Background

The Comoros archipelago is made up of four islands: Grande Comore, Anjouan, Mohéli and Mayotte. At present, the sovereignty of the Union of the Comoros (hereafter referred to as ‘the Comoros’) is maintained in practice by all but Mayotte. Classified among the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), the Comoros is one of the poorest countries in the world, with an estimated GDP of US$ 450 per capita (2006). Additionally, the population density is among the highest in Africa (approximately 283 people per km2). The growth rate of the population (2.1%) surpasses the economic growth rate (2% in 2007), making it difficult for the government to provide basic social services such as drinking water and health care. Furthermore, the Comoros has high levels of poverty (55%), a chronic economic deficit and is considered a highly indebted poor country. At present, only one of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is presently on-track (namely, MDG 4 “reduce child mortality”).

Climate change is likely to adversely affect the Comoros by resulting in:

  • i) changes in rainfall levels and patterns;
  • ii) increased temperatures;
  • iii) sea level rise (and subsequent salinization of critical coastal aquifers as a result of salt water intrusion); and
  • iv) an increased frequency of climatic hazards (such as tropical cyclones, droughts, episodes of heavy rainfall and flooding).

Exacerbating these climate change impacts are the inherent environmental vulnerabilities of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) (including small land area, susceptibility to natural disasters, geographical isolation, limited natural resources and sensitive ecosystems) of which the Comoros is part. This, superimposed on existing anthropogenic practices (such as the quickening pace of deforestation rates for agricultural production), threatens water security, food security, economic growth and the livelihoods of communities within the Union of the Comoros.

Climate change and variability (e.g. variations in rainfall, increase in temperature, sea level rise and increased frequency in climatic hazards) have a negative impact on water supply and quality in the Comoros by reducing availability of water and dilution of contaminants (e.g. pollutants, salts and sediment). This will continue to be the case unless timely adaptation interventions are implemented. Indeed, water security and quality have been identified by the Comoros Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy reports as among the most critical problems facing the Comoros. Additionally, a vulnerability survey undertaken during the NAPA (2006) process listed the water sector as being the second most vulnerable sector to climate change.

The problem is exacerbated by inadequate water resources management including inter alia:

  • i) limited and inadequate water supply;
  • ii) inadequate infrastructure and insufficient water treatment and;
  • iii) quality monitoring has resulted in poor access to potable water. Moreover, people who do have access to drinking water frequently suffer from waterborne diseases due to its poor quality.

Comorian communities, autonomous islands’ governments, and the national government presently lack the technical capacity, management capacity, physical resources and financial resources to overcome or cope with water resources management in the context of worsening climatic conditions.

The goal of the project is to adapt water resource management to climate change in the Comoros whilst the project objective is to reduce the risk of climate change on lives and livelihoods from impacts on water resources in the Comoros. In so doing, this project will implement the adaptation priority “increase in water supply” and contribute to the adaptation priority “improvement of water quality”, identified during the National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) process. The project works on the three islands that constitute the territory of the Comoros with a focus on improving water resources management to increase water supply and quality under changing climatic conditions.

To achieve this, the following outcomes will be delivered:

  • Institutions at a national (i.e. Ma-Mwe and ANACM) and community (i.e. UCEA and UCEM) level strengthened to integrate climate change information into water resources management;
  • Water supply and water quality improved for selected pilot communities to combat impacts of climate change;
  • Awareness and knowledge of adaptation good practice increased for continued process of policy review and development.

Project outcomes are jointly supported by the UNDP and UNEP, with each Agency focusing on a distinct set of outputs.

Duties and Responsibilities

The objective of this mid-term review (MTR) is to assess implementation progress and progress towards the project objective.

The MTR will:

  • Assess achievements and challenges at mid-point and in particular assess the implementation of planned project planned outputs and project performance against actual results;
  • The risks to achievement of project outcomes and objectives will also be appraised;
  • Focus on identifying the corrective actions needed for the project to achieve maximum impact. Review findings will feed back into project management processes through specific recommendations and ‘lessons learned’ to date.
  • Consider sustainability issues and 'exit strategy'.

Competencies

  • Demonstrated solid knowledge of climate change adaptation or development;
  • Demonstrated experience in project development, implementation or management;
  • Good understanding of climate change, environment and water/food security issues;
  • Good communication, writing and editing skills in English and conversant knowledge of French.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
  • Masters degree in agricultural economics, agricultural sciences, economics, natural resources management, development studies or other relevant social or natural sciences field.
Experience:
  • A minimum of at least 5 years relevant work experience in conducting independent evaluation of rural/agricultural development and/or coastal zone management projects, especially donor-funded projects;
  • Project management cycle (designing, implementation, monitoring and evaluation).
Language Requirements:
  • Excellent knowledge of English including writing and communication skills;
  • Good knowledge of French.
Application procedure:
Interested candidates are required to submit:
  • One-page cover letter explaining their interest and suitability for this consultancy;
  • CV and financial proposal for this consultancy.

Recommended Presentation of Proposal:

  • Cover letter, CV and financial proposal should be submitted as one document.                                                                                               
Evaluation Method:
  • Only those applications which are responsive and compliant will be evaluated;
  • Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a combined scoring method taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal;
Combined weighted scoring:
  • Technical skills and competencies (70%), financial proposal(30%).
Other Information (Required Submissions):
  • Submission of a P11 Form is required;
  • Submission of a Financial Proposal is required.

General Conditions of Contract for the ICs: 

http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/documents/procurement/documents/IC%20-%20General%20Conditions.pdf 

UNDP Personal History form (P11):
http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/corporate/Careers/P11_Personal_history_form.doc.