Background

Climate change directly affects the hydrological cycle and the distribution of rainfall and it increases the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. This will inevitably have an impact on the quantity and quality of water supplies in Haiti; One can expect increasing difficulties in meeting the basic needs of the current population and Haiti's development needs in many parts of the country.

The Government of Haiti has identified an urgent need for measures to help communities cope with impacts of extreme weather conditions (particularly long periods of drought) on the economy and health conditions of the population. To this end, UNDP has been asked by the Government to assist in designing and implementing a project on resilience in the water sector. This project is to be submitted for core funding to the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF).

In this context, UNDP is recruiting a consultant to prepare a project in Haiti entitled : Increasing the resilience of communities to climate change through the conservation of water resources.

This project will contribute:

  • To assess the vulnerability of the water sector to climate change through scenario analysis, at the national level;
  • Strengthen the environmental regulatory, policy framework and institutional capacities for a climate-smart water management at both national and local level;
  • To identify and adopt climate resilient water conservation practices at the site level to enhance water management in pilot site in the Northwest region.

Duties and Responsibilities

The responsibility of the consultant is to develop the Project Identification Form (PIF) according to the specific requirements of the Ministry of Environment, UNDP and LDCF, he/She will be hired by UNDP-Haiti, and will report to the Head of UNDP Environment Unit, the technical focal point designated by the Ministry of the Environment and UNDP’s Regional Technical Advisor based in Panama.

Under the overall guidance of the staff mentioned above, the incumbent will be responsible for the following:

  • Develop a PIF in close consultation with relevant stakeholders;
  • Identify opportunities to leverages additional resources and partnership;
  • Identification of possible scenarios for intervention and selection of the most cost-effective approach, taking into account LDCF strategic objective related recommendations;
  • Determination of the project’s size, scope and costs;
  • Preparation of a results framework for the project - including targets and indicators - consistent with LDCF tool for monitoring the results;
  • Work with local counterparts to draft rough budget components and identify potential sources of financing;
  • Finalize deliverables and submit to UNDP and the management of UNDP / Panama and headquarters for approval.

Expected Output:

  • Project Identification Form developed in the field of Climate resilience of the Water Sector in Haiti meeting the requirements of LDCF before July 31, 2015.

Terms and conditions for the provision of services

The Consultant is expected to address comments from 1) the Ministry of Environment, 2) the UNDP Country Office, 3) UNDP Regional Technical Advisor and 4) the GEF Secretariat reviews.

The consultancy will be extended over a period of 3 months from beginning May to mid July 2015 including 18 days of work with a 7-day mission in Haiti.

UNDP Haiti may contact the contractor at any time during business hours and request the consultant specialist support, technical input, participation in meetings or the development of a legal framework or a discussion paper relating to the development of the project.

Details of deliverables and deadlines:

  • Proposed work calendar and methodologies including schedule of deliverables by beginning May (to be submitted in French);
  • Draft Project Identification Form to the country office by end of May (to be submitted in French);
  • Back-to-office Report by end of May (to be submitted in English);
  • Final Project Identification Form including inputs from reviews by end of July (to be submitted in English with an executive summary in French).

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Ability to conduct results-based management and reporting:

  • Excellent conceptual knowledge of and good practical experience in the relevant area ;
  • Solid knowledge of risk and vulnerabilities in Haiti;
  • Provides inputs to the development of organizational standards for accountability and results-based management.

Building strategic partnerships:

  • Displays initiative, sets challenging outputs for him/herself and willingly accepts new work assignments;
  • Takes responsibility for achieving agreed outputs within set deadlines and strives until successful outputs are achieved.

Job knowledge/technical expertise:

  • Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines;
  • Continues to seeks new and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the work;
  • Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally;
  • Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments.

Client orientation:

  • Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
  • Keeps the client informed of problems or delays in the provision of services;
  • Anticipates client needs;
  • Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider;
  • Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective;
  • Uses discretion and flexibility in interpreting rules in order to meet client needs and achieve organizational goals more effectively;
  • Solicits feedback on service provision and quality.

Core competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
  • Displays strong cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism.
  • Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents;
  • Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication;
  • Creating an emotionally intelligent organization;
  • Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP & setting standards;
  • Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning;
  • Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
  • Interacts, establishes and maintains effective working relations both as a team member and as a task manager, with people of different national and multi-cultural backgrounds;
  • Demonstrates strong negotiating and interpersonal skills;
  • Leads teams effectively and shows mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
  • Empowers others to translate vision into results;
  • Anticipate and resolve conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions;
  • Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
  • Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: 

  • Training Academic progress (Master’s Degree or PhD) in the area of climate change, Management of Natural Resources, Economics of Natural Resources and Environmental sciences, Environmental health or other (s) subject (s) relevant.

Experience: 

  • At least 10 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in the development field, and the area of environment management in particular;
  • Has at least previously successfully designed PIF for  GEF approved full size projects;
  • Past experience linked to development challenges;
  • Experience working with governments of developing countries and UN agencies;
  • Experience in the development of financial and technical partnerships and relations with donors;
  • Knowledge of health challenges and water related sanitation (WASH), including environmental and development issues;
  • Knowledge of GEF policies and procedures;
  • Knowledge of the Convention on Climate Change.

.Language:

  • Proficiency in French and English, with excellent writing skills;
  • Knowledge of Creole is an asset.

Consultants who have an interest in bidding are invited to provide the following in one file:

  • A technical proposal (including CV, certificates, diplomas, etc.);
  • A financial proposal including the overall budget and detailed prices (fees, daily allowances, transport etc.).

NB.

The position is open to candidates of both sexes.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.