Climate Change Consultant (UNDP, New York)

Working in over 170 countries and territories, and with a key role in governance and SDG integration, UNDP’s Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) is responsible for developing relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan.  BPPS works closely with UNDP’s Crisis Bureau (CB) as part of UNDP’s Global Policy Network (GPN), which provides technical advice to Country Offices; advocates for UNDP corporate messages; represents UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora including public-private dialogues, government and civil society dialogues, South-South and Triangular cooperation initiatives, and engages in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas.  BPPS assists UNDP and partners to achieve higher quality development results through an integrated approach that links results-based management and performance monitoring with more effective and new ways of working.  BPPS supports UNDP and partners to be more innovative, knowledge and data driven including in its programme support efforts.

UNDP is uniquely placed to work with all sectors of society to help mobilize the institutions and resources required to achieve a 1.5-degree future. Specifically, UNDP is already providing technical support to its country partners to deliver on, and contribute to, sustainable development and resilience-building in the context of the 2030 Agenda, the Paris Agreement and the Sendai Framework for Action. This is done through a vision outlined in UNDP’s Strategic Plan (2018-2022) that responds to a changing development landscape and the evolving needs of our partners. 

UNDP’s support on climate change builds on an extensive portfolio of mitigation and adaptation projects and programmes for which UNDP provides oversight, quality assurance, and global and regional policy and technical advisory services.  A subset of this portfolio focuses on strengthening enabling actions for NDC implementation, with a focus on the policy, institutional, reporting and financing mechanisms. 

In addition to this extensive portfolio of support to countries, UNDP is also engaged at the global level as part of the UN System effort to advance ambitious climate action and NDC implementation.  In 2019, the focus of the Secretary General will be on the Climate Action Summit which he is hosting in New York in September.  The aim of this Summit is to mobilize political commitment to raise ambition and accelerate implementation of climate action in order to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.  UNDP has been explicitly requested to co-lead in the area of Resilience and Adaptation, as well as support deliverables on national ambition and enhancements of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

Scope of Work, Responsibilities and Description of the Proposed Consultancy: 

UNDP is seeking a consultant with expertise in climate change issues, specifically the Paris Agreement and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), to support the UNDP NDC Support Programme.

Technical support to developing countries’ alliances on climate change

Support the discussions of various negotiating groups and progressive platforms to increase country engagement in the UNFCCC negotiations on the Paris Agreement rulebook, as well as activities that contribute to the implementation of the Paris Agreement.

Expected deliverables:  

• Four project proposals developed to support 4 negotiation groups in strengthening country engagement in the NDC process
• Advocacy materials developed (at least 8 products) to raise awareness on climate change negotiations and promote related high-level workshops and events
• Interim findings (one report for each of the 4 negotiation groups) to feed into the global discussions on the NDC enhancement 
• Report on the lessons learned, challenges, and opportunities of the negotiating groups, based on activities carried out by the progressive platforms

Estimated time to complete the above deliverables: 90 days

Content production on climate change and NDC implementation

The consultant will work with the NDC Support Programme team to produce news articles, in depth stories and promote global, regional, and country level events on NDC implementation and UNDP’s work on climate change, adpatation, mitigation, gender, and private sector engagement. The consultant will also be responsible for web content update and content production for the Programme.

Expected deliverables: 

• At least 30 communication pieces on NDC implementation based on the work carried out at country level under the NDC Support Programme
• Collect and draft content for at least 50 social media campaigns on country progress and updates on NDC implementation
• Prepare and edit publications (at least 2 substantive documents expected) for design and data visualization
• Produce content materials for 35 country pages for the website of the NDC Support Programme
• Keep the Programme Website updated on a need basis

Estimated time to complete the above deliverables: 95 days

Design and populate database for knowledge products

Under the guidance of the Knowledge Management Specialist of the NDC Support Programme, the consultant will propose options for developing a database to track knowledge products that are generated at country and global level. The database will be populated and maintained so that the Programme can 

ensure timely development and dissemination of relevant technical materials.  

Expected deliverables: 

• At least 3 options for knowledge products prepared and presented for a decision by the NDC Support Programme
• Selected database designed and populated based on the knowledge products planned by 35 countries and by Global Support Unit
• Thematic products classified for further enhancement, as needed, and recommendations to country counterparts on final dissemination materials

Estimated time to complete the above deliverables: 35 days

Functional competencies

Programme and project support

• Strong climate change, capacity building, and/or development project design and implementation skills is required
• Ability for problem-solving, multitasking, and meeting deadlines is highly desired
• Familiar with UN/UNDP procedures would be desirable

Content production

• Familiarity with AEM/Adobe 6 content management system is required
• Proficient in editing technical content, strong writing skills and attention to detail is highly desired
• Ability to translate complex content into compelling written content and/or simple visual assets in both English and Spanish is desired

Knowledge management and sharing

• Strong sense of aesthetics and design would be an asset
• Ability to support the development of knowledge products and communication strategies to ensure Programme visibility

Researches best practices and poses new, more effective ways of doing things.

Academic qualifications:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in international relations, sustainable development, social sciences or related disciplines, required

Experience

• At least two years of professional work experience in project implementation and management in the area of climate change, environmental and social development at the UN or other development organizations, required
• Experience developing content and knowledge products on climate change related issues, specifically on Paris Agreement, NDCs, and other UNFCCC processes, required
• Demonstrated ability to work on a project proposal from conception to formatting findings into a report, as well as other information products, desired 

Language:

Fluency in English both written and oral. Working knowledge of another UN language is an asset.

Application and Evaluation Procedure

The application package containing the following (to be uploaded as one file):

• Online application with brief description of why the Offeror considers her/himself the most suitable for the assignment; and
• Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects and specifying the relevant assignment period (from/to), as well as the email and telephone contacts of at least three (3) professional references.

Note: The above documents need to be scanned in one file and uploaded to the online application as one document.

Shortlisted candidates (ONLY) will be requested to submit a Financial Proposal.

• The financial proposal should specify an all-inclusive daily fee (based on a 7-hour working day - lunch time is not included - and estimated 20 days per month).
• The financial proposal must be all-inclusive and take into account various expenses that will be incurred during the contract, including: the daily professional fee; cost of travel from the home base to the duty station and vice versa, where required; living allowances at the duty station; communications, utilities and consumables; life, health and any other insurance; risks and inconveniences related to work under hardship and hazardous conditions (e.g., personal security needs, etc.), when applicable; and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services under the contract.
• Any unforeseeable travel agreed between UNDP and Individual Consultant, will be supported by the project travel fund and will be arranged according to UNDP entitlements and travel policy.  Costs for airfares, terminal expenses, and living allowances should not be included in financial proposal.
• If the 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 a 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.

The Financial Proposal is to be emailed as per the instruction in the separate email that will be sent to shortlisted candidates.

Evaluation process

Applicants are reviewed based on Required Skills and Experience stated above and based on the technical evaluation criteria outlined below.  Applicants will be evaluated based on cumulative scoring.  When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Being responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
• Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation where technical criteria weighs 70% and Financial criteria/ Proposal weighs 30%.

Technical Evaluation - desk review (550 points) and interview (150 points) - Total 70% (700 points):

Evaluation Criteria

A desk review of candidates’ applications will be undertaken and rated against the following criteria.  A maximum of 550 points will be allocated to the desk review portion of the Technical Evaluation based on the following weighting:

• Criteria 1: Demonstrated experience in project implementation and management in the area of climate change, environmental and social development at the UN or other development organizations. Weight = 20%; Maximum Points: 140
• Criteria 2: Experience developing content and knowledge products on climate change related issues, specifically on Paris Agreement, NDCs, and other UNFCCC processes = 20%; Maximum Points: 140
• Criteria 3: Demonstrated understanding of climate change policy and the multi-lateral process. Specifically, the Paris Agreement, NDCs, and other UNFCCC processes. Weight = ~ 15%; Maximum Points: 100
• Criteria 4: Demonstrated ability to conduct research and producing findings. From designing concept, to formatting findings into reports and other information products. Weight = ~ 15%; Maximum Points: 100
• Criteria 5: Experience with a web-based content management system and ability to edit and translate complex technical work on climate change into content suitable for all audiences. Weight = 10%; Maximum Points: 70

?Of the candidates who receive a minimum of 70% of points for the above desk review (385 points), the top 3 candidates will be invited for an interview.  The interview will contribute to the total technical evaluation score and be awarded up to 150 maximum points. 

• Criteria 6: Interview Weight 20%; Maximum Points: 150

?Only those candidates who qualified for an interview and obtained a minimum of 70% (490 points) of the maximum obtainable points for the technical criteria (700 points) shall be considered for the financial evaluation.

Financial evaluation - Total 30% (300 points)

The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal:

p = y (µ/z), where

p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated

y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal

µ = price of the lowest priced proposal

z = price of the proposal being evaluated

Contract Award

The candidate obtaining the highest combined scores of Technical and Financial evaluation will be considered technically qualified and will be offered to enter into a contract with UNDP.

Institutional arrangements

• The consultant will be HQ Based
• The consultant will be supervised by and report directly to the NDC Support Programme Manager;
• Payments will be made upon submission of a detailed time sheet and certification of payment form, and acceptance and confirmation by the Supervisor on days worked and outputs delivered;
• The consultant will be given access to relevant information necessary for execution of the tasks under this assignment;
• The consultant will be responsible for providing her/his laptop;
• Any necessary missions must be approved in advance and in writing by the NDC Support Programme Manager; 
• Consultants are required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under https://dss.un.org/dssweb/; 
• The selected candidate is responsible for ensuring that s/he has the necessary vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director;
• The selected candidate is responsible for obtaining any visas needed in connection with travel with the necessary support from UNDP;
• All related travel expenses will be supported by the project travel fund and will be arranged according to UNDP entitlements and travel policy. 

Payment modality

• Payment to the Individual Contractor will be made based on the actual number of days worked and deliverables accepted, and upon certification of satisfactory completion by the manager.

The workweek will be based on 35 hours, i.e. on a 7-hour working day, with core hours being between 9h00 and 18h00 daily.

Annexes (click on the hyperlink to access the documents):

Annex 1 - IC Contract Template

Annex 2 – IC General Terms and Conditions

Annex 3 – RLA Template

Any request for clarification must be sent by email to cpu.bids@undp.org