SDGs and Resilience Consultant

Seoul

Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
Location: Seoul
Grade: Consultancy - International Consultant - Internationally recruited Contractors Agreement
Occupational Groups:
- Development Cooperation and Sustainable Development Goals
- Environment
- Disaster Management (Preparedness, Resilience, Response and Recovery)
- Sustainable Development and Poverty Reduction
- Climate & Disaster Resilience
Closing Date: Closed

Background

The UNDP Seoul Policy Centre (USPC) for Global Knowledge Exchange through Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Partnerships is one of UNDP’s five Global Policy Centres and constitutes an integral part of UNDP’s Global Policy Network (GPN). USPC represents UNDP in Korea, works with Korea on international issues, and shares Korea’s development experiences with other countries. Through ‘SDG Partnerships,’ USPC acts as a facilitator of global knowledge exchange on innovative and tested-and-proven policy solutions in three thematic areas:

Governance, specifically (i) transparency & accountability, and (ii) sexual & gender-based violence;
Resilience, specifically sustainable forestry; and
Development cooperation, specifically (i) capacity for addressing the challenges of development cooperation, and (ii) engagement of non-state development actors.

SDG Partnerships create and deepen a triangular cooperation among Korea, UNDP (USPC together with UNDP’s relevant global/regional teams), and partner countries (consisting of UNDP country offices and their partner Government institutions). They package Korea’s experience and knowledge, facilitate dynamic exchange of lessons learned & peer-to-peer mentoring, and support the national adaptation of the tools at the country level, by channeling seed funding and technical support to the partner countries through existing project facilities of UNDP country offices.

For the period of 2020-2021, from the resilience portfolio, USPC has a specific focus area for sharing Korea’s experiences & lessons learned with developing countries on sustainable forestry in context of SDG implementation.

Under the overall supervision of the Centre’s Director and the Green Economy Specialist, and in close partnership with other members of the USPC team and the GPN network, the Consultant will support the above aspects of the Centre’s work covering the resilience portfolio within the global development agenda.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

The SDGs and Resilience Consultant will support the formulation and implementation of USPC’s programme activities to support the SDG Partnerships on Sustainable Forestry as described in the Centre’s three-year programme, by conducting work in the following areas on a need basis:

(1) Provide technical, administrative and logistical support to implement SDG Partnership activities:

Monitor and support implementation activities in ongoing SDG Partnerships on Sustainable Forestry in Ghana, Tajikistan and Myanmar including substantive content preparation for webinars, study mission preparation and follow up with government counterparts
Provide support for activities in newly added SDG Partnerships on Sustainable Forestry, including, Mongolia
Continued support for SDG Partnership development and the identification and selection of topics, experts and partners
Provide substantive support in preparing project proposals and grant applications in relation to SDG Partnership scale up including wastewater management, in collaboration with COs and main partners in Korea
Draft meeting notes and briefings, terms of reference and supporting documents, planning documents, and progress and outcome reports for implementation of activities
Draft and design various outreach materials in English (e.g. reporting documents, publications, press releases, web and social media contents, multimedia)

(2) Provide technical support to identify/maintain partnerships with Korean development actors to share their innovative solutions and services with developing countries:

Ensure adequate follow up steps of SDG Partnership on Sustainable Forestry preparation and maintaining relationships with main partners including Korea Energy Agency, Korea Environment Corporation, Ministry of Environment and Korea Forest Service and National Institute of Forest Science
Help coordinate the organisation of knowledge sharing events (e.g. policy dialogues, thematic workshops, webinars)
Support the Resilience team’s day-to-day operations, communications and other needs including reporting to donors

(3) Support the production of knowledge products to facilitate the exchange of best practices and lessons on the SDGs and sustainable forestry, water quality, energy, waste management, circular, green economy and green recovery

Provide substantive support in preparing knowledge products on SDG integration with a focus on Goal 6, Goal 15, Goal 16 and Goal 17
Policy research and the preparation of knowledge products on forest resilience especially in the context of natural disasters and human conflicts and the role of forestry in disaster mitigation and risk reduction
Provide research, editing and publication support for two ongoing USPC papers, on:
- Understanding Nature-Based Solutions and its potential role in building resilience (by tackling climate adaptation and mitigation) and links to biodiversity, desertification and sustainable development goals: some lessons from Korea
- Korea’s experience in urban greening and forestry: how this can apply to COVID-19 recovery and “Building Back Better”
Policy research and the preparation of knowledge products on Korea’s Green New Deal; “Building Back Better” in the context of COVID-19; and the political and economic characteristics of promoting a green recovery
Provide substantive research on the nexus between green recovery, rapid technological change and the SDGs.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

Technical, administrative and logistical support provided to implement SDG partnership activities and events through:

Monitor partnership activities and providing technical and logistical support for webinars and study missions
Partnership consultations and meetings coordinated with and between COs and Korean partners
Meeting notes, briefing notes, and progress and outcome reports drafted

(2) Production of knowledge products to facilitate the exchange of best practices and lessons on the SDGs and sustainable forestry, water quality, energy, waste management, circular, green economy and green recovery through:

Support the publication of two ongoing USPC papers, on:
- Understanding Nature-Based Solutions and its potential role in building resilience (by tackling climate adaptation and mitigation) and links to biodiversity, desertification and sustainable development goals: some lessons from Korea
- Korea’s experience in urban greening and forestry: how this can apply to COVID 19 recovery and Building Back Better

Policy research and the preparation of knowledge products on Korea’s Green New Deal; “Building Back Better” in the context of COVID-19; and the political and economic characteristics of promoting a green recovery

(3) Ensure adequate follow up and maintain relationships with a variety of partners to support the continued day-to-day implementation of ongoing SDG Partnerships on Sustainable Forestry, ongoing research and future collaborations, through:

Maintain relationships with main partners such as the Ministry of Environment, Korea Energy Agency, Korea Environment Corporation, Korea Forest Service and National Institute of Forest Science
Help coordinate the organisation of knowledge sharing events (e.g. policy dialogues, thematic workshops, webinars)
Respond to UNDP CO enquires and requests for information and knowledge sharing within the context of USPC’s mandate

Outputs, payment schedule, and oversight:

Deliverables/ Outputs	Target Due Dates	Review and Approvals Required from
1. Technical, administrative and logistical support provided to implement SDG partnership activities and events through: Monitor partnership activities and providing technical and logistical support for webinars and study missions Partnership consultations and meetings coordinated with and between COs and Korean partners Meeting notes, briefing notes, and progress and outcome reports drafted (25%)	30 April 2021	Green Economy Specialist
2. Production of knowledge products to facilitate the exchange of best practices and lessons on the SDGs and sustainable forestry, water quality, energy, waste management, circular, green economy and green recovery through: Support the publication Understanding Nature-Based Solutions and its potential role in building resilience (by tackling climate adaptation and mitigation) and links to biodiversity, desertification and sustainable development goals: some lessons from Korea (15%)	31 July 2021	Green Economy Specialist
3. Support the publication of USPC paper on: Korea’s experience in urban greening and forestry: how this can apply to COVID 19 recovery and Building Back Better Policy research and the preparation of knowledge products on Korea’s Green New Deal; “Building Back Better” in the context of COVID-19; and the political and economic characteristics of promoting a green recovery (25%)	31 October 2021	Green Economy Specialist
4. Ensure adequate follow up and maintain relationships with a variety of partners to support the continued day-to-day implementation of ongoing SDG Partnerships on Sustainable Forestry, ongoing research and future collaborations, through: Maintain relationships with main partners such as the Ministry of Environment, Korea Energy Agency, Korea Environment Corporation, Korea Forest Service and National Institute of Forest Science (10%)	31 December 2021	Green Economy Specialist
5. Help coordinate the organisation of knowledge sharing events (e.g. policy dialogues, thematic workshops, webinars) Respond to UNDP CO enquires and requests for information and knowledge sharing within the context of USPC’s mandate (25%)	21 March 2022	Green Economy Specialist

Institutional Arrangement

The Consultant will report to the Green Economy Specialist, while under the overall supervision of the Director of the UNDP Seoul Policy Centre.

Duration of the Work

22 March 2021 – 21 March 2022 (Up to 250 working days).

Duty Station

Seoul, The Republic of Korea with no travel

Competencies

Competencies:

Functional Competencies

Knowledge Management and Learning

Shares knowledge and experience and contributes to UNDP Practice Areas and actively works towards continuing personal learning and development;
Ability to provide quality policy advice services;
In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues.
Strong analytical skills to process qualitative information

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Ability to go beyond established procedures and models, propose new approaches which expand the range of programmes;
Ability to apply theory to specific country contexts, carry out high-quality research.

Management and Leadership

Focuses on impact and result and responds positively to critical feedback;
Assesses risk and applies common sense;
Pursues creativity and innovation;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
Builds strong relationships with peers and external actors;
Works as part of a team with required flexibility, mutual support and feed-back.

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modelling 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;
Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Required Skills and Experience

Educational Qualifications

Master’s Degree in environment, public policy, resource economics, international studies or other relevant subjects is required.

Experience

Two years of experience in development studies, or environmental policy or relevant field at the international level with demonstrated experience working with the United Nations.
Experience with sustainable development and political economy related field in a global context and good knowledge of Korea’s development policy.
Demonstrated track record of high-quality research and support for publications on policies relating to sustainable development.

Language requirements

Fluency in written and spoken in English.

Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

Consultant must send a financial proposal based on Lump Sum Amount

The total amount quoted shall be all-inclusive and include all costs components required to perform the deliverables identified in the TOR, including professional fee, travel costs, living allowance (if any work is to be done outside the IC´s duty station) and any other applicable cost to be incurred by the IC in completing the assignment. The contract price will be fixed output-based price regardless of extension of the herein specified duration. Payments will be done upon completion of the deliverables/outputs and as per below percentages:

Deliverable 1 – Technical, administrative and logistical support provided to implement SDG partnership activities and events as per ToR: 25% of total contract amount
Deliverable 2 – Production of knowledge products to facilitate the exchange of best practices and lessons on the SDGs and sustainable forestry, water quality, energy, waste management, circular, green economy and green recovery as per ToR: 15% of total contract amount
Deliverable 3 – Support the publication of UPSC paper as per ToR: 25% of total contract amount
Deliverable 4 – Ensure adequate follow up and maintain relationships with a variety of partners to support the continued day-to-day implementation of on- going research and future collaborations as per ToR: 10% of total contract amount
Deliverable 5 – Help coordinate the organization of knowledge sharing events (e.g. policy dialogues, thematic workshops, webinars) as per ToR: 25% of total contract amount

In general, UNDP shall not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.

In the event of unforeseeable travel not anticipated in this TOR, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and the Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

Travel costs shall be reimbursed at actual but not exceeding the quotation from UNDP approved travel agent.

Evaluation Method and Criteria

Individual consultants will be 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 set of weighted technical criteria (70%) *and financial criteria (30%). Financial score shall be computed as a ratio of the proposal being evaluated and the lowest priced qualified proposal received by UNDP for the assignment.

Only those applications which are responsive, compliant and accept in general condition will be evaluated;
The technical criteria (education, experience, language) will be worth a maximum 100 points. Only candidates that have achieved a minimum of 70 points (70%) from the review of the education, experience, and language will be invited for a written test and an interview.
For those who passing technical, written and interview evaluation above, offers will be evaluated per the Combined Scoring method:

a. Technical, written and Interview (70%)

b. Financial Evaluation (30%)

Technical Criteria for Evaluation (Maximum 100 points)

Criteria 1: Relevance of education - Max 10 points;
Criteria 2: Experience in development studies, or environmental policy or relevant field; with demonstrated UN work experience.- Max 10 points;
Criteria 3: Experience with sustainable development and political economy related field in a global context and good knowledge of Korea’s development policy - Max 10 points;
Criteria 4: Demonstrate track record of high-quality research and support for publications on policies relating to sustainable development - Max 10 points;
Criteria 5: written exam – Max 15 points;
Criteria 6: Interview – Max 15 points;

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 28 points (70% of total 40 points in technical evaluation in criteria 1-4) would be considered for a written exam& an Interview and Financial Evaluation respectively.

Documentation required

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications. Please group them into one (1) single PDF document as the application only allows to upload maximum one document:

Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided in Annex II from UNDP Procurement Notice Website as the link in the Post in UNDP Job Website.
Personal CV indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references.
Financial proposal, as per template provided in Annex II from UNDP Procurement NoticeWebsite as the link in the Post in UNDP Job Website. Note: If an Offeror is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP.