be published or distributed to third parties without approval of UNDP.

The Consultant will work under the overall supervision of the Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development Programme Coordinator.

The consultant will interact with UNDP Programme Coordinator and CO staff to receive any clarifications and guidance that may be needed. He/she will also receive all necessary informational and logistical support from UNDP Country Office and the Project. On a day-to-day basis, consultant’s work will be supervised by the Programme Coordinator.

The satisfactory completion of each of the deliverables shall be subject to endorsement of the Programme Coordinator.

The Consultant will duly inform UNDP of any problems, issues or delays arising in the course of implementation of assignment and take necessary steps to address them.

All reports and results are to be submitted to the UNDP in electronic form (*.docx, *.xlsx, *.pptx, and *.pdf or other formats accepted by UNDP). 

Competencies

• 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;
• Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• At least Master’s / Specialist’s degree in Environment, Ecology, Environmental Management, Public Administration, Law or other relevant studies;

Work Experience

• At least 3 years of experience working with analysis of legislation;
• At least 1 year of working experience in the field of environment;
• At least 1 year of prior experience working with ministries, state agencies, Parliament.

Language (s)

• Fluency in Ukrainian and English is required. 

DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS
Applicants shall submit the following documents:

• Letter of interest/proposal, explaining why the applicant considers him- or herself the most suitable for the work.
• Personal CV or P11, including information about past experience in similar projects / assignments and contact details for referees.
• Financial proposal
• Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL
Contracts based on daily fee
The financial proposal will specify the daily fee, travel expenses and per diems quoted in separate line items, and payments are made to the Individual Consultant based on the number of days worked.
Travel costs
All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station. In general, UNDP should 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 case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

EVALUATION CRITERIA 
- Educational background – 10 points max 
{10 pts – PhD degree in the relevant field; 8 pts – Specialist/Master’s degree in the relevant field};
- Experience of working with analysis of legislation – 35 points max 
{35 pts – 7 years and more; 30 pts – 5-6 years; 25 pts – 3-4 years);
- Working experience in the field of environment – 15 points max 
{15 pts – 5 years and more; 12 pts – 3-4 years; 9 pts – 1-2 years};
- Prior experience working with ministries, state agencies, Parliament – 6 points max
{6 pts – 2 years and more, 3 pts – 1-2 years};
- Language Skills – 4 points max
{4 pts – yes};
Maximum available technical score - 70 points.

EVALUATION METHOD:
Cumulative analysis 
Contract award shall be made to the incumbent whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:
a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
b) having received the cumulative 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 70% from the maximum available technical score (49 points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation
The maximum number of points assigned to the financial proposal is allocated to the lowest price proposal and will equal to 30. All other price proposals will be evaluated and assigned points, as per below formula:
30 points [max points available for financial part] x [lowest of all evaluated offered prices among responsive offers] / [evaluated price].
The proposal obtaining the overall cumulatively highest score after adding the score of the technical proposal and the financial proposal will be considered as the most compliant offer and will be awarded a contract.
Additional requirements for recommended contractor:
Recommended contractors aged 62 and older shall undergo a full medical examination including x-ray, and obtain medical clearance from the UN-approved doctor prior to taking up their assignment. The medical examination shall be paid by the consultant.
The Basic Security in the Field II and Advanced Security in the Field courses must be successfully completed prior to commencement of contract