International Consultant to support the LEPL National Environmental Agency of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia (MEPA) in developing the Roadmap for Updatin

Contract

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

Background

Protection of soils is very important for Georgia as soil contributes to basic human needs by supporting, food provision and water purification while acting as a significant store for organic carbon and habitat for extremely diverse biological communities.

Protection and rational use of Georgia’s soil are regulated by the Law of Georgia on Soil Protection (https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/93874?publication=9). The law addresses the rational use of all types of soils, including barren soil, saline soil, swamped soil, salt marsh soil, alkali soil, and wetland soil which are the main reserve of dynamic development of agriculture and the national economy. The prevention measures for soil erosion are set by the Law of Georgia on Soil Conservation and Restoration-Improvement of soil Fertility (https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/14938?publication=9). The law provides provisions for the maximum permitted limits of hazardous substances in soil, as well as provisions related to the application of pesticides and agrochemicals.

Resilient and healthy soils are important to help reduce ecological and economic impact from unsustainable, intensive land use and weather extremes caused by climate change. Healthy soils are an integral element of the European Green Deal (https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/default/files/european-green-deal-communication_en.pdf) and are addressed under environmental measures of the Common Agricultural Policy (https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/sustainability/environmental-sustainability/cap-and-environment_en#:~:text=The%20common%20agricultural%20policy%20(CAP,enhancing%20biodiversity. The importance of soil is reflected in the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with SDG Goal 15 – Life on Land which directly relates to soil quality and protection.

Although the National Regulatory Framework is in place to regulate the rational use of soils and set prevention measures, the proper monitoring mechanism to detect healthy and degraded soils is not in place. At present, soil pollution assessment in Georgia is carried out in accordance with the maximum permissible concentrations determined in the methodical guidelines for assessing the degree of risk of soil contamination with chemical substances. However, the methodical guideline and existing monitoring practice is outdated and could not provide a realistic assessment of Georgia’s Soil.

In order to meet international obligations and ensure sustainable soil management, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture (MEPA) has requested UNDP to provide technical assistance to the National Environmental Agency (NEA) through international and national expertise to develop the roadmap for updating soil quality monitoring and assessment system and elaborate the new soil quality standards to ensure comprehensive monitoring of Georgia’s soil.

Duties and Responsibilities

The international consultant is expected to analyse the current situation regarding soil quality monitoring, the methodology used for soil quality monitoring including planning, sampling, analyses, and assessment. The International consultant will work in a team with the national consultant responsible for providing inputs from a national perspective and supporting organizational arrangements.

The scope of work for the international consultant will include, but may not be limited to:

• Asses the methodology used for Georgia’s soil quality monitoring;
• Study EU soil monitoring practices relevant to Georgia’s context;
• Conduct consultation meetings with the key stakeholders in cooperation with the National Consultant;
• Develop new soil quality standards in compliance with the EU practices;
• Elaborate draft Roadmap on soil quality monitoring and assessment system taking into account specific soil mechanical composition and incorporating;
• Conduct a workshop to present the draft roadmap and new soil quality standards to key stakeholders;
• Finalize the roadmap based on the solicited feedback from MEPA and its agencies;
• Prepare a final consultancy report, including all accomplishments and work performed within the consultancy.

Deliverables and payment modality:

The payment schedule is given below and will be made upon competition, submission and approval of deliverables by the supervisor

60% of the consultancy fee - Deliverable 1 end of December 2022

1. Assessment of the methodology used for Georgia’s soil quality monitoring.
2. Set of inputs on Gap analysis of regulatory framework on existing soil quality monitoring and assessment system provided by the National Consultant.
3. Report on EU soil monitoring practices including recommendations on good EU practice relevant to Georgia’s context.
4. Conducted three consultation meetings with the key stakeholders organized by the National Consultant.
5. Developed new soil quality standards.

40% of the consultancy fee - Deliverable 1 end of February 2023

6. Draft Roadmap on updating of soil quality monitoring and assessment system.

7. Conducted workshop to present the draft Roadmap and new soil quality standards to key stakeholders for their feedback.

8. Final Soil Quality Monitoring Roadmap submitted to MEPA.

9. Final consultancy report, including all accomplishments and work performed within the consultancy.

Competencies

Core competencies

• Demonstrated commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

Functional competencies

Knowledge Management and Learning:

• Shares knowledge and experience.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

• Ability to undertake analytical work and prepare narrative parts of working papers, reports and studies.
• Strong communication skills.
• Advanced computer skills including Microsoft Office and web-based applications.
• Proven ability to deliver quality output working under tight deadlines.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills.
• Strong and proven research and analytical skills.

Leadership and Self-Management:

• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback.
• Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills.
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills.

• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors.

• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.

• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in the field of environmental management, environmental science, soil management, environmental engineering, biology, and/or any related field, Bachelor’s degree - 13 points (minimum requirement); Master’s degree – additional 2 points - 15 Points.

Experience:

• At least three years of professional experience in the development of comprehensive monitoring and evaluation systems of soil quality in the EU countries - 3 years – 7 points (minimum requirement); more than 3 years – additional 3 points - 10 Points.
• At least two years of proven working experience in support of capacity development related to Soil Quality Monitoring and Evaluation systems 2 years – 10 Points (minimum requirement); more than 2 years – additional 5 points - 15 Points.
• At least two years of proven working experience in worldwide collaboration with government agencies in supporting the development of strategic documents related to sustainable management of soil 2 years – 5 Points (minimum requirement); more than 2 years – additional 2 points - 7 Points.
• Proven working experience in Georgia will be an asset - 3 Points.

Language Requirements:

• Excellent English skills (both written and verbal).

Evaluation:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the cumulative analysis method. Offerors will be evaluated against a combination of technical and financial criteria. The maximum obtainable score is 100, out of which the total score for technical criteria equals to 70 and for financial criteria – to 30.

Offerors that do not meet Minimum Qualification Criteria will be automatically rejected, while the rest will form up the long list. The offerors who obtain minimum 35 points as a result of the desk review will be invited for the interview.

Offerors who pass 70% threshold, i.e. obtain minimum 14 points, as a result of the interview will be requested the financial proposal.

Financial Proposal

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. Maximum 30 points will be assigned to the lowest price offer. All other price offers will be scored using the formula (inverse proportion): Financial score X = 30* the lowest price offer/suggested price offer. All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal as well.