Regional Technical Support Consultant on Energy, Infrastructure, Transport, and Technology

Background

The UNDP-GEF Unit is based in the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) and is responsible for providing leadership, technical support and implementation oversight to the delivery of the Environment and Sustainable Development pillar of UNDP’s Strategic Plan. Its main focus is on helping countries develop the capacity to fully incorporate environmental sustainability and resilience into development at national and local, but also global and regional, levels. The principal areas of work are in environmental mainstreaming, environmental finance, adaptation to climate change, and local governance of resources, including energy.The Unit is organized into a number of substantive technical teams with staff located in both HQs and UNDP's Regional Hubs (RH) in Addis Ababa, Istanbul, Panama, and Bangkok, and with a decentralized structure in terms of financial, operational, and budget managements with authority delegated to respective managers located in HQ or in the region.UNDP-GEF is seeking an individual consultant to work under the overall supervision of the  UNDP-GEF Senior Technical Advisor for Energy, Infrastructure, Transport and Technology (EITT) (primary supervisor) and the UNDP Regional Technical Advisor on Climate Change Mitigation for Europe and CIS (Istanbul) (secondary supervisor) and UNDP-GEF Regional Technical Advisor on Climate Change Mitigation for Europe and CIS (Istanbul) and Regional Technical Advisor on Climate Change Mitigation for Africa (secondary supervisors). The individual will be based in the UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub and will have a special responsibility for developing and supporting climate change mitigation UNDP GEF projects in the Europe and CIS region (with a focus on Turkey) and a second responsibility for supporting climate change mitigation projects in Africa. This will include developing new and supporting ongoing both Global Environment Facility (GEF) and Green Climate Fund (GCF) projects. The split between support for climate change mitigation projects in Europe & CIS region and climate change mitigation projects in the Africa region will be approximately 66% (2/3 of time) to 33% (1/3 of time) with the choice of which countries and which projects to support being made in consultation with both the Senior Technical Advisor and the Regional Technical Advisor.The assignment requires a very close level of cooperation with the UNDP GEF Regional Technical Advisor on Climate Change Mitigation for Europe & CIS region at the Istanbul Regional Hub, the UNDP GEF Regional Technical Advisor on Climate Change Mitigation for the Arab States and Africa at the Istanbul Regional Hub and therefore a presence will be required at the UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub in Istanbul, Turkey. The UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub, will provide the office space and an internet connection but the consultant will be responsible for providing their own IT equipment such as laptop computer and mobile phone.The Regional Technical Support Consultant on EITT will support project implementation partners, primarily UNDP country offices, in the efficient, effective and high quality delivery of project development and implementation service in the Europe & CIS and Africa regions. It is estimated that the consultant will undertake 8 missions over the course of the assignment which are broken down as follows:Europe & CIS Region (6 missions)

• 3 mission of 5 working days to Ankara, Turkey
• 1 mission of 5 working days to Tashkent, Uzbekistan
• 1 mission of 5 working days to Baku, Azerbaijan
• 1 mission of 5 working days to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

Africa Region (2 missions)

• 1 mission of 5 working days to Conakry, Guinea
• 1 mission of 5 working days to Cotonou, Benin

The consultant will work in close collaboration with the Istanbul Regional Hub (IRH) staff, UNDP- GEF staff in New York, the operations staff in UNDP Country Offices (COs) and other UN agency staff to exchange information and to help ensure consistent service delivery for new and ongoing climate change mitigation .The consultant will be expected to contribute towards the delivery of the EITT signature programmes on climate change mitigation by providing review, commentary, and feedback.During the course of the assignment, the consultant will likely be expected to travel on 8 missions to carry out his/her work. It is envisaged that three of these missions will be to Ankara, Turkey given that a main focus of the consultants work will be to support the climate change mitigation portfolio in Turkey. This means that it is envisaged that there will be 3 missions within Turkey, and 5 international missions over the course of the assignment.It is estimated that the consultant will undertake one mission per 1-2 months which each mission being for an average of 5 working days meaning that it is expected that there will be 8 missions during the course of the assignment and 40 days spent on mission. The approval for these 8 missions will be given by the Senior Technical Advisor for EITT based at UNDP offices in New York and the budget for these missions is covered separately. UNDP will pay for the cost of these missions in accordance with standard rules and procedures.

The cost of these missions will be paid for separately out of the EITT team budget, as required.In the event that the destinations for the missions change, these change in destinations for the missions will be approved by the Senior Technical Advisor for the EITT.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant will be involved in supporting programme and project identification and development of new UNDP GEF climate change mitigation projects in the Europe and CIS and Africa regions. The consultant will also be involved in implementation support for ongoing UNDP GEF climate change mitigation projects in the Europe and CIS and Africa regions. The  selection of countries to be supported includes Turkey, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Guinea and Benin. In the event that additional countries are added to this list they will be  made following agreement with both with the Senior Technical Advisor on Climate Change in New York and the respective Regional Technical Advisors at the UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub (for Europe and CIS region). For a minimum of  6 selected countries in the Europe & CIS regions 4 countries in Africa (maximum total number of countries is 10 countries). The consultant will provide specic technical support, including for the development of new GEF climate change mitigation projects and implementation support for ongoing projects. Specific Outputs are as follows:Programme and Project Identification and Development

Programme and project identification and development for both GEF project for climate change mitigation projects dealing with areas such as energy-efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable transport, and sustainable cities which includes support for the development of both PIFs (Project Identification Forms) for the GEF including

• Provide reviews, inputs, comments, and verbal and written advice for the further development and full approval of the UNDP GEF Energy Efficiency Wooden Buildings project in Turkey (UNDP Project document and GEF Request for CEO endorsement) including assisting with responding to GEF Secretariat comments;
• Provide reviews, inputs, comments, and verbal and written advice to support the full approval of the UNDP GEF Azerbaijan Energy Efficiency and Green Climate Resilient Urban Development in Baku’s urban area project (UNDP project document and GEF Request for CEO endorsement);
• Provide reviews, inputs, comments, and verbal and written advice to support the full approval of the UNDP GEF Tashkent Green Urban Development project in Uzbekistan (UNDP project document and GEF Request for CEO endorsement)  ;
• Provide reviews, inputs, comments, and verbal and written advice to support the development of a new GEF 7 climate change mitigation PIF for Benin
• Provide reviews, inputs, comments, and verbal and written advice to support the development of the further development and full approval of the Sustainable Management of Natural Resources in Guinea project (UNDP project document and GEF request for CEO endorsement) 

Estimated Time Input: 10 days per project x 5 projects = up to 50 working days (includes missions).GEF Climate Change Mitigation Implementation SupportThe consultant should provide advisory and technical support for ongoing UNDP GEF climate change mitigation projects in Turkey, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Guinea, and Benin, and possibly other selected countries with a focus on improved delivery and improved project results. This includes support for the annual project implementation review (PIR) including playing a leading role in providing key inputs into the annual PIR report as well as making verbal and written recommendations related to adaptive management strategies to improve the overall results of the project. Specifically this includes implementation support for the following projects:

• UNDP GEF Orkoy Solar PV project in Turkey;
• UNDP GEF Energy Efficient motors project in Turkey;
• UNDP GEF Urban NAMA project in Azerbaijan;
• UNDP GEF EE and RE in the water sector project in Turkmenistan;
• UNDP GEF Sustainable Cities project in Turkmenistan;
• UNDP GEF De-risking and Scaling Up investment in Rural Housing project in Uzbekistan
• UNDP GEF Guinea Biogas project

Other projects may also be included (added) at a later date within the overall time input.Estimated Time Input: 15 days per project x 7 projects = up to 105 working days (includes missions)Support for an estimated six mid-term reviews and/or final evaluations of selected GEF projects

Providing detailed written reviews and comments for the mid-term reviews and final evaluations of six selected GEF climate change mitigation projects as well as the annual performance review (APR) of selected GCF projects, as required, and based on this supporting the projects with adaptive management to improve their possibilities to be successful.;Estimated Time Input: 5 days per project x 6 projects = up to 30 working daysMiscellaneous Support

• Support the Head of Energy/Senior Technical Advisor with UNDP Global Policy Papers with feedback and comments, as required (up to 10 working days)
• Prepare at least two blogs or articles that are published on UNDP websites (up to 10 working days)
• Identifying, and sourcing of technical expertise and support including assisting with the preparation of TORs, identification and evaluation of experts and reviewing reports of international consultants, including assistance to Country Office’s with identifying and selecting consultants of the climate change mitigation and sustainable energy roster (CCMSE Roster); (up to 10 working days for UNDP Country Office liaison)
• Participating in workshops and seminars related to climate change mitigation, sustainable energy, renewable energy, sustainable transport, sustainable cities etc.  as required, and providing presentations; (up to 5 working days – maximum of 5 days for workshops or seminars)

Estimated Time Input: up to 35 working daysWorking ArrangementsThe assignment will be based in Istanbul, Turkey. The consultant is responsible for their own cost of travel to Istanbul, as required. The position will be based in Istanbul at the UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub.

• Estimated number of days on mission: 40 working days
• Estimated number of working days outside missions: 180 days
• Estimated level of effort including travel missions: 220 days;

The Consultant will be given access to relevant information necessary for execution of the tasks under this assignment and will be able to consultant with Regional Technical Advisors for EITT, based at the Istanbul Regional Hub, and the Senior Technical Advisor for EITT based in New York, on a regular basis;

The Consultant is responsible for their own IT equipment (laptop and mobile phone). UNDP is not responsible with providing the consultant with any IT equipment (laptop or mobile phone).

Given the global consultations to be undertaken during this assignment, the consultant is expected to be reasonably flexible with his/her availability for such consultations taking into consideration different time zones;Payments:

Payments will be made at the end of each month upon submission of a detailed time sheet and certification of payment form, and acceptance and confirmation by the Supervisor on days worked (with a “day” calculated as 8 hours of work) and referring the days worked to the specific outputs that are specified in this terms of reference. In general, the minimum number of days to be worked in any one month should be a minimum of 5 working days and the maximum number of working days in any one month should be 22 working days. At the start of each month, the consultant should indicate the days that he/she plans to work that month, discuss specific deliverables for the upcoming month, and send an email to the primary and secondary supervisors which describes the deliverables that are to be carried out this month.TravelTravel costs will be paid separately, as per UNDP rules and regulations.Throughout the course of the assignment, it is envisaged that there will be 8 missions and 40 working days spent on travel. Missions are planned for Ankara, Turkey (3 missions), Baku in Azerbaijan, Tashkent in Uzbekistan, Ashgabat in Turkmenistan, Conakry in Guinea and Cotonou in Benin. In the event that one or more of these missions gets cancelled, it is envisaged to replace the planned mission with another mission of similar duration (5 working days) in a different country in the Europe & CIS or Africa regions with the specific timing and destination to be agreed in advance with the primary and secondary supervisors with a goal that the overall number of days to be spent on mission throughout the course of the assignment is 40 working days.

• Any necessary missions must be approved in advance and in writing by the Primary Supervisor at UNDP in New York;
• The Advanced and Basic Security in the Field II courses must be successfully completed prior to commencement of travel;
• Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director;
• Consultants are responsible for obtaining any visas and security clearances needed in connection with travel with the necessary support from UNDP;
• The Consultant is required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under https://dss.un.org/dssweb/;
• The consultant will be responsible for making his/her own mission travel arrangements in line with UNDP travel policies;

All related travel expenses will be supported by UNDP funds and will be reimbursed as per UNDP rules and regulations for consultants. Costs for mission airfares, terminal expenses, insurance, and living allowances should not be included in the financial proposal of the consultant.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s vision, mission and values;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• 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.

Technical Competencies:

• Ability to advise on environmentally sustainable pathways for energy use and supply, energy access, de-centralized and distributed RE-based electricity solutions and low carbon transport and mobility, and on the design and operation of energy systems in the residential, industrial, commercial and transport sectors, as well as in energy-integrated urban development planning and applications;
• Ability to advise on the design and implementation of RE-based energy systems both for thermal and power generation and applications in developing countries, including distributed systems;
• Ability to advise on energy finance solutions;
• Able to render policy advice on identifying, accessing, combining and sequencing different sources of environmental finance to meet country financing shortfalls in the arenas of low carbon energy options and climate change mitigation;

Functional Competencies

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Results-driven and initiative-taking;Ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines;Ability to plan and organise work and establish priorities;Remains calm and in control even under pressure, and consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;Informed, sound, and transparent decision-making;Thoroughly and methodically collects, verifies and records data, demonstrating attention to detail and identifying and correcting errors on own initiative.

Client Orientation and Communication

Effective written and oral communication skills;Good interpersonal and networking skills;Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations;Supports and encourages open communication in the team and facilitates team work;Ability to work under minimum supervision;Ability to work with multiple stakeholders from a wide range of disciplines and fields, from both developed and developing countries, and having diverse and competing worldviews and interests. 

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• Master´s degree or higher in engineering, environmental economics, finance or environmental science, forestry, or other closely related field; 

Experience

• Minimum of 7 years’ experience working with developing countries on one or more of the following: energy management, energy systems operations, in the residential, industrial, commercial and transport sectors, as well as in energy-integrated urban development planning and applications; energy access and distributed energy solutions; the design and implementation of RE-based energy systems both for thermal and power generation and applications; energy finance; urban transport; 
• At least 5 years of prior experience working on environmental projects in the Europe & CIS region and/or Africa, and in particular Turkey, is considered an advantage 
• At least 5 years experience working with project development, implementation and management (direct project management experience is preferable) for GEF projects and this includes experience in participating in monitoring and evaluation of GEF projects including mid-term reviews and final evaluations; 
• Working experience in an international organization is an advantage as is knowledge of UNDP policies, procedures and practices, and has experience with the UNDP project cycle;
• Experience in the policy development processes in sustainable energy management, energy finance and/or transport is an advantage; 
• Experience in dealing with projects that have or are setting up sustainable financial mechanisms is considered an advantage;
• Experience working with  GHG management protocols and mitigation options would be an asset including on projects whose main goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This includes experience with making GHG emission reduction calculation for projects 
• Full computer literacy; Mastery in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, as a minimum);

Languages

• Excellent oral and written communications and presentations skills in English;
• In addition to English language skills (required), advanced oral and written communication skills in at least one of Turkish, Russian, or French is recommended 

Evaluation of Applicants

Individual 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, subject to validation interview and reference checks, 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

• Criteria A – (desk review) Education - max points: 10
• Criteria B – (desk review) Experience in developing countries – max points: 20
• Criteria C – (desk review) Experience working on environmental projects – max points: 10
• Criteria D – (desk review) Experience in sustainable energy, energy-efficiency or transport – max points: 5
• Criteria E– (desk review) Cover letter and writing sample – max points: 20
• Criteria F – (interviews) Work experience within an international organizations - max points: 5
• Criteria G – (interviews) Experience with projects that include financial support mechanisms – max points: 5
• Criteria H - (interviews) Experience working with GHG management & GHG calculations – max points: 5
• Criteria I – (interviews) Language skills – max points: 10
• Criteria J –  (interviews) Experience with development of GEF projects - max points: 10

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 100 pointsOnly candidates who will get min. 70% of points in desk review (criteria A-E) will be invited for interviews. Only the highest ranked candidates who score at minimum of 70% of the total technical evaluation score (i.e. – 70 points or more for a maximum of 100 total points – Criteria A-J) will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.Financial Criteria – Approx. 30% of total evaluation – max. 43 points.The lowest financial proposal from all technically qualified proposals will score 43 points. Every other financial proposal will score a percentage of 43 points depending on the following formula. Financial Score = financial offer of lowest bidding candidate / financial offer of the individual offeror x 43 points).The highest possible maximum total score is 143 points as follows: 

• Technical Score (Max: 100 points) + Financial Score (Max. 43 points) = Total Score (Max. 143 points)

Validation Interview

A validation interview will be held with the highest scoring candidate with a view to determining whether or not this candidate is suitable to carrying out this assignment.Application Procedure

The application submission is a two-step process. Failing to comply with the submission process may result in the disqualification of the application. Step 1: Interested candidates must include the following documents when submitting the applications (Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF attachment as the system only allows upload of one document):

• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position. Please paste the cover letter and writing sample into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application. 
• Writing sample of a document that the consultant has written on a relevant topic related to environment, climate change and/or sustainable energy. It is requested that the writing sample is not longer than 10 pages. This document will be evaluated for the ability to write clearly and concisely in English about a topic relevant to environment, climate change and/or sustainable energy.
• Filled P11 form or CV 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 ); 

Step 2: Submission of Financial Proposal - Only shortlisted candidates who have scored 70 or more points on the technical evaluation will be contacted and requested to provide a financial offer. This means that you do not need to provide any financial offer as part of your initial application to this position.Payments will be made only upon confirmation by UNDP that the deliverables have been received and are certified by UNDP as being acceptable and satisfactory.