UNDP/GEF ADMIRE Project Mid-Term Review Consultancy GEF – Republic of the Marshall Islands- UNDP
*GEF – Republic of the Marshall Islands- UNDP* * * *Terms of Reference for the Mid-Term Review* *Title: *UNDP/GEF ADMIRE Project Mid-Term Review Consultancy *Project:* Action for the Development of Marshall Islands Renewable Energies (ADMIRE) Project *Duration: *20 days *Tentative Start Date: 7th November* *Supervisor(s): *Acting Team Leader Environment Unit, UNDP Multi Country Office; Climate Change Mitigation Technical Adviser, UNDP Asia Pacific Regional Centre in coordination with national executing agency *Duty Station: * Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) * * *1. **Introduction* *1.1. **Country Context* As a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) which has not fully exploited its potential indigenous energy sources, RMI is currently heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels, with petroleum accounting for more than 85% of the country’s commercial energy consumption. Petroleum consumption is largely responsible for GHG emissions in the RMI, mainly from the combustion of fossil fuels for power generation and in transportation. RMI, like the other Pacific Island Countries (PICs), has long been concerned about the serious impacts of human-induced climate change, natural climate variability and sea level rise in the region, particularly those impacts affecting the low-lying atolls. While it is not obligated under the UNFCCC to lower its emissions, the RMI accepts that its total emissions are nil, yet its emission per capita by PICs standard is high. To mitigate GHG emissions, the country has considered the use of renewable energy (RE) as instrumental in achieving its sustainable socio-economic development. Although a number of small-scale rural renewable energy (RE)-based electrification and small energy efficiency projects have been carried out in the country over the last two decades, their impacts have been minimal. Despite these difficult experiences, the improved understanding of the vulnerability of RMI to the adverse effects of climate change and the opportunities that RE can offer to the country’s sustainable development are key reasons for the continued but renewed effort to promote RE utilization. Furthermore, the RMI is well aware that it is economically vulnerable to the upward trend in fossil fuel prices. *1.2. **Project Summary* The Medium Sized Project (MSP) on Action for the Development of Marshall Islands Renewable Energies (ADMIRE) Project is a Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded project through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). While the Office of Environmental Planning and Policy Coordination (OEPPC) is overall project responsible, day-to-day management rest with the Ministry of Resources and Development (MR&D). The five year project began operation in June 2009 and is planned to end in June 2014. The goal of the project is the reduction of the GHG emissions from the unsustainable uses of fossil fuel (primarily diesel fuel oil) in the RMI through the utilization of the country's renewable energy (RE) resources. The project objective is the removal of barriers to the utilization of available RE resources in the country and application of renewable energy technologies (RETs). The objectives of the projects will be achieved through: (i) Increased number of RE hardware installations on the ground which enhances productivity and income generation; (ii) Enhanced institutional capacity to coordinate, finance, design, supply and maintain RE installations; (iii) Improved accessibility of capital for RE business; (iv) Strengthened legal and regulatory instruments to support RE dissemination, financing and marketing, and (v) Improved awareness, skills and knowledge. *1.3. **Project Expected Outcomes * The main expected outcome of the project is the effective utilization, and realization of benefits from the use, of the country’s feasible Renewable Energy (RE) resources. The expected outcomes per project component are as follows: - *Outcome 1:* Improved understanding of RE potential and increased number RE installations on the ground which enhances productivity and income generation - *Outcome 2:* Enhanced institutional capacity to coordinate, finance, design, supply and maintain RE installations - *Outcome 3: *Strengthened legal and regulatory instruments to support RE dissemination, financing and marketing - Outcome 4: Improved accessibility of capital for RE businesses - Outcome 5: Improved awareness, skills and knowledge - Outcome 6: Learning, Evaluation and Adaptive Management Increased *2. ** Objectives of the Mid-Term Review * The following are the overall objectives for monitoring and evaluation of GEF projects: a. To promote accountability for the achievement of GEF objectives through the assessment of results, effectiveness, processes and performance of the partners involved in GEF activities. GEF results will be monitored and evaluated for their contribution to global environmental benefits; and, b. To promote learning, feedback and knowledge sharing on results and lessons learned among the GEF and its partners, as basis for decision-making on policies, strategies, program management, and projects and to improve knowledge and performance. As defined in the GEF Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Policy, an evaluation is a systematic and impartial assessment of an activity, project, program, strategy, policy, sector, focal area or other topics. It aims at determining the relevance, impact, effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability of the interventions and contributions of the involved partners. An evaluation should provide evidence-based information that is credible, reliable and useful, enabling the timely incorporation of findings, recommendations and lessons into the decision-making processes. The specific objective is to undertake an independent and objective mid-term review (MTR) of the ADMIRE as per UNDP/GEF requirements and procedures. *3 Scope of the Mid-term Review * The scope of the mid-term review (MTR) covers the entire UNDP/GEF-funded project and its components as well as the co-financed components of the project. The MTR will assess the Project implementation taking into account the status of the project activities and outputs and the resource disbursements made up to date. The evaluation will involve analysis at two levels: component level and project level. On the component level, the following shall be assessed: · Whether there is effective relationship and communication between/among components so that data, information, lessons learned, best practices and outputs are shared efficiently, including cross-cutting issues. · Whether the performance measurement indicators and targets used in the project monitoring system are specific, measurable, achievable, reasonable and time-bounded to achieve desired project outcomes. · Whether the use of consultants has been successful in achieving component outputs. The evaluation will include such aspects as appropriateness and relevance of work plan, compliance with the work and financial plan with budget allocation, timeliness of disbursements, procurement, coordination among project team members and committees, and the UNDP country office support. Any issue or factor that has impeded or accelerated the implementation of the project or any of its components, including actions taken and resolutions made should be highlighted. Components/Activities Budget *Planned * *Activities* *Actual Accomplishment* *As per ProDoc* *Actual Expenditures* *% of Actual vs. Project Budget* On the project level, it will assess the project performance in terms of: a) Progress towards achievement of results; b) Factors affecting successful implementation and achievement of results; c) Project Management framework; and d) Strategic partnerships. *3.1 Progress towards achievement of results* (internal and within project’s control) - Is the Project making satisfactory progress in achieving project outputs vis-à-vis the targets and related delivery of inputs and activities? - Are the direct partners and project consultants able to provide necessary inputs or achieve results? - Given the level of achievement of outputs and related inputs and activities to date, is the Project likely to achieve its Immediate Purpose and Development Objectives? - Are there critical issues relating to achievement of project results that have been pending and need immediate attention in the next period of implementation? *3.2 Factors affecting successful implementation and achievement of results*(beyond the Project’s immediate control or project-design factors that influence outcomes and results) - Is the project implementation and achievement of results proceeding well and according to plan, or are there any outstanding issues, obstacles, bottlenecks, etc that are affecting the successful implementation and achievement of project results? - To what extent does the broader policy environment remain conducive to achieving expected project results, including existing and planned legislations, rules, regulations, policy guidelines and government priorities? - Is the project logical framework and design still relevant in the light of the project experience to date? - To what extent do critical assumptions/risks in project design make true under present circumstances and on which the project success still hold? Validate these assumptions as presently viewed by the project management and determine whether there are new assumptions/risks that should be raised - Is the project well-placed and integrated within the national government development strategies, such as community development, poverty reduction, etc., and related global development programs to which the project implementation should align? - Do the Project’s purpose and objectives remain valid and relevant, or are there items or components in the project design that need to be reviewed and updated? - Are the Project’s institutional and implementation arrangements still relevant and helpful in the achievement of the Project’s objectives, or are there any institutional concerns that hinder the Project’s implementation and progress? *3.3 Project management* (adaptive management framework) - Are the project management arrangements adequate and appropriate? - How effectively is the project managed at all levels? Is it results-based and innovative? - Do the project management systems, including progress reporting, administrative and financial systems and monitoring and evaluation system, operate as effective management tools, aid in effective implementation and provide sufficient basis for evaluating performance and decision making? - Is technical assistance and support from project partners and stakeholders appropriate, adequate and timely? - Validate whether the risks originally identified in the project document and, currently in the APR/PIRs, are the most critical and the assessments and risk ratings placed are reasonable. - Describe additional risks identified during the review, if any, and suggest risk ratings and possible risk management strategies to be adopted. - Assess the use of the project logical framework and work plans as management tools and in meeting with UNDP-GEF requirements in planning and reporting. - Assess the use of electronic information and communication technologies in the implementation and management of the project. - On the financial management side, assess the cost effectiveness of the interventions and note any irregularities. - How have the APR/PIR process helped in monitoring and evaluating the project implementation and achievement of results? *3.4 Strategic partnerships* (project positioning and leveraging) - Are the project partners and their other similar engagements in the ADMIRE project, strategically and optimally positioned and effectively leveraged to achieve maximum effect of the RE program objectives for the country? - Asses how project partners, stakeholders and co-financing institutions are involved in the Project’s adaptive management framework. - Identify opportunities for stronger collaboration and substantive partnerships to enhance the project’s achievement of results and outcomes. - Are the project information and progress of activities disseminated to project partners and stakeholders? Are there areas to improve in the collaboration and partnership mechanisms? *4 Evaluation Methodology* The successful MTR consultant is expected to become well versed as to the project objectives, historical developments, institutional and management mechanisms, activities and status of accomplishments. Information will be gathered through document review, group and individual interviews and site visits At the beginning of the mission in RMI, the successful MTR consultant will conduct an inception meeting with key stakeholders including OEPPC, MR&D, Marshall Energy Company (MEC), and the RMI Country Development Manager (UNDP/UNICEF/UNFPA) be followed by a de-briefing meeting to discuss the preliminary findings and recommendations (prior to the submission of the draft Final Report). Prior to the mission to RMI, the successful MTR consultant shall review relevant documents including: · UNDP ADMIRE Project Document and GEF MSP Brief · ADMIRE Inception Workshop Report · Annual Work Plans/Budgets · Annual Project Report/Project Implementation Review (API/PIR) for 2009-2010 and 2010-2011respectively · Quarterly progress reports (QPRs) · Financial reports (FRs) · Combined Delivery Reports (CDRs) · Minutes from ADMIRE Project Steering Committee meetings · Internal monitoring results including UNDP mission reports · MoU – ADMIRE/North REP The successful MTR consultant should at least interview the following people and organisations: · OEPPC, Director · Acting Project Manager, ADMIRE, OEPPC · MR&D, Secretary · Energy Advisor, MR&D · Energy Specialist, North REP · RMI Country Development Manager (CDM), UNDP/UNICEF/UNFPA · UNDP Fiji Multi-country Office (MCO) in Suva · UNDP/GEF UNDP Regional Technical Advisor for Climate Change Mitigation in the Pacific (based in Suva) With the aim of having an objective and independent review, the MTR consultant is expected to conduct the project review according to international criteria and professional norms and standards as adopted by the UN Evaluation Group ( http://www.unevaluation.org/documentdownload?doc_id=21&file_id=562 ). * * *5 Qualifications and Experience * The successful Individual consultant is expected to have the following qualifications and experience: a) Professional and academic qualifications in the areas of energy and environment or other relevant fields; b) Proven track record of very extensive experience in project and program monitoring and evaluation (M&E) preferably in the context of GEF, in general, and UNDP/GEF, in particular; c) Knowledge of renewable energy and climate change projects and national context of renewable energy project and program implementation in Pacific Island Countries (PICs) including RMI (or alternatively familiarity in similar country or regional situations relevant to that of RMI); d) Experience in RMI or other PICs is considered an asset; and, e) Excellent working knowledge of English both spoken and written. *6. Evaluation Schedule and Deliverables * The MTR mission to RMI is tentatively planned to commence on 7th November, 2011. A review report will be produced, highlighting important observations, analysis of information and key conclusions including its recommendations. The Mid-term Review Report will include, among others: · Findings on the project implementation achievements, challenges, and difficulties to date; · Assessments of the progress made towards the attainment of outcomes; · Recommendations for modifications and the future course of action; and, · Lessons learned from the project structure, coordination between different agencies, experience of the implementation, and output/outcome. The draft report will be initially shared with the ADMIRE PMO to solicit comments or clarifications and will be presented to the UNDP Country Office (CO) in Suva, Fiji for further deliberations. Consequently, the final MTR Report will be made and submitted to the UNDP CO with a copy to the ADMIRE PMO. *There will be two main deliverables:* · *A de-brief power-point presentation with preliminary findings and recommendations of the MTE; and, *** · *Mid-Term Review report, including an executive summary, fulfilling the requirements set out in this Terms of Reference (TOR). The final report is to be cleared and accepted by UNDP MCO in Suva, Fiji before final payment. The final report (including executive summary, but excluding annexes) should not exceed 50 pages.*** * * *Proposed Methodology and Timelines* The successful consultant shall be engaged to undertake the review working according to a planned schedule to be completed before end of November 2011. The successful contractor will have the responsibility of organizing and completing the review, submitting the final report. * * The successful consultant is expected to propose a detailed work plan to achieve the expected outputs within time. * * * * * * * * *Proposal Submission* Proposals should contain the following information i) *Technical proposal* including a P11 form (available on the UNDP website < www.undp.org.fj>), an updated current CV, contact details of at least three referees and a cover letter setting out: - How the applicant meets the selection criteria - Evaluation approach and methodology *ii) **Financial Proposal* The consultant is requested to provide a proposal or quotation of the fees/cost for the services which will be rendered using the following format and *should be separate from the technical proposal*. * * - Daily Consultancy rate - Air Ticket (To & fro home country/duty station - Living Allowance (based on the number of days spent at the respective duty station) - Other miscellaneous expenses (please state) ** *Payment Schedule* a) Twenty per cent (20%) of the maximum payable Consultancy Fee [Professional Service] will be paid upon acceptance of a consultation report. b) Thirty per cent (40%) will be paid within seven (7) working days of receipt and acceptance by the United Nations Development Program of a draft Mid-term Review report and draft cabinet paper highlighting major findings of the evaluation. c) The remaining forty (40%) will be paid within seven (7) working days of the acceptance by the United Nations Development Program of the final Mid-term Review Report and final cabinet paper highlighting major findings of the evaluation; * * *Evaluation Method* Individual consultants will be evaluated using the UNDP cumulative analysis method. – Combination of the weighted technical and financial score to obtain the total score. 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. Only technically qualified proposals will be further considered for financial evaluation. The designated weights for the technical and financial criteria are 70% and 30% respectively. A *Technical* *(70%)* i) Professional and academic qualifications in the areas of energy and environment or other relevant fields; 15% ii) Extensive experience in project and program monitoring and evaluation (M&E) preferably in the context of GEF, in general, and UNDP/GEF, in particular 20% iii) Knowledge of renewable energy and climate change projects and national context of renewable energy project and program implementation in Pacific Island Countries (PICs) including RMI (or alternatively familiarity in similar country or regional situations relevant to that of RMI); 20% vi) Experience in RMI or other PICs Pacific Island Countries 10% vii) Excellent working knowledge of English both spoken and written** 5% B *Financial * *(30%)* *Total* *(100%)* *APPLICATIONS SUBMISSION* All applications must include a Results-Oriented Curriculum Vitae with full contact details of three referees and P-11 form to be submitted by* Tuesday, 25th October, 5:30PM Fiji Time *either electronically to ronald.kumar@undp.org or addressed under confidential cover to: * * Attention: Mr. Ronald Kumar Mid Term Evaluation of Action for the Development of Marshall Islands Renewable Energies (ADMIRE) Project C/-- The Resident Representative United Nations Development Programme Multi Country Office Private Mail Bag or Level 8, Kadavu House (414 Victoria Parade) Suva Fiji. * * Incomplete & joint proposals will not be considered and only candidates for whom there is further interest will be contacted. Additional information including Results-Oriented Curriculum vitae format is available from the UNDP website: www.undp.org.fj or the UNDP Office. *Women candidates are encouraged to apply.* **The Fiji Office covers Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu* * * *Further Information*** For further information concerning this Terms of Reference, Ms. Emma Mario, Acting Environment Team Leader, UNDP-MCO, Suva, on email emma.mario@undp.org/ telephone (679) 3312500 |
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