National Individual Consultant to conduct the Impact assessment for the project on “Addressing Barriers to Adoption of Improved Charcoal Production Technologies and Sustainable Land Manageme

Contract

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Background

Overview :

According to FAO, about half the wood extracted worldwide from forests is used to produce energy, mostly for cooking and heating. Of all the wood used as fuel worldwide, about 17 percent is converted to charcoal[1].

As of 2018, 37% of the world population (2.8 billion people) did not have access to clean cooking fuels and technologies, and therefore relied widely on non-renewable biomass to satisfy their energy needs[2]. From 2010 to 2018, the annual rate of access to clean cooking fuels and technologies increased by less than one percentage point as population growth outpaced the number of those with access. This lack of progress is adversely affecting development towards a range of SDGs, considering the significant negative impacts associated with traditional biomass burning methods on ecosystems, climate and health. In addition, biomass-based fuels typically rely on a deeply rooted informal supply chain presenting intricated social, economic, legal, and environmental challenges. If the decade of action is to lead to the achievement of universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services by 2030, urgent action is needed to tackle this issue and find alternative solutions that are viable and align with the SDGs.

UNDP has a long history of projects mitigating the use of unsustainable biomass for energy production, in particular in the clean cooking space. An assessment conducted in 2019 in the Asia-Pacific region identified eleven clean cooking projects implemented in eight countries by UNDP as of 2018, that led to the dissemination of more than 160,000 improved cookstoves. Along with WHO, UN DESA and the World Bank, UNDP launched in 2019 the Health and Energy Platform of Action[3] (HEPA), a multi-stakeholder partnership aiming at strengthening the political and technical cooperation between the health and energy sectors. Clean cooking is one of the two initial priority areas, along with the electrification of healthcare facilities. This initiative is fully aligned with UNDP Strategic Plan 2018-2021 and its Strategy Note on Sustainable Energy, which emphasize the crucial role of energy access in helping countries end extreme poverty, reduce inequalities and achieve the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

In order to strengthen UNDP’s interventions to mitigate the use of unsustainable biomass for energy production and accelerate changes on the ground, an assessment of existing experience, challenges and lessons learnt globally is necessary to inform the design of new projects moving forward. By reviewing a sample of relevant projects conducted by UNDP worldwide over the past 10 years, this study will provide a comprehensive overview of the range of interventions performed, and spot particularly challenging projects that would deserve enhanced scrutiny and monitoring to ensure the achievement of their expected outcomes.

One of the projects selected for this review is “A****d****d****ressing Barriers to Adoption of Improved Charcoal Production Technologies and Sustainable Land Management Practices through an Integrated Approach in Uganda.

The overall goal of this project is “Improved charcoal production technologies and sustainable land management practices through an integrated approach in Uganda.”

It is against this background, that UNDP intends to engage the services of a National Individual Consultant to conduct the Impact assessment for the project on “Addressing Barriers to Adoption of Improved Charcoal Production Technologies and Sustainable Land Management Practices through an Integrated Approach” project.

[1] The charcoal transition, Greening the charcoal value chain to mitigate climate change and improve local livelihoods, FAO, 2017.

[2] https://trackingsdg7.esmap.org/

[3] The key elements of the Global Health and Energy Platform of Action are included in the publication 'ACCELERATING SDG 7 ACHIEVEMENT - SDG 7 Policy briefs in support of the high-level political forum 2019', published by UNDESA in 2019.

Application Process

Applicants are requested to apply online at http://jobs.undp.org by 13th October 2022. The application document can be accessed on https://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=96258. Candidates are invited to submit applications together with their CV for these positions. UNDP applies a fair and transparent selection process that will consider the competencies/skills of the applicants as well as their financial proposals. Qualified women and members of social minorities are encouraged to apply. Interested applicants should send an email to: ug.procurement@undp.org for any inquiries.

PLEASE NOTE THAT – UNDP DOES NOT CHARGE ANY FEES AT ANY STAGE OF ITS PROCUREMENT PROCESSES. UNDP HAS ZERO TOLERANCE FOR FRAUD AND CORRUPTION, MEANING THAT UNDP STAFF MEMBERS, NON-STAFF PERSONNEL, VENDORS, IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS AND RESPONSIBLE PARTIES ARE NOT TO ENGAGE IN FRAUD OR CORRUPTION

Duties and Responsibilities

The overall objective of the global study conducted by UNDP is to get a comprehensive overview of the projects UNDP has been supporting in the last 10 years globally for the reduction of unsustainable biomass use for energy production, identify their main implementation challenges to inform the design of new projects and set up a more efficient monitoring and evaluation mechanism for this category of projects. Examples of such projects include clean cooking projects (improved cookstoves, switch to biogas or LPG, etc.) and more energy efficient industry processes.

In Uganda more specifically, UNDP aims to perform a deep-dive assessment of the “Addressing Barriers to Adoption of Improved Charcoal Production Technologies and Sustainable Land Management Practices through an Integrated Approach project” to review in particular aspects related to sustainability, environmental soundness, health considerations, risks and safeguards[1], quality assurance and oversight, calculation, monitoring and reporting of GHG emissions reduction, use of carbon credits, among others.

This assessment will be conducted by one International Consultant (home-based) who will work in tandem with one National Consultant (these TORs) in charge of the field work. This arrangement will best manage travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is expected that the assessment will include 12 working days for the National Consultant and 8 working days for the International Consultant.

The assessment will include:

• A desk review of relevant documentation on the project (project document, SESP, risk log, progress reports, mid-term review, final evaluation, any report done by external parties, minutes of Project Board, etc.);
• Extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders, in particular local civil society organizations and NGOs (e.g. Global Forest Coalition);
• Field missions by the national consultant on the project site(s) to assess the results and impacts. Field missions will be in the districts including Mubende, Kiboga, Nakaseke and Kiryandongo.

Prior to starting the assignment, the National Consultant, in collaboration with the International Consultant, will be expected to develop a detailed methodology describing the various aspects that will be assessed and how these assessments will be conducted (see first deliverable below).

[1] The review of social and environmental safeguards will be guided by the relevant version of UNDP Social and Environmental Standards (2015 or 2021) that applied to the project under consideration. For more details, see https://www.undp.org/accountability/social-and-environmental-responsibility/social-and-environmental-standards.

Competencies

Functional

• Demonstrated ability to successfully engage with a diversity of stakeholders.
• Able to communicate effectively to a varied audience in a simple and concise manner.
• Capable of working in a high- pressure environment and managing multiple tasks while meeting strict deadlines with focus on quality results.
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills.
• Exercises the highest level of responsibility and be able to handle confidential and politically sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner.

Corporate

• 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, treating all people fairly without favoritism.

Required Skills and Experience

I. Academic Qualifications:

• At least Master’s degree in environmental sciences, natural resource management, energy, forestry, or other relevant field, or extensive compensating experience in relevant, technical fields.

II. Years of experience:

• At least 5 years of relevant work experience in the area of social and environmental safeguards with proven experience conducting Environmental and Social Impact Assessments, preferably for biomass energy projects.
• Previous experience with results-based monitoring and evaluation methodologies.
• Excellent analytical and drafting skills are required.
• Previous experience with UNDP and GEF is highly desirable.