Procurement Notices

Project Title

“Implementing the National Framework on Access and Benefit Sharing of Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge in the Philippines”

Project Description 

In June 2019, the project concept entitled “Implementing the National Framework on Access and Benefit Sharing of Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge in the Philippines” with a budget proposal of USD4,384,000.00 was cleared by GEF CEO.  The project aims for the Nagoya Protocol implemented effectively in the Philippines by strengthening the national Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) framework, building national and local capacities and developing critical experience in ABS agreements. Specifically, the project is envisioned to address the following barriers:

Barrier 1: Inadequate and weak enforcement of policies, institutional and regulatory frameworks on ABS implementation : The granting of access is delegated to three government agencies: DENR, DA, and PCSD which implement differently the existing procedures and approval process and there is a weak coordinating mechanism among these agencies including possible streamlining and harmonization of their processes and procedures;

Barrier 2: Lack of awareness and weak capacity of key stakeholders on ABS implementation at the national and local level : The academic community, local government units, and industry have limited awareness on the basic rules and rationale of existing ABS policies resulting in poor compliance and indifference. As a result, very few have actually applied for access to genetic resources, negotiated bioprospecting agreements, and developed ABS products.  Similarly, there is low awareness on  patent information by researchers and scientists which contributed to the low patent applications from local researchers in the country.;

Barrier 3: Absence of good practices on ABS implementation from the initial stage of bioprospecting to research and development, product  innovation and commercialization : Since the passage of relevant ABS laws and issuance of policies to facilitate bioprospecting as early as 1995,  there  has not been a single case to cite as best practice in the whole continuum of ABS process from securing FPIC to conducting of R&D up until the commercialization of research products and to the sharing of benefits down to local communities.

To detail out the project concept into a full blown project proposal, the GEF has provided a project preparation grant (PPG). This grant aims to prepare and develop the following documents for final submission and approval by the GEF:

• UNDP-GEF Project Document (ProDoc), using the 2017 standard template.
• Mandatory annexes to the ProDoc, including gender analysis and action plan, and stakeholder engagement plan, among others, and project specific annexes (e.g. landscape profile, institutional and legal analysis, feasibility studies etc).
• GEF CEO Endorsement Request.
• Validation Workshop report (as appropriate for projects with a moderate and high SESP risk rating).

UNDP seeks the services of an International Team Leader for the PPG who will be responsible for the formulation of the Project Document (ProDoc) and CEO Endorsement Request for the “Implementing the National Framework on Access andBenefit Sharing of Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge in the Philippines”. He will see to it that the ProDoc satisfies the requirements of the GEF and meets the GEF document requirements and policies, including Project specific Annexes and supporting documentation. S/he will provide oversight management of the National PPG Team, including the National Lead for Policy and Institution-Building, Stakeholder Engagement Specialist and Enterprise Development Specialist. S/he will ensure that the PPG process and outputs of the PPG Team complies with GEF requirements for project planning and monitoring; data collection, specifically on the description and quantification of the baseline investments; and Environment and Social Safeguards (ESS), gender and Indigenous Peoples (IP) policies through participatory stakeholder consultation. S/he is responsible for consolidating the final baseline/situational analysis for the full-size project (FSP).

Institutional Arrangement

For the duration of the contract, the consultant will be part of the Project Preparation Grant (PPG) Team that shall report to and coordinate with UNDP and key focal agencies such as DENR-BMB.  All activities supported by this engagement should be cleared by UNDP.

All outputs should be endorsed by the key focal agencies before UNDP issues the certificate of acceptance for the processing of payments.

Those who will be involved in PPG are barred from participating in the implementation.

Duration of Work

The Consultant shall be engaged for 35 days over 11 months.

Duty Station

Home based with one mission to the Philippines. The Consultant is not expected to report on a daily basis to UNDP-Climate Action Unit Philippines office based in Mandaluyong City but shall be available on an on-call basis.

Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

The financial proposals from possible candidates should be expressed in lump sum amount inclusive of all financial costs related to this engagement (i.e. professional fees, transportation/travel to and from residence-Manila, reproduction, communications including internet). Domestic airfare, food and accommodation of the team outside Manila will be shouldered by UNDP separately. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the ISD Programme Manager through the ISD Programme Analyst, the International Consultant shall:

• Lead the whole PPG process
  • Design a detailed methodology and workplan in close coordination with the other PPG Team members,i.e., taking into account the Scope of Work and expected outputs of the National Consultants;
  • Implement the PPG process through a participatory, gender-responsive and extensive stakeholder engagement approach; and
  • Take the lead in providing quality assurance of the ProDoc, i.e., the over-all project design is technically sound and cost-effective.

• Lead the Preparatory Technical Studies and Reviews (Component A): With inputs from the national consultants, as detailed in their respective TORs:
  • Following the GEF requirements for a full-size project (FSP), develop the baseline/situational analysis. The baseline/situational analysis should provide a clear and concise description of baseline projects, activities, budgets, goals and co-financial links to GEF outcomes; GEF incremental value per outcome and output; and results of the incremental cost-analysis in matrices as appropriate;
  • Provide guidance to and closely work with the National Consultants on the implementation of complete and comprehensive stakeholder analysis and consultations;
  • Provide technical inputs to and closely coordinate with the Gender Specialist on gender assessment and integration of gender into the project’s strategy, theory of change and results framework;
  • Provide technical inputs to and closely coordinate with the Stakeholder Engagement Specialist on implementation of UNDP Social and Environmental Screening Procedure (SESP), as described at the PIF stage or pre-screening, during the PPG, and ensure adaptive oversight management of the screening process throughout the PPG process, as appropriate;
  • With inputs from the National PPG Team, take the lead in the identification of the project sites, with documentation of the selection criteria;
  • Take the lead in financial planning and budgeting process; and
  • Identify, design and ensure implementation and completeness of additional studies necessary for the preparation of ProDoc and all other final outputs.

• Lead the Formulation of the ProDoc, CEO Endorsement Request and Mandatory and Project Specific Annexes (Component B): With inputs from the other consultants, as detailed in their respective TORs, and based on international best practice:
  • Facilitate discussions with the National PPG Team and national stakeholders and, develop the project’s theory of change;
  • Lead the development of the Results Framework in line with UNDP-GEF policy;
  • Lead the development of a detailed Monitoring and Evaluation Plan and Budget;
  • Provide technical inputs to and review the Stakeholder Engagement Plan and an Indigenous Peoples’ Plan;
  • Provide technical inputs to and review the Gender Action Plan and Budget;
  • Update the SESP based on assessments undertaken during Component A, and ensure the development of environmental and/or social management plan(s) for all risks identified as Moderate or High in the SESP;
  • Accomplish the relevant GEF core indicators and prepare the required GEF tracking tool(s);
  • Secure and present agreements on project management arrangements;
  • Ensure the completion of the required official endorsement letters; and
  • Synthesize all analyses, studies, etc. that are prepared under Components A and B to produce the draft UNDP-GEF ProDoc, GEF CEO Endorsement, and all mandatory and project specific Annexes, using the required templates
• Lead the Validation Workshop (Component C):
  • Lead, in cooperation with the national consultants, the validation workshop to present, discuss and validate the final draft ProDoc and mandatory and project specific annexes, with a special focus on the SESP and any management plans;
  • Oversee all necessary revisions that arise during the workshop; and
  • Ensure completion of Validation Workshop Report.

• Consolidation of all technical and consultation inputs including from national stakeholders, UNDP, GEF Secretariat, STAP and GEF Council, into a well written and concise UNDP ProDoc with all required sections and Annexes, in line with the standard UNDP-GEF ProDoc template and annotated guidance;

• Completion of the GEF CEO Endorsement Request;

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.

Functional and technical competencies

• Ability to work in a diverse and multi-cultural environment;
• Self-motivated and ability to work under pressure and to meet strict and competing deadlines;
• Displays analytical judgment and demonstrated ability to handle confidential and politically sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;

Required Skills and Experience

Offers will be evaluated based on combined scoring method :

• Technical qualifications = 70%
• Financial Proposal =    30%

 For the evaluation of the Technical Proposal, the selection of the successful consultant must be based in the following qualifications (with the appropriate obtainable points):

Applicants who will only receive 70 points  from the assessment of the CV and Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment will be qualified for the assessment of the Financial Proposal.

Recommended Presentation of Offer

Applicants must upload in one (1) file the documents listed below at https://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=88003

All applications should be deposited at the given link.

Editable forms listed below are attached on this advertisement:

1. Duly accomplished Offeror's Letter to UNDP Confirming Insterest and Availability for the IC that indicates the all-inclusive lumpsum 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;
2. Financial Proposal (Annex 2 of Offeror's Letter to UNDP Confirming Insterest and Availability)
3. Personal CV or 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;

In view of the volume of applications UNDP receives, only shortlisted offerors will be notified.