International Consultant on Development of National Action Plan on Adaptation - Home-based with two missions (4-5 working days per mission) to Ashkhabad

Home-based with two missions (4-5 working days per mission) to Ashkhabad, TURKMENISTAN Starting Date :
(date when the selected candidate is expected to start)Duration of Initial Contract :6 months after approval and signing of the contract ( 40 working days)Expected Duration of Assignment :6 months after approval and signing of the contract ( 40 working days)The objective of the UNDP project “Strengthening Climate Change Policy in Turkmenistan” is to assist in realizing policy on strengthening strategic legislation for the implementation of the National Climate Change Strategy of Turkmenistan adopted on June 15, 2012. The Strategy is to be implemented through the Action plan on GHG emission reduction and the Action plan on adaptation to climate change. The project will support elaboration and adoption of the action plans.

Turkmenistan is highly vulnerable to climate variability and change. The socio-economic costs of climate related natural disasters such as droughts, floods and hail are significant and both their intensity and frequency are expected to further increase. Climate change is increasingly recognized as fact of national importance, but so far the national strategic framework lacks integrated climate change mitigation or adaptation measures. Therefore, there is a need for a policy framework at the national level to ensure that a qualitative, effective and coherent climate change adaptation process takes place. This shall be achieved by elaborating the National Action Plan on Adaptation, serving as an umbrella for comprehensive sectoral strategies and action plans.

According to the working project plan of the project “Strengthening Climate Change Policy in Turkmenistan” the working group of local stakeholders on the development of National action Plan on Adaptation (the Working group on adaptation) is planned to be established by the Ministry of Economy of Turkmenistan acting as the national project partner; and National consultants to be recruited to assist in the preparation of this action plan.

The international consultant will be responsible for the development of the National Action Plan on Adaptation. The process will be led by the Coordinator appointed by the Ministry of Economy for the development of Low-emission development strategy of Turkmenistan and Leader of the working group on adaptation, and involve consultations with a wide range of national stakeholders. The consultant will work in a team with a national expert.

The starting point for the work of the international consultant will be a draft concept on NAP development, containing the suggested approach, outline, inputs, roadmap and tentative schedule as well as suggested division of roles and responsibilities among all the stakeholders engaged. The draft concept can become available upon request.

Under the overall supervision of the Programme Specialist on Environment and direct supervision of the Low-emission Development Component Manager, in close cooperation with the Coordinator, Leader of Working group on adaptation and the National Consultants, the International Consultant for Development of National Action on Adaptation will be tasked with the following duties and responsibilities: 

Support the MoED as a coordinating agency: to ensure adaptation is mainstreamed into national economic and sector plans, and addressed through budgeting processes and facilitate development of the capacity of MoED in this regard by supporting the development of the NAP in the short-term; The development of the NAP represents an interim stage in a multi-year process of adaptation mainstreaming. The consultant must ensure that the NAP includes a full implementation, financing, institutional and monitoring strategy to be led by the GoT over a 3-4 year planning cycle. Assist in setting out the longer term process associated with a NAP implementation;Support the MOED to achieve two outputs from each deliverable: 1) the proposed deliverables and 2) members of the working group have greater knowledge about the deliverable, as they will have learnt this knowledge, through developing the deliverable together with the IC. UNDP puts a strong focus on capacity development. 

Tasks / Key Outputs Expected

More concretely, the IC will be responsible for performing the following tasks:

Lead and contribute to the review and finalization of a process plan and concept for the development of the NAP;Finalize the scope of the NAP and present to the Coordinator and UNDP for approval a NAP concept, which will include work plan for NAP development with milestones and annotated NAP outline with forms for data and information collection. The concept shall also define possible barriers and factors that may impact the development of the comprehensive programme of actions and realization of measures on adaptation;Ensure continuous capacity development for the relevant staff of MoED and the working group members through the following tasks outlined under five headings below:

National plans and sectors plans 

Review the materials prepared by the Ministry of Nature Protection of Turkmenistan for Adaptation Strategy of Turkmenistan and ensure that the respective outcomes are integrated in the structure of NAP document and process of NAP development;Review and analyze national and sectoral strategies, programmes and plans, as well as other documents/publications relevant for the assignment;Review relevant current and planned initiatives both nationally- and donor- funded and ensure that the respective outcomes feed into the process of NAP development;Prepare report on linkages between national policies and climate change;Review the synthesis of key national development strategies and policies and lead the preparation of sector reports based on above Lead the process of sector risk and vulnerability analysis;Review and finalize synthesis of historic climate data and future climate projections;Prepare analysis of current vulnerability (sector-based) and future climate risks;Develop recommendations for mainstreaming climate change risks and adaptation into national policies, programmes and priorities and advise on incorporating information about climate-related risks, vulnerability, and options for adaptation into planning and decision-making in key sectors, such as agriculture, water, health, disaster risk management, as well as into existing national assessments and action plans. Facilitate adaptation options identification with sector ministries as well as risk and adaptation option prioritisation in national workshop(s);Contribute to preparation of the prioritization workshop in terms of the agenda and discussion items and facilitate the workshop, including required knowledge building and capacity development of national stakeholders in understanding, analysis and definition of priority areas on adaptation;Lead the process of preparing sector (as defined by the WG) reports for suggested activities;Lead and provide advice in development of implementation, capacity development, financing and monitoring plans ,and an intuitional coordination strategy;Prepare and present implementation arrangements for delivery of the NAP and develop plan;Draft a capacity development approach and roadmap for implementation, including recommendations on types of capacity development, resources, possible partnership and the like;Prepare a financing strategy and plan with clear definition on sources of funding, measures for ensuring incremental financing, links with potential Global Climate Fund, National Clean Climate Fund etc.;Develop an institutional coordination strategy to ensure effective cross-sector supervision and implementation of the NAP;Prepare a monitoring plan and an evaluation framework for the NAP

Lead the process of drafting, reviewing and finalizing NAP document 

Lead the preparation and submission of the 1st draft Review and incorporate comments and feedback received on the 1st and other drafts from MoED and line ministries;

Outputs: 

Finalized NAP Concept;Initial draft of NAP;Final draft of NAP;Written reports summarizing Consultant’s participation in any missions or meetings undertaken in Ashgabat outlining: mission objectives, goals and outputs;Brief assessment of results achieved during the meetings undertaken in Ashkhabad;Outline of next steps for the completion of assignment.

Deliverables and timeframe:

The following deliverables and indicative schedule are expected from the consultancy contract. The final schedule will be agreed upon in the beginning of consultancy assignment.

Phase 1 deliverables:

Concept of the National Action Plan, as outlined in Task 1;Mission report ;Initial draft of the National Action Plan on Adaptation, containing outputs from Tasks 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 May 2014
25 working days (inclusive of 1st mission).

Phase 2 deliverables:

Mission report;Final draft of the National Action Plan on Adaptation, containing outputs from Tasks 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 September 2014
15 working days (inclusive of 2nd mission).

Payment Conditions

This is a lump sum contract that should include costs of consultancy required to produce the above deliverables. The final schedule will be agreed upon in the beginning of consultancy.
Payment will be released in two installments: 60% (Phase 1 deliverables), 40% (Phase 2 deliverables) upon timely submission of respective deliverables and their acceptance by the Programme Specialist on Environment.

Technical activity:

Expert knowledge on climate change adaptation policies and measures, adaptation approaches and methodologies;Profound understanding of the national policy and programs related to climate change adaptation;Knowledge, analytical skills and related work experience of the field of climate change;Ability to learn new terminology and concepts easily and to turn information from various sources into a coherent strategy document.

Interaction with partners:

Maturity and confidence in relation to work with senior and high-ranking members of international, regional and national institutions;Cultural, gender, religious, race, national and age sensitivity and adaptability;Good spoken communication skills, ability to solve conflicts to manage the dynamic of inter-group relations and reconcile contradicting interests of different actors;Excellent written communication skills, analytical abilities and ability to synthesize outcomes and related conclusions to prepare reports and policy/strategy documents of high quality;

Work principles:

Promotion of the vision, mission and strategic goals of the UNDP;Establishing close relations with clients, focusing on the impact and results for the client and positive response to feedback; Ability to work in a team, to be initiative, ability to work under minimum control and support good relations.

Education:

Master degree in the field of the environment protection or management, economics, development or other related area.

Experience:

At least 10 years of work experience in the related field;Profound knowledge of the issues on adaptation to climate change and development;Experience in drafting strategic documents;Experience in the development, implementation or management of projects;Experience in participation of the process on policy development related to the environment, climate change and sustainable development is an advantage;Related work experience with state structures, work experience with the UN system or other international agencies;Technical knowledge of climate change consequences for development, financial sphere, environmental protection and other related fields is crucial;Proven successful accomplishment of similar assignments;Work experience in the CIS Region is an advantage;Excellent analytical and presentation skills.

Language Requirements:

Proficiency in English;Good knowledge of written and spoken Russian. 

Submission of applications:

Methodology

All applicants shall submit a detailed methodology indicating phases, tasks, methods, techniques, time, resources, accessibility and tools to be applied for successful completion of assignment.

All interested candidates shall submit the following documents (information) which demonstrate their qualifications:

Offeror's letter to UNDP, which should be downloaded from http://www.tm.undp.org/content/turkmenistan/en/home/operations/jobs/; Detailed, carefully considered and justified financial statement based on a lump sum, which should include: consultancy fee, administrative expenses (if applicable), and/or any other expenses an applicant deems would incur during assignment. Three visits are planned to Ashkhabad, each covering 4 to 5 working days. If needed and justified, additional travels will be covered separately by the project budget; Detailed methodology indicating phases, tasks, methods, techniques, time, resources, accessibility and tools to be applied for successful completion of assignment; Resume (curriculum vitae) describing similar project assignments in recent years;
UN P11 form http://www.tm.undp.org/content/turkmenistan/en/home/operations/jobs/. 

Additional requirements for recommended contractor

Recommended contractors aged 62 and older, if the travel is required, shall undergo a full medical examination including x-ray, and obtain medical clearance from the UN-approved doctor prior to taking up their assignment. The medical examination is to be cleared by the UN physicians, and shall be paid by the consultant.

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.

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.