Background

The UNDP/UNEP Global Support Programme (GSP) provides support to non-Annex I Parties (1) in order to prepare National Communications (NCs) and Biennial Update Reports (BURs) that are submitted to the UNFCCC. Further, the GSP works with key counterparts to provide technical guidance and assistance for the development of the NCs and BURs as well as in the identification of priority areas of support for the implementation of the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs).

In response to country requests, UNFCCC and GSP are working together to foster voluntary peer-to-peer review of national greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory systems and national GHG inventory reports that will improve inventory quality and transparency of reporting to the UNFCCC from non-Annex I Parties.  The expected outcome of the peer review initiatives is to achieve enhanced capacity of national experts involved in the process of the preparation of national GHG inventories to develop high quality, transparent, national inventory reports and maintain sustainable national GHG inventory management systems, in a non-intrusive or punitive manner.

Notes: 
(1) 
Definition; http://unfccc.int/parties_and_observers/items/2704.php . List of non-Annex I Parties to the Convention; http://unfccc.int/parties_and_observers/parties/non_annex_i/items/2833.php

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant will produce a guidance document on how to perform a peer review of national GHG inventory management systems and national GHG inventories for non-Annex I Parties, taking into consideration of and ensuring consistency with the latest applicable IPCC guidelines for national GHG inventories and the CGE and US-EPA training materials, workbooks, templates on developing sustainable national GHG inventory systems and reporting guidelines.

The consultant shall provide the following services:

  • Hold virtual meetings with the Supervisors (GSP and UNFCCC) for the definition of needs, objectives and proposed approach;
  • Develop a pre-activity note, including deliverable schedule with estimated delivery timeframes;
  • Develop an annotated outline for the guidance document, ensuring that it encompasses the following guidance for conducting a peer review: Preparation for the review; Confidentiality; Professional conduct and courtesies; Review of the national GHG information management system, including institutional arrangements, methodology and data documentation, archiving, quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC), and national inventory improvement plan; Review of crosscutting sections of the national GHG inventory, including overall statistics of national emissions across all sectors, key category analysis, and overall uncertainty analysis; Guidance for sectoral reviews, including adherence to TACCC (Transparency, Accuracy, Completeness, Consistency, and Comparability) principles, with specific emphasis on activity data completeness and consistency (including time series consistency), transparency of emission estimates (including emission factor and methodological choice and source), uncertainty analysis, recalculations and future improvements; Glossary/Reference Section, including conversions for (British metric, etc.) units used in national GHG inventories, especially concerning the energy and transport sector;
  • Revise Outline based on comments from UNFCCC and GSP;
  • Develop a draft guidance document;
  • Respond to comments from UNFCCC and GSP and submit a final guidance document.

Deliverables:

  • Pre-activity note – two weeks after the start;
  • Annotated outline – 30% of payment – two months after the start;
  • Final Guidebook – 70% of payment – at the end of the consultancy - four months after the start.

Timeline, Reporting and Quality Control for the assignment:

  • The consultancy is for a period of 30 working days;
  • The contract will be managed by the UNDP/UNEP Global Support Program which will take responsibility for the approval of the final evaluation report upon the consultation and agreement with UNFCCC.

Working Arrangements:

  • The Consultant will report at least bi-weekly to the UNDP/UNEP Global Support Program Coordinator via calls/emails;
  • The Consultant will be responsible for providing her/his own working station (i.e. laptop, internet, phone, scanner/printer, relevant software, etc.) and must have access to a reliable internet connection;
  • Given the global consultations to be undertaken during this assignment, the consultant will be occasionally requested to participate in consultations outside the standard working hours. Consultant will be notified on exact time and date in advance. 

Competencies

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.

Functional competencies:

  • Strong interpersonal skills, communication and diplomatic skills, ability to work in a team;
  • Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
  • Openness to innovation;
  • Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations;
  • Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities;
  • Exceptional communication and organizational skills;
  • Proven ability to manage projects in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications/Education: 

  • Master Degree in economics, finance, engineering, environmental science or a related discipline;
  • Training on reviewing national level GHG inventories is an advantage but not a requirement.

Experience: 

  • Minimum of 7 years of professional relevant experience that includes development of technical reports or guidelines on GHG inventories; 
  • Extensive experience using IPCC guidelines for national GHG inventory development; CGE or US-EPA GHG inventory and inventory management systems training materials; 
  • Preferable to be listed as a technical expert in the UNFCCC GHG inventory review programme for Annex 1 countries, or have served/actually serving as a CGE (UNFCCC’ Consultative Group of Experts) member;
  • Experience working in an international setting of development and reporting countries/sectors’ GHG inventories, in particular with Non-Annex I Parties is highly valued;
  • Proficiency in report writing; conducting research; and providing a consulting or advisory services. 

Language skills: 

  • Fluency in English

Evaluation of Applicants:

Individual contract applicants 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 to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

  • responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
  • having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical (P11 desk reviews) and financial criteria specific to the solicitation. 

Only candidates who will get at least 70% of points in each step of the process (desk review and interviews) will be considered for financial evaluation.

Technical Criteria: 70% of total evaluation (max. 70 points):

  • Criteria A: Master Degree in economics, finance, engineering, environmental science or a related discipline (max. 5 points);
  • Criteria B: Training on reviewing national level GHG inventories is an advantage but not a requirement (max. 5 points); 
  • Criteria C: Minimum of 7 years of professional relevant experience that includes development of technical reports or guidelines on GHG inventories (max. 10 points);
  • Criteria D: Extensive experience using IPCC guidelines for national GHG inventory development; CGE or US-EPA GHG inventory and inventory management systems training materials (max. 10 points);
  • Criteria E: Preferable to be listed as a technical expert in the UNFCCC GHG inventory review programme for Annex 1 countries, or have served/actually serving as a CGE (UNFCCC’ Consultative Group of Experts) member (max. 7 points);
  • Criteria F: Experience working in an international setting, in particular with Non-Annex I Parties is highly valued (max. 5 points);
  • Criteria G: Proficiency in report writing; conducting research; and providing a consulting or advisory services. (max. 5 points);
  • Criteria H: Fluency in English (max. 3 points);
  • Criteria I: (methodology) technical knowledge of the relevant area (max. 10 points);
  • Criteria J: (methodology) writing skills (max. 10 points).

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation (max. 30 points).

Application procedure:

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website. The application should contain:

  • Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position (max 1 page). Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application. 
  • A brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work.
  • Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from  http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc); please upload the P11 instead of your CV and mention past experience in at least 3 similar projects
  • Financial Proposal* in USD - specifying a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this announcement. The financial proposal must include a breakdown of the fee (including number of anticipated working days and all foreseeable expenses to carry out the assignment). 
  • Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials. Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF attachment as the system only allows upload of one document. 

*Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, vaccination and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...).

Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner. 

Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org
General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://on.undp.org/t7fJs.

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.
Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.