International Consultant – Project Design Specialist (IC/009/18)

Background

The objective of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness Programme is to support the Government of Uzbekistan in strengthening their national capacities to effectively and efficiently plan for, access, manage, deploy and monitor climate financing in particular through the GCF. These activities are implemented in line with national policies and priorities. The Programme targets two important aspects of the GCF approach, access to funds and private sector engagement, both of which require significant preparatory work before GCF financing is possible at scale. The GCF Readiness Programme focuses on a range of preparatory activities to: a) build and strengthen the institutional capacity of national entities in Uzbekistan, with a focus on enabling direct access; and to b) help Uzbekistan to prepare climate change mitigation and adaptation investment strategies, programmes and projects, including through the active involvement of the private and financial sectors.

One of the main objectives of the project is to assist the country to prepare project concepts for a pipeline of projects selected and approved by the government of Uzbekistan.

In this regard, international technical expertise is being sought to develop a project Concept Note (including Environmental and Social Screening) under the scope of the GCF Simplified Approval Process, with a focus on developing agrometeorological services for climate change resilient production of fruits and vegetable in Uzbekistan, in consultation with the Center of Hydrometeorological Services under the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Uzhydromet) and under the overall guidance of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and UNDP. The development of the project Concept Note will build upon preliminary assessments and data collection exercise already carried out by UNDP CO and Uzhydromet, as well as on a draft Project Idea document developed under the scope of the GCF Readiness programme in Uzbekistan.

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the International Consultant will be responsible for: (a) assisting the Center of Hydrometeorological Services under the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Uzhydromet) in the review of existing draft Project Idea document and in the overall development of the project Concept Note (including Environmental and Social Screening) under the scope of the GCF Simplified Approval Process, building upon the existing draft Project Idea document developed under the scope of the GCF Readiness programme in Uzbekistan, (b) reviewing all preliminary assessments and data collected under the leadership of the UNDP CO as well as relevant sectoral strategies, policies, programmes and laws in Uzbekistan related to climate change adaptation and resilience, agriculture production (with a focus on SMEs and households involved in fruit and vegetable production) and to the provision of related agrometeorological services to farmers, dehkans and households, (c) identifying assessment and data gaps needed to be addressed and providing guidance and leadership to national consultants to be hired by UNDP to collect additional data and information that may be needed for the development of the project Concept Note (including Environmental and Social Screening) and accompanying Pre-Feasibility Study on Agrometeorological Services for Climate Change-resilient agriculture in Uzbekistan, (d) drafting the project Concept Note (including Environmental and Social Screening) and accompanying Pre-Feasibility Study on Agrometeorological Services for Climate Change-resilient agriculture in Uzbekistan in consultation with experts of the Center of Hydrometeorological Services under the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Uzhydromet), UNEP and UNDP. The consultant will also identify eventual requirements for additional/further detailed pre-feasibility studies that may be required for the future development of a full Funding Proposal under the scope of the GCF Simplified Approval Process.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct coordination of the Project Manager and overall guidance of Sustainable Development Cluster, an incumbent will be responsible for the following:

• Review existing draft Project Idea document developed under the scope of the GCF Readiness programme in Uzbekistan;
• Review preliminary assessments and data collected under the leadership of the UNDP CO as well as relevant sectoral strategies, policies, programmes and laws in Uzbekistan related to climate change adaptation and resilience, agriculture production (with a focus on SMEs and households involved in fruit and vegetable production) and to the provision of related agrometeorological services to farmers, dehkans and households;
• Identify assessment and data gaps needed to be addressed to providing guidance and leadership to national consultants to be hired by UNDP to collect additional data and information that may be needed for the development of the project Concept Note (including Environmental and Social Screening) and accompanying Pre-Feasibility Study on Agrometeorological Services for Climate Change-resilient agriculture in Uzbekistan;
• Hold consultations with relevant national and international agencies and stakeholder organizations and work closely with national consultants/experts to address assessment/data gaps, collect missing information, and define the roles of international and national partners, UNDP and UNEP in the project;
• Provide continuous consultancy support (via e-mail, Skype calls and/or using other means of communication) to national consultants/experts during the development of the project Concept Note and Pre-Feasibility Study;
• Draft the project Concept Note (including Environmental and Social Screening) on Agrometeorological Services for Climate Change-resilient agriculture in Uzbekistan in consultation with experts of the Center of Hydrometeorological Services under the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Uzhydromet), UNEP and UNDP;
• Draft accompanying Pre-Feasibility Study on Agrometeorological Services for Climate Change-resilient agriculture in Uzbekistan in consultation with experts of the Center of Hydrometeorological Services under the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Uzhydromet), UNEP and UNDP;

Identify eventual requirements and provide recommendations on additional/further detailed pre-feasibility studies that may be required for the future development of a full Funding Proposal under the scope of the GCF Simplified Approval Process.

Competencies

• Ability to work in close collaboration with a group of national and international experts, to meet strict deadlines and plan the work according to priorities;
• Excellent written communication and presentation/public speaking skills, focus on results, ability to interact productively in a teamwork environment;
• Initiative, good analytical skills, ability to work under tight schedule while respecting deadlines achievement, ethics and honesty;
• Good ability to use information and communication technologies as tools and resources.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced degree (PhD or Master’s) in the field of climate change, environmental science, environment management, environmental engineering, or other relevant sciences.

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of proven practical experience in project development and implementation in the fields of climate change (mitigation and/ or adaptation) and agrometeorological / hydro meteorological / environmental data and information systems;
• Extensive technical knowledge of climate change issues and policy, agrometeorology/hydrometeorology and water resources management in CIS / Central Asia is required;
• Proven practical experience in project development and implementation is Central Asia is required;
• Familiarity with governance and policy structure and institutions in Central Asia is an asset; 
• Familiarity with governance and policy structure and institutions in Uzbekistan is an advantage; 
• Proven practical experience in data collection and indicator development in the fields of climate change, agrometeorology/hydrometeorology and water resources management is required;
• Experience in the management of climate change and of agrometeorology/hydrometeorology and/or water resources management projects (assessment, design, implementation and monitoring and evaluation) is an asset;
• Relevant experience in preparing detailed project proposals for submission to financing agencies (e.g. Banks and financial institutions) in developing countries is an asset;
• Experience in GEF/GCF funded project development will be considered as an advantage;
• UN experience would be considered as an advantage;
• Familiarity with gender analysis and mainstreaming is an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in written and spoken English and Russian languages is essential.

Application Process:

Interested candidates need to apply online and upload requested documents in Part 5. no later than end of July 27, 2018 (New York time).  Please combine all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document. Your on-line applications submission will be acknowledged to your email address provided in application. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary.

Application submitted via email, incomplete applications or received after the closing date (July 27, 2018) will not be given consideration. Please be informed that we don’t accept application submitted via email.

For more detailed information about UNDP Uzbekistan please visit our website at www.uz.undp.org UNDP is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified female candidates, people with disabilities, and minorities are highly encouraged to apply. UNDP Balance in Manage Policy promotes achievement of gender balance among its staff at all levels.

Requests for clarification must be sent in writing to pu.uz@undp.org, ensuring that the reference number above is included in the subject line. UNDP shall endeavor to provide such responses to clarifications in an expeditious manner, but any delay in such response shall not cause an obligation on the part of UNDP to extend the submission date of the Proposals, unless UNDP deems that such an extension is justified and necessary.

A detailed Procurement Notice, TOR, and all annexes can be found at: http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=48150.

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

1. Filled in and signed a Personal History Form (P11 form)
2. Letter confirming interest and financial proposal using the template provided by UNDP (Annex III)
3. Brief methodology and work approach (not more than 5 pages)

UNDP is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified female candidates, people with disabilities, and minorities are highly encouraged to apply. UNDP Balance in Manage Policy promotes achievement of gender balance among its staff at all levels.