Location: home-based, UKRAINE
Application Deadline: 11-Oct-20 (Midnight New York, USA)
Type of Contract: Individual Contract
Post Level: International Consultant
Languages Required:
Duration of Initial Contract: up to a total of 50 working days, till December 2020

Background

Ukraine has a long list of the reform priorities in the area of sustainable energy and the environment (SEE). However, their introduction is being slowed down by difficulties in adopting legislation and the low quality of some legal initiatives. To speed up reforms related to sustainable energy and the environment, and to ensure SEE issues are included in government programmes, UNDP Ukraine, with financial support from Sweden, is seeking to improve the capacity of Ukraine’s parliament and to enhance environmental advocacy among politicians, the mass media and the public by carrying out this project.

The project, entitled “Sustainable Energy and Environment Secretariat to Support the Parliament of Ukraine in the Sustainable Energy and Environment Area (‘Green Caucus’ Secretariat)” aims to support the Members of Parliament (MPs) and the relevant parliamentary committees (specifically, VRU Committee on Environmental Policy and Environmental Management and VRU Committee on Energy, Housing and Utilities Services) and inter-faction union (IFU) of MPs “Energy and Environment” with high-quality analytical, communications and advocacy support.

Over the three-year project implementation period, the work of Ukraine’s parliament (VRU) on sustainable energy and environment issues is expected to be strengthened through the establishment and functioning of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Secretariat – a think-tank focusing on the provision of analytical support covering a wide range of issues in the SEE area, including climate change mitigation and adaption; energy efficiency; waste management; natural resources management; environmental pollution; mitigation of the negative environmental consequences of the ongoing armed conflict in the east of Ukraine, as well as to greening the development path of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. The overall work of the Secretariat is based on the sustainable development principles and linked with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

To ensure the implementation of the Project and enhance strategic advisory support to the Parliament on SEE policy UNDP is seeking to hire a Senior International Environmental Policy Expert to provide strategic advisory support to the Parliament, Members of Parliament, Environmental Committee members, IFU “Energy and Environment” and VRU staff on the issues of strategic environmental policy and sustainable development in the context of Ukraine’s international commitments.

Main Objectives of the Assignment

The overall objective of the assignment is to ensure provision of high-quality advisory support and expertise to the Parliament of Ukraine on the issues of energy, environment and sustainable development in the context of Ukraine’s international commitments.

Description of Responsibilities / Scope of Work

1.1  Under the overall guidance of the Energy & Environment Portfolio Team Leader, direct supervision of the Project Manager and in close day-to-day coordination with the Project Team Lead, the Senior International Consultant will carry out the following activities.

• Conduct a briefing call with UNDP Project Team;
• Develop a draft structure of the Report and present it for UNDP endorsement;
• Conduct a comprehensive analysis and develop analytical report on best international practices of Eastern European countries in environmental policies development, trends and approximation of those countries national environmental legislation framework throughout EU accession process. The report is expected to include best practices, lessons learned, recent trends and timelines of at least 2-3 countries (comparable with Ukraine’s economic structure) and subsequent high level recommendations for Ukraine. The report should also take into account the impact of COVID-19 on the trends in environmental policies, if any. Expected volume of the report with recommendations (up to 40 pages A4, 11pts, in English).

1.2  Carry out virtual consultation meetings with relevant UNDP Project team experts and collect information and materials on project’s activities and reports, existing national environmental legislation framework and international commitments of Ukraine in environmental sector, including EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, recent relevant legislation initiatives, development and priorities, Parliament institutional arrangement and structure and its decision-making process with expected timeline, political priorities of MPs and the Committee.  

1.3  Propose a plan for virtual/online sector-specific environment peer-to-peer consultation meetings with Environmental Committee MPs, IFU “Energy and Environment” and other relevant national stakeholders in close consultation with UNDP Project team based on Recommendations of Analytical Report (at least 2-3 consultation meetings is expected to be organized by UNDP Project team).

Based on this plan, conduct online peer-to-peer consultation meetings with MPs and other identified national stakeholders in order to present and discuss recommendations for Ukraine, including legislative, regulatory, institutional recommendations in accordance with best environmental practices and trends of Eastern European counties and relevant Ukraine’s commitments, political and economic priorities and circumstances.

1.4  Revise and update the recommendations of Analytical Report based on the discussions and information learned during peer-to-peer consultation meetings with MPs and other participants, if any, and relevant Ukraine’s commitments, political and economic priorities and circumstances in Ukraine.

1.5  Present Environmental Policies Trends Analytical Report and updated recommendations (as agreed with MPs) to broader stakeholders during specially organized online event for 2-3 hours (event to be organized by UNDP Project).

1.6  Contribute to development and update of Ukraine’s Parliament Environmental Committee Draft Action Plan for 2021-2023 based on Analytical Report findings and recommendations, while taking into account relevant Ukraine’s commitments, political and economic priorities and circumstances.

To ensure the delivery of the above tasks, the Consultant will:

• Liaise and ensure communication/coordination with UNDP regarding all aspects of the assignment;
• Coordinate the work with the Project Team Lead, Project Manager as well as other UNDP experts;
• Submit all the deliverables for review, comments and approval to the Project Manager and Project Team Lead as requested;
• Hold consultations with UNDP as requested.

Deliverables

The timeframe and deliverables of the assignment are as follows:

Proposed payment schedule:

Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in this TOR as follows:

• 50% of the total contract value will be paid upon completion of the Deliverables 1- 2 as per TOR;
• 50% of the total contract value will be paid upon completion of the Deliverables 3-6 as per TOR.

The satisfactory completion of each of the deliverables shall be subject to the endorsement of the UNDP Project Manager. The payments will be paid upon the full completion and acceptance of contractual obligations whereupon the UNDP Project Manager signs the certification of acceptance.

Monitoring/Reporting Requirements

The consultant will work under overall guidance of the Energy & Environment Portfolio Team Leader, direct supervision of the Project Manager and in close day-to-day coordination with the Project Team Lead. Work-progress reporting/monitoring meetings will be held with the International Consultant on a regular (bi-weekly) basis. UNDP will be the final authority to control the quality and evaluate the work.

The consultant will interact with Project Team Lead, Project Manager and E&E Portfolio Team Leader to receive any clarifications and guidance that may be needed. He/she will also receive all necessary informational and logistical support from UNDP Country Office and the Project. On a day-to-day basis, consultant’s work will be coordinated by the Project Team Lead and supervised by the Project Manager.

No reports or documents should be published or distributed to third parties without approval of UNDP.

The Consultant will duly inform UNDP of any problems, issues or delays arising in the course of implementation of assignment and take necessary steps to address them.

All reports and results are to be submitted to the UNDP in electronic form (*.docx, *.xlsx, *.pptx, and *.pdf or other formats accepted by UNDP). All reports and presentations shall be submitted in English. 

Experience and Qualifications Requirements

Education

• At least Master’s / Specialist’s degree in economics, law, energy, energy law, environmental management, or related field. PhD is an asset.

Work Experience

• At least 20 years of proven experience (consultancy, development, design) in environmental policies in European countries.
• At least 10 years of experience working with ministries, state agencies and public organizations and/or European Parliament and its support structures in European countries.
• Extensive knowledge and experience of environmental policy making process in Central and Eastern Europe, understanding of SDGs, confirmed by samples of personal publications, articles, reports, analysis, or draft legislation documents in related field (at least 5 samples provided).
• At least 3 years of experience working in CIS region is essential.
• Experience in international environmental policies, preferable in UN structures and advisory support would be an asset.

Language (s)

• Excellent English writing, communication and presentation skills are required. Working knowledge of Ukrainian or Russian speaking would be a strong asset.

Competencies

Corporate competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism;
• Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Technical Competencies:

• Ability to work under the deadline and deliver within the schedule;
• Ability to work on complex issues under changing environment;
• Demonstrates diplomacy and tact in dealing with sensitive and complex situations;
• Strong communication, interpersonal, analysis, and planning skills;
• Knowledge of sustainable energy and environment issues;
• Strong communications skills (written and oral).

Documents to be Included when Submitting the Proposals

Applicants shall submit the following documents (to be uploaded as one file):

• Personal CV or P11, including information about past experience in similar projects / assignments and contact details for referees (at least 3).
• A brief methodology (max. 1-2 pages) on how the applicant plans to approach and complete the assignment.
• Financial proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price supported by a breakdown of costs according to defined deliverables, as per template provided (in USD).
• Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP.
• At least 5 samples of personal publications, articles, reports, analysis, or draft legislation documents in related field (environmental policy making process in Central and Eastern Europe, SDGs).

Note: UNDP documents templates are available at the following link:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/gl77bauo27ed0l9/AACGhkF0QmlC5dhm5HZutu2Fa?dl=0

The above documents need to be uploaded to the online application as one document. Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

Financial Proposal

Lump sum contract

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in instalments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including travel, per diems, and a number of anticipated working days).

Travel costs

The travel is not envisaged for this assignment. In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed. BSAFE course must be successfully completed before the commencement of travel. Individual Consultant is responsible for ensuring he/she has vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. A consultant is required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under https://dss.un.org/dssweb/

Evaluation Criteria

Educational background

• At least Master’s / Specialist’s degree in economics, law, energy, energy law, environmental management, or related field (PhD degree – 7 pts; Master’s degree – 5 pts) – 7 points max.

Relevant professional experience

• At least 20 years of proven experience (consultancy, development, design) in environmental policies in European countries (more than 30 years – up to 20 pts; 25-29 years – up to 18 pts; 20-24 years – 16 pts) – 20 points max;
• At least 10 years of experience working with ministries, state agencies, Parliament or its support structures in European countries (more than 25 years – up to 20 pts; 16-24 years – up to 18 pts; 10-15 years – 16 pts) – 20 points max;
• Extensive knowledge of environmental policy making process in Eastern Europe, understanding of SDGs, confirmed by samples of personal publications, articles, reports, analysis, or draft legislation documents in related field (10 and more samples – up to 8 pts; 5-9 samples – 5 pts) – 8 points max;
• At least 3 years of experience working in CIS region is essential (more than 15 years – up to 10 pts; 10-14 years – up to 7 pts; 5-9 years – 5 pts) – 10 points max;
• Experience in international environmental policies, preferable in UN structures and advisory support would be an asset (experience available – 2 pts; no experience – 0 pts) – 2 points max.

Language Skills

• Excellent English writing, communication and presentation skills are required. Working knowledge of Ukrainian or Russian speaking is would be a strong asset (Fluent in English and at least working knowledge of Russian or Ukrainian – 3 pts; fluent in English – 2 pts) – 3 points max.

Maximum available technical score – 70 points.

Evaluation method:

Cumulative analysis

Contract award shall be made to the incumbent whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
• having received the cumulative highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Technical Criteria weight: 70%

Financial Criteria weight: 30%

Only candidates obtaining a minimum 70% from the maximum available technical score (49 points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

The maximum number of points assigned to the financial proposal is allocated to the lowest price proposal and will equal to 30. All other price proposals will be evaluated and assigned points, as per below formula:

30 points (max points available for financial part) x (lowest of all evaluated offered prices among responsive offers) / (evaluated price).

The proposal obtaining the overall cumulatively highest score after adding the score of the technical proposal and the financial proposal will be considered as the most compliant offer and will be awarded a contract.

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.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Application Instruction: If you wish to apply for this or other positions, please visit UNDP website, section jobs and apply online: https://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=94289

Deadline for APPLICATIONS: 11 October 2020