National Consultant: HCFC Consumption Survey (Deadline Extended)

Nature of Work:   

Providing technical support and expert services at the national level, for carrying out an in-country survey of HCFC trade and consumption

Full Terms of Reference in English and Russian can be found under http://europeandcis.undp.org/home/jobs

The Global Environmental Facility (GEF) has approved a Medium Size Project (MSP) that will be primarily directed to funding enabling activities in support of HCFC phase out in eligible Article 2 countries with economies in transition (CEITs) in Europe and Central Asia. Consistent with the GEF-4 Ozone Layer Depletion Focal Area Strategy and Strategic Program ( ), the project is intended assist these countries in maintaining or, where applicable, attaining compliance, with their Montreal Protocol obligations for HCFC phase out into the future, particularly noting the accelerated HCFC phase out requirements adopted by MOP 19 ( ). The work will involve undertaking detailed surveys in individual countries which will provide the information base to support country development of national phase out strategies and to identify needs for further international assistance in implementing these strategies at both a national level and through regional cooperation. This primary project component will be undertaken by UNDP for Belarus, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine  under the over coordination of UNDP/MPU-Chemicals and direct execution supervision of the UNDP Regional Bureau in Bratislava, Slovakia with local liaison support being provided by UNDP’s country offices in these countries. .

Other project components include a global macro-economic analysis about directions in HCFC use, production and trade worldwide being undertaken by the World Bank. This will include a focused analysis on the impact of these global factors on the CEIT countries, particularly the potential implications of the global HCFC demand and supply. Additionally UNEP is undertaking a third component addressing the inter-linkages HCFC phase out has with other Multi-Lateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) and particularly recognizing the comparatively high global warming potential of HCFC’s and some of their alternatives as well as the potential for synergies in the management of HCFC phase out and the management of other chemicals such as POPs.

This Terms of Reference applies to a national consultant (the Consultant) and specifically to the HCFC survey and data analysis work being undertaken by UNDP in the primary project component in Uzbekistan.

The Consultant will report to the National Ozone Unit (NOU) and the UNDP Project Manager based in the UNDP Regional Bureau in Bratislava, Slovakia. The Consultant will liaise closely with the UNDP International Consultant who has been contracted for this project. The Consultant will have specific responsibility to carry out the following main tasks in close coordination with the National Ozone Unit and International Consultant:

a)    Coordinate the organization, setup and execution of his/her activities within the project boundaries and under guidance of the National HCFC Survey and Legislation Consultant;

b)    Participate in regular project coordination meetings organized by NOU and coordinate her/his activities with any other national consultants that may be working on the other aspects of the project;

c)    Coordinate with the NOU coordinator the survey results and data consolidation as outlined below;

d)    Assist the National HCFC Survey and Legislation Consultant in conducting a desk study in association with territorial environmental protection authorities and the Customs authorities, and the International Consultant with the aim being to prepare a situation analysis on HCFC consumption, import, export/re-export and distribution channels in-country. The data collection process will be guided by the HCFC survey guidance document and be undertaken with responsible national authorities through the NOU;

e)    In the course of distributing and administering the survey, interact with various chemical and equipment suppliers/importers/distributors and/or their representatives, relevant industry associations all current users of HCFCs ; maintain continuous contact with these users and maintain an updated list of all such users. Where the situation necessitates it, embark on the in-country travel to elaborate and clarify data and other relevant background information.

f)    With the prior approval of the NOU and UNDP Project Manager in consultations with UNDP International Consultant, undertake plant visits to selected major users and collect enterprise baseline information and other documentation as may be required by the NOU and UNDP from all users, in accordance with the HCFC survey guidance document provided for this purpose. The information to be gathered at enterprise level should contain but not limited to the following items if feasible:

• General enterprise history, business scope, production capacity, product lines, basic financial performance information, and history of ODS (CFC and HCFC use);
• Date(s) relevant production line(s) was/were established;
• % local ownership and % foreign ownership (specify country and provide % for various countries if more than one);
• % export of goods manufactured (by country if exports to more than one country);
• CFC and HCFC use over the last three years and sources of supply;
• Whether prior assistance already provided by GEF for CFC-phaseout and description thereof; and
• Actual production of products using ODS manufactured over at least the last 4 years by type / model.

g)    Assist NOU in collection and consolidation of data generated according to the HCFC survey guidance document and its associated annexes;

h)    Assist in obtaining any other confirmations, documentation or information from the identified HCFC users as may be required by NOU and/or UNDP;

i)    Facilitate and set up meetings for UNDP designated international experts and/or representatives, to meet with key managerial and technical personnel from stakeholder organizations, particularly major HCFC users and for plant visits as required, in line with their mission schedules in the country;

j)    Assist NOU and UNDP in arranging stakeholder workshops or similar information dissemination activities within Uzbekistan as may be requested, including assistance for ensuring participation of HCFC users selected for participating in such activities both in Uzbekistan and potentially regionally;

k)    Provide NOU, UNDP Project Manager, and UNDP International Consultant, with reports as defined under the milestones below.
 

Assignment Reporting Milestones:

The following defines the main milestones where formal reports for which submission for the review of the NOU and International Consultant, and approval of the UNDP Project Manager are required, and which will govern payment under the contract for this assignment.

• Milestone 1: Prepare a work plan for the clearance of the NOU, National HCFC Survey and Legislation Expert and International Consultant in accordance with this TOR including a list of tasks to be undertaken
• Milestone 2: Prepare an expanded database on HCFC consumption and trade (enterprises which sell and consume HCFCs by sectors) for NOU and National HCFC Survey and Legislation Consultant

All reports shall be in the Russian language and be provided in MS Office electronic format.


Payment Schedule:

The following summarizes the payment schedule against the above milestones made upon approval of the NOU and the International Consultant as a percentage of the contract value:

• Milestone 1:    30% upon Completion of Milestone 1
• Milestone 2:    70% upon Completion of Milestone 2

Responsibility for Expenses and their Reimbursement:

The Consultant will be responsible for all administrative and travel expenses associated with undertaking this assignment including office accommodation, telephone and electronic communications, and report copies incurred in this assignment. Limited in-country travel is anticipated in association with this assignment and is covered by a maximum allowance of US$ 1,500 included in the lump sum contracted amount for this assignment and is intended to cover vehicle cost, accommodation and DSA .  Additional travel as may be requested by the UNDP Project Manager will be subject to approval and agreement on reimbursable expenditures in advance to cover travel costs.

• Previous experience in carrying out similar surveys is preferable;
• Good knowledge of Russian; Ability to speak and write in English is welcome, but not necessarily required;
• Knowledge of MS Word, Excel and email communication software;

• As a minimum, master’s degree in natural resource management, environment, engineering, science or equivalent with a minimum 5 years experience in the CFC/HCFC-related refrigeration industry work in Uzbekistan;
• Substantial knowledge/understanding of the Montreal Protocol issues;