Institutional Analysis and Capacity Building for Climate Change Adaptation

The GEF has approved funding for the Preparation of South Sudan’s National Adaptation Programme of Action in accordance with the Operational Guidelines for Expedited Funding.

The project aims to finalise the preparation of the NAPA for South Sudan. The process of the NAPA preparation will contribute to the achievement of the following objectives:

• To build national capacity of  South Sudan’s expertise in the field of vulnerability and adaptation to climate change, thereby ensuring an enabling environment for the implementation of the UNFCCC;
• To serve as simplified and direct channels of communication for information relating to the urgent and immediate needs for adaptation in South Sudan; and
• To facilitate capacity building for the preparation of national communications, and addressing urgent and immediate adaptation needs.

In addition, it will facilitate capacity building for the preparation of an Initial National Communication to the UNFCCC, more specifically the vulnerability and adaptation section.

The NAPA preparation process will involve a set of steps/activities as defined by the “GEF operational guidelines for expedited funding for the preparation of the NAPAs by Least Developed Countries”.

Objective

National consultants will be hired to provide support to the National Project Coordinator (PC), lead International Consultant (IC), Assistant International Coordinator (AIC), UNEP South Sudan staff, national team and other project stakeholders to ensure that the overall technical direction of the project has been adapted to meet the practical challenges faced during implementation and that the NAPA report meets the quality standards and requirements.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the UNEP Officer-in-Charge, Project Coordinator and lead International Consultant, the national consultant will provide the following functions:

• Collate information as requested by the international consultants before the mission in order to better utilize the time and resources while on mission;
• Undertake assessments and studies to assist the completion of the NAPA process in South Sudan;
• Collate and examine the environmental, economic and financial policy frameworks, including the 5-year development plans; strategies and existing information on climate change vulnerabilities and impacts; and possible adaptation options for addressing such impacts in the short, medium and long term;
• Assist the lead IC during the inception and validation workshops, and in the development of workshop reports. Provide guidance in organising workshops and focus group discussions with key stakeholders, including women and other vulnerable groups, to better understand the needs of vulnerable groups and identify interventions to enhance their access to information and knowledge products, as well as enhance their understanding of the NAPA process and its purpose;
• Review available information on the current capacity of various climate change-relevant institutions to determine their preparedness for NAPA, including information generation, analysis, and dissemination;
• Assess the implementation capacity of national-level institutions regarding climate change, their level of coordination, and information exchange. Review and properly use the needs assessments, and other relevant reports;
• Based on the above, and in consultation with stakeholders, make recommendations to enhance the capacity of relevant institutions to manage, coordinate, monitor and evaluate a climate change program. These recommendations will include: i) activities enhancing the institutional capacity of relevant institutions for effective delivery of programs, investment projects, and associated services, eventually leading to climate change mainstreaming; ii) capacity to review and analyse technical and non-technical information, and knowledge products relevant to enhancing climate change resilience in various sectors (agriculture, water and sanitation, health and social services, infrastructure), and appropriate dissemination mechanisms to potential beneficiaries; and iii) capacity to monitor, report and verify results of implementation of climate change programs;
• Analyse the current climate change information, relevant data, sources and availability of information, and research and studies relevant to the development of the NAPA;
• Identify information and knowledge gaps regarding climate change impacts on vulnerable communities – particularly women and children – constraining adoption of climate-resilient development planning and compromising appropriate and timely delivery of solutions to address climate change as and when they occur;
• Undertake assessments of synergies between climate change adaptation and multi-lateral environmental agreements (especially with desertification and biodiversity which South Sudan is signatory);
• Synthesise available information on climate change vulnerability;
• Develop, with the IC, criteria for prioritisation of adaptation projects;
• Assess challenges constraining participation of vulnerable groups in climate change adaptation programmes, and identify measures that will enhance their understanding of climate change and improve their participation. Ensure that gender-specific impacts of climate change, especially those that have direct bearing on the life and well-being of vulnerable groups are addressed;
• In consultation with the PC and national team, organise regular wide-ranging consultations such as group discussions, workshops and meetings, with key stakeholders (including the private sector and development partners) and seek their feedback regarding the various climate change priorities as these are developed (including protocols and implementation mechanisms). The priorities will be refined based on input received and presented to the government for consideration;
• Assist the international consultants in identifying the list of priorities for adaptation and finalizing the adaptation priority list;
• Gather information and data for the international consultants to assist with the development of concept notes;
• Support the international consultants in developing priority concept notes project concepts (one pager) aligned with priorities selected;
• Assist the international consultants to write the final NAPA report.

Deliverables and Timelines

This assignment takes place between September 2015 to March 2016 for a total duration of 3 months.

The key deliverables are as follows:

• Synthesis report on climate change information available in South Sudan;
• Synthesised climate change vulnerability analysis of South Sudan;
• Document Capacity gap analysis for climate change-related institutions in South Sudan;
• Review and document NAPA-relevant policies and strategies in South Sudan;
• Together with the IC, prepare a package of project concepts (one pager each) including but not limited to the title, main components / expected outcomes, budget, implementing agencies and partners;
• Support IC in preparation of a final NAPA report based on the collective inputs generated by the implementation of the project.

Reporting

The consultant will report to UNEP Officer-in-Charge, Project Coordinator against a work plan to be drafted by him/her and agreed by Project Coordinator and UNEP OIC.  
 
The duration of the assignment and terms of payment:

• The duration of the assignment will be between September 2015 to March 2016.

The payment will be made in two instalments to the consultant:

• First instalment of 50% after satisfactory completion of output a), b), c) and d) as mentioned in Section 3;
• Second and final instalment of 50%  after satisfactory completion of output e) and f) as mentioned in Section 3.

The specific schedule of activities will be based on the projects’ work plan and on a work-plan agreed with UNEP and IC Team, as indicated under the section on reporting above.

Core Competencies and Values:

• Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modelling UN values and ethical standards;
• Demonstrates professional competence and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
• Display cultural, gender, nationality, religion and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• High sense of relational skills, including cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability, with a demonstrated ability to work in a multidisciplinary team.

Functional Competencies:

• Good knowledge and understanding of the UN system, familiarity with UNEP mandate an asset;
• Knowledge of issues concerning the relevant suggest area(s);
• Proven research and data analysis knowledge (e.g. Peer-reviewed publications);
• Excellent analytical and writing skills in an engaging and succinct manner;
• Wide experience in quantitative and qualitative data collection methods and –analysis including surveys, focus group discussions, key informant interviews etc.

Education:

• Advanced university and minimum bachelor degree in environment, natural resources management or a closely related field.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years experience in environmental management preferably climate change-related issues and institutional analysis and capacity building with a minimum of two years in South Sudan;
• Experience in the public participation development process associated with environment and sustainable development is an asset;
• Experience in working and collaborating with governments and an experience in GEF projects will be an asset;
• Highly developed inter-personal, negotiation and teamwork skills, networking aptitude;
• National knowledge of communities and institutions is highly desirable; experience in a similar previous role is a strong asset;
• Experience working with international organisations, including UNEP, is preferred but not required;
• Experience in working and collaborating with local communities;
• Fluent in writing and communication skills, with analytical capacity and ability to synthesise project outputs and relevant findings for the preparation of quality project reports.

Language:

• Proficiency in English is required.

How to apply

Qualified candidates are requested to apply in the online system by the 29 September 2015 or by sending their application packages to bids.juba@undp.org with the subject line “preparation of national adaptation programme of action (NAPA) document and package of project concepts)”, and or hand deliver the hard copies of applications to the bid box (security will direct applicants).

Technical proposal
Please submit the following documents:

• Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;
• Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the candidates and the contacts of at least three (3) professional references;
• Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment. Use a table to indicate areas you propose to contribute and evidence of expertize;

Example 1:

• Subject area - South-South and Triangular Cooperation, including regional integration;
• Evidence - Peer-reviewed publication on using S-S & T Cooperation to enhance trade in Country Y. Paper attached.

Example 2:

• Subject area - Economic diversification and fiscal space;
• Evidence - Designed strategy for economic diversification with a view to create fiscal space and create jobs in country X. The strategy is attached;
• Attach any of your written works you consider portrays best your analytical and writing skills;
• Any other document deemed relevant to this consultancy service.

Financial Proposal
A Financial Proposal must be submitted that indicates the number of days and the rate per day.

Total (lump sum):

Notes:

• The information in the breakdown of the offered lump sum amount provided by the Offeror will be used as the basis for determining best value for money, and as reference for any amendments of the contract;
• The agreed contract amount will remain fixed regardless of any factors causing an increase in the cost of any of the components in the breakdown that are not directly attributable to UNDP;
• The Contractor is responsible for arranging and meeting the cost of their vaccinations and medical/life insurance;
• If  the Contractor 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 Contractor must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP;
• Contractor whose assignment require travel and who are over 62 years of age are required, at their own expense, to undergo a full medical examination, including x-rays after they are selected;

Criteria for Selection of the Best Offer:

• The offer will be evaluated by using the Best value for money approach (combined scoring method). Technical proposal will be evaluated on 70% and whereas budget proposed will be evaluated on 30%.

Below is the marks breakdown for technical proposal:

• Advanced and minimum bachelor degree university degree in environment, natural resources management or a closely related field --- 5 marks, with advanced university degree, an addition of 2 marks will be added;
• Minimum of 5 years of accumulated experience in the relevant expert area --- 14 marks;
• Experience in working and collaborating with governments and international organizations ---14 marks;
• Research and data analysis knowledge (e.g. Peer-reviewed publications) --- 15 marks;
• Excellent analytical and writing skills in an engaging and succinct manner --- 20 marks;
• Total --- 70 marks.

The financial proposal will be evaluated on whether it is:

• Realistic budget and in line with UNDP consultancy rates.