Procurement Notices

The Nauru R2R project was designed to develop, establish and implement a government and community partnership approach to increase knowledge for better management of natural resources and ecosystem services for the entire Island of Nauru (South Pacific) through innovative integrated land, water, biodiversity, coastal and marine management approaches thereby protecting and increasing livelihoods opportunities, food security, and enhancing climate resilience. These goals will be achieved by building Nauru’s capacity to implement a comprehensive cross sectorial regime for sustainable land, freshwater water, solid waste, coastal and marine area management and ensuring the initiatives are mainstreamed and established into all levels of decision making including government policy, laws and regulations and community plans. The project is part of the broader Pacific Regional Program on “Pacific Islands Ridge-to-Reef National Priorities – Integrated Water, Land, and Coastal Management to Preserve Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services, Store Carbon, Improve Climate Resilience and Sustain Livelihoods”. This program is designed to build stronger linkages between sustainable development and management of freshwater ecosystems (e.g. ground water systems for Nauru) and coastal/marine areas and promotes the implementation of holistic, integrated management of natural resources.

The goals of this Nauru R2R Project will be achieved through four specific project level outcomes interventions that are directly interconnected at national and site-based community (district) levels. These include (i) Improved management effectiveness of new  marine conservation areas, (ii) Integrated landscape management practices adopted by local communities living within the ‘bottom-side’ and applicable ‘ridge’, and ‘topside’ areas not covered by mining, (iii) Biodiversity conservation and Sustainable Land Management (SLM) mainstreamed in policy and regulatory frameworks, and (iv) Knowledge Management.

To achieve integrated management of terrestrial and marine systems in Nauru the project will build upon the participatory process facilitated in the development of the R2R Program Framework Document (PFD) which included extensive stakeholder dialogues in the development, and will implement innovative and creative project activities to address critical knowledge gaps in environmental and ecosystem services. This project proposes a long-term solution by implementing a ridge-to-reef approach that combines functional, representative and sustainable national system of coastal and marine managed areas that are integrated with the adoption of appropriate SLM practices in adjoining / upstream watersheds. By also improving government capacity, the proposed project will effectively reduce land degradation and enhance protection for marine and coastal biodiversity and habitats, whilst improving coastal livelihoods and creating lasting management of Nauru’s natural resources. As per UNDP SRPD 2018 - 2022, the project is expected to Outcome 1 - Climate change, disaster resilience and environmental protection and UNDAF Outcome(s).

The Nauru R2R project was designed as a 4 years project and after the mid-term review it was extended for another 18 months period from the closing date. The total project cost of the Nauru R2R Project is US$11,051,358 and consists of a GEF contribution of US$2,644,358 and Co-financing of US$ 8,407,000. The project will be implemented under the National Implementation modality (NIM). The Department of Commerce, Industry and Environment (DCIE), Division of Agriculture and the Nauru Fisheries and Marine Resource Authority (NFMRA) are the main implementing partners responsible for the achievement of the majority of the projects outcomes and outputs.   

Since the pandemic of COVID-19, Nauru has not reported any cases within its borders. Entry restrictions however has been announced by the Government of Nauru for those travelling from or through China, Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, Italy, or Iran in the 21 days prior to traveling to Nauru. Also, entry restrictions have applied for any travelers with “direct or indirect” involvement with a vessel with a confirmed case of coronavirus, including the Diamond Princess cruise ship (docked in Japan) and the Grand Princess cruise ship (off the coast of California). In terms of the delivery of the project, the implementation of the project has been slow in meeting quarterly planned targets. The travel ban has affected the delivery of some procured items into the country and the travel of one international consultant to complete conduct a training course on the Environmental and Social Safeguard Policy and Strategy. The project outcomes however have not changed and still remains as is. 

Scope of work/Expected Output

The TE report will assess the achievement of project results against what was expected to be achieved and draw lessons that can both improve the sustainability of benefits from this project, and aid in the overall enhancement of UNDP programming. The TE report promotes accountability and transparency and assesses the extent of project accomplishments.

Further to this, the objectives of the evaluation will be to:

•              assess the achievement of project results supported by evidence (i.e. progress of project’s outcome targets),

•              assess the contribution and alignment of the project to relevant national development plan or environmental policies;

•              assess the contribution of the project results towards the relevant outcome and output of the Sub Regional Programme Document (SRPD) & United Nation Pacific Strategy (UNPS/UNDAF)

•              assess any cross cutting and gender issues

•              examination on the use of funds and value for money

•              and to draw lessons that can both improve the sustainability of benefits from this project, and aid in the overall enhancement of UNDP programming.  

The TE will be conducted according to the guidance, rules and procedures established by UNDP and GEF as reflected in the UNDP Evaluation Guidance for GEF Financed Projects. 

The objectives of the evaluation are to assess the achievement of project results, and to draw lessons that can both improve the sustainability of benefits from this project, and aid in the overall enhancement of UNDP programming.  

Refer to Annex 1 -Terms of Reference  for details.

Qualifications:

Education

•              Master’s degree in Environmental Management/Science, Natural Resource Management or equivalent.

Experience

The Consultant must present the following qualifications:

•              Relevant experience with results-based management evaluation methodologies

•              Experience in applying SMART indicators and reconstructing or validating baseline scenarios

•              Experience in evaluating projects

•              Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience and has the technical knowledge in the targeted focal area(s)

•              Knowledge of UNDP and GEF evaluation process and has lead evaluation process for at least 2-3 of UNDP/GEF funded projects

•              Experience working in Asia and the Pacific and has a good understanding of the biodiversity, conservation and climate change sector in the Pacific

•              Experience working with communities, government sectors, NGOs and understands local protocols and customs and has excellent communication skills;

•              Experience in the policy development processes associated with environment and sustainable development issues

•              Project evaluation/review experiences within United Nations system will be considered an asset

Competencies:

• Competence in adaptive management, as applied to climate change adaptation projects and ecosystems management;
• Project evaluation/review experiences within United Nations system will be considered an asset;

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is essential

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.

%

 Milestone

Deadlines

10%

At contract signing and submission of an inception report

4th September 2020

40%

Following submission and approval of the 1st draft terminal evaluation report

20th October 2020

50%

Following submission and approval (UNDP-CO and UNDP RTA) of the final terminal evaluation report

10th November 2020

Offerors must send the following documents.

1. Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template[1] provided by UNDP;
2. Detailed CV;
3. Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price.
4. Breakdown of costs must be provided  as per template attached to the Letter of Confirmation of Interest template. If an applicant 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 applicant must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP.
5. Completed template for confirmation of Interest and Submission of Financial Proposal

 Applicants 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 ( inclusive of Medical insurance), travel costs, living allowance (if any work is to be done outside the Individual Consultant´s duty station) and any other applicable cost to be incurred by the Individual Consultant 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.

1. Note: All travel expenses to the country (such as flight ticket, per diem, etc) will be based on reimbursement. In general, UNDP shall not accept travel cost exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the applicant wish to travel on class he/she should do sousing 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 Individual Consultant, 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)

Women candidates are encouraged to apply.