National consultant for review of forest governance mechanisms of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina/Cantons

Background

PurposeNational consultant for review of forest governance mechanisms of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina/Cantons to secure wood biomass fuel supply of end-users will conduct a comprehensive overview of the existing data and processes in the forestry sector of FB&H/Cantons based on the current practices within the forest management sector of FB&H/Cantons, their comparison with the EU recommendations and successful practices; and provide concrete recommendations for improvement of the mechanisms.

ObjectiveThe activity will result with a study that contains concrete recommendations for improvement of the forest governance mechanisms in order to ensure increase in the wood biomass supply, easier access and its utilization. Additionally, this activity includes presentations of the final draft of the expected output at a series of events related to presentation of forest governance mechanisms to the Inter-sectoral cross-entity coordination body (Working Group for Wood Biomass) and advocacy for inclusion of its recommendations into the relevant legal regulations. 

 Background InformationThe project “Biomass Energy for Employment and Energy Security”, funded by Czech Development Agency, is directly implemented by UNDP Bosnia and Herzegovina Country Office.The key project objective is contribution to the improvement of local population living standard by long term reduction of the CO2 emissions, through a general approach of a higher renewable energy share in the B&H energy targets for gross final energy consumption. Domestic benefits include employment generation, energy security, greenhouse gases (GHG) emission reduction, economic development of micro regions, contribution to B&H’s EU accession, and establishment of sustainable mechanisms for financial support of wood biomass projects and raised awareness regarding benefits of using wood biomass for energy generation.Since 2009, UNDP Energy and Environment portfolio in B&H includes a number of projects that contribute to environmentally sustainable development and use of natural resources. This project is aimed at increasing the wood biomass demand, improving wood biomass supply chain, overcoming technical, legislative and awareness barriers and enhancing research on these issues throughout BiH.Project activities are designed in order to lead to stronger partnerships, networking and supporting schemes within the private, public and government sectors. These activities are contributing to the following outcomes of the project:

• Developed policy for sustainable wood biomass utilization in B&H reflected to the legislation and use in practice;
• Quality and availability of the wood biomass energy carrier for heating purposes increased due to the adoption and use of improved methods of wood biomass processing;
• Business models and financing schemes developed and enabled for investments in wood biomass infrastructure projects / Implementation of demonstration projects.

Duties and Responsibilities

The aim of the Biomass project activities is to lay a strong legislative foundation, create self-sustainability and ensure continuous investments in fuel switch projects. Among other activities, sustainability will be ensured by laying foundations within the legislative frameworks and governance mechanisms for relevant government and financial institutions. 

The responsibility over forest management and forest governing in B&H is at the level of entities (Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Republika Srpska). As socio-political changes in B&H affect the forest sectors of both entities to become adjustable to requirements of society and provide more active and resolute efforts to support nature protection, mitigation of climate changes, increasing demand for renewable energy sources and cross-sector cooperation and communication, implementation of innovative governance concepts needs to be adjusted to the local conditions and fully introduced to the day-to-day forest management procedures and activities.

Consultant will produce a study that contains concrete recommendations for improvement of the forest governance mechanisms in order to ensure increase in the wood biomass supply, easier access and its utilization. Consultant for development of forest governance mechanisms of FB&H / Cantons will work under direct supervision of the GEF project manager to complete all activities specified in this Terms of Reference.

Along with the application, interested candidates shall prepare a 1-page outline of the methodology for conducting activities defined within this assignment. This outline shall be made in form of timetable with specific activities proposed by candidates planed within the timeframe defined by this Terms of Reference.

Scope of workConsultant will develop a study on comprehensive overview of the existing data and processes in the forestry sector of FB&H/Cantons. The review will be prepared by the senior forestry expert, specialized in forest governance mechanisms. This review will, apart from analyzing existing situation in the forestry sector of FB&H, compare it to the existing EU mechanism which have proved to be successful and efficient.

Key functions:

• Existing and potential financial incentives related to wood biomass exploitation and supply increase;
• Existing and potential regulations in the forestry sector which are/could enhance wood biomass supply increase;
• Existing and potential planning and decision-making processes within the forestry sector and potential improvements in order to enhance wood biomass supply;
• Implementation, enforcement and compliance levels of the current forestry regulations and recommendations for their improvement aimed to increase wood biomass supply and exploitationl;
• Information access and sharing among the forestry profession, coordination with the energy professionals and recommendations for its improvement;
• Presentations of the final draft of expected output at a series of events related to presentation of forest governance mechanisms to the Inter-sectoral cross-entity coordination body (Working Group for Wood Biomass) and inclusion of comments/recommendations into the final version of the expected output. 

Due to the specific organization of forestry sector in FB&H depicted in the absence of one forest management enterprise at the level of FB&H and existence of cantonal forest management enterprises, this analysis should take into consideration the cantonal level, where appropriate.

Deliverables and timelines

The consultant is responsible for the following deliverables:

Deliverables (outputs) Deadline

• Detailed plan for conducting the comprehensive analysis of required forest governance aspects in FB&H (including detailed proposals of research tools and instruments to be created and utilized for data collection; i.e. questionnaires, interview protocols etc.) and Plan for advocating the inclusion of recommendations into the relevant legal regulations, approved by the GEF Project Manager*  November 8th, 2017;
• Mutual methodology for data collection and analysis based on consultation and agreement with engaged National consultant for review of forest governance mechanisms of Republika Srpska; submitted and approved by the GEF Project Manager November 14th, 2017;
• Draft version of the analysis of existing and potential financial incentives related to wood biomass exploitation and supply increase in FB&H/Cantons submitted and approved by the GEF Project Manager December 1st, 2017;
• Draft version of the analysis of existing and potential regulations in the forestry sector which are/could enhance wood biomass supply increase in FB&H/Cantons submitted and approved by the GEF Project Manager December 15th, 2017;
• Draft version of the analysis of following segments of the study, submitted and approved by the GEF Project Manager:

- existing and potential planning and decision-making processes within the forestry sector and potential improvements in order to enhance wood biomass supply in FB&H/Cantons- implementation, enforcement and compliance levels of the current forestry regulations and recommendations for their improvement aimed to increase wood biomass supply and exploitation in B&H/Cantons- information access and sharing among the forestry profession, coordination with the energy professionals and recommendations for its improvement in FB&H/Cantons    March 30th, 2018

• Draft version of the Study on forest governance mechanisms of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina submitted to the GEF Project Manager for approval April 16th, 2018;
• Presentation of final draft version of the Study to members of Working Group for Wood Biomass for the purpose of integrating comments from stakeholders in the final version of the Study May/June (tbd), 2018;
• Final version of study prepared, validated and submitted July 6th, 2018;
• Presentation of forest governance mechanisms to the members of Working Group for Wood Biomass  September/October (tbd), 2018.

* Despite of the respective differences among forestry sectors of both entities, data collection process should be conducted by same methodology. This implies coordination of selected national consultants for review of forest governance mechanisms of FB&H/Cantons and Republika Srpska. The coordination between selected Consultants shall be secured by GEF Project Manager.

Competencies

Core Values:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UNs values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, disabilities, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Core Competencies:

•  Experience related to the data gathering process, organization and conducting policy research as a senior forestry expert specialized in forest governance;
• Proven records of delivery of services as senior forestry expert specialized in forest governance with at least 12 years of experience; experience from B&H and Western Balkan region preferred. Proven records of delivery of services should demonstrate following competences, both in local language and English:

- excellent writing,- presentation,- data collection.

• Excellent organizational and time management skills.

Building trust:

• Deals openly, honestly, and transparently with issues, resources, and people.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: 

• PhD degree in forestry

Experience: 

• At least 12 years of experience in conducting research and providing consultancy services as senior forestry expert specialized in forest governance in B&H and Western Balkan region;
• Experience related to wood biomass policy and legislation development and reviewing (experience from B&H preferred);
• Experience in data collection and analysis for at least 2 different projects in field of forest governance and forest policy; experience from B&H preferred.

Language Requirements: 

• Fluency in both written and spoken English and local languages; proof of fluency in written English required.

Evaluation

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:1. Cumulative analysisWhen 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, andb) 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 points for technical criteria assessment would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Criteria Weight  Max. Point

Technical  

• PhD degree in forestry 10% 10;
• Experience related to the data gathering process, organization and conducting policy research as a senior forestry expert specialized in forest governance;
• At least 12 years of experience in conducting research and providing consultancy services as senior forestry expert specialized in forest governance in B&H and Western Balkan region;
• Experience related to wood biomass policy and legislation development and reviewing (experience from B&H preferred). 30% 30;
• Proven records of delivery of services as senior forestry expert specialized in forest governance with at least 12 years of experience that demonstrate excellent writing, presentation and data collection skills and competences;
• Experience in data collection and analysis for at least 2 different projects in field of forest governance and forest policy; experience from B&H preferred. 25% 25;
• Fluency in both written and spoken English and local languages; proof of fluency in written English required. 5% 5

Financial 30% 30