Procurement Notices

The Government of Papua New Guinea - represented by the Conservation and Environmental Protection Agency (CEPA) - and the UNDP Papua New Guinea Country Office (CO) have developed a project concept for a Full-Sized Project (FSP) which seeks to support the development of more sustainable, long term revenue streams to fund the establishment and management of the system of protected areas in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

This FSP, titled ‘Sustainable financing of Papua New Guinea’s protected area network’, forms part of a modular approach to strengthening biodiversity conservation in PNG. This modular approach comprises three discrete but complementary GEF-funded projects, two of which are already under implementation. The first is the GEF-4 project, Community-based Forest and Coastal Conservation and Resource Management in Papua New Guinea project (2012-2018) which aims to develop and demonstrate community-based resource management and conservation models for communal landowners located in the Owen Stanley Range and New Britain island. The second is the GEF-5 project, Strengthening the Management Effectiveness of the National System of Protected Areas in Papua New Guinea (2015-2019) which is focused on supporting the establishment of the CEPA; facilitating the implementation of the PAP; and improving the planning and management of two demonstration conservation areas - YUS and Torricelli.

The Project Identification Form (PIF) for the FSP has been endorsed by the GEF Secretariat, and a Project Preparation Grant (PPG) approved. This PPG will support all the preparatory work required to draft and finalize all the documentation required by the GEF for CEO Endorsement. The preparatory work to be undertaken during the PPG phase will include: the collection and collation of key information; technical reviews and feasibility assessments; establishing the baseline and GEF incremental benefits for the project; the detailed design and costing of project outputs and activities; identifying the optimal management arrangements for the implementation of the project and project activities; clarifying stakeholder inputs and roles and responsibilities; and defining project performance indicators and targets. The PPG phase will be underpinned by a participatory approach, with regular consultation and working meetings with all key PPG stakeholders throughout the PPG phase. Specific attention will be given to gender issues by undertaking a gender analysis to ensure optimal involvement of women in, and beneficiation from project interventions.

The project PIF can be accessed at: https://www.thegef.org/project/sustainable-financing-papua-new-guinea%E2%80%99s-protected-area-network

Objectives:

The Protected Areas Policy (2014) provides for the establishment of a ‘Biodiversity Trust Fund’ which will provide an ‘accountable and transparent mechanism’ to administer diverse sources of funding[1] for the protected area network. The objective of this consultancy is to conduct a feasibility study on the establishment of the Trust Fund, as well as to develop a package of documentation on legal establishment of the trust fund; governance structures; staffing plans; fund-raising strategy; monitoring, evaluation and reporting requirements, etc.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Conservation Trust Fund Specialist will, under supervision of the Team Leader and in close consultation and coordination with CEPA and UNDP, work to deliver a package of services to support establishment, operationalization and mobilization of funding for a Biodiversity Trust Fund. The Conservation Trust Fund Specialist will specifically perform the following tasks:

1. Conduct a detailed assessment of the current funding sources (income) for, and financial flows (expenditure) through the: (i) protected area system and (ii) six targeted protected areas;
2. Undertake preliminary determination of the 'financing gap' for the: (i) protected area system and (ii) six targeted protected areas;
3. Conduct baseline assessment for the Financial Scorecard for the protected area system.

1. Conduct the Feasibility Study on Establishment of a Biodiversity Trust Fund (BTF) in PNG:

• During the project design, a detailed examination of the available options to establish the trust fund will be conducted to ensure that the administration of the PNG Biodiversity Trust Fund is based on a clear understanding of the potential options, benefits and risks, and is established in accordance with the best legal, regulatory and institutional options. Importantly, the assessment of options will include the option of reforming the existing Mama Graun Trust Fund to function as the PNG Biodiversity Trust Fund, and best practices of stakeholder consultations during FUNBIO establishment. The approach to be suggested for the establishment of the Trust Fund must be economically, administratively and politically feasible, and must be supported by a critical mass of stakeholders.

• Thus, this feasibility study will: establish a representative BTF reference group; identify and evaluate alternative design options for a BTF; develop an optimal design (name, legal status, objective, eligible activities and beneficiaries, governance, secretariat and operations, fund structure, fund-raising strategy, investment strategy, financial accountability and transparency) for the BTF; draft a Trust Deed
• for the BTF; and prepare a detailed 2-year road map, and associated budget, to guide the establishment, and start-up, of the optimal BTF design.

• The feasibility study report will thus comprise four parts: (i) review of alternative options for the BTF; (ii) recommendations on the optimal design for a BTF; (iii) draft Trust Deed for the BTF; and (iv) costed budget and work plan for the establishment and start-up of the BTF.

1. Conduct the Feasibility Study on Sustainable financing of PNGs protected area system:

• This feasibility study will consultatively: examine available options to establish the Trust Fund, including the option of reforming the existing Mama Graun Trust Fund to function as the PNG Biodiversity Trust Fund, and best practices of stakeholder consultations during FUNBIO establishment.
• Evaluate existing and potential sources of financing for PNGs protected areas;
• Establish baseline data for the project that serves as the basis for adopting a comprehensive sustainable financing strategy during project implementation;
• Identify priorities for developing pilot sustainable financing mechanisms; and
• Recommend an action plan for implementation of these pilot sustainable financing mechanisms at both the protected area system level and the individual protected area level.
• The feasibility study report will comprise three parts: (i) review of financing mechanisms; (ii) findings and recommendations; and (iii) action plan for implementation of pilot or demonstration programs/sites.

The International Expert is expected to deliver the following outputs:

Education and experience

• Master’s Degree in law, environmental economics, natural resource management, or related social sciences;

• Minimum 10 years of demonstrable experience in the field of biodiversity conservation focused on conservation financing;
• Proven track record on designing PA Trust Fund;
• Previous experience of working with UN/UNDP and development partners in the design and implementation of GEF-funded projects;
• Good understanding and knowledge of environment sector financing issues in the Pacific region will be an asset;
• Knowledge of, and adherence to GEF’s principles and guidelines for engagement with indigenous peoples.

Corporate Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN values and ethical standards;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability; and
• Treats all people fairly without fear or favour.

Functional Competencies

• Excellent speaking and writing skills in English are necessary;
• High level planning, organizational and time management skills, including flexibility, attention to detail and the ability to work under pressure to meet challenging deadlines;
• Analytical and problem solving skills of a high order, including the ability to formulate recommendations and advice senior management on tackling difficult scenarios;
• Leadership qualities, including the ability to make sound judgment, meet challenges constructively and creatively;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including ability to establish strong cooperative relationships with senior government officials, civil society and donors.
• Ability to quickly adapt to change, and to remain calm under pressure; and
• Proven cross-cultural communication and the ability to function effectively in an international, multicultural environment.

Evaluation

Cumulative analysis

The proposals will be evaluated using the cumulative analysis method with a split 70% technical and 30% financial scoring. The proposal with the highest cumulative scoring will be awarded the contract. Applications will be evaluated technically and points are attributed based on how well the proposal meets the requirements of the Terms of Reference using the guidelines detailed in the table below:

When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract may 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 weighting; 70%

* Financial Criteria weighting; 30%

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points in the Technical Evaluation would be considered for the Financial Evaluation. Interviews may be conducted as part of technical assessment for shortlisted proposals.

Documents to be included when submitting Consultancy Proposals

The following documents may be requested;

1. Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;
2. Signed P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references;
3. Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, and a methodology, if applicable, on how they will approach and complete the assignment. A methodology is recommended for intellectual services, but may be omitted for support services [Note: this is optional for support services]; 
4. Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided.  If an Offeror is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP.   The financial proposal must be submitted separately from other documents. If an Offeror is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP. 

The P11 form and Template for confirming availability and interest is available under the procurement section of UNDP PNG website (www.pg.undp.org ).

Lump sum contracts

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 instalments 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, living expenses, and number of anticipated working days). 

Travel

All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel.  In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.

In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed based on provision of supporting documentation.

[1] From diverse source including inter alia: PES schemes; donors; ODA; ‘green’ taxes, levies and surcharges; carbon offsets; fiscal offsets; Government Public Investment Program grants; fines; and user fees.