International Consultant on Carbon Farming and Carbon Markets

Consultant

Contract

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

Background

Since 1993 UNDP has been assisting the government of Ukraine in developing solutions for the transition from a planned to a market economy and for establishing democratic systems. UNDP’s engagement and partnership with national and sub-national institutions has been a catalyst for laws and policies as well as strengthening institutions in preparing the country for deeper global integration.

Building a green economy in Ukraine is a core of the Association Agreement with the EU and facilitating a green and resilient COVID-19 recovery has become a key area of UNDP support to the Government of Ukraine. Transition to a green economy and climate neutrality in accordance with requirements of the EU will be associated with the need to abandon old and inefficient carbon intensive economic activities develop and implement completely new business-models. These new business model should be based on the low carbon content of the products and services, which requires implementation of the Monitoring, Reporting and Verification system (MRV) and better management of the climate-related risks.

Agriculture is responsible for about 13% of total Ukraine greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and it needs to contribute to recently updated Nationally determined contribution of Ukraine to the Paris Agreement[1]. Agricultural activities have a considerable potential for GHG emission reduction and carbon sequestration due to adoption of regenerative and climate-smart practices. In addition, the contribution of agricultural sector will be essential to reach the climate target because of its unique role as sinks, and therefore its capacity to compensate for the unavoidable GHG emissions of other sectors. For these reasons, carbon farming that still to be developed in Ukraine will play a key role in achieving country’s climate targets.

Carbon markets worldwide have been constantly increasing over the last decade and carbon credits generated in agriculture prove to become an incentive for farmers to apply carbon farming practices as farmers’ participation in the market have demonstrated their additional income. Both agricultural produce and carbon sequestration became the source of income for the farmers.

Simultaneously, demand for carbon offsets has been increasing at carbon voluntary markets as more corporations from different industries announce plans to become carbon neutral by reducing emissions and buying offsets. Still carbon trading systems remain fragmented with different methodologies and algorithms applied and participants involved.

Ukrainian farmers may benefit greatly from new carbon markets reality should an effective carbon footprint evaluation is in place, sustainable agricultural practices identified and applied, and formation of carbon credits along with marketing technique are presented.

UNDP will hire an International Consultant in Carbon Farming and Markets to help evaluate carbon farming perspectives and develop a roadmap to provide Ukrainian farmers with carbon market opportunities.

[1] https://mepr.gov.ua/files/images/2021/29042021/Analytical%20Report_%20Project_EN.PDF

Duties and Responsibilities

2. Objectives of the assignment

The main objective of the assignment is to evaluate carbon farming perspectives and develop a roadmap to provide Ukrainian farmers with new carbon market opportunities based on study of existing carbon markets and relevant practices in agriculture. The international consultant will work closely with the Energy and Environment Team Leader, Project Manager of the Supporting Green Recovery in Ukraine project.

3. Scope of services

The key role of the international consultant will include support for developing an enhanced strategic vision, strengthened project oversight:

1) overview and analysis of existing voluntary carbon markets worldwide with relevant recommendations for Ukraine. Special emphasis should be given to mechanisms applied in case of agriculture, relevant recent developments, including about agricultural carbon buyers and sellers, carbon credit prices, and possibilities to participate in the markets by Ukrainian agricultural producers;

2) overview and analysis of existing compulsory carbon markets worldwide with relevant recommendations for Ukraine. Special emphasis should be given to EU Emissions Trading System and EU carbon farming initiative through the prism of Ukraine opportunities;

3) analysis of existing carbon farming potential in Ukraine. Special emphasis should be given to existing and needed carbon trading elements, including GHG footprint calculation methodologies, data verification, carbon credit/certificate issuance, carbon credit sellers and potential buyers, other components. Proposals of relevant and concrete market participants to make pilot carbon sales happen in the country should be developed as well.

4. Measurable outputs of the work assignment/deliverables

Deliverables

[list them as referred to in the TOR]

Percentage of Total Price (Weight for payment)

Due Date

Deliverable 1: Summary report with overview and analysis of existing voluntary carbon markets worldwide with relevant recommendations for Ukraine. Special emphasis should be given to mechanisms applied in case of agriculture, relevant recent developments, including about agricultural carbon buyers and sellers, carbon credit prices, and possibilities to participate in the markets by Ukrainian agricultural producers

20%

Three weeks after the start of assignment

Deliverable 2: Summary report with overview and analysis of existing compulsory carbon markets worldwide with relevant recommendations for Ukraine. Special emphasis should be given to EU Emissions Trading System and EU carbon farming initiative through the prism of Ukraine opportunities

20%

Five weeks after the start of assignment

Deliverable 3: Summary report with analysis of existing carbon farming potential in Ukraine. Special emphasis should be given to existing and needed carbon trading elements, including GHG footprint calculation methodologies, data verification, carbon credit/certificate issuance, carbon credit sellers and potential buyers, other components. Proposals of relevant and concrete market participants to make pilot carbon sales happen in the country should be developed as well

40%

Eight weeks after the start of assignment

Deliverable 4: Final study report to incorporate prepared materials with findings and recommendations for Ukraine. Two presentations on study findings to relevant stakeholders in Ukraine

30%

Eleven weeks after the start of assignment

Total

100%

5. Management arrangements

The senior international consultant will report to the Energy and Environment Team Leader and Manager of Supporting Green Recover in Ukraine Project, who will be provided with written monthly reports on the progress of activities and the key challenges and opportunities.

6. Monitoring requirements / Terms of payment

The international consultant will be responsible for strategic guidance towards institutional and legislative changes needed in Ukraine to introduce Green Taxonomy Standard, as well as relative analytical work to support the change. The international consultant will work closely with the Energy and Environment Team Leader, Supporting Green Recovery Project Manager and selected local consultants.

UNDP will be the final authority to control the quality and evaluate the work. The satisfactory completion of each of the deliverables shall be subject to the endorsement of the Team Leader. Each deliverable will be delivered in a draft for comments and feedback before finalization. No reports or documents should be published or distributed to third parties without the approval of UNDP.

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). The language of the materials and reports is English.

UNDP will provide payment upon provision of each deliverable duly certified by UNDP in accordance with the schedule below:

Deliverable 1. 20%

Deliverable 2. 20%

Deliverable 3. 40****%

Deliverable 4. 30****%

Competencies

• strategic vision, strong technical and analytical capabilities;
• strong reporting and writing abilities;
• ability to work in a team, develop synergies and establish effective working relations with government counterparts, donors, NGOs and other development partners;
• strong interpersonal and communication skills, resourcefulness, initiative, maturity of judgment, tact, and negotiating skills, and the ability to cope with situations which may pose conflict;
• integrity, modelled by the UN's values and ethical standards;
• sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age;
• openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
• ability to accommodate additional demands on short notice;
• ability to work under pressure and stressful situations;
• ability to manage heavy workload and solve complex problems with minimum supervision

Required Skills and Experience

8. Required experience and qualifications

Education:

• At least advanced university degree (PhD degree will be an asset) relevant to the thematic area (e.g. Environment, Energy, Finance, Science, Physics, Climate Change, Business, Economics, Law, Engineering, or other relevant degree).

Experience:

• At least 10 years of proven working experience relevant to access to finance, carbon footprint calculation and carbon trade, legislation development, climate change mitigation;
• Extensive technical knowledge relevant to green finance, carbon voluntary and compulsory markets, carbon farming;
• Experience in EU Green Deal and related initiatives;
• Proven experience of analytical work related to carbon markets and carbon farming (at least two examples provided);
• Proven development experience in Ukraine is an asset;
• Experience with training and facilitation related to sustainable development and finance is an asset.

Languages:

• fluency in spoken and written English is a must.

9. Documents to be included when submitting the proposal

Personal CV, including information about experience in similar projects / assignments as well as the email and telephone contacts of at least three (3) professional references;

Financial proposal in line with information presented in Section 4. Measurable outputs of the work assignment/deliverables;

Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability (template may be found at https://cutt.ly/Bzs6D4A);

Description of and links to the similar projects produced and which are relevant to finance and EU legislation.

10. 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 (please, refer to Section 4 Measurable outputs of the work assignment/deliverables). 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 Cost by Components.

11. Evaluation Criteria

Criteria A: Education – 15 points max

• At least advanced university degree relevant to the thematic area (e.g. Environment, Energy, Finance, Science, Physics, Climate Change, Business, Economics, Law, Engineering, or other relevant degree) – 15 points max {15 pts – PhD in the relevant field; 13 pts – Master’s degree in the relevant field}.

Criteria B: Work Experience – 50 points max

• At least 10 years of proven working experience relevant to access to finance, application of financial instruments, legislation development, climate change mitigation – 25 points max {25 pts – 15 years and more**; 22 pts** – 12-15 years**; 20 pts** – 10-12 years};
• At least 5 years of extensive experience relevant to green finance and green bonds – 10 points max {10 pts – 5 years and more; 8 pts– 3-4 years; 7 pts – 2-3 years};
• Experience in EU Green Deal and related legislative and other initiatives in European countries – 5 points max {5 pts – 3 years and more; 4 – 2-3 years; 3 pts – 1-2 years};
• Examples of reports provided regarding analytical work related to finance and EU legislation – 10 points max {10 pts – 5 relevant reports or more, 7 pts 3-4 relevant reports, 6 pts – 2-3 relevant reports}.

Criteria C: Language Skills – 5 points

• Fluency in spoken and written English – 5 points.

Maximum available technical score – 70 points.

• Experience with training and facilitation related to sustainable development and finance is an asset in case of equal financial proposals.
• Proven development experience in Ukraine is an asset in case of equal financial proposals.

Cumulative analysis

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

• responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
• 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 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.

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Added 2 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: jobs.undp.org