Consultant to Conduct a Review of Climate Information Sharing Mechnisms in ECCAS, ECOWAS & SADC Regions

Africa’s Call to Action in Agenda 2063 for the transformation, growth and industrialization of its economies focuses, to a larger extent, on the modernization of its agriculture and agro-business, massive energy, transport, and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure development. These sectors are climate sensitive and their sustainability depend on effective integration of climate information in their planning and implementation.  However, Africa has the least developed weather and climate land-based observation network of all continents, and one that is in a deteriorating state, amounting to only 1/8 of the minimum density required by the World Meteorological Organization.  This limits Africa’s ability to provide quality climate products and services needed by policy and other decision-makers which is necessary for food security socio-economic growth, security and sustainable development.

Application Instractions:

• Strictly follow the instructions indicated in the IC Proposal Submission Form uploaded hereto;
• Group of Individuals and/or Firms are not eligible for this consultancy assignment (only at an individual level);

Documents  Required

Interested and potential National Individual Consultants can download all required documents from the link: http://procurement-notices-admin.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=24297;

The following proposals must be prepared as per the prescribed standard format accompanied in the Procurement Notice. The Proposals shall be submitted before application deadline August 24, 2015 via UNDP Ethiopia Secured mail address: procurement.et@undp.org

• Technical Proposal in pdf;
• Financial Proposal in pdf.

Please note that these proposals shall be submitted to the designated secured email into two files but in one email unless both Files are Greater than 9MB file size.

Important Note:

• Failing to submit anyone of the documents stated above will automatically disqualify the candidate from further technical evaluation;
• Those prospect consultants who fail to submit both Technical and financial proposals as per the Standard Format and to the designated secured email will not be further considered for evaluation.

Email Subject Line While Submitting Proposal:

• While submitting your proposals to procurement.et@undp.org be sure your email subject line is RSC-IC-2015-025.

The consultant will be expected to:

• Undertake a detailed review of the operations of PRESAO, PRESAC and SARCOF, their mandates, the methods and modalities of their operations and quality of the climate products and services they provide;
• Undertake a review of the climate information sharing mechanisms used by the three RCOFs and any other climate information sharing systems and agents in the ECCAS, ECOWAS and SADC and identify the key gaps, challenges and factors hindering their effectiveness.

Based on the reviews in a and b (above), make recommendations on how to improve the design, scope of work, methods and operations of PRESAO, PRESAC, SARCOF and any other climate information sharing mechanisms for (i)effective delivery of climate products and services to meet the needs of policy-makers, planners, investors and users other users (ii) for enhancing the availability of timely and appropriate climate information for use in development planning, investment decision making, and supporting climate change and disaster risk reduction integrated approaches.

• Ability to build strong relationships with external actors - cultivate productive relationships with relevant partners and climate information related institutions and individuals in the RECs;
• Ability to formulate clear recommendations and prioritize strategic policy and operational improvement plans;
• Ability to develop innovative solutions – encourage and contribute creative solutions to address gaps, barriers and challenging situations;
• Writing, editing and oral communication skills.

Education:

• At least a Master’s  Degree in Climatology and meteorology, weather monitoring and climate information management.

Experience :

• Minimum 7 ( seven ) years similar experience;
• Climate information management and sharing mechanisms;
• Regional climate and weather forecasting and climate prediction modelling;
• Climate services / information management Centres in ECCAS, ECOWAS and SADC;
• WMO climate information systems;
• Operational systems for ACMAD, AGRHYMET, ICPAC, SADC Climate Services Centre;
• Analysing and synthesizing climate data management related issues in a clear and concise manner.

Language:

•  English and French language skills, Spanish is an added advantage.