International Awareness Building Expert for Climate Change Adaptation

Contract

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Background

Turkmenistan is vulnerable to climate change due to the steady temperature rise and increasing water deficiency. While the changing climate is impacting the entire economy, the water sector that is suffering the most acutely. The Government of Turkmenistan seeks to strengthen its adaptive and resilience capacities to climate change by integrating climate risks and adaptation measures into planning and budgeting processes via the development of a National Adaptation Planning process (NAP).

The project seeks to achieve the following outcomes:

• Outcome 1: An institutional framework to implement the Paris Agreement established;
• Outcome 2: The evidence base for adaptation planning in the water sector strengthened;
• Outcome 3: The capacity for adaptation planning strengthened;

The project is focused on developing a national coordination mechanism and governance processes for conducting adaptation planning and measures and on strengthening the evidence base within the water sector so as to provide the information required for effective decision-making. Lastly, the project will increase the capacity of those involved in adaptation planning as within the water sector and adaptation planning in general.

Purpose, objectives and expected outcomes of the consultancy:

Due to its geographic location Turkmenistan has harsh climate. According to the climate change scenarios presented in the Third National Communication to UNFCCC mean temperatures in Turkmenistan are expected to increase more than the world average. Water scarcity will be more severe as a consequence of reduced precipitations and higher evaporation. Heat waves and dust storms will be observed more often whereas natural resources will deteriorate further.

Country’s economy will be therefore highly impacted by climate change and adaptation mechanisms and actions are strongly needed to reduce the number and intensity of threats, particularly in areas of projected high risk (vulnerable areas). Incorporating adaptation into the management measures will facilitate the resilience of national economy and population of Turkmenistan.

UNDP/ GCF NAP Project is seeking technical support to design and deliver workshops on climate change risks and good practices in adaptation planning for the high-level government officials, members of the Coordination Mechanism. The latter is composed of representatives from the National Parliament (Mejlis), Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection (MAEP), the State Committee for Water Management (SCWM), the Ministry of Finance and Economy (MFE) and others. Adaptation to climate change is essentially a new concept. Therefore, it is expected that International Consultant will enrich the content of the seminars with examples of international best practices.

Overall, it is expected to have about six seminars over the life of the project. Under the current assignment it is foreseen through consultation meetings to single out the topics of interest for the members of the Coordination Mechanism, to prepare the concept and schedule of six meetings. Apart from that, IC is expected to prepare and deliver first seminar by the end of 2022 and another two seminars in the first half of 2023.

Duties and Responsibilities

In accordance with the above-mentioned objective of the assignment and under the supervision of the Project Manager and Portfolio Analyst, the International Consultant (IC) will enhance the capacity of the members of the Coordination Mechanism to progressively integrate climate change adaptation into the national planning. This enhanced understanding of climate change risks specific to Turkmenistan and climate change adaptation options on the examples of the best international practices in adaptation planning will strengthen the capacity to develop, evaluate and prioritize potential actions in agriculture, water management and other sectors.

To achieve the objective, he or she will work together with the National Consultant based in Ashgabat to implement the following:

1. With input from the National Consultant prepare a list of topics on climate change adaptation relevant to climate and geography of Turkmenistan. Prepare proposal for content and schedule of six seminars until the end of project cycle. This will be shared with national partner and members of the Coordination Mechanism;
2. During the working meeting with national partner and members of Coordination Mechanism conduct capacity building needs assessment and present schedule proposal for the thematic workshops. Based on the outcomes of the meetings narrow down the list of topics and adjust the schedule;
3. Elaborate the full-fledged concept note of the series of custom-tailored seminars (6 altogether) for Turkmen officials. While working on the content of the workshops International Consultant may refer to OECD Policy Guidance on Integrating Climate Change Adaptation into Development Cooperation (part 1 and 2). Given that the composition of the trainees is unaltered at all stages of training, it is possible to offer participants to familiarize with online resources accessible in Turkmenistan, or, as an option, to request participants to take on voluntary basis self-paced online trainings in-between the learning sessions (open-access resources and trainings by UNDP, UNEP, WB, WWF, etc.). This is subject for further discussion during the meeting with the national partner, and members of the Coordination Mechanism;
4. Conceptualize and draft detailed description and Agenda for the 1st seminar planned for 2022. International Consultant is expected to prepare and deliver physical workshops (in case of renewed travel restrictions physical workshop will be replaced with online training). International Consultant is requested to make the learning session interactive and participatory and enhance skills of different participants. Training shall be tailored to introduce specific to the country climate change risks; contain best international practices on climate change adaptation. Consultant shall little rely on online tools. Any video materials, tutorials shall be stored on the hard drive and provided to the project team in advance along with any hand-outs and presentations (in Russian language, or at least with Russian subtitles);
5. Conceptualize and draft detailed description and Agenda for the next two seminars planned for 2023. International Consultant is expected to prepare and deliver two physical workshops with the same requirements as specified in #4;
6. Prepare final consultancy report and compilation of materials to be further distributed to the trainees in preparation or as a refreshing material in-between the learning sessions, and/or for the follow-up self-paced individual learning;

Deliverables and timeframe:

Deliverable 1 prepared through actions 1-4 above:

In preparation for the capacity building training, the following key documents will be developed:

• List of topics for the series of awareness building workshops;
• Outline of the content for six seminars and their schedule until the end of project;
• Meeting notes/ minutes;
• Detailed concept note for the series of custom-tailored seminars;
• A draft workshop agenda;
• Detailed description of the 1st seminar;
• A workshop facilitation/ or moderation plan;
• Presentations, video and other relevant materials for the participants;
• Physical participation in the workshop;
• A workshop documentation (minutes/ notes from the discussion sessions, group work exercises, and alike) ;
• Interim Consultancy report, including recommendations for the next seminars;

Location: Home based and in Ashgabat (depends on COVID-19 situation, resuming of international flights to/from the country and quarantine requirements). Number of days: 13 days.

Deliverable 2 prepared through action 5, 6 above:

In preparation for the next awareness building workshops the following shall be developed:

• A draft workshop agenda for each seminar;
• Detailed description of two seminars;
• Facilitation/ or moderation plan for each workshop;
• Presentations, video and any other seminar preparation materials for participant;
• Physical participation in the workshop;
• A workshop documentation (minutes/ notes from the discussion sessions, group work exercises, and alike);
• A final consultancy report, including recommendations for further trainings;

Location: Home based and in Ashgabat (depends on COVID-19 situation, resuming of international flights to/from the country and quarantine requirements). Number of days: 12 days.

Payment conditions:

This is an installment-based contract that should cover the costs of consultancy required to produce the above deliverables. The final schedule of payments will be agreed upon in the beginning of consultancy. Payment will be released in two installments: 1st installment: 50% (for deliverable 1), 2nd installment 50% (for deliverable 2) upon timely submission of respective deliverables and their acceptance by UNDP Turkmenistan.

Competencies

• Knowledge of and extensive experience working with UN agencies and governmental entities;
• Excellent coaching, facilitation and communication skills;
• Results driven, ability to work under pressure and to meet required deadlines;
• Good understanding and practice of capacity development;
• Cultural sensitivity;
• Diplomatic skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree in Environmental Science, Climate Change and Sustainable Development or relevant field;

Experience:

• At least 5 years of relevant multi-disciplinary environmental or natural resource management work experience, preferable in climate change adaptation area;
• Minimum 2 years of international experience as capacity training and/ or awareness building expert in climate change adaptation
• Experience in preparation and delivery of workshops for high-level governmental officials (including in online format); good facilitation and moderation skills;
• Turkmenistan country- or CIS regional- experience will be desired;
• Good understanding of the social and economic aspects of climate change vulnerabilities for Turkmenistan or countries with similar climatic conditions;

Language requirements:

• Fluency in English (spoken and written), knowledge of Russian is a strong asset;

Submission of applications:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/ information to demonstrate their qualifications:

All experts applying for this position are required to provide:

• Brief (1-2 pages) description of the methodology for the assignment. However, the specific design and methods will be determined from consultations among UNDP Turkmenistan NAP Project Team and the NDA about what is appropriate and feasible to meet the goals of the consultancy;
• Financial Proposal with the references to (1) the daily rate for the assignment and within the timing scale indicated in the present TOR, and (2) any other expenses. Template of the form can be found at: http://www.tm.undp.org/content/turkmenistan/en/home/procurement.html. The UNDP will enter into an Individual Contract based on a lump sum amounts. The financial proposal shall represent a detailed, justified and “all inclusive” amount. In order to assist UNDP in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount, including: a daily fee for the tasks and an estimated duration as specified in this announcement and any other possible costs (including communication, printing, etc.);
• Cover letter explaining why they are the most suitable candidate for the assignment;
• Resume /CV.

Evaluation of proposals:

Individual Consultants will be evaluated based on the combined scoring methodology. When using this method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Responsive/?ompliant and
• Having received the highest score – out of 100

Out of the maximum score, the score for technical criteria equals 70% - maximum 100 points, and for financial criteria 30%.

The technical evaluation will take into account the following as per the scoring provided:

• Education in the area of Environmental Science, Climate Change and Sustainable Development or relevant field – 15 pts;
• International experience as capacity training and/ or awareness building expert in climate change adaptation; good facilitation and moderation skills; experience in preparation and delivery of physical and online workshops – 20 pts;
• Methodology – 10 pt;
• Good understanding of the social and economic aspects of climate change vulnerabilities – 10 pts;
• Turkmenistan country- or CIS regional- experience – 15 pts;
• Fluency in Russian – 10 pts;
• Fluency in English – 10 pts
• Interview – 10 pts;

Financial proposal – 30% of total evaluation.

Additional requirements for recommended contractor:

Recommended contractors aged 65 and older, and 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.