1955 Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) Specialist (re-advertisement)

Link to Atlas Project

00114257 - Transparency Framework in Serbia

Documents

Procurement Notice

Overview

Overview :

Purpose

To provide guidance and inputs on institutional platform for transparency, analyse climate change related data, provide recommendations for improvement of quality and quantity of data and information, particularly  related to national GHG Inventory.

Objective

To support the establishing of a monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) system that will allow Serbia to define and implement climate change-related policies and measures that will contribute to the achievement of its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) effectively.

Background Information

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), acting as an implementing agency of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), is also providing assistance to the Serbian Government, namely Ministry of Environmental Protection, in the preparation and implementation of the GEF funded projects “Second Biennial Update Report and Third National Communication under the UNFCCC” (2BUR-3NC project) and “Establishing Transparency Framework for the Republic of Serbia” (CBIT project).

Both projects will result in the improved system of monitoring, reporting and verification of the data and information that will be used by the Serbian Government to implement climate & energy legislation and feed in the reporting processes and obligations arising out of various international treaties, such as UNFCCC and EU commitments. The projects are also expected to accelerate Serbia’s EU accession process in the area of environment, energy and climate change, contributing to creation of enabling policy and institutional environment for effective implementation of relevant EU Acquis and related national legal acts. 

CBIT project supports the Government of Serbia in mainstreaming and integrating climate change considerations into development strategies and sector-based policy frameworks by strengthening and sustaining efforts to monitor, report, and verify activities to address climate change. The CBIT project supports Serbia in establishing an effective institutional and legal framework to combat climate change, strengthen capacity and improve information sharing among responsible and competent institutions at the national and local levels. The project should result in a comprehensive transparency framework that will create an enabling environment for decision-making regarding future objectives, targets, and priority policies and measures for mitigation and adaptation. By ratifying the Paris Climate Agreement in July 2017, Serbia's INDC became its NDC. The country now needs to enact robust climate and energy policies that will enable the implementation of its NDC pledge and allow the country to strengthen its commitments in coming years. Specifically, the project will assist the Government of Serbia with strengthening the methodologies and tools necessary to enhance transparency as described in Article 13 of the Paris Agreement.

The project will finalize and launch a monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) system that will provide more accurate information and analysis of the instruments that the country selects to mitigate and adapt to climate change. The MRV system will also allow Serbia to define and implement climate change-related policies and measures as expressed in its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) effectively.

Furthermore, the MRV system will increase stakeholder engagement, including local governments and the private sector in a gender-inclusive manner.  Finally, the project will use training and peer exchanges to strengthen capacity for transparency, which will allow the country to undertake more ambitious commitments in its NDCs over time. 

UNDP is seeking for a short-term consultancy position to provide assistance to UNDP Climate Change Portfolio in initiating activities for the establishment of transparency framework for Serbia. The results of this particular consultancy will be used to feed in the Serbia’s reporting obligations towards the UNFCCC and the EU, as well as for raising awareness on climate change impacts.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of work

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the UNDP Portfolio Manager and in close cooperation with the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Serbia, the MRV Specialist will provide technical guidance to the UNDP Portfolio Manager, the Project Board and other engaged consultants on the overall implementation of project activities, with specific reference to the following:

  • Identify all relevant producers, owners and users of climate change data per sectors, including gaps and needs for improvement of data collection and data flow;
  • Analyse collection and reporting periodicity of data/information, data/information flow systems/tools, data storages and data basis and quantity of available climate change mitigation and adaptation related information, in compliance with the UNFCCC and the EU MRV requirements;
  • Assess existing reporting of climate change related data of the business and local communities, and provide recommendations for its improvement to enhance transparency of climate change related data;
  • Analyse capacity/validity of information holders/providers and identify needs for their improvements;
  • Analyse current practices in reporting and end users of climate data/information and their compliance with the UNFCCC and the EU MRV requirements;
  • Analyse existing system for exchange of climate information and their compliance with the UNFCCC and the EU MRV requirements;
  • Analyse gaps and needs with regard to the MRV institutional arrangements, expertise, data flows, management systems;
  • Analyse communication tools for data activity and GHG inventory data exchange, collection and reporting, provide recommendations for improvement of Quality Assurance and Quality Control systems;
  • Assess existing state of the GHG Inventory and provide recommendations for transition towards higher tier methodologies and more accurate GHG emission estimations;
  • Provide recommendations for development of GHG Inventory related databases and systems, including relevant indicators and present data in a way that it is understandable by a wide range of stakeholders;
  • Analyse data/information collection and flow systems/tools, data storages and data basis and quantity of relevant data/information provided by local self-governments and business community; 
  • Provide recommendations on how to better integrate local self-governments and business community in collection, monitoring and reporting of climate related data/information using the bottom up approach;
  • Identify existing mechanisms of reporting on financing, financial support received and compliance with the UNFCCC and the EU MRV requirements and provide recommendations for improving the reporting;
  • Provide support in the preparation of the Terms of Reference for development of the Integrated MRV  Information System, including information on:
    • Collection of all relevant data, sources, and methodologies, including any models used for projections or extrapolation to the extent possible;
    • Data processing and quality control model (s) i.e. roles and responsibilities of entities in charge of implementing, measuring, reporting and verifying mitigation actions in respective sectors;
    • Performance indicators to measure progress in implementation of mitigation and adaptation actions;
    • Procedures for reporting and collecting performance indicator data;
    • Proposal Governance structure for the suggested MRV framework;
    • Specific information on technical and methodological details related to MRV infrastructure analyzed and related capacity building needs and training programme for such an MRV system identified.

Deliverables

  • Deliverable 1: Report on gaps and needs of existing MRV institutional arrangements, expertise, data flows, management systems, communication tools of data exchange, collection and reporting, prepared and accepted - deadline: 10 days from signing the contract;
  • Deliverable 2: Report with recommendations on the improvement of the data sets for the GHG Inventory and existing QA/QC systems, prepared and accepted - deadline:15 August 2019;
  • Deliverable 3: Final report with recommendations for development of a robust MRV system on climate change data and information, including relevant indicators, involving a wide range of stakeholders - deadline: 15 September 2019;
  • Deliverable 4: Report on how to integrate local self-governments and business community  into climate reporting of climate related data and combating climate change, prepared and accepted - deadline: 20 October 2019;
  • Deliverable 5: Draft Terms of Reference for preparation of the integral MRV information system, with the proposed scope, structure and timelines prepared and accepted - deadline: 10 November 2019.

NOTE: All deliverables have to be quality reviewed and accepted by the UNDP Portfolio Manager with support of the Ministry of Environmental Protection. None of the materials, reports, designs, brochures and articles produced under this Contract may be used, released, and/or disseminated without prior approval by UNDP.

Skills and Competencies

  • Excellent analytical skills;
  • Displays ability to synthesize research and reach empirically based conclusions on related subject;
  • Strong writing skills;
  • Proven capacity to produce reports;
  • Displays capacity to provide experienced advice on best practices;
  • Possesses knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
  • Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
  • Good application of Results-Based Management;
  • Good communication, coordination and facilitation skills;
  • Consistently ensures timeliness and quality of work;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Demonstrates integrity by modelling ethical standards.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

  • University degree natural sciences, environmental management or relevant related fields;
  • Proven expert knowledge of the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement.

Experience

  • At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in environmental protection and climate change related issues;
  • Proven experience in preparation of reports to the UNFCCC and preparation of GHG Inventories;
  • Demonstrable experience in training and capacity building of national stakeholders and institutions;
  • Knowledge of EU Regulation 525/2013/EC (MMR Regulation) and establishing of MRV system under the Regulation;
  • Knowledge of UNFCCC toolkits and handbooks on preparation on measurement, reporting and verification systems in developing countries;
  • Experience in Policy/Regulatory and Institutional assessments;
  • Previous experience with UNDP is a great advantage;
  • Experience in working with wide range of stakeholders (private, governmental, etc.).

Languages

  • Fluency in English

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 4 July 2019.

Application should include:

  • CV containing date of birth and contact information;
  • Offeror’s Letter (only PDF format will be accepted) 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 . The Offeror’s Letter should include financial proposal specifying a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this announcement with a breakdown of costs. Offeror’s Letter must also include the methodology concept containing a preliminary plan of work (no more than two pages).

The above listed documents may be uploaded under consultancy ref. 1955 at following the link:  http://www.rs.undp.org/content/serbia/en/home/jobs.html

For more information please refer to the attached Procurement Notice.

Additional Information:

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.