International Consultant-International Project Development Specialist(Team Leader)

Contract

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Background

As per the 2019 State of Global Air study, at least 123,000 people died in Bangladesh in 2017 due to indoor and outdoor air pollution. It is observed that that ambient air pollution shortens an average Bangladeshi's life by 1.87 years. Various air quality real-time measurements show that the air quality in cities “extremely unhealthy” and, deteriorating at alarming rates, particularly during winter.

The current situation is mainly attributed to Bangladesh’s rapid growth in infrastructure and industrial development that include vehicles running on fossil fuel limited public transportation and reliance on private and informal transport modes and brick kilns operating with obsolete technologies. Transportation sector accounts for 11.5% of total GHG emissions amounting 8,442 Giga gram (in 2012) and it is expected to increase by 118% between 2011 and 2030.

In order to improve the country’s air quality, the Government has taken several initiatives such as phasing-out of two-stroke three-wheel vehicles from major cities and converting them to compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles; setting up CNG refuelling stations; phasing-out leaded gasoline and the import of unleaded gasoline; expansion of railway and waterway networks; and, relocation of some industries to export processing zones. Further, the National Action Plan has identified 16 key abatement measures and other actions for reducing Short Lived Climate Pollutants. The draft Clean Air Act is being promulgated alongside of promoting electric vehicles in Dhaka.

There is a higher and growing demand for electricity use in tri-wheeler in sub-urban and rural areas. However, in the absence of comprehensive and integrated measures, even with the introduction of EVs, the transport sector continues to rely on polluting fossil fuels including coal or fossil fuels-based energy generation leading to increased GHGs besides other environmental implications of use of lead acid batteries. Lead pollution is a problematic issue in EV in Bangladesh because it emits lead into the environment at every stage of manufacturing, re-cycling and disposal process of lead-acid batteries.

Hence, the proposed project with GEF funding would be aligned with renewable energy policies and promotion of environment friendly, energy efficient, low-carbon transport and urban systems. SREDA has drafted Electric Vehicle Charging Station Guideline-2020, which is underway of finalization. It will contribute to the targets set under various national policies such as the Bangladesh Climate Change strategy and Action Plan (2009 and updated draft 2019), Energy Efficiency and Conservation Master Plan (2015) and the Renewable Energy Policy 2009 and the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), wherein, Bangladesh committed to reduce its GHG emissions in the power, transport, and industry sectors by 12 MtCO2 by 2030 or 5% below BAU emissions (unconditional) and by 36 MtCO2 by 2030 or 15% below BAU emissions for those sectors (with support).

The project aims to create enabling frameworks towards transitioning to low carbon and sustainable transportation and support the development of sustainable infrastructure with reliance on clean sustainable energy sources and market ecosystems for the deployment of EV with policy, technical, capacity building, financing, business models and awareness raising interventions.

The objective of the GEF PPG is to develop the project concept into a full project: Enabling Electric Vehicles (EVs) Adoption in the framework of Sustainable energy-based Transportation in Bangladesh. As described in the child project concept note, this project aims to “Enabling reduction in greenhouse gas(GHG) emissions in the transport sector by transitioning to low carbon vehicles in conjunction with sustainable energy policy and introducing solar based electric charging stations (ECS) for adoption of EVs in Bangladesh”.

Duties and Responsibilities

a) OBJECTIVES

The objective of this assignment is to lead in preparation of the project proposal as per GEF and GoB’s guideline. He or She will be supported by the National Transport (EV) Specialist cum task Manager for quality assurance and timely preparation of all reports and documentation, including the finalized UNDP Project Document (ProDoc) and CEO Endorsement Request, with all mandatory and project specific annexes and supporting documentation.

b) SCOPE OF WORKS

1. Management of the GEF PPG Team

• Define and submit a detailed methodology and work plan in consultation with the other consultants(other consultants-internal/external) with clear delegation of responsibilities for the International Consultants (ICs) and National Consultants (NCs) in a team;
• Ensure that project development is participatory, gender-responsive, environment-friendly, and extensive stakeholder engagements; and
• Verify and ensure that all project components are technically sound, feasible, and cost-effective;

2. Preparatory Technical Studies and Reviews (Component A): With inputs from the other national and international consultants, as detailed in their respective TORs:

• Compile baseline/situational analysis for the medium-size project (MSP). This will include a precise definition of baseline projects, key project outputs an activities, budgets, goals and co-financial links to GEF outcomes; definition of GEF incremental value per outcome and output; and presentation of results of the incremental cost-analysis in matrices as appropriate;
• Oversee the stakeholder analysis and consultations and ensure that they are complete and comprehensive;
• Ensure the preparation of the gender analysis and ensure its findings are meaningfully integrated into the project’s strategy, theory of change and results framework;
• Ensure action points, including risk assessments, from the UNDP Social and Environmental Screening Procedure (SESP) at the PIF stage (“pre-screening”) are fully implemented during the PPG, and update that screening in an iterative fashion throughout the PPG, as appropriate;
• Conduct/oversee the identification of the project sites, with documentation of site selection criteria, technology options, etc.;
• Oversee the consultations with partners regarding financial planning; and
• Ensure completion of any additional studies that are determined to be needed for the preparation of the Pro Doc and all other final outputs.

3. Formulation of the ProDoc, CEO Endorsement Request and Mandatory and Project Specific Annexes (Component B): With inputs from the other national and international consultants, as detailed in their respective TORs, and based on international best practice:

• Develop, present and articulate the project’s theory of change;
• Develop the Results Framework in line with UNDP-GEF policy;
• Develop a detailed Monitoring and Evaluation Plan and Budget;
• Oversee and ensure the preparation of a Stakeholder Engagement Plan;
• Oversee and ensure the preparation of a Gender Action Plan and Budget;
• Update the SESP based on assessments undertaken during Component A, and ensure the development of environmental and/or social management plan(s), climate risk assessment and climate proofing options for all risks identified as Moderate or High in the SESP;
• Prepare the required GEF tracking tool(s);
• Secure and present agreements on project management arrangements;
• Ensure the completion of the required official endorsement letters; and
• Synthesize all analyses, studies, etc. that are prepared under Components A and B to produce the draft UNDP-GEF ProDoc, GEF CEO Endorsement, and all mandatory and project specific Annexes, using the required templates.2;

4. Validation Workshop (Component C):

• Lead the validation workshop to present, discuss and validate the final draft Pro Doc and mandatory and project specific annexes, with a special focus on the SESP and any management plans; and
• Oversee all necessary revisions that arise during the workshop.
• Ensure completion of Validation Workshop Report.

5. DELIVERABLES

The International Consultant- Team Leader will deliver:

• Consolidation of all technical and consultation inputs including from national stakeholders, UNDP, GEF Secretariat, STAP and GEF Council, into a well written and concise UNDP ProDoc with all required sections and Annexes, in line with the standard UNDP-GEF ProDoc template and annotated guidance;
• Completion of the GEF CEO Endorsement Request;
• All documentation from GEF PPG (including technical reports, etc.); and
• Validation Workshop Report.

Payments shall be done in three installments based on actual days worked and submitted deliverables documenting this, upon approval by the contract administrator (Programme Specialist) of the deliverable and an indicating the days worked in the period and activities performed.

6. SUPERVISION AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

The consultant will report directly to Programme Specialist (Environment Sustainability and Energy). S/he will also closely coordinate tasks with UNDP Country Office through other team members. S/he will also work closely with the other national consultants of EV team recruited by UNDP. S/he will keep UNDP informed of any issues that emerge during the preparation of project proposal.

7. INPUTS:

The Consultant will use his/her own personal PC or laptop and other required equipment, and UNDP will provide office space (if required).

8. TRAVEL AND DSA:

No DSA will be paid at the duty station. If unforeseen travel outside the duty station not required by the Terms of Reference is requested by UNDP, and upon prior agreement/approval, such travel shall be UNDP’s expenses and the individual contractor shall receive a per-diem not to exceed United Nations daily subsistence allowance rate in such other.(If applicable).

9. DUTY STATION:

The International Consultant- Team Leader will be Home based within the scope of the assignment.

10. TIMEFRAME AND DEADLINES

The assignment is for a total of 20 days over a period of 3 months (Tentatively November-2020 to January-2021)

Deliverables/ Outputs

Estimated Duration to Complete (days)

Prepare consolidation report of all technical and consultation inputs including from national stakeholders, UNDP, GEF Secretariat, STAP and GEF Council, into a well written and concise UNDP Pro Doc with all required sections and Annexes, in line with the standard UNDP-GEF Pro Doc template and annotated guidance;

15 working days

Prepare GEF CEO Endorsement Request with all documentation from GEF PPG (including technical reports, etc.);

3 working days

Deliver a report on Validation Workshop;

2 working days

Total:

20 working days

Competencies

• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
• Demonstrates ability to work with various stakeholders in a team
• Accountability – Takes ownership of all responsibilities and delivers outputs following the agreed time, costs, and quality standards.
• Experience in EV’s Implementation and relevant project implementation.
• Extensive experience in policy analysis, legislative analysis, and institutional capacity building;
• Excellent oral and written English and Bangla communication skills, and exceptional technical writing and presentation capabilities;
• Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure;
• Ability to work independently and participate in a team-based environment.
• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
• Plans, prioritizes, and delivers tasks on time;
• Participates effectively in a team-based, information-sharing environment, collaboration and cooperating with others;
• Responds flexibly & positively to change through active involvement;
• Strong coordination, negotiation, networking, lobbying and advocacy skills;
• Fluency in local language and excellent English speaking and writing skills;

Required Skills and Experience

1. ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum Master’s degree in a relevant field, such as transport planning, low carbon, and sustainable transport planning, environmental science/engineering, electrical or energy engineering, or closely relevant field;

2. EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 5 years of demonstrable experience in the technical area of transport planning, low carbon and sustainable transport planning renewable energy, sustainability science, etc.;
• Proven working experience in designing similar types of EV or transport sector mitigation project;
• Demonstrate good understanding and knowledge of Electric Vehicles issues;
• Proven relevant working experience with INGO/GoB/UN/Donor agencies;

3. FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

• Lump-sum contracts

  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 installments 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 number of anticipated working days).

• Deliverables are linked with the payment schedule:

• Sl No.

  Deliverables

  Tentative Dates & deadlines

  Payment

  1

  Submission of consolidation report of all technical and consultation inputs including from national stakeholders, UNDP, GEF Secretariat, STAP and GEF Council, into a well written and concise UNDP ProDoc with all required sections and Annexes, in line with the standard UNDP-GEF ProDoc template and annotated guidance;

  By the second week of November 2020

  30% of the contracted amount

  2

  Submission of GEF CEO Endorsement Request with all documentation from GEF PPG including technical reports;

  By the second week of December 2020

  30% of the contracted amount

  3

  Submission of Final Report on Validation Workshop;

  By the second week of January 2021

  40% of the contracted amount.

  4. EVALUATION

• Individual Consultant will be evaluated based on the following methodologies:

  Cumulative analysis

  When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

  a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

  b) Having received the 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 of 49 % point in technical criteria would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

  Criteria

  Max. Point

  Max. Point

  Technical

  70%

  70

  Educational Qualification;

  20%

  20

  Relevant experience in designing similar types of EV or transport sector mitigation project

  30%

  30

  Working experience with GEF, UNDP or GoB;

  20%

  20

  Financial

  30%

  30

  Total

  100%

  100

• Financial Evaluation: (Total obtainable score – 30)

• All technically qualified proposals will be scored out 30 based on the formula provided below. The maximum points (30) will be assigned to the lowest financial proposal. All other proposals receive points according to the following formula:

  p = y (µ/z)

  Where:

  p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated

  y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal

  µ = price of the lowest priced proposal

  z = price of the proposal being evaluated

5. Recommended Presentation of Offer

• Interested individuals must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications.
• Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;
• Personal CV or P11, 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.
• http://www.bd.undp.org/content/bangladesh/en/home/operations/jobs/
• Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment and a methodology on how they will approach and complete the assignment.
• Financial Proposal: Financial Proposal has to be submitted through a standard interest and availability template which can be downloaded from the link below:
• http://www.bd.undp.org/content/dam/bangladesh/docs/Jobs/Interest%20and%20Submission%20of%20Financial%20Proposal-Template%20for%20Confirmation.docx