Procurement Notices

Background

Mexico is a Party to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer and is committed to phase-out its ODS consumption, including the total phase-out of the HCFCs by the year 2040. The Parties to the Montreal Protocol agreed through Decision XIX/6 on the “Adjustment to the Montreal Protocol with regard to Annex C, Group I substances (HCFCs)” to “accelerate the phase-out of production and consumption of the hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)”, and the Article 5 (A5) countries have been requested to prepare and implement individual HCFC Phase-out Management Plans (HPMPs) through a staged approach.

Mexico has prepared a first stage HCFC Phase out Management Plan (HPMP) with funding from the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol (MLF).

The funding received covered Stage 1 activities for the period from 2011 to 2015 to meet a 10% reduction in HCFC consumption and such activities include the conversion of most of the polyurethane (PU) foam industry to non-ODS/low-GWP alternatives to the HCFCs that are currently used as blowing agent.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is one of the 4 Implementing Agencies (IA) designated by the Multilateral Fund (MLF) to implement the Montreal Protocol´s Ozone Depletion Substances (ODS) phase-out projects, as has been chosen by the Government of Mexico as cooperating agency to support the country in phase-out HCFC-141b consumption at the PU Foam sector.

The HPMP implementation involves:

• Transfer of HCFC phase-out Technologies;
• Implementation of HCFC phase-out projects in the Polyurethane (PU) Foams sector;
• Verification of Compliance with pertinent requirements concerning ODS depletion, low GWP levels and process safety

During implementation it was noted that the Mexican market was tilting towards lower foam densities that were not always possible with oxygenated hydrocarbons (HCOs such as methyl formate and methylal), which were major and very cost-effective newly developed HCFC replacements.  The issue was resolved by using HFCs as co-blowing agent, but these substances have very high GWPs.  The substitution of HFCs by low GWP hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) co-blended with Methylal and Methyl Formate might deliver solution to these issues. However, known the flammable nature of HCOs, and by inference possible flammability issues with HCO/HFO blends, such chemicals, an expert in flammability issues is required under this TOR to deliver support services to the implementation team of the project.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Expert will work with UNDP, under the guidance of the Senior International Expert of UNDP, and upon supervision of the Montreal Protocol Unit (MPU/BPPS) Programme Coordinator and with the National Ozone Unit (NOU) of Mexico. The successful candidate will carry-out the following services:

• Deliver technical guidance to System Houses, Chemical and Equipment suppliers and to the Project Team to assess the risks and opportunities of using HCO/HFO blends as blowing agents;
• Select and, where needed, design and execute flammability tests and protocols to validate such feasibility to assess the properties of systems based on HCO/HFO blends;
• Provide assistance to the cooperating (blowing agent manufacturers) and beneficiary companies (local System Houses) in this project;
• Provide assistance to the beneficiary companies on the general issues associated with safe implementation and technology phase-in.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling 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
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
• Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Functional Competencies:

• Ability to analyses policy documents and make constructive policy suggestions;
• Strong interpersonal, communication and diplomatic skills, ability to work in a team;
• Capacity building skills and flexibility depending on the public;
• Demonstration of commitment to the Project’s mission, vision and values;
• Good writing and reporting skills;
• Good presentation skills;
• Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations, and to meet tight deadlines.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• First-level university degree in engineering, chemistry or related field - 10 points
• Advanced-level degree is desirable -10 points

Experience:

• Working experience of at least 10 years in T.A. for PU Foams industry - 15 points
• Expertise in flammability, regulatory and ecotoxicology issues - 20 points
• Intimate knowledge on the use of PU foam blowing agents is highly desirable - 10 points
• Experience in R&D of systems and/or pother polymers is highly desirable - 10 points
• Knowledge of Montreal Protocol related policy/issues is highly desirable - 10 points
• Working experience in developing countries - 5 points

Language:

• Fluency in English (speaking, writing) - 10 points

Technical Capabilities (70%): the candidate will be evaluated and scored against the above criterion.

Duration

The contract will enter into effect upon signature by both parties and will have duration of 6 (six) months.

Duty Station

Home based, with possible missions to project participants in Mexico, as detailed below.

Fees & Payments

Candidates shall quote his/her services on a Deliverable basis, and this quotation shall include all travel costs needed to the attendance of planned missions. Missions not foreseen shall be paid to the consultant as per IC Rules and Principles

The consultant will receive payment based on the deliverables identified below

A Best value for Money approach will be used in the evaluation of the applicants, and will lead to a combined score for technical capabilities and the financial offer.

Expected Deliverables (Outputs) and missions for the duration of the Contract

Deliverable 1 (20 %) - Initial Report on the project implementation proposal supported by consultation taken with participants (chemical suppliers, Mexican system houses, UNDP representatives) delivered.

Mission 1 -  Mexico, Guadalajara. December 2015, (3 days length).

Deliverable 2 (40 %) -  Testing protocols and detailed guidance on flammable issues related to PU formulation during project implementation delivered.

Home based

Deliverable 3 (40 %) -  Final assessment on flammability and liability of systems and Report delivered on the findings of demonstration project.

Mission 3 - Mexico, city of Mexico City / July, 2015 (3 days length).

Financial Proposal (30%) -  Based on their assessed technical capabilities, the candidates will receive the standard format that they must fill out to submit their financial offer.

If you would like to apply for this position please make reference to the UNDP jobs website, http://jobs.undp.org/  Application deadline is 03 July, 2015.