Development of costed NDC Implementation Plan for Eswatini

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Contract

This is a International Consultant contract. More about International Consultant contracts.

Background

The Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini has ratified the Paris Agreement that seeks to hold the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 °C above preindustrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 °C2 above preindustrial levels. In addition, Eswatini has submitted its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The NDC is considered as a policy document which has an overall objective of putting the country on a Low carbon climate resilient pathway and aimed at assisting the country to contribute towards the achievement of the global temperature goal. It articulates the country’s ambition for climate change adaptation and mitigation. Under adaptation it included actions in the sectors Biodiversity and Ecosystems, Water, Agriculture and Health. Under mitigation it included actions in the sectors Energy, Transport and Substitutes for Ozone Depleting Substances.

As a developing country with about 60% of the population living on less than $1, the revised Nationally Determined Contribution for Eswatini to Paris Agreement on Climate change emphasizes adaptation measures while at the same time reducing total GHG emissions by 14% by 2030 compared to the baseline scenario of 2018 across the economy. With support of development partners, Eswatini in line with her commitment to Paris Agreement, has revised the NDC with an enhanced and raised ambition towards climate action. UNDP plays a central role in building countries’ capacity to strengthen and implement NDCs, given its previous NDC support experience, its technical expertise in related areas, and its on-the-ground presence in over 170 countries using its integrator role. Through its Climate Promise Initiative UNDP has supported; i) building political will, whole of government and whole of society ownership; ii) alignment of targets with national development strategies, policies and measures; iii) incorporation of new sectors and raising GHG reduction towards zero net emission; iv)) established mechanisms to monitor progress & strengthen transparency; and vi) preparation of the revised NDC document. The NDC revision has been spearheaded by the Climate Change Unit under the Department of Meteorology within the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs (MTEA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development.

While the country has taken commendable measures to improve its mitigation and adaptation efforts in line with its commitment to contribute to the goals of the Paris Agreement, significant effort and investment is required to build capacities across the government to realize the desired NDC objectives and targets. Achieving the targets set out in Eswatini ’s revised NDC will require considerable support for capacity building, technology investment and climate financing. This requires prioritization and elaboration of cost implications for achieving mitigation and adaptation targets.

Preparing for NDC implementation, requires includes several key steps, such as aligning NDC implementation and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG); reviewing the analysis underpinning the NDC priorities; prioritizing policies and measures; assessing capacities, institutions, and regulatory frameworks required for NDC implementation. NDC implementation will also requires costing of options, formulating strategies to finance NDCs, and scaling up climate finance in a more integrated and sustainable way. Central to NDC implementation is monitoring and reporting of NDC progress and achievement, which can inform any adjustments to implementation plans. Lastly, and of critical importance, successful NDC implementation can help countries prepare for their next NDC submission and increase ambition to achieve the Paris Agreement’s goals.

It is against this background that UNDP is seeking a competent consultant to support Eswatini Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs and partners prepare a costed NDC implementation plan.

Duties and Responsibilities

The purpose of the assignment is to develop a Costed NDC Implementation Plan for the Kingdom of Eswatini.

1. Take stock of the revised NDC

Using desk review, the Consultant will take stock of what the revised NDC specifically commits the government to pursue in terms of domestic measures such as which greenhouse gases and sectors are included and which targets, policies, and actions need to be implemented and reported on internationally. Taking stock of the revised NDC will also include enhanced understanding of how the targets, goals, and actions contained in the NDC were chosen, including the extent to which they were already adopted and planned or whether new measures need to be undertaken.

2. Confirm the relevance of the analysis underpinning the NDC

The consultant needs to confirm that the underlying models and assumptions relied upon for the development of NDCs and its revision remain current. These include Greenhouse gas inventory data and emissions projections, underlying cost assumptions and technology learning rates, implementation costs and barriers, climate scenario and vulnerability assessments, “low-regrets” approaches such as short-term policies with high results, alignment with National Adaptation Planning (NAP) process etc. The consultant needs to identify additional technical or other information available, models changing as a result of technological innovations and cost reductions, changes in political priorities, or the development of a long-term low-emissions development strategy (e.g., pursuant to Article 4, paragraph 19 of the Paris Agreement). He/she needs to ensure alignment between long-term strategies and the medium-term targets established through NDCs can be useful to sequence actions and milestones in a way that maximizes benefits for both agendas and avoids lock-in effects in the short and long runs. Reviewing the analysis underpinning the NDC may lead to a better understanding for the consultant of the relevance of key sectors and regions to supporting effective implementation and the expected cost of doing so.

3.Review prioritised policies and measures

Review prioritised policies and measures in the NDC and identify implementation options using participatory approaches that engage all key stakeholders.

4.Assess the human and information capacities required for NDC implementation

Through desk review, the Consultant should understand capacity gaps, constraints, gaps, and related financial, technical, and capacity needs in the NDC or other relevant national plans (including national communication or the NAP process). He/she will then identify capacities that need to be strengthened and develop a plan to build capacity in both the short and long terms, which is relevant to the implementation plan.

5. Assess the institutional framework for implementing the NDC

The Consultant will

  • Do a stocktaking of existing institutional arrangements for NDC implementation and make recommendations for reviewing and, if necessary, strengthening the institutional framework;
  • Undertake a mapping exercise for existing institutions and ministries relevant to NDC implementation, identify the current responsibilities of these institutions and identify current mechanisms for coordination among them;
  • Identify governance arrangements for ensuring accountability in implementing the plan, publicizing feedback, and providing responses to input;
  • Engage stakeholders through workshops following mapping of existing institutions and roles, and assess where the institutional framework may need to be strengthened to respond to the needs of NDC implementation. This may include strengthening existing mandates for information sharing and data collection, coordination, monitoring of progress and budgeting, or creating new mandates that are specific to NDC implementation; and
  • Hold a validation workshop and validate the results through stakeholder inputs.

6. Assess the regulatory framework

The Consultant will undertake a review of Eswatini’s regulatory frameworks to ensure that these can help drive NDC implementation and bring about the agreed policy objectives. Key elements to consider when reviewing a country’s legal and regulatory framework relevant to NDC implementation include the laws and public policies with regard to mitigation of and adaptation to climate change. The following steps are to be undertaken by the Consultant:

  • Screen climate change relevant laws and policies for their appropriateness for implementing the NDC. This includes whether the legal and regulatory framework contains the necessary policy instruments to achieve the NDC and whether it establishes and supports the institutional structures and stakeholder engagement required for NDC implementation;
  • Examine implementation barriers and appropriate regulatory framework to inform existing and upcoming sector-specific legislation and/or departmental rules and procedures; and
  • Integrate the regulatory framework into development processes. A comprehensive regulatory framework will integrate the NDC into sectoral and economy-wide development plans and policies.

7. Gender Inclusive stakeholder engagement

The Consultant will develop and adopt a gender inclusive stakeholder engagement plan. Strong engagement of stakeholders can be built through careful planning, appropriate budgeting, coordination, relationship-building with key messengers, and an iterative, flexible approach. The plan should recognize that public participation is likely to raise concerns that fall outside of one agency’s jurisdiction and that coordinated approaches from implicated agencies can address these concerns. The tasks will include:

  • Develop a draft stakeholder engagement plan with clear objectives, opportunities for influence, and timelines, and make the draft plan publicly available for feedback. Include any institutions or stakeholders who are critical for it to be perceived as legitimate and well-information;
  • Identify and map stakeholders and groups, including communities, groups, and individuals whose communities, livelihoods, or health are vulnerable to expected climate impacts (or who have historically been marginalized); stakeholders who are likely to be directly affected by climate policies; local institutions and authorities who are respected and have credibility with specific stakeholder groups; and those who have legal or customary claims to land, forests, or other resources that may be affected;
  • Create an information and communications campaign prior to beginning the process so as to build awareness and understanding of how the NDC relates to national policy and affects key groups;
  • Ensure that participation occurs early in the NDC implementation process and that there are frequent opportunities across a range of geographies and times of day, and that accessibility concerns have been addressed (multiple locations and times of day or virtual participation);
  • Ensure the Implementation Plan is costed through engaging stakeholders and developing budgets for the activities;
  • Endorse the final plan by all stakeholders involved in its implementation, including decision makers to ensure buy-in and support; and
  • Record, respond to, and publish public input to build trust in the process and ensure the plan is publicly available.
  • Prepare and share all stakeholder engagement including workshop reports

8. Draft a Costed NDC Implementation Plan

The Consultant will draft a costed NDC implementation plan to support coordination and ensure transparency. The development of the plan itself does not constitute NDC implementation. It is a tool to support a more effective implementation process, not the end goal. The implementation plan can be used to;

  • Clearly identify the actions and measures to be implemented;
  • Identify resources (capacity and financial support) available and needed for implementation;
  • Specify time frames for implementation of specific policies and measures;
  • Outline expected impacts of implementation policies and actions;
  • Cost all climate actions listed in the NDC implementation plan. Prepare costing details with clear source references. The costs should include public sector funding/de-risking and private sector financing where appropriate and feasible.
  • Identify public sector funding gaps that require international grant support and private sector investments to enable Eswatini to be on track to reaching the targets under the NDCs.
  • Assess the feasibility and risks of implementation policies and actions;
  • Identify capacity needs for implementation and gaps in knowledge and data;
  • Identify necessary regulatory and legal frameworks;
  • Identify relevant stakeholders and the plan for stakeholder engagement;
  • Where possible, ensure clarity on the sequencing of policies and actions, including key milestones to track progress and support reporting obligations;
  • Identify coordination mechanisms with stakeholders including roles and responsibilities of key bodies (within and outside government agencies, ministries, departments);
  • Specify how progress will be monitored and reported; and
  • Identify linkages between the policies and actions implemented to achieve the NDC and the SDGs.

Institutional arrangements and Reporting

The Consultant will report to the Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs through the Director of Meteorology and the UNFCCC Focal Point on key deliverables as per contract.

Duration and Duty Station

This consultancy is for 40 work days spread over four (4) months.

DELIVERABLES

The deliverables for this consultancy include the following:

Deliverable

Timelines

Review and Approval

Inception report elaborating plan of executing the assignment

2 weeks of contract signing

UNDP Team Leader/ MTEA Legal Advisor/ UNFCCC Focal Point

Stakeholder Engagement Plan for preparing NDC Implementation Plan

2 weeks

UNDP Team Leader/ MTEA Legal Advisor/ UNFCCC Focal Point

Report of Human and Institutional Capacity Needs Assessment for NDC Implementation

4 weeks of contract signing

UNDP Team Leader/ MTEA Legal Advisor/ UNFCCC Focal Point

Report of Regulatory Framework Assessment

6 weeks of contract signing

UNDP Team Leader/ MTEA Legal Advisor/ UNFCCC Focal Point

Draft costed NDC implementation plan for stakeholder validation

15 weeks of contract signing

UNDP Team Leader/ MTEA Legal Advisor/ UNFCCC Focal Point

Final validated costed NDC Implementation Plan

20 weeks of contract signing

UNDP Team Leader/MTEA Legal Advisor/ UNFCCC Focal Point

Competencies

Corporate and Core 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.
  • Communication – Facilitate and encourage open communication and strive for effective communication.
  • Planning & Organizing – Develops clear goals in line with agreed strategies, identifies priorities, foresees risks and makes allowances accordingly.
  • Organizational Awareness – Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment.
  • Teamwork – Demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
  • Accountability – Takes ownership of all responsibilities and delivers outputs in accordance with agreed time, cost and quality standards.

Functional Competencies

  • Excellent inter-personal and teamwork skills, networking attitude.
  • Capacity to deliver as per deadlines;
  • Willing to work in a team with national and international experts.
  • Good analytical skills and effective communication and training skills and competence in handling external relations at all levels;
  • Good communication skills, organization skills and presentation skills

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Masters in Climate Change, International Development, Environmental Science or related fields.
  • A PhD qualification is an added advantage.

Experience:

  • At least 5 years of relevant work experience in climate change planning and financing.
  • Proven understanding of the Climate Finance landscape and procedures, multilateral funds and the other channels including the role of private sector in climate finance.
  • Thorough understanding of climate financing in developing countries, investment risks and barriers and proven expertise in designing financing mechanisms that address investment risks.
  • Strong knowledge of Eswatini context
  • Good stakeholder consultation skills and presentation skills are preferred

Language Requirement:

  • Fluency in spoken and written English.

Additional Information;

Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

Proposals must be expressed as an all-inclusive Lump Sum Amount and fixed for the contract period regardless of cost components. Payment shall be based on submission of satisfactory deliverables on assigned tasks;

Deliverable

Payment

Certification

Deliverable 1&2: Inception report and stakeholder engagement plan (1&2)

20%

UNDP Team Leader/MTEA Legal Advisor/UNFCC Focal Point

Deliverable 3&4: Human, Institutional and regulatory assessment reports

30%

UNDP Team Leader/ MTEA Legal Advisor/UNFCC Focal Point

Deliverable 5: Draft costed implementation plan for stakeholder validation

30%

UNDP Team Leader/ MTEA Legal Advisor/UNFCC Focal Point

Deliverable 6: Final validated costed implementation plan

20%

UNDP Team Leader/ MTEA Legal Advisor/UNFCC Focal Point

A.****Recommended Presentation of Offer

Qualified candidates should submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications in one single PDF file:

  1. Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP; OFFEROR’S LETTER TO UNDP
  2. Personal CV or P11, Link for the P11 form: https://un.org.sz/p11/P11.docx indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references.
  3. Technical proposal:
  • Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment
  • A methodology, on how they will approach and complete the assignment.

B.****Criteria for Selection of the Best Offer

  • Combined Scoring method – where the qualifications and Experiences will be weighted a max. of 70%, and combined with the price offer which will be weighted a max of 30%
Added 2 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: jobs.undp.org