Biomass Expert

The overall objective of the project is to promote sustainable production and utilization of upgraded biomass fuels in Georgia, encouraging the stakeholders to establish the pilot production projects through grant investments; start and develop biomass fuel utilization in the municipal sector.

Project was approved by GEF in November 2011 and started in mid-2013 and will end in July 2017. During the past period: several researches were conducted (e.g. research of biomass raw materials availability in Georgia, or feasibility study of production and utilization of biomass fuel in Tbilisi), promotional and study materials were developed, biomass fuel production and utilization business plan competition was conducted throughout whole Georgia and first tranches of investment grants were awarded to support winning business plans which should lead in 2016 to the completion of several demonstration projects on biomass energy.

The mid-term review of the project, carried out in late 2015 found that there were several key actions that could and should be undertaken to improve the project. One of the key actions that the mid-term evaluation identified that could help improve the project, is the immediate hiring of an international expert on biomass energy to support and guide the development of key project outputs.

Several activities are planned in the project for the remaining period of the project which could benefit, as soon as possible, from the assistance of an international expert on biomass energy. These activities include awarding final portions of investment grants to producers and consumers of biomass fuels, completing procurement process and establishment of production and utilization,  support of producers and consumers in technical, business and energy efficiency matters, facilitation of development of national strategy and action plan, standards of fuels and equipment, establishment of Bioenergy association, formulating a proposal for establishing a dedicated funding window for biomass projects, stakeholders meetings and different activities related with popularization of biomass fuel in Georgia. 

Objective of the consultancy is to provide technical expertise and guidance to the project implementation team and achievement to help in drafting key project outputs and helping to ensure that project outputs are technically sound. The consultant shall also provide backstopping on all technical, biomass-related issues in the project and provide advice on ongoing adaptive management issues in order to strengthen the project and to speed up implementation. In essence, the responsibility of the technical advisor is to ensure overall technical direction of the Project is maintained and adaptively managed to meet the practical challenges faced during implementation.

The international consultant on biomass energy will work under overall guidance from the Environment and Energy Team Leader at UNDP and under direct supervision of the Project Manager and they will hold weekly skype calls and communicate regularly. S/he will also work closely with the Project Manager and Team Leader, Environment and Energy Portfolio, national partners and will help to guide and encourage contracted experts.

More specifically, tasks will include following:

Guidance and technical input for the elaboration of work assignment for:

• feasibility studies for different bioenergy technologies;
• National Bioenergy Strategy and Action Plan;
• developing quality standards for upgraded biomass fuels and biomass heating systems and requirements for emissions, safety, operation and performance standards of biomass boilers;
• formulating a proposal for establishing a dedicated funding window to finance future bioenergy projects in Georgia.

Technical Review and assistance, working closely with national consultants, with finalization of:

• draft report of feasibility study for different bioenergy technologies;
• draft of National Bioenergy Strategy and Action Plan;
• draft quality standards for upgraded biomass fuels and biomass heating systems and requirements for emissions, safety, operation and performance standards of biomass boilers;
• draft of mission and statutes of a Bioenergy Association;
• proposal for establishing a dedicated funding window to finance future bioenergy projects in Georgia.

Provide technical expertise in implementation of pilot projects selected under grant competition (inputs to be provided upon request of the Project management unit, as needed).

The expert will also provide overall guidance and advice to the PMU on planned project outputs and activities as noted in the project work plan and annual work plans. Any other technical backstopping, related to the implementation of project activities and achievement of the project goal, will also be expected on regular basis.

Workload and duration:

Total number of working days in year shall not exceed 45 days. Number of working days week-by-week will vary. Assignment includes at least three visits (missions) to Georgia which should include up to 15 days, at least 5 full working days per each mission.

Deliverables:

Monthly activity reports, indicating performed work and number of worked hours (days) - the first working day of every following month;

Written technical review and/or comments of reports and activities listed below (up to 20 days) - May, 2016 – March, 2017:

• draft report of feasibility study for different bioenergy technologies - March, 2017;
• draft of National Bioenergy Strategy and Action Plan - March, 2017;
• draft quality standards for upgraded biomass fuels and biomass heating systems and requirements for emissions, safety, operation and performance standards of biomass boilers -November, 2016;
• draft of mission and statutes of a Bioenergy Association - September, 2016;
• proposal for establishing a dedicated funding window to finance future bioenergy projects in Georgia - January, 2017.

Finalized ToRs under consultant’s guidance and technical input according to the activities listed below (up to 15 days) - May, 2016 – October, 2016:

• feasibility studies for different bioenergy technologies - June, 2016;
• National Bioenergy Strategy and Action Plan - May, 2016;
• developing quality standards for upgraded biomass fuels and biomass heating systems and requirements for emissions, safety, operation and performance standards of biomass boilers - May, 2016;
• formulating a proposal for establishing a dedicated funding window to finance future bioenergy projects in Georgia, within an existing fund such as Kfw renewable energy revolving fund or other - May, 2016.

Provide technical expertise in implementation of pilot projects selected under grant competition (inputs to be provided upon request of the Project management unit, as needed) and support for review and contribution to parts of the lessons learned study and the support for the final evaluation (up to 10 days) - May 2016 to April 2017. 

Core Competencies:

• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

Functional Competencies:

• Proven ability to work flexibly and independently with limited supervision and deliver quality results against tight deadlines;
• Proven ability to work in a complex environment with different national and international experts/consultants
• Strong analytical and writing skills;
• Strong planning, communication, research and analytical skills. Up-to-date knowledge of biomass technologies;
• Ability to communicate effectively in order to communicate complex, technical information to both technical and general audiences;
• Excellent communication skills both in written and oral, cultural sensitivity;
• Good understanding of business processes;
• Ability to work under pressure with several tasks and various deadlines;
• Ability to actively generate creative, practical approaches and solutions to overcome challenging situations;
• An innovative, pro-active approach to problem-solving;
• Skills in negotiating effectively in sensitive situations;
• Skills in achieving results through persuading, influencing and working with others;
• Skills in facilitating meetings effectively and efficiently and to resolve conflicts as they arise.

Education:

• A Master’s degree in fields related to Environment, Natural resources, Renewable energy, or other closely related field (minimum qualification requirement: 9 points).

Experience:

• At least seven years of experience with the preparation, implementation and/or consultation of wood biomass projects (minimum qualification requirement: 7 points);
• At least five years of technical experience with wood biomass (wood chips and/or pellets) projects (7 points);
• At least three years of experience in activities related to woody biomass fuel production and/or utilization (minimum qualification requirement: 3 years – 5 points; more than 3 years – additional 3 points);
• Experience in working with wide range of stakeholders (private, government, etc.) (5 points);
• Prior work experience in European Union and Central Asia/Central and Eastern Europe is preferred (3 points);
• Experience in development of national strategies and/or working on national policy is an advantage (5 points);
• Experience in tasks related to access to finance is an advantage (3 points);
• Experience in working for GEF/UNDP and/or other UN agency in the past 10 years is an advantage (3 points).

Language Requirement:

• Fluency in English language.

Evaluation:

Offerors will be evaluated against a combination of technical and financial criteria provided in the below table. Offerors not meeting any of the minimum qualification requirements will be disqualified and not considered for further review. Offerors passing 70% threshold of maximum obtainable scores 50 points as a result of the desk review, i.e. obtaining minimum 35 points, will be short listed and invited for an interview. Those offerors passing 70% threshold of maximum obtainable scores as a result of the technical evaluation (desk review and interview) will be shortlisted and requested to provide financial proposal.

Financial proposal:

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in installments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon installments, i.e. upon delivery of the services/deliverables specified in the TOR. All envisaged travel costs (ticket and living allowance fees) must be included in the financial proposal as well. Travel costs will be paid upon conducted the missions.

Payment modality:

Offerors not meeting any of the minimum qualification requirements will be disqualified and not considered for further review. Offerors passing 70% threshold of maximum obtainable scores 50 points as a result of the desk review, i.e. obtaining minimum 35 points, will be short listed and invited for an interview. Those offerors passing 70% threshold of maximum obtainable scores as a result of the technical evaluation (desk review and interview) will be shortlisted and requested to provide financial proposal.