| Overview : Purpose To prepare Concept note and pre-feasibility study (Phase I) and Full proposal package with feasibility study and required annexes (Phase II) for resilient agriculture project to be submitted to the GCF Secretariat; Objective To support UNDP CO in developing GCF Concept note and Full proposal package fully compliant with GCF rules and standards; Background Information UNDP is one of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) accredited Entities. The GCF is a financial operating entity of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which is established in compliance with Article 11 of the Convention to contribute significantly to the collective efforts of the international community to combat climate change. The Republic of Serbia is eligible for submission of project proposals to the Green Climate Fund, with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management acting as the National Designated Authority (NDA). The Green Climate Fund’s vision is to support a paradigm shift to low-emission and climate resilient development. It is driven by innovation and targets its investments for transformational impacts. The Fund has identified the following eight impact areas which will deliver major mitigation and adaptation benefits: Shifting to low-emission sustainable development pathways (mitigation) through: (i) Low-emission energy access and power generation, (ii) Low-emission transport, (iii) Energy efficient buildings, cities and industries, and (iv) Sustainable land use and forest management. Increasing climate-resilient sustainable development (adaptation) for: (v) Enhanced resilience of livelihoods of the most vulnerable people, communities, and regions, (vi) Increased resilience of health and well-being, and food and water security, (vii) Resilient infrastructure and built environment to climate change threats, and (viii) Resilient ecosystems. In addition to this, GCF has established six criteria in its Investment Framework to guide its investment decisions: (i) impact potential, (ii) paradigm shift potential, (iii) sustainable development potential, (iv) needs of the recipient, (v) country ownership, and (vi) efficiency and effectiveness. Project Description Agricultural sector is an important segment of Serbia’s economy. It employs 21.3% of workforce and contributes to 23.4% of Serbia’s export. The sector generates around 17% of Serbia’s GDP, including from agricultural production – 10,6% and food industry – 6,4%. The most important agricultural products in Serbia are: maize, wheat, sunflower, sugar beet, soybean, potato, apple, plums, grapes, pork meat, beef, poultry meat and dairy. According to the IPPC 5th Report, the region of South-East Europe, within which Serbia is located, is among the most vulnerable to the negative effects of climate change. The temperature increase will have different trends in different seasons, and more significant increase may be expected during summer months (3.2°C–3.6°C). Advancing to the end of the century, bioclimatic conditions will become more arid on the whole territory of Serbia. The situation is more complex when it comes to the expected levels of precipitation. Three main potential impacts of climate change on water resources are related to problems regarding the scarcity (availability) of water, the quality of water and the intensity and frequency of floods and droughts. The results of numerous models show that only due to the changes in the annual sum of precipitation the average flow of the streams may be lower (until 2020 by 12.5%, and until 2100 by 19%). This will significantly decrease the irrigation potential of the sector. The agriculture sector has been identified as one of the hardest-hit by climate change impacts in Serbia. Material damage caused by extreme climate and weather conditions since 2000 totals over EUR 5 billion[1]. According to the evaluation of drought impacts on the crop yield in east Serbia, the average drop in yield was 40.9%[2] in comparison to the average annual yield in the years without drought. In the situation when productivity is already at its lowest, such drastic drop in yields, if climate-induced draughts are to continue and intensify, as predicted, will undermine the sustainability of Serbia’s key economic sector and put livelihoods of its 40% rural residents under serious risks, in particular livelihoods of the poorest (8,8% of the Serbians live below poverty line, most of them in rural areas and depend on agricultural production and farming). The overall objective of the proposed project is to improve the resilience of Serbian agriculture sector to climate change by enhancing climate smart irrigation and drainage and climate proofing water management in the sector. Intermittent draughts and flooding significantly affect both small and big farm holders. Increased frequency of climate induced droughts leads to increased irrigation water scarcity and also boost demand for new irrigation systems (because lands that used to generate yield without irrigation is no longer productive). Network of irrigation and drainage canals have to be revitalised and extended across the utilized agricultural land, with special emphasis on innovative climate-smart irrigation systems, drip irrigation and other appropriate solutions for small farm holders. Project preparation will be carried out in two phases: Phase I includes development of a Concept note and Phase II development of Full proposal package with all required annexes. Description of Responsibilities Scope of work The principal responsibility of the international consultant is to lead to the development of the GCF Concept note and Full package proposal fully compliant with the GCF rules and standards. The Consultant is expected to closely collaborate with UNDP CO, national and international consultants as well as with UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub Climate Change Adaptation Adviser. The Consultant shall work based on information provided by UNDP, the National Designated Autority, as well as relevant other stakeholders in the area of climate change adaptation. The international consultant will be supported by a team of national and international consultants engaged by UNDP under separate contractual arrangements. The team of the project development experts/consultants will include above all: national technical experts in water and agriculture sectors, gender analysis expert, economic analysis advisor, social and environment safeguards consultant. Within the framework of this ToR, the Consultant is expected to perform the following tasks: General - Ensure that proposed project is aligned with national priorities and coordinated with undergoing or planned activities by other actors in the country
- Undertake, during missions, consultations with relevant public and private actors and ensure project beneficiaries participate in defining project focus and activities
- Liaise with UNDP gender consultant and provide inputs for conducting gender analysis and formulating a strategy for a proactive gender-based approach to project implementation including M&E
Phase I Desk review (approximately 5 days) - Scope the project preparation activities and develop workplan for both Phase I and Phase II and provide guidance for data collection related to project planning and monitoring with particular attention to the description and quantification of baseline investments
- Establish a system of data management of acquired information and data, using UNDP-provided technological support
- Define scope of work and deliverables for ToRs for national consultants in such way to ensure complementarity of inputs and outputs of each consultant
1st Mission to Belgrade (approximately 10 working days) - Gather and systematize baseline information
- Prepare power point presentation for the discussion of the project idea closely with relevant government and non-government actors and other stakeholders and incorporate their inputs into the Concept note
- Revise, as appropriate, the project idea based on the inputs
- Support stakeholder consultations and coordinate and document the inputs to inform the design and development of the Concept note
- Provide inputs to and facilitate co-financing consultations and develop the project co-financing framework
- Together with the national consultants define the data and information gaps and additional research needs, review and update the project development work plan and individual tasks of the national consultants
Concept note formulation (approximately 10 days) - Develop GCF Concept note according to GCF requirements and templates
- Conduct pre-feasibility and viability assessment of the project idea and draft a pre-feasibility study report for the Concept note
- Provide background information and the context of the project with clear adaptation/additionality arguments
- Outline adaptation options, conduct the options analysis and justify the choice of a specific adaptation pathway for the GCF proposal
- Develop project description, objective, outputs/expected results, activities, sub-activities
- Identify project interventions boundaries and scope, project duration and size
- Outline the Theory of Change
- Define paradigm/transformational shift potential, sustainable development potential, coherence with country needs, country ownership (in both project design and implementation) and efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed project
- Identify indicative financing and cost information, including potential sources of co-financing as identified during the mission and/or through remote consultations and develop project co-financing framework
- Work with UNDP gender consultant on gender screening and advancing gender considerations within the proposal
- Define all relevant aspects of the project justification, including rationale for GCF involvement as well as an exit strategy and risk analysis
- Ensure the proposal is evidence-based and has all necessary references to prove that proposed solutions demonstrate feasibility across all project outputs
- Assess all technical, institutional and financial feasibility of the proposed interventions to ensure that they are cost-effective and sustainable
- Identify available information and information gaps to develop Full proposal package (Phase II)
Phase II 2nd and 3rd Mission to Belgrade (5 working days each, exact time TBD) - Gather additional baseline information
- Discuss closely with relevant government and non-government actors and other stakeholders and incorporate their inputs into project proposal
- Support stakeholder consultations and coordinate and document the inputs to inform the design and development of the project proposal
- Provide inputs to and facilitate co-financing consultations and develop project co-financing framework
- Validate the proposed project strategy with the national stakeholders
Feasibility study - Provide guidance to national consultants on data needed for conducting feasibility study, any other study that might be necessary as well as any stakeholder consultations that need to be conducted
- Develop, based on data available and consultations conducted, a comprehensive Feasibility study for the GCF project outlining climate change driven problem, adaptation options analysis and suggested solutions, barriers to suggested solutions, baseline activities and investments, project objective, outputs and activities, detailed description of suggested technical solutions, costing of suggested activities and cost-benefit analysis, sustainability, risk analysis and exit strategy
- Elaborate the Theory of Change for the GCF investment
- Ensure that the Study contains all necessary physical and socio-economic assessments (e.g. potential of adaptation interventions, number of project beneficiaries - both direct and indirect, etc.)
- The Study should provide evidence and in-depth analysis to support the design of the project addressing additionality, climate and non-climate drivers, gaps and needs, best practices and lessons learned and leading to detailed recommendations for the project including aspects related to sustainability, innovation, knowledge management, etc.
- The Feasibility study should include technical, institutional and financial feasibility of the proposed project activities, and ensure that they increase adaptive capacity and reduce long-term climate change induced vulnerabilities
- Ensure that the Study responds to the six GCF investment criteria
- Ensure that technical proposals are evidence-based and have all necessary references to prove that the proposed adaptation solution demonstrates its feasibility across all project components
- Develop justification for the GCF grant funding and added value of the GCF investment based on the country needs and by analyzing alternatives
Full proposal package - Based on consultation with national experts and inputs from UNDP staff, develop a GCF funding proposal that contains justification for GCF key investment criteria
- Facilitate and guide consultations to determine project strategy, priorities, key partners, and key barriers to success
- Oversee and support completion of all background studies, ensuring they are appropriate in scope and provide required analyses in good quality
- Provide technical and professional support to local consultants and national stakeholders
- Develop a Theory of Change (TOC) for project that adequately reflects project impacts
- Prepare project M&E framework and logical framework with SMART indicators
- Prepare project budget as well as the procurement plan, detailed as requested by the GCF full funding proposal template
- Develop co-financing framework and the assessment of resources leveraging potential
- Contribute to the preparation of environment and social impact assessment, economic and financial evaluation and social safeguards assessment
- Ensure that proper gender vulnerability assessment is conducted and contains information how women and men are impacted differently, their capacities to cope and adapt, capacities and opportunities in the context of climate change
- Design, together with CO, implementation arrangements, in accordance with UNDP’s rules and regulations under the NIM (National Implementation) modality
- Coordinate inputs from other consultants and UNDP CO to prepare and/or package all annexes associated with the proposal
- Assume main responsibility for finalizing the Full proposal package, with significant input from all local consultants and ensure timely completion of the proposal and facilitate its smooth submission
- Address technical comments on the draft submission package
Payment for services The Consultant shall be contracted and, upon satisfactory performance, receive payment from UNDP for deliverables of Phase I as it shall be agreed prior to signing the contract. At their discretion, the parties may agree to amend the Contract for the deliverables under Phase II as listed in the Table Deliverables and timelines. The contract for Phase I or any aspect thereof, shall not be construed by neither of the parties as having any bearing upon the subsequent decision by either of the party as to the amendment of the Contract and inclusion of some or all aspects of the Phase II into the Contract Amendment. Responsibility for expenses and their reimbursement This is a lump sum assignment. The Consultant will be responsible for all personal administrative and travel expenses associated with undertaking this assignment including office accommodation, printing, stationary, telephone and electronic communications, report copies as well as other costs incurred in this assignment. Deliverables and timelines The principal responsibility for managing the Consultant will lie with the Programme Analyst for Resilient Development within UNDP Serbia. The timeframe and duration of activities are estimated as follows: For more information on deliverables and timelines please refer to Terms of Reference at the following following the link: http://www.rs.undp.org/content/serbia/en/home/operations/jobs/ . Competencies Technical work - Strong expertise in Environmental Management, Climate Change and Agriculture;
- Demonstrated experience in drafting adaptation project proposals and developing large projects;
- Ability to pick up new terminology and concepts easily;
- Previous experience in Serbia or Balkan countries on developing projects would be an asset.
Partnerships - Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
- Excellent written communication skills, with analytic capacity and ability to synthesize relevant collected data and findings for the preparation of quality analysis for the project proposal;
- Excellent coordination skills and result-oriented collaboration with colleagues (e.g. national consultants, CO staff).
Results - Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
- Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
- Good team player with the ability to maintain good relationships.
Qualifications Education Advanced University degree in the fields of Environmental Management, Agriculture, Water Management, Business or relevant related fields.
Experience - At least 10 years of relevant professional experience;
- Proven experience in developing/implementing similar projects – preferably in the region;
- Experience in working on climate change adaptation projects, particularly on designing
- projects related to resilient agriculture, water resources management, etc.;
- Familiarity with GCF policies, templates and requirements;
- Familiarity and understanding of the GCF modality of financial support;
- Good understanding of the fiduciary, environmental and social safeguards standards and requirements of the GCF and/or UNDP would be an asset;
- Previous experience with UNDP is an asset;
- Experience in the region is an asset.
Languages Application Procedure Qualified and interested candidates are asked to submit their applications via UNDP Web site: UNDP in Serbia under section “Jobs” no later than 25 September 2017. Applications should include: - P11 (PDF format) containing e-mail contacts of at least three referees (section 26 & 29). P11 may be downloaded at: http://www.undp.org.rs/download/ic/P11.doc
- Offeror’s Letter (PDF format) confirming Interest and availability for the Individual Contractor (IC) Assignment. Can be downloaded from the following link: http://www.undp.org.rs/download/ic/Confirmation.docx (only PDF will be accepted). The Offeror’s Letter shall include financial proposal specifying a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this announcement with a breakdown of costs.
- Methodology concept containing approach to task (no more than two pages).
Please note that you may upload your application documents for the mentioned consultancy ref. 1728 at following the link: http://www.rs.undp.org/content/serbia/en/home/operations/jobs/ . For more information on the application procedure please refer to the enclosed Procurement Notice. Additional Information: - Individual Contract (IC) will be applicable for individual consultants applying in their own capacity.
- Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA) will be applicable for applicants employed by any legal entity. Template of RLA with General Terms and Conditions could be found on: http://www.undp.org.rs/download/RLA%20with%20General%20Terms%20and%20Conditions.doc. In the case of engagement of Civil servants under IC contract modality a no-objection letter should be provided by the Government entity. The ‘no-objection’ letter must also state that the employer formally certifies that their employees are allowed to receive short-term consultancy assignment from another entity without being on “leave-without-pay” status (if applicable), and include any conditions and restrictions on granting such permission, if any. If the previous is not applicable ‘leave-without-pay’ confirmation should be submitted.
Engagement of Government Officials and Employees Government Officials or Employees are civil servants of UN Member States.As such, if they will be engaged by UNDP under an IC which they will be signing in their individual capacity (i.e., engagement is not done through RLA signed by their Government employer), the following conditions must be met prior to the award of contract: (i) A “No-objection” letter in respect of the individual is received from the Government employing him/her, and; (ii) The individual must provide an official documentation from his/her employer formally certifying his or her status as being on “official leave without pay” for the duration of the IC. The above requirements are also applicable to Government-owned and controlled enterprises and well as other semi/partially or fully owned Government entities, whether or not the Government ownership is of majority or minority status. UNDP recognizes the possibility that there are situations when the Government entity employing the individual that UNDP wishes to engage is one that allows its employees to receive external short-term consultancy assignments (including but not limited to research institutions, state-owned colleges/universities, etc.), whereby a status of “on-leave-without-pay” is not required.Under such circumstance, the individual entering into an IC with UNDP must still provide a “No-objection” letter from the Government employing him/her.The “no objection” letter required under (i) above must also state that the employer formally certifies that their employees are allowed to receive short-term consultancy assignment from another entity without being on “leave-without-pay” status, and include any conditions and restrictions on granting such permission, if any.The said document may be obtained by, and put on record of, UNDP, in lieu of the document (ii) listed above.
[1] Serbia’s first national adaptation plan, Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection [2] Disaster risk finance country note: Serbia, World Bank Disaster Risk Financing and Insurance Program, April 2016 |
