International Consultant - Capacity Development on Climate Change Mitigation Project Formulation, Appraisal and Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV)

Background

BACKGROUND

Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) is one of the mechanisms for Green Hourse Gas (GHG) reduction, which can be applied by the developing country parties established through UN Climate Change negotiation process in 2007, under the Bali Action Plan.  In this regard, developing country parties shall prepare their NAMAs in the context of sustainable development, supported and enabled by technology, financing and capacity building, in a measurable, reportable and verifiable manner. In September 2016, Sri Lanka ratified the Paris Agreement and submitted its first Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in November 2016. Under the specified NDCs targets, the country intends to reduce 20% GHG emission reduction from energy sector, including 16% conditional and 4% unconditional targets. Further 10% GHG emission reduction target is set for transport, waste, industry and forestry sectors all together. This will be 3% unconditional and 7% conditional against BAU scenarios. However, BAU emission scenarios have to be estimated in detail and detailed emission reduction plans for these sectors are yet to be developed.  All parties of the Paris Agreement have the responsibility to implement their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for achieving the targets of Paris Agreement with a Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) framework.

In this context, Sri Lanka is implementing a project on “Appropriate Mitigation Actions in Energy Generation and End-user sectors in Sri Lanka’’ (Energy NAMA Project). The Project facilitates GHG emission reductiom initiatives to achieve the voluntary GHG mitigation targets of Sri Lanka. The project is funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) and is operational from 2015 October to 2019 June. The project is being implemented by Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA) under the purview of the Ministry of Power & Renewable Energy (MoPRE) and the Climate Change Secretariat (CCS) under the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment (MoMDE).

In order to facilitate NAMA (and similar emission reduction programmes/projects of the country) developments and implementations; CCS has set-up a ‘NAMA Implementation Mechanism for Sri Lanka’. The proposed mechanism consists of Institutional Framework, Approval Procedure and NAMA Project development process for Sri Lanka. Presently, Ministry of Power & Renewable Energy, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Transport & Civil Aviation, Ministry of Provincial Council & Local Government, Ministry of Industry & Commerce and Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment act as Designated NAMA Entities while Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority, Sri Lanka Transport Board, Agriculture Department, National Solid Waste Management Support Centre and Forest Department act as NAMA Implementing Entities for each sector. In addition, NAMA expert committee, Inter Agency Committee, National Climate Change Mitigation Expert Committee are in the Institutional Framework and each institutes has separate roles and responsibilities in the NAMA Process in Sri Lanka.

According to their roles and responsibilities, each institute has to determine the emission baselines, GHG emission projection MRVing of emission reduction activities, etc. However, Climate Change Secretariat has identified the knowledge gap of these institutes in this regard. Therefore, development of skills and capacity of these institutes on NAMA process such as determining project/programme specific baselines, estimation of emission reduction potentials, how to design projects/programmes and MRVing of such projects/programmes etc. is highly important  for successful implementation of NAMAs and NDCs in the country.

SCOPE AND OBJECTIVES   

The purpose of this Consultancy is to build knowledge and capacities of government officials and key stakeholders of the Energy NAMA Project; on project formulation with specific focus on climate financing or similar international assistance under climate negotiations, project appraisal, project approval, access to international finance, evaluation of co-benefits, and Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) of mitigation actions. These government officials will be from different institutions under the proposed NAMA intuitional set-up representing energy, transport, industry, waste, and agriculture sectors whereas key stakeholder groups include two project implementing partners; Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority and Climate Change Secretariat. 

The Consultant is required to enhance the knowledge and skills on formulation and evaluation of Climate Change Mitigation (CCM) mainly GHG emission reduction project proposals. Further, the Consultant is expected to build their capacities in the areas of

• Assess the baseline pertaining to their project & programme ideas/concepts, and barriers that preventing the implementation of these project(s);
• Assess technical feasibility, economic viability and sustainability of proposed project concepts;
• Evaluate the co-benefits of these project concepts;
• Estimate the emission reduction potential of these projects/programmes;
• Monitoring, Reporting and Verification process of proposed projects.

In parallel, the Project has completed pilot level implementations of three GHG mitigation programmes namely domestic solar PV systems, biogas digesters and Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) in tea sector for the demonstration of NAMA concept. Specific MRVing protocols have been designed for these pilot projects, and the Consultant is required to thoroughly review these protocols and provide some recommendations to improve these based on his/her experience. Further, a guidance is required to assess the co-benefits of above pilot programmes.

Duties and Responsibilities

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Study and provide technical guidance to improve the existing templates of project concept/ proposal development which have been prepared by the Project team, and propose an evaluation criteria and methodology for these projects. The Consultant is expected to complete this task before his/her first mission.
2. Systematically guide target groups in formulation of project proposals on CCM projects in accordance with the project concept and project proposal templates.

The Consultant shall provide following tasks:

• Provide guidance on conducting initial technical feasibility assessment and financial viability of project concepts;
• Make them understand the concepts of elimination or reduce barriers that prevent implementation of these identified CCM actions, the concept of NAMA (support) and other assistance sought under climate negotiations;
• Estimation of emission reduction potential of the project concept with accurately determining the baseline of the project and following standard calculation methods;
• Expert guidance for Evaluation of co-benefits of projects (both qualitative and quantitative).

     3. Enhance the knowledge of participants on UNFCCC and IPCC Guidelines related to  reporting, estimation of emissions and MRVing (National tier)

Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) of CCM actions/projects

• MRVing methodologies/concepts that can be used for accounting of emission reductions of CCM actions/projects specified and applicable under  UNFCCC and IPCC guidelines;
• Design of MRVing methodologies for CCM/GHG emission reduction project (concept) developments and subsequent application of proposed methodologies in project implementation.

     4. Provide guidance to formulate above project proposals for the International NAMA Registry for ‘Support for Preparation’ and ‘Support for   implementation’ templates.

Expert guidance on project appraisal and approval:

• Project appraisal with already developed project evaluation criteria;
• Project approval with existing approval procedure.

Provide guidance on how to access the international/national financing sources and other assistance.

5. Design and conduct two 2-day training workshops in Sri Lanka covering above aspects (1-6). The target group is the government officials representing energy, industry, transport, waste and agriculture sectors. This team will also include some representatives of project implementing partners and project team. At the end of the second training programme, participants should be able to complete three (03) GHG emission reduction project concepts.

• Provide training manuals;
• Conduct a capacity assessment of the target group and provide a brief report.

Expected Output/Deliverables

The following results are expected from the Consultancy:

1.1.Conduct two 2-day training workshops on screening of CCM concepts, CCM project/programmes development, and appraisal of CCM projects/programme, MRVing of CCM projects/programmes in Energy, Transport, Waste, Industry, Agriculture and Forestry sectors with specific focus on Energy sector.

1.2.Training Manual(s)

1.3. Capacity assessment of the target group – brief Summary Report

2.1.Three CCM (03) project concepts designed which can be submitted to the international NAMA registry or similar initiatives. E.g.: NAMA facility. One of these project concepts has to be a detailed proposal seeking support for implementation.

TIMEFRAME

The envisaged time frame  of the Consultancy  is 25 days from 30th June 2018 to 28th Feb 2019. The Consultant is expected to conduct two in-country missions of approximately a total of 8 days (each mission ideally of 04 days) excluding the travel time to Sri Lanka. The first mission will be at the beginning of the Consultancy period. Tentative timeline of these training programmes/missions are 2nd week of July, and 2nd week of November 2018 with some flexibility to change at the convenience of the PMU.

Competencies

CONSULTANT PROFILE    

The prospective Consultant should have the following competencies and qualifications:

COMPETENCIES

a  Technical competencies

• Demonstrated experience in the energy sector project/programme developments and/or GHG mitigation;
• Candidates with international professional experience in international negotiations, GHG inventory, CDM and new market mechanisms are preferred;
• Demonstrated experience in economic analysis of GHG abatement options;
• Strong understanding about global and national climate change and environmental issues;
• Strong understanding of UNFCCC and IPCC guidelines related to Non Annex – I Parties on MRV and other aspects;
• Demonstrated experience in application of MRVing into CCM/GHG mitigation programmes and projects;
• Skills demonstrated in capacity building and mentoring;
• Candidate should have a minimum of 10 years (overall covering above aspects) of international professional experience in energy sector. Some experience in other sectors industry, transport, agriculture and waste would be an added advantage.

b.  Partnerships

• Maturity and confidence in dealing with senior members of national institutions;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Excellent teaching, training and communication skills, with analytical capacity and ability to synthesize collected data and present findings to stakeholders;
• Excellent coordination skills and result oriented collaboration with colleagues – especially in this case the national level consultants and officials.

c.  Results

• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Good team player who has ability to maintain good relationships.

Required Skills and Experience

QUALIFICATIONS

a. Education

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in a relevant area such as Climate Change Mitigation, Energy Management, Natural Resource Management, Climatology/Meteorology, Environmental Sciences, or related fields.

b. Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of demonstrated experience and knowledge in the earlier mentioned fields of expertise, experience working on Climate Change Mitigation Actions, and MRV Systems;
• Demonstrated strategic technical and intellectual skills in the substantive areas;
• Demonstrated leadership, facilitation, coordination skills, ability to mentor technical teams;
• Working experience with international organizations or similar projects/programme design and implementations;
• Excellent communication (both oral and written), synthesis, analysis and trouble-shooting skills;
• Computer proficiency, especially related to professional office software packages (Microsoft Office).

c. Languages/Other

• Excellent English language skills, particularly in the preparation of written documents;Work experience in the region is preferred.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply please access UNDP Jobs site http://jobs.undp.org

The application should contain:

• Cover letter (1 page) explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position and a brief methodology (1 page) on how you will approach and conduct the work;
• Updated CV to include qualifications/competencies and relevant past experience in similar projects and contact details of 3 professional referees who can certify your competencies, professionalism, quality of writing, presentation and overall suitability to this TOR (max 3 pages);
• PowerPoint/PDF presentation with 4 slides (1. Academic and professional qualifications, 2. work/professional experience, 3 & 4 recent assignments undertaken similar to this TOR and contact references of these clients);
• Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a combimation of factors including cover letter, the credentials on offer and brief interview (optional) and the offer which gives the best value for money for the UNDP;
• Institutions/companies are encouraged to submit CVs of their employees for this position. However, the contract will be an individual contract;
• Please send the Financial Proposal separately to the following e-mail address: procurement.lk@undp.org  stating the vacancy number/position  in the subject line.

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL   

• All-Inclusive Lump Sum Fee  USD (cost of i, ii, iii )

i. All Inclusive Professional Fee for 25 days: USD (_________)

ii. All inclusive costs for field visits including hotel accommodation (3*** rating, flight ticket, visa fees, airport transfers, incidentals, insurance, per diem etc.: USD (_________________)

iii. Any other costs: USD (_____________)

                   and

• Amount in words: USD (________________________)

Note: Payments will be based on invoices on achievement of agreed milestones i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR and certification of acceptance by the UNDP. The applicant must factor in all possible costs in his/her “All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee” including his/her consultancy and professional fee, travel (economy class flights is required to and from the Duty Station), honorarium, board and lodging (accomadation in Colombo as the Consultant is expected to be based in Colombo during in-country mission), and any other foreseeable costs in this exercise. No costs other than what has been indicated in the financial proposal will be paid or reimbursed to the consultant. UNDP will only pay for any unplanned travel outside of this TOR and Duty Station on actual basis and on submission of original bills/invoices and on prior agreement with UNDP officials. Daily perdiums and costs for accommodation/meals/incidental expenses for such travel shall not exceed established local UNDP DSA rates.

For an Individual Contractor who is 62 years of age or older, and on an assignment requiring travel, be it for the purpose of arriving at the duty station or as an integral duty required travel under the TOR, a full medical examination and statement of fitness to work must be provided.  Such medical examination costs must be factored in to the financial proposal above. Medical examination is not a requirement for individuals on RLA Contracts. 

PAYMENT FOR SERVICES

Payments will be based on milestones certified by the Project Management Unit.

Payment Milestones will be as follows:

The International Consultant shall receive payment in three installments from UNDP as follows:

1. 30% upon completion of capacity assessment of key stakeholders on the subject, conduct 1st capacity building workshop, stakeholder meetings and submission of relevant reports and training manual (soft format) during the first mission;
2. 40% upon conducting 2nd capacity building workshop, participation of the panel discussion or exert group meeting, and discussions with PMU and implementation partners during the 2nd mission;
3. 30%  upon reviewing and quality assurance of three project concepts developed on CCMAs, and upon submission of report summarizing the overall work done including capacity assessment of the target group. 

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.