Technical Advisor to Istanbul Regional Hub (IRH) Climate Change and Energy Portfolio

Background

UNDP works in more than 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We support countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results.As part of it`s mandate, the IRH is implementing a number of regional climate chanhe and energy initiatives, like:Energy Access SMEs Development Project (Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan)

This project builds upon experiences from the UNDP Green Villages initiative implemented in Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic during the last two years. The project goal is to offer a comprehensive strategy to scale-up private sector engagement in energy access by improving the risk-return profile of private investment in energy access products and services. The key objective of the project is to expand energy access and provide reliable, affordable and sustainable energy products and services for the rural population of Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic who are facing energy poverty, through promoting scalable, private sector-led business models and derisking their investment. This project offers a comprehensive strategy to scale-up private sector engagement in energy access by improving the risk-return profile of private investment in energy access products and services. The project will focus on introducing new technologies and energy services in selected villages through the following three interlinked components: i) Enabling policy framework and capacity development for green energy SMEs, ii) Improved access to finance and piloted business models for green energy SMEs and energy service users, and iii) Improved access to sustainable energy services in remote rural areas – on a household, public buildings and village level.EU4Climate (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Republic of Moldova, Ukraine)The objective of the project is to support the development and implementation of climate-related policies by the Eastern Partnership countries which contribute to their low emission and climate resilient development and their commitments to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. It identifies key actions and results in line with the Paris Agreement, the "20 Deliverables for 2020”, and the key global policy goals set by the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The project will also translate into action priorities outlined in the Eastern Partnership Ministerial Declaration on Environment and Climate Change of October 2016. The following results will be achieved: (i) Finalized/up-dated nationally determined contributions and national mid-century strategies and communicated to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), (ii) Improved inter-institutional awareness and coordination at political and technical level of the Paris Agreement and the corresponding national commitments, (iii) Established or strengthened measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) systems, with countries getting on track with Paris Agreement transparency requirements, (iv) Establishment of concrete sectoral guidelines for the implementation of the Paris Agreement in each of the Eastern Partners, (v) Advanced alignment with EU acquis as provided by bilateral agreements with EU, (vi) Increased mobilization of climate finance, and (vii) Enhanced adaptation planning.Climate Box (Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan)Climate change has emerged as one of the most important issues facing the humanity in the 21st century. However, the awareness and understanding of drivers behind climate change, climate change impacts, mitigation and adaptation options are still insufficient among general public. Climate change education is key for empowering the youth for climate action. To reduce the burden on the environment and reduce our carbon footprint, we need relevant knowledge. It is important that such knowledge and habits are instilled from an early age, so that everyone understands by the time he or she leaves school how important it is to take good care of the natural environment and resources. In 2014-2015, UNDP developed and piloted in Russia a new innovative interactive learning toolkit on Climate Change – ”Climate Box”. The toolkit was developed by an interdisciplinary team of Russian experts. The Climate Box consists of an illustrated textbook, the Climate Quiz game, a wall map illustrating the possible effects of climate change on nature and mankind, a poster with tips on how to reduce your carbon footprint, and a disk with all of the toolkit materials.The proposed project will (1) scale-up piloting of the Climate Box at the regional level including four more countries in the ECIS region – Armenia, Moldova, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, (2) support piloting and monitoring of the toolkit in seven ECIS countries – Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, and (3) support cross-country exchanges and learning initiatives including an international student contest on climate change. Russian experts and teachers will continue to play the leading role in the knowledge transfer, replication and building capacities of the national educational teamsEnhanced access to Climate Finance (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz republic, Moldova, Serbia, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan.)The UNDP programme countries in the Europe and CIS (ECIS) region represent a highly diverse group with distinct sub-regional development perspectives and challenges. All of these countries are now classified as middle income. This has been affecting the countries’ ability to attract development assistance in general and the international climate finance in particular in the context of the increasing scarcity of global development finance. Nonetheless, many countries in this region face difficult and often growing development challenges as well as multiple risks related to energy and climate, including energy shortages and vulnerability to climate change. Although climate change will affect countries to varying degrees, the entire region will be affected by long-term trends such as increasing scarcity of fresh water and increasing frequency and intensity of climate-induced disasters. This regional project will provide such assistance to the eligible countries in the region and will result in leveraging new and additional climate finance and private sector investments. The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is a new powerful source of climate finance for climate change adaptation and mitigation. UNDP has been very successful is helping programme countries to leverageGCF resources in 2015-2016. There is a solid pipeline of projects in the ECIS region, but the countries require financial and technical support in project scoping and development. Lack of project preparation funding hampered the ability of ECIS countries to accelerate development of their climate finance portfolios. This project will enhance access to climate finance to the eligible countries in the ECIS region and support knowledge exchange across the countries on leveraging and management of the climate finance. At least four new funding proposals on climate change adaptation and mitigation will be submitted to the GCF (supported with adequate co-financing) by the end of the project. At least $100 million of new and additional funding will be leveraged for enhanced climate resilience and reducing GHG emissions. Countries to be supported through this project: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz republic, Moldova, Serbia, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan.Location: Istanbul, with missions to Europe and CIS (ECIS) programme countries covered by projects

Duties and Responsibilities

The main objective of the assignment is to serve as the lead technical advisor to IRH and programme countries for 4 regional climate change and energy projects implementation: Energy Access SMEs Development; EU4Climate II; Enhanced access to Climate Finance; Climate Box. The consultant will also provide climate change and energy related technical and project implementation support to the CDT team in UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub.There are three specific objectives for this consultancy:

• Advisory services and support to IRH for regional climate change and energy projects implementation, coordination and reporting.
• Advisory support to ECIS programme countries with implementation of the Energy Access SMEs Development; EU4Climate II; Enhanced access to Climate Finance; Climate Box projects.
• Support to IRH Climate and Disaster Team in the development of climate and energy portfolio.

Specific tasks are as follows:

• Provide advisory support to Climate and Disaster (CDT) team in UNDP IRH on coordination of participating UNDP Country Offices (COs), project partners and reporting to donors;
• Consult IRH and COs on projects realisation plans development, budgeting and reporting to donors;
• Support the IRH and COs in organization and facilitation of the projects related meetings/workshops/ trainings;
• Ensure that COs participating in projects receive timely and high quality technical advice and support on projects implementation;
• Support to IRH Climate and Disaster Team in the development of climate and energy portfolio

Deliverables and Payment Schedule

Deliverable 1 (payment: 30 % of the total contract value, deadline: August 31, 2018)

First progress report including: 

• Detailed work plan for the assignments 
• Technical inputs to and development of the 2018-2019 projects Annual Work Plans, COs plans/budgets agreed with the partners and between countries in line with the EU requirements and UNFCCC technical guidance. Projects information uploaded to ATLAS and all mandatory procedures fullfiled.  First payment

Deliverable 2 (payment: 30 % of the total contract value; deadline: October 31, 2018)

Interim report reflecting:

• Brief poject inception reports.
• TORs for project implementation in 2018-2019
• Documentation/technical materials prepared for the project monitoring reports prepared, including technical materials for the project Boards.
• Technical support to COs and trouble shooting for the project implementation Second payment

Deliverable 3 (payment: 40% of the total contract value, deadline: December 15, 2018)

Final report including:

• Annual reports prepared with inputs from the COs and aggregated versions are ready for review by the PBs.
• Projects information updated in ATLAS and all mandatory procedures fullfiled.
• Summary of support to climate and energy portfolio development and respective recommendations. Final payment

Management/organizational arrangements

The consultant will work under guidance and technical supervision of CDT Team Leader of UNDP for ECIS. He/she will also work closely with the UNDP Country Offices and other partners. Within the duration of the contract the consultant should visit all participating countries. Travels to participating countries, as per by the ToR will be paid separately as per UNDP rules and regulations.The duration of the consultancy will be approx. 100 working days. Consultancy will start on 1st of August 2018 and will be completed no later than 30 December 2018.

Competencies

Corporate competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling 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.

Functional competencies:

• Good communication and time management skills, ability to work in a team;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
• Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications/Education:

• Minimum Bachelor degree in environmental science, climate change, energy or other relevant field;

Experience:

• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in the area of environmental management, climate change and energy;
• Professional experience in ECIS region, and particularly knowledge of climate change and local level policies / procedures in the region is a strong advantage;
• Working experience in projects/programs implementation according to UNDP rules and regulations

Language skills:

• Fluency in written and spoken English

Evaluation of ApplicantsIndividual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.The award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
• Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical (P11 desk reviews and interviews) and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Only those candidates who will obtain min. 70% of points will be invited for the next stage of the technical evaluation and financial proposal evaluation.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 40 points:

• Criteria A – Relevant university degree(s) completed – max points 5
• Criteria B – Demonstrated relevant work experience in environmental management , climate change, energy for at least 5 years – max points 10
• Criteria C – Demonstrated relevant experience in ECIS region and particularly knowledge of climate change and local level policies / procedures in the region – max points 5
• Criteria D- Working experience in projects/programs implementation according to UNDP rules and regulations – max poits 5
• Criteria E – Language skills – max points 5
• Criteria F – Interview (Overall assessment of candidates, including relevance of work experience) – max points 10

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 17 pointsApplication proceduresQualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website. The application should contain:

• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position and vision on how you will approach and conduct the work. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application.
• Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from http://www.eurasia.undp.org/content/dam/rbec/docs/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc); please upload the P11 instead of your CV.
• Financial Proposal* in USD - specifying a) total amount for professional fee and b) travel costs to join the duty station/repatriation travel. Mission related costs, if any, should not be included in the price offer, as they will be paid separately per UNDP rules and regulations.
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials

*Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, vaccination, personal security needs and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...).Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.orgGeneral Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://on.undp.org/t7fJs.Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.