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International Consultant to support the assessment of financial costs of climate change adaptation measures in five key sectors as part of the second phase of Climate Change Adaptation Planning (NAP-2) of the Republic of Moldova

Chisinau

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Chisinau
  • Grade: Consultancy - International Consultant - Internationally recruited Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Operations and Administrations
    • Banking and Finance
    • Environment
    • Meteorology, Geology and Geography
    • Public Policy and Administration
    • Resilience and Climate Change
    • Climate Change
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background

Climate change is already profoundly impacting the conditions for resource availability and agricultural activities in the Republic of Moldova. Over the last decade, the country has experienced a number of extreme events, such as droughts and major floods, along with the incremental effects caused by increased mean temperature, and the uneven distribution of precipitation through the year, which have had negative consequences on the economy and the population’s wellbeing and health. Severe droughts are recurring more frequently causing significant economic losses. The increasing scope and intensity of extreme events has also resulted in increased frequencies of high-risk situations. By 2050, an increase of 2–3ºC in the average temperature, an additional 32 days that exceed the current maximum temperature by 10%, and an additional 12 days with zero precipitation are projected.

The Government sees the National Adaptation Planning (NAP) process as key to achieving the adaptation objectives outlined in its 2014 Climate Change Adaptation Strategy of the Republic of Moldova, and its 2020 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), as well as the continued mainstreaming of climate change considerations into its policies and budgeting processes. The proposed project supports the Government of the Republic of Moldova in advancing the second cycle of its National Adaptation Planning process (known as NAP-2). The outcomes of the NAP-2 national adaptation planning processes, are:

Outcome 1: To strengthen and operationalize the national steering mechanism for climate change adaptation (CCA);

Outcome 2: To improve the long-term capacity on planning and implementation of adaptation actions through CCA technologies;

Outcome 3: To improve the mainstreaming of climate change adaptation through the increased alignment of national development priorities, in the priority sectors (forestry, health, energy and transport).

The project will contribute to UNDAF, 2018-2022 outcome #3 (The people of Moldova, especially the most vulnerable, benefit from enhanced environmental governance, energy security, sustainable management of natural resources, and climate and disaster resilient development). Additionally, the project will contribute to the UNDP Country Programme Output 3.3 (National and sub-national governments have improved capacities to integrate resilience to climate change and disasters into development plans and practices to reduce population’s vulnerability). Other than that, the project will contribute to the National Development Strategy “Moldova 2030” through ensuring resilience to climate change by reducing risks related to climate change and by facilitating adaptation in six sectors priority - agriculture, water resources, health, forestry, energy and transport.

The preliminary work under the first cycle of the NAP (known as NAP-1) supported the development of a NAP as a process, conceptualizing and developing its elements, including the national steering mechanism, and laid down the groundwork towards long-term adaptation planning. Albeit the progress, significant gaps remain in the integration of climate change considerations into many of the development policies of the national priority sectors and their associated budget priorities. National appropriations for CCA remain limited.

The NAP-2 goals will be achieved within two parallel implementation tracks. The first track implemented by UNDP expands and deepens the national approach developed under the NAP-1 and strengthens synergies both vertically, at different levels of the governance, and horizontally, between the sectors affected by climate change to reduce duplication of efforts, pool scarce resources for effective use, and ensure a coherent and comprehensive approach to the integration of CCA responses into development planning, while the second track will focus on adaptation in the agriculture sector and will be concurrently implemented under the auspices of FAO.

The National Designated Authority has coordinated with the UNDP and the FAO country offices to ensure the complementarity and synergy of the activities and exchange, as appropriate. By its very nature, the NAP-2 will facilitate integration of CCA into existing strategies, policies and programmes and establish a strong foundation for the integration of methods, tools, and information systems in day-to-day planning activities to effectively inform decision-makers on the climate risks, and to enable the informed formulation of resilient projects and financing strategies.

The National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy (NCCAS) until 2020 and its Action Plan was approved by GD 1009/2014. The Strategy provides guidance on the sectorial approach for climate change concerns and their integration in the process of development of sector specific strategies, action plans and relevant policy framework, which lead to the possibility of identifying the best adaptation opportunities at sectorial level. The general objective of the NCCAS is oriented towards “increasing the capacity of the Republic of Moldova to adapt and respond to actual or potential climate change effects” and it is underpinned by an in-depth study of future climate risks and their impacts on vulnerable sectors.

The NCCAS has three medium- and long-term objectives under which adaptation actions are clustered for the priority sectors (agriculture, water, health, forests, energy, and transport), as well as for cross-sectorial action. It contains an estimation of the implementation cost, which are broken down per measures in the Action Plan. Furthermore, a country study “Financing Climate Action in Moldova” has been carried out by OECD in 2016, to provide an approximate quantification of climate-related development finance flows that target climate mitigation and adaptation in the period 2011-2015. With the technical assistance of the World Bank, in 2016 also a “Moldova Climate Adaptation Investment Planning” tool has been provided to the Government of Moldova in view of supporting short- and medium-term budgeting for climate-related measures on national and sectoral levels.   

In this context, UNDP Moldova is seeking to recruit an International Consultant to support the evaluation of the financial aspects of the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy of the Republic of Moldova until 2020 and its Action Plan, including the efficiency of funds allocation and capitalization. As the implementation of climate change adaptation objectives needs to be supported by appropriate financial mechanisms, the Consultant will contribute also to the development of a new CCA strategic framework by costing and providing advice on streamlining the sectoral CCA measures into the country’s mid- and short- term budgetary planning for the prioritized sectors: health, forestry, water, transport, and energy.

The Consultant is expected to coordinate with the sectoral national experts and exchange information on climate adaptation options, appropriate financing instruments and their integration in the specific sectoral budgetary planning. The Consultant will work under the guidance of the Team Leader and Project Manager, and in close cooperation with a leading International Consultant and five Sectoral Experts contracted to support the NAP-2 process. The process is highly participatory and inclusive as it must be driven and owned by national stakeholders to maximize sustainability.

Duties and Responsibilities

The main objective of this assignment is to provide a climate adaptation investment planning framework for the priority sectors, as well as mainstreaming the identified CCA actions in the mid- and short- term budgetary planning at national and sectoral levels. This would be achieved by undertaking a critical analysis of the financial aspects of the current NCCAS until 2020, compared with the established objectives, identified measures, and estimated needs of the Strategy and its Action Plan. This analysis will also assess and inform on the efficiency of utilisation of the financial resources, allocated for implementation of the measures stipulated in the current NCCAS and in other sectoral policy documents, as applicable.

Based on the critical analysis and considering the “Moldova Climate Adaptation Investment Planning” tool, available to plan financing of CCA policy measures on national and sectoral levels, the Consultant will contribute to costing of the measures to be included in the new CCA strategic framework and will advise on streamlining these costs into the mid- and short- term budgetary planning for the priority sectors. 

Summary of key functions:

The Consultant will work in close cooperation with the leading International Consultant for development of NCCAS, under the supervision of the Team Leader and Project Manager, to conduct a review of the financial aspects in the current NCCAS until 2020 and contribute to the development of the new climate adaptation framework by costing identified CCA measures for the key sectors health, forestry, water, transport and energy, and by providing advice on streamlining CCA investments into the national and sectoral budgetary planning. For identification of appropriate financing mechanisms, he/she will closely coordinate with the national experts working on the development of sector specific CCA measures.

Specific tasks:

  • Establish regular communication plan and data/information sharing procedures with the leading International Consultant and national sectoral experts involved in development of NCCAS;
  • Guide national sectorial experts in collection of all the initial information regarding the degree of implementation of the financial aspects in the NCCAS and its Action Plan until 2020, or, if relevant, other sectoral policy documents that comprise CCA measures;
  • Analyse and summarize all the initial information regarding the degree of implementation of the financial aspects in the NCCAS and its Action Plan until 2020, or, if relevant, other sectoral policy documents that comprise CCA measures;
  • On this basis – propose findings, conclusions, and recommendations to be included in the overall critical analysis of the NCCAS 2020 and its Action Plan.
  • Coordinate and work with sectoral experts to identify financial needs and options, as well as potential entry points for efficient mainstreaming of CCA considerations in the strategic and budgetary planning on both national and sectoral levels;
  • Conduct a desk review of various international (WB, OECD, FAO, UNDP etc.) and relevant national assessments of climate-related development finance flows and potential CCA investments in the country, in view of supporting short- and medium-term budgeting for climate-related measures on national and sectoral levels;
  • Based on the findings and recommendations identified in the process of CCAS implementation assessment – consider and propose options for mainstreaming the CCA measures in the sectorial investment planning, as well as in the national and sector-specific budgetary framework;
  • Contribute to the costing of formulated CCA measures for the new CCA Action Plan;
  • Identify appropriate financing mechanisms and streamlining options, coordinate them with the sectoral experts and leading International Consultant, and propose formulations to be included in the new NCCA Framework;
  • Identify sources of funds for financing adaptation, including donor and international funds to be targeted at priority sectors/areas;
  • Participate in online consultative workshops on the proposed/estimated financing framework for the implementation of CCA measures with the Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment (NDA), Ministry of Finance, National Climate Change Commission and other stakeholders;
  • Address stakeholders’ comments and suggestions after each round of consultation and review of both the NCCAS 2020 assessment and the new CCA strategic framework to be developed.

For detailed information, please refer to Annex 1 – Terms of Reference.

Competencies

Academic Qualification:

  • University degree in economics, finances, environmental economics, or another relevant field related to the assignment.

Experience:

  • At least 7 years of experience in financial and/or economic analysis of projects and/or programmes. Experience in Europe and/or Eastern Europe is an advantage;
  • Proven experience in Cost and Benefits Analyses (CBAs) of policy documents/programmes, including but not limited to the climate change field;
  • Track record in mid- and short- term budgetary planning at national and sectoral levels;
  • Experience in costing of sectoral climate-related measures and their mainstreaming into the budgetary planning.

Competencies:

  • Thorough knowledge of the climate-related policy framework and its financing at international and EU levels, especially in climate change adaptation;
  • Familiarity with relevant adaptation measures and their financing in Eastern Europe is an advantage;
  • Familiarity with the country-related climate change policy context and adaptation process will be an asset;
  • Excellent analytical and writing skills;
  • Good communication skills and proven ability to work in international teams.  

Language requirements:

  • Fluency in English is required for this assignment, Romanian or Russian is an asset.

Required Skills and Experience

Initially, individual consultants will be short-listed based on the following minimum qualification criteria:

  • University degree in economics, finances, environmental economics, or another relevant field related to the assignment.
  • At least 7 years of experience in financial and/or economic analysis of projects and/or programmes.

The short-listed individual consultants will be further evaluated based on the following methodology:

Cumulative analysis

The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

b) having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

 

* Technical Criteria weight – 60% (300 pts);

* Financial Criteria weight – 40% (200 pts).

 

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 210 points would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

 

 

Criteria

Scoring

Maximum Points Obtainable

Technical 

•University degree in economics, finances, environmental economics, or another relevant field related to the assignment

under-Master’s – 10 pts, Master’s degree – 30 pts, PhD – 40 pts

 

40

•At least 7 years of experience in financial and/or economic analysis of projects and/or programs.

Experience in Europe and/or Eastern Europe is an advantage

7 years – 20 pts, each additional year 5 pts up to the max –40 pts

 

Experience in EU – 10 pts

50

•Proven experience in Cost and Benefits Analyses (CBAs) of policy documents/programmes, including but not limited to the climate change field

Each assignment-5 pts, up to 25 pts.

25

Interview (demonstrated technical knowledge and experience; communication/ interpersonal skills; initiative; creativity/ resourcefulness). Only the first 5 applicants that have accumulated the highest technical score shall be invited to the interview.

•Track record in mid- and short- term budgetary planning at national and sectoral levels

limited –<20 pts, satisfactory – <40 pts, extensive – <50 pts

50

•Experience in costing of sectoral climate-related measures and their mainstreaming into the budgetary planning

limited –<15 pts, satisfactory – <30 pts, extensive – <40 pts

40

•Thorough knowledge of the climate-related policy framework and its financing at international and EU levels, especially in climate change adaptation

limited –<5 pts, satisfactory – <20 pts, extensive – <30 pts

30

•Familiarity with relevant adaptation measures and their financing in Eastern Europe is an advantage

limited –<5 pts, satisfactory – <10 pts, extensive – <15 pts

15

•Familiarity with the country-related climate change policy context and adaptation process will be an asset

limited –<5 pts, satisfactory – <10 pts, extensive – <15 pts

15

Competencies and language requirements:

  • Excellent analytical and writing skills - max. 10 pts.
  • Good communication skills and proven ability to work in international teams - max. 10 pts;
  • Fluency in English is required for this assignment, Romanian or Russian is an asset – max. 15 pts.

35

Maximum Total Technical Scoring

300

Financial Evaluation Scoring

Evaluation of submitted financial offers will be done based on the following formula:

S = Fmin / F * 200 

S – score received on financial evaluation;

Fmin – the lowest financial offer out of all the submitted offers qualified over the technical evaluation round;

F – financial offer under consideration.

200 

Winning candidate:

The winning candidate will be the candidate, who has accumulated the highest aggregated score (technical scoring + financial scoring).

DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS

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

  1. CV, including information about experience in similar assignments;
  2. Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself most suitable for the assignment;
  3. Offeror's Letter confirming Interest and Availability, providing contact details for 3 referees, and containing the financial proposal (in USD, specifying the total lump sum amount) – prepared in compliance with the template in Annex 2.

Incomplete applications shall not be considered.

For supporting documents (Terms of Reference and Procurement Notice and Offeror's Letter, including Financial Offer template) please visit https://sc.undp.md/current_jobs3/ or  https://sc.undp.md/jobdetails/2273/ 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Proposals should be submitted online only by pressing the "Apply Online" link by July 30, 2021,11:59 pm (Moldova local time: GMT+2).

Requests for clarification must be sent by standard electronic communication to the following email pavel.gavrilita@undp.org UNDP will respond by standard electronic mail and will send written copies of the response, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to all applicants.

This vacancy is now closed.
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