Short-term Lao National Consultant: Climate Resilient Rural Infrastructure Specialist

Lao PDR has been granted funds under the Least Development Countries Fund (LDCF) administered by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to prepare a project linked to the provision of small scale rural infrastructure, with specific focus on water resources, benefitting rural communities vulnerable to drought and flooding in the South of the country. The southern provinces are particularly vulnerable to drought and are facing longer and deeper dry seasons, as well as frequent delays in the onset of the rainy season. Local authorities need additional investment and technical support in ensuring that critical ecosystem functions, which underpin service provision with respect to small scale infrastructure provision, are not undermined by the changing climate. This grant money will be utilized to conduct preparatory assessments and consultations for the formulation of a full-size, UNDP/GEF compliant project document. The main project components to be designed include: (i) strengthening planning, budgeting and budget implementation to reduce climate and disaster related risks; (ii) providing small scale rural infrastructure investments to address and minimize climate risks; (iii) and ensuring that infrastructure investment is linked to and underpinned by natural systems by securing critical ecosystem services and assets. In this connection, UNDP Lao PDR seeks a qualified short-term Lao national expert to fill the position of a Climate Resilient Rural Infrastructure Specialist, working alongside an international project development specialist and national ecosystems specialist. For detailed information, please refer to the Terms of Reference (TOR) and General Terms and Conditions for Individual Consultants which can be downloaded at http://www.undplao.org/vacancies/procurementnotice.php

Duties and Responsibilities

For detailed information, please refer to the Terms of Reference (TOR) and General Terms and Conditions for Individual Consultants which can be downloaded at http://www.undplao.org/vacancies/procurementnotice.php Component 1 - Technical Definition and Capacity Needs Assessment: Data collection on existing rural infrastructure development policies and plans at district level; Summarize the current state of relevant climate risk and vulnerability analysis available in the country, and identify major gaps, with a focus on the southern provinces; Identify and review existing vulnerability studies with a focus on rural infrastructure; Identify menu of suitable district level climate resilient infrastructure investments with a focus on water resources; contribute to the development of a district level adaptation financing mechanism, based on the existing district block grant system; Assess existing capacities at sector and province levels to assess and use climate science information in rural infrastructure development planning – both in terms of functional and technical capacities for organizations and individuals; Design a programme to enhance existing capacities to better integrate climate science into local development planning, with a specific focus on the needs and priorities of women; Assess existing awareness of target communities of climate hazards, risk, and adaptation strategies and methods. Component 2 – Institutional Arrangements, Monitoring and Evaluation: Assist in the design of a Strategic Results Framework and the delineation of indicative project activities, specifically with respect to the rural infrastructure elements of the proposed project; Define key project roles, responsibilities and suitable project management arrangements for the project and specifically with respect to the rural infrastructure elements; Develop a replication and sustainability strategy for the project. Component 3 – Stakeholder Consultations and Involvement: Coordinate negotiations and consultations with government agencies, project stakeholders and potential project partners to collect input and define a basic project strategy; Analyze the existing stakeholder baseline of the project by inventorying relevant stakeholders and developing a stakeholder involvement plan for the project. This will require very specific consideration of the particular vulnerabilities faced by ethnic minorities; Carry out selected community based consultations to assess existing vulnerabilities to help support project design including selection of sample districts and proposed adaptation interventions on the ground; Undertake baseline survey as a basis for elaboration of the GEF specific Adaptation Monitoring framework and indicators (AMAT). Component 4 – Financial Planning and Co-financing Definition Support the International Project Development Specialist in financial management planning and identifying and finalizing project co-financing requirements. Preparation of project document: Liaise with the International Project Development Specialist and provide him/her with local assessment information needed to formulate a complete, UNDP/GEF compliant full-size project document.

Competencies

Experience in the use of computers and office software packages, and in the handling of web based management systems.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications: Postgraduate degree or equivalent education in civil engineering ideally with a focus on environmentally appropriate approaches. Experience: At least 5 years of demonstrated experience in project management and development; Experience and skills in facilitation or multi-stakeholder workshops and broad-based consultative processes; Previous experience of working with International Organisations and ideally on the development of GEF; Excellent analytical skills; Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English. All interested and qualified candidates should apply on-line through the UNDP website at http://www.undplao.org/vacancies/procurementnotice.php or http://jobs.undp.org/ UNDP Lao PDR will only accept applications submitted on-line. Documents to be included when submitting the proposals: or Documents to be included when submitting the proposals: Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications: Proposal explaining why they are the most suitable for the work; and providing a brief methodology on how they will approach and conduct the work (if applicable); CV including past experience in similar project and at least 3 references; Detailed financial proposal: Lump sum offer with clear cost breakdown (international travel, consultancy fee and per diem). Note: 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). All envisaged travel costs, insurance must be included in the financial proposal. UNDP accept travel costs not exceeding of an economy class ticket. Instructions for on-line submissions: Step 1: Please prepare all required documents electronically; Step 2: Combine all documents in ONE SINGLE FILE (preferably in PDF however Word formats can be also accepted) and upload to the UNDP Jobs using the link above; Step 3: You will receive an automatic response to your email confirming receipt of your application by the system. Evaluation of Proposals. Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodologies: Cumulative analysis: The award of the contract will 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; [ 0.7] * Financial Criteria weight; [ 0.3] Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 70 points. Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 point would be considered for the Financial Evaluation. Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 30 points Technical Evaluation Form -1 Points Name of Consultant Max 70 1.1 At least 7 years experience in rural infrastructure projects in Lao or Mekong region None or no relevance - 0 Rural Infrastructure – 10 Rural infrastructure and water resources – 20 20 1.2 Appropriate higher degree qualifications None or no relevance - 0 Bachelor degree - 5 Master degree - 10 10 1.3 Project design experience for development projects in the infrastructure sector None - 0 5 years - 10 5 years including experience with GEF projects - 20 20 1.4 Proven experience in Climate Change adaptation None: - 0 Climate Change: - 10 Climate Change Adaptation: - 20 20 Sub-total for Technical Evaluation 70 Financial (Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 30 points) Lowest technically acceptable offer will receive highest score i.e. 30 points 30 Total max points obtainable Technical + Financial 100 Note: Any request for clarification must be sent in writing to the following e-mail diyer.rasulov@undp.org

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Short-term Lao National Consultant: Climate Resilient Rural Infrastructure Specialist