International Consultant - Lead International Advisor

As a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) has undertaken important steps towards understanding and addressing climate change issues. It is increasingly recognized not only by the Government and scientific community, but also by its citizens that climate change is an issue of key strategic importance. B&H has put great emphasis on climate change as one of the most significant development challenges facing the country. The importance of adaptation was clearly reflected in its Second National Communications and Climate Change Adaptation and Low Emission Development Strategy (CCA LEDs), adopted in 2013. In 2015, B&H submitted its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC), as part of the negotiations leading to the historic Paris Agreement, which it signed in April 2016.
Authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina and key domestic stakeholders realize the increasing threat posed to them and the development of the country by climate change and the need of adapting to it in order to avoid or minimise negative consequences.  The government is motivated to support and implement the national adaptation planning (NAP) process as adaptation issues are becoming very important for the country’s further development.

The overall project’s objective is to support the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina to advance the national adaptation planning process. Green Climate Fund (GCF) resources will be used to enable the government to integrate climate change related risks, coping strategies and opportunities into ongoing development planning and budgeting processes. The project will advance adaptation planning in B&H with a focus on most vulnerable sectors such as water management, agriculture, forestry etc., upgrading the knowledge base for adaptation, prioritizing adaptation interventions for the medium term, building institutional capacities for integrating climate change adaptation and demonstrating innovative ways of financing adaptation at the sub-national/local government level.

Objective of this assignment is to establish a financing framework for climate change adaptation action in Bosnia and Herzegovina from the bottom-up.  The project will support the development of a financing framework at the municipal level, including identification of possible innovative financing solutions for climate change adaptation action.  The project will further seek to i) conduct studies to inform future investments in adaptation across sectors in selected municipalities; ii) identify policy options for scaling up adaptation, including by engaging and incentivizing the private sector in adaptation, in addition to its corporate social responsibility; iii) development of municipal assistance tools for adaptation planning and financing, and iv) training of staff to apply the tools in the design of ‘bankable’ adaptation interventions.  By undertaking these interventions, appropriate financing for climate change adaptation action is expected to be met for medium- to long-term planning.

The consultant should work in close consultation with and under the guidance and supervision of the UNDP project manager (PM). Specifically, his\her responsibilities are but not limited to the following:

• Analyse current budgetary and extra-budgetary expenses, sources of funding and other financing mechanisms used to address climate change impacts;
• Identify financial resources required to meet adaptation strategies and develop a financing strategy;
• Assess existing market barriers for up to 4 municipalities and identify effective means of de-risking market based adaptation financing transactions;
• Assess feasibility of complementary sources of finance, including private sector capital;
• Define and showcase new financing approach for accessing adaptation finance by municipalities;
• Develop methodology and tools for multi-year capital investment risk informed programming and prioritization for financial planning at municipal level;
• Test new financing approach (linked to activity 3.2) and prepare investment programming, prioritization and financial planning tools to support municipal access to domestic market financing to leverage additional sources of funding for effective adaptation implementation;
• Carry out municipal CCA finance start-up and orientation workshop;
• Assist selected municipalities and local professionals through expert support and practical hands-on training on: i) formulation of multi-year climate resilient investment plan, ii) prioritization of investment projects, iii) preparation of financial plans and creditworthiness assessments, iv) preparation of long-term financing scenarios and formulation of proposals, and v) linking municipalities with financing institutions and supporting market transactions for co-financing of prioritized investment programs and projects.

Deliverables/ outputs
The consultant is responsible for the following deliverables:

Deliverable / outputs;  # of days per task;    Due date;     Percentage

• Analysis of existing climate finance completed 15 30 June 2019 8.33;
• Summary listing of identified financial resources completed  30 30 Sept 2019 16.67;
• Feasibility assessment for 2 municipalities developed  30 Sept 2019;
• Feasibility assessment (combined with 3) of using complementary sources of finance and Summary of applicable financial mechanisms and available financing instruments developed 15, 30 Nov 2019 8.00;
• Proposed approach for municipal adaptation finance submitted  24, 28 Feb 2020 13.33;
• Methodology and analytical tools for: (1) multi-year capital investment risk informed programming (2) investments prioritization and (3) financial forecasting and mid-term municipal finance planning developed   28 Feb 2020;
•  Package of tested software tools and manuals with data application examples developed 25 30 Apr 2020 13.89;
• Set of 4 workshops for representatives of selected municipalities conducted  30 Apr 2020;
• Initial investment plans for selected municipalities developed  10 30 Jun 2020, 5.56;
• Prioritized investment plans for assisted municipalities developed 13 30 Sept 2020, 7.22;
• Financial plan models presented to assisted municipalities 12 30 Nov 2020, 6.77;
• Municipal financing proposals prepared and approved  36 30 Feb 2021 20.00.

Corporate competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling 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 favouritism;
• Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Functional competencies:

• Strong interpersonal skills, communication and diplomatic skills, ability to work in a team
• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
• Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations;
• Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities;
• Excellent public speaking and presentation skills;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Extensive knowledge of computer applications;
• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a fairly big team;
• Ability to operate under strict time limits.

Academic Qualifications/Education

• MA Degree in environmental management/economics/natural sciences.

Experience

• Minimum 15 years of experience;
• Proven experience in implementation of CC adaptation projects;
• Proven experience in implementation of projects at municipal level;
• Previous experience with UNDP is a great advantage;
• Experience in working with wide range of stakeholders (private, governmental, etc.).

Other requirements

• Knowledge of the environmental issues in B&H;
• Knowledge of B&H institutional set-up;
• Good understanding of climate change and sustainable development issues.

Languages Requirements

• Knowledge of English

Documents to Be Included When Submitting the Proposals:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

1. Proposal:

• Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work;
• Provide a methodology/approach to work.

     2.  Completed and signed the Offeror’s template Confirming Interest and Availability (please follow the link: http://www.ba.undp.org/content/dam/bosnia_and_herzegovina/docs/Operations/Jobs/Offerors%20Letter%20to%20UNDP%20Confirming%20Interest%20and%20Availability.docx);

     3. Personal CV including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references.

Financial Proposal

Lump sum contracts
The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in installments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR.  In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including travel, per diem, and number of anticipated working days).

Travel;
All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal.

Evaluation

Criteria Weight  Max. Point 
Technical   

• Methodology (document which contains brief explanation on approach to conduct the work) 40% 40;
• Knowledge of B&H institutional set-up; Deep understanding of CC adaptation projects and implementation of projects at municipal level, Knowledge of the environmental issues in B&H 50% 50;
• Prior work with UNDP/UN Agencies  10% 10 

Financial 30% 30 

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

Cumulative analysis

When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should 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 weight-70%
• * Financial Criteria weight- 30%

Please scan all above mentioned documents and upload as one attachment only online through this website.

Note:

• For an assignment requiring travel, consultants of 65 years or more require full medical examination and statement of fitness to work to engage in the consultancy.
• Due to large number of potential applicants, only competitively selected candidates will be contacted for remaining steps of the service procurement process.