Procurement Notices

Consultancy Title: Energy Policy, Legislation, Regulation and Institutional Specialist

Project Name: Supporting Mainstreamed Achievement of Roadmap Targets on Energy in Nauru (SMARTEN)

Duty Station: Nauru and homebased

Duration of the Contract

• Number of working days: 42
• Commencement date (tentative): 8th April 2019
• Completion date (tentative): 24th June 2019
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• Consultancy Proposal should be sent via email to etenderbox.pacific@undp.org no later than 2nd  April 2019 (Fiji Time) clearly stating the title of consultancy applied for. Any proposals received after this date/time will not be accepted. Any request for clarification must be sent in writing, or by standard electronic communication to procurement.fj@undp.org. UNDP will respond in writing or by standard electronic mail and will send written copies of the response, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to all consultants. Incomplete, late and joint proposals will not be considered and only offers for which there is further interest will be contacted. Failure to submit your application as stated as per the application submission guide (Procurement Notice) on the above link will be considered incomplete and therefore application will not be considered.

Objectives

1. To assess, and recommend, policies and regulations, as well as institutional framework in the country in regards energy matters.
2. To review Nauru’s current energy policies, legislation, regulation, and, institutional framework.
3. To design in detail the Energy Policy & Regulatory Framework Strengthening component of the planned Supporting Mainstreamed Achievement of Roadmap Targets on Energy in Nauru (SMARTEN) project.
4. To design in detail the sub-component on institutional strengthening of the planned SMARTEN project.  

Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), acting as an Implementing Agency of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), has been requested by the Government of Nauru (GoN) through the Department of Commerce, Industry & Environment (DCIE) to support with the development and implementation the planned GEF Full Size Project (FSP) Supporting Mainstreamed Achievement of Roadmap Targets on Energy in Nauru (SMARTEN). The objective of the planned project is enabling the increased applications of feasible renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies for supporting socio-economic development in Nauru in accordance with the country’s energy roadmap targets. The project consists of four substantial components, namely: 1) Energy Policy & Regulatory Framework Strengthening; 2) Supporting Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Initiatives; 3) Promotion of Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Technologies Applications Technologies Applications; and, 4) Improvement of Energy Sector Capacity. The project concept, including a project preparation grant (PPG), was approved by the GEF in June 2018,[1] a logical framework analysis (LFA) workshop was conducted in August 2018, and, in November 2018 the PPG Team Leader - Project Development Specialist visited Nauru for the first time. As part of the detailed project design, inputs from an Energy Policy, Legislation, Regulation and Institutional Specialist are required to prepare the UNDP-GEF Project Document and the GEF CEO Endorsement Request Document.  

Scope of Work

The expected outputs of the consultancy are:

1. Nauru’s energy policies, legislation, regulation, and, institutional framework reviewed.
2. Detailed design of the SMARTEN project’s Energy Policy & Regulatory Framework Strengthening component completed.
3. Detailed design of the SMARTEN project’s sub-component on institutional strengthening completed.  

Activities for the consultancy will include, but not necessarily be limited to the following (in relation to specific deliverables):

Inception Note    

• Write-up a note comprising: a) the successful Contractor’s understanding of the consultancy and associated tasks; b) final proposed work plan for the consultancy; c) identification of issues crucial to the viability of the consultancy; and d) comments on this TOR. Subsequently, if required and approved by the UNDP Pacific – Fiji Office, the Department of Commerce, Industry & Environment (DCIE), Government of Nauru and NUC, activities can be elaborated, modified, etc.

Debriefing Notes  

• Write-up a note for all missions to Nauru summarizing key findings and recommendations vis-à-vis successful completion of this consultancy. 

Review Report of Nauru’s Energy Policies, Legislation, Regulations and Institutional framework

• Consult relevant national and local level stakeholders from the public and private sectors and civil society, including DCIE, Nauru Utility Corporation (NUC), Department of Justice and Border Control (DJBC), Planning and Aid Division, Republic of Nauru Phosphate Company (RONPHOS), etc.     
• Consult relevant external stakeholders providing ongoing or planned support to energy sector interventions related to policy, legislation, regulation and/or institutional arrangements, such as Asian Development Bank (ADB), Government of Australia, etc.      
• Identify and read relevant background documents on Nauru’s energy sector, including Review of the Nauru Energy Road Map 2014 – 2020 (2018), Legislative Gap Analysis Report - Nauru Energy Sector (2018), Nauru Energy Road Map 2018-2020 (2018), and, Review of NUC Regulatory Gaps and Draft NUC Subsidiary Legislations (2019).     
• Assess existing and planned energy policies, legislation, regulations and institutional framework vis-à-vis significantly increasing the utilization of the country’s renewable energy resources and enhancing energy efficiency, meeting the Government’s energy and greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) reduction targets, and, designing, financing and implementing renewable energy and energy efficiency technology projects for power and non-power applications, including from the private sector.  
• Identify and describe any gaps in existing and planned energy policies, legislation, regulations and institutional framework.
• Identify and describe the barriers to address the identified policy, legislative, regulatory and institutional gaps, particularly the policy/regulatory and institutional barriers to the design, development, financing and implementation of RE technology projects for power and non-power applications, as well as barriers to current/future opportunities for the implementation of RE and EE projects by the private sector.  
• Recommend specific solutions to remove the identified policy, legislative, regulatory and institutional barriers, such as the introduction of new policy instruments, institutional reforms, etc.    
• Identify and evaluate the general status of the attitude and outlook in Nauru’s energy generation and energy end-use sectors regarding RE and EE technology applications in support of socio-economic development, and anticipated future RE technology developments and applications;
• Review of national energy balance, energy demand analysis and forecast;
• Assess low carbon (LC) development and implementation mechanisms compatible to the Nauruan context, and recommendations for the development of guides and reference documents on LC development planning, design and implementation;
• Recommend LC development standards, policies and implementing rules and regulations (IRRs) on the promotion and incorporation of EE & RE applications in development planning and implementation;
• Recommend policies on sustainable energy supply and utilization services;
• Recommend actions in regards promotion of the LC development standards, policies, and IRRs; and the budget for the promotion activities;
• Assess applicable institutional mechanisms for the effective implementation of LC development standards, policies, incentive schemes, and IRRs, including strategies and initiatives;
• Design project activities leading to the design and development of LC development standards, policies and implementing rules and regulations (IRRs) on the promotion and incorporation of EE & RE applications in development planning and implementation;
• Design capacity building program for the government agencies, particularly the DCIE and NUC on LC development standards, energy-integrated development planning, energy policy and IRR formulation and implementation;
• Design project activities that will facilitate the approval and implementation of proposed LC development policies, standards and implementing rules and regulations;
• Design a monitoring system for tracking the implementation progress and impacts of RE & EE policies and regulations.
• The following are expected in the first deliverable for this consultancy assignment:
  • Assessment of programs, laws/regulations and policies of the country on RE development and utilization, and general status of the attitude and outlook in Nauru’s energy generation and energy end-use sectors on RE and EE technology applications.
  • Review of national energy demand analysis and forecast.
  • Evaluation of identified policy/regulatory and institutional barriers to the design, development, financing and implementation of RE technology projects for power and non-power applications, as well as barriers to current/future opportunities for the implementation of RE and EE projects by the private sector; and recommended potential solutions to the identified policy/regulatory and institutional barriers.
• The following are expected in the second deliverable for this consultancy assignment
  • Recommended LC development standards, policies and implementing rules and regulations (IRRs) on the promotion and incorporation of EE & RE applications in development planning and implementation; as well as policies on sustainable energy supply and utilization services.
  • Evaluation of applicable institutional mechanisms for the effective implementation of LC development standards, policies, incentive schemes, and IRRs, including strategies and initiatives.
  • Detailed design of Energy Policy & Regulatory Framework Strengthening component and the sub-component on institutional strengthening of the planned SMARTEN project, inclusive of the capacity building program for the government agencies on LC development standards, energy-integrated development planning, energy policy and IRR formulation and implementation; project activities that will facilitate the approval and implementation of proposed LC development policies, standards and implementing rules and regulations; and, monitoring system for tracking the implementation progress and impacts of RE & EE policies and regulations.

Document Detailing the SMARTEN Energy Policy & Regulatory Framework Strengthening Component

• Consult with the PPG Team Leader - Project Development Specialist, DCIE, UNDP-Pacific Office in Fiji, and, the UNDP-GEF Senior Technical Advisor (STA) from the UNDP-GEF Asia-Pacific Energy, Infrastructure, Transport and Technology (EITT) team based at the UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub (UNDP BRH).   
• Review the SMARTEN Project Identification Form (PIF), specifically the Energy Policy & Regulatory Framework Strengthening component and the sub-component on institutional strengthening (part of the Supporting Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Initiatives component), including barriers, baseline and initially planned SMARTEN outputs, activities, work-plan and budget, success indicators and targets, means of verification, and assumptions/risks.  
• In the SMARTEN Project Logical Framework Analysis report, review Annex E: Problem Analysis, Annex F: Objective Analysis, Annex G: Project Definition, Annex 2: SMARTEN Project Planning Matrix, Annex 3: Tentative Project Outputs, and, Annex 4: Theory of Change. 
• Compare the results from the review of the SMARTEN PIF and SMARTEN Project Logical Framework Analysis report with the findings and recommendations in the Review Report of Nauru’s Energy Policies, Legislation, Regulations and Institutional Framework and identify any gaps in the initial design of the Energy Policy & Regulatory Framework Strengthening component.  
• Based on the results from the above-mentioned activities, design in detail the SMARTEN Energy Policy & Regulatory Framework Strengthening component and the sub-component on institutional strengthening, including prepare associated text for the following sections of the UNDP-GEF Project Document: 1) development challenge; 2) strategy, including Theory of Change; 3) results and partnerships, including expected results (outcome, outputs, activities), partnerships, stakeholder engagement, mainstreaming gender, and, south-South and triangular cooperation; 4) feasibility, including cost efficiency and effectiveness, risk management (description, type, impact & probability, mitigation measures), Social and Environmental Safeguards, sustainability and scaling up, and, financial analysis; 5) project results framework table, including indicators, baseline, targets (mid and end of project), and, assumptions, particularly those that relates to Component 1 of the SMARTEN Project. 
• Assist the PPG Team Leader - Project Development Specialist prepare adequate and satisfactorily responses to any relevant comments raised by the GEF Secretariat, GEF Council and GEF Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP) on issues related to energy policies, legislation, regulations and institutional framework, and, suggest necessary changes to the UNDP-GEF Project Document, including annexes. 

Resources Provided

PPG Team Leader - Project Development Specialist

• Managing the PPG Team, including coordinating the consultant’s work.    
• Reviewing draft deliverables, including checking that UNDP-GEF requirements are met.  

Department of Commerce, Industry & Environment, Government of Nauru

• Desk space and access to phone (local calls).
• Assisting setting up meetings. 
• Providing relevant information, including documents.
• Commenting on draft deliverables. 

UNDP

• Providing background information, including documents.
• Reviewing draft deliverables, including checking that UNDP-GEF requirements are met.  

Supervision/Reporting

The consultant will be contracted by UNDP and report to the Team Leader, Resilience and Sustainable Development (RSD), UNDP Pacific – Fiji Office (or his/her designate) and the International Consultant – Project Development Specialist (GEF PPG Team Leader).

Requirement for Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum University degree (or equivalent) in Renewable Energy, Energy Management, Project Management, Public Policy, International Development or a field relevant to the tasks required.
• Minimum 10 years of  relevant and practical working experience with energy policy, legislation, regulations and/or institutional arrangements. 
• Substantial, relevant and practical working experience in UNDP/GEF project development, including design.
• Substantial, relevant and practical working experience in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and/or other developing countries. Working experience in Nauru is an asset.
• Excellent working knowledge of spoken & written English.
• Experience in contributing to UNDP/GEF project formulation/design work focusing on policy and institutional barrier removal
• Knowledge of other donors’ including EU, ADB and WB project implementation focusing on policy, regulatory and institutional capacity development
• Ability to conduct research and analysis skills
• Highly developed inter-personal, negotiation and teamwork skills, networking aptitude.

Payment Schedule

Evaluation

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:

1. Responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
2. Having received the highest score out of the pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

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.

Proposal Requirements

Technical Proposal

• A statement of how the applicant meets the qualifications and experience requirements.
• A Detailed CV with contact details of minimum 3 referees  
• Proposed methodology/approach including preliminary work plan (covering deliverables, key activities and due dates). 

Financial Proposal

• A completed Offeror’s Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability for the Individual Contractor (IC) Assignment including Annex A: Breakdown of Cost by Components.

Consultant must send a financial proposal based on a Lump Sum Amount. The total amount quoted shall be all-inclusive and include all costs components required to perform the deliverables identified in the TOR, including professional fee, travel costs, living allowance (if any work is to be done outside the Individual Consultants (IC´s) duty station) and any other applicable cost to be incurred by the IC in completing the assignment. The contract price will be fixed output-based price regardless of extension of the herein specified duration. Payments will be done upon completion of the deliverables/outputs. In general, UNDP shall 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 event of unforeseeable travel not anticipated in this TOR, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and the IC, prior to travel and will be reimbursed

Template for confirmation of interest and Submission of Financial Proposal is available under the procurement section of UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji website (www.pacific.undp.org)

Consultancy Proposal should be sent via email to etenderbox.pacific@undp.org no later than 2nd April 2019 (Fiji Time) clearly stating the title of consultancy applied for. Any proposals received after this date/time will not be accepted.

Women candidates are encouraged to apply

Interested Candidates must accept UNDP General Terms and Conditions for Individual Consultants