Consultant: Climate Change Vulnerability and Impact Assessment Review for the Black Sea Region

Title:

Consultant for the preparation of a climate change vulnerability and impact assessment review for the Black Sea region and the development of a climate change adaptation framework for the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization (BSEC) and Black Sea Commission (BSC)

Location:

Mostly home-based. The consultant will be expected to make three visits: 1) to present the draft report to BSEC and BSC (Istanbul); 2) to implement a capacity development workshop on climate change (Istanbul; could be other Black Sea site); 3) to present the final report at a conference (Athens).

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 2007 established in Athens, Greece a Programme Management Office (PMO) in charge of implementing the Black Sea Trade and Investment Promotion Programme (BSTIP). The Programme aims at promoting the regional economic integration process among the Member States of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) Organization.

BSTIP is currently embarking to include climate change and green economy in its work programme. It is launching a project entitled Introducing Climate Change in the Environmental Strategy for the Protection for the Black Sea, financed by the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The overall aim of the project is to introduce climate change in the environmental protection of the Black Sea and to promote green entrepreneurship, competitiveness, trade, financing and investment opportunities in the Black Sea region.

BSEC and the Black Sea Commission (BSC) are well positioned to support the climate change agenda on the regional level. BSEC and BSC have a particularly strong role when the impact of climate change transcends the boundaries of individual countries. National and local measures can be strengthened by a coordinated approach at BSEC and BSC level. There is a mounting interest and political commitment to take up this challenge underscored by the recent adoption and launch of several regional climate change and green economy related initiatives. The project will support BSEC and BSC to build a solid knowledge base on the impact and consequences of climate change and to integrate adaptation into key policy areas.

UNDP BSTIP would like to engage a consultant to prepare a climate change vulnerability and impact assessment
review for the Black Sea region. This includes the development of a climate change adaptation framework for the
Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization (BSEC) and Black Sea Commission (BSC).

The assignment shall support BSEC and BSC to gain an understanding about the impacts of climate change in the region, to develop a strategic perspective on how adaptation can be promoted within their institutional settings and organizational mandates, as well as to start integrating climate change in specific sectoral strategies and action plans, based on the existing experience and knowledge of the Member States and available climate change assessment tools and policy instruments.

The consultant shall utilize existing literature and sources for the preparation of the review. He/She will receive extensive background information as a stocktaking exercise was already implemented upfront. The supporting material includes a preliminary regional analysis on many important aspects relevant to the assignment and national climate change profiles for each of the BSEC Member States. The consultant will additionally receive advice and feedback from the Project’s Strategic Advisor. Contacts to relevant stakeholder in the region are well established and BSEC and BSC are committed to support the assignment to the extent possible. 

Under the supervision of the Project’s Strategic Advisor and the UNDP Project Manager, the Consultant shall be responsible for the following:

• Based on existing literature, review the regional circumstances related to climate change (governance structures, geographic and climate profile, natural resources, economic profile and environmental situation).
• Based on the climate scenarios developed for the BSEC Member States and the region, characterize possible impacts and consequences due to climate change.
• Review previously conducted vulnerability and adaptation assessments in BSEC Member States for key sectors and develop a regional synthesis focusing on key sectors of strategic importance and where sufficient data is available (e.g. water resources, biodiversity, tourism, energy and industry). A specific geographical focus shall be placed on the coastal areas of the Black Sea.
• Review and incorporate new knowledge created within past and on-going regional research projects and identify the knowledge gaps and research needs, skills and methods necessary to strengthen the regional climate change knowledge base.
• Provide recommendations on filling knowledge gaps which shall contribute to further developing a regional climate change research agenda.
• Review existing national institutional climate change arrangements, national adaptation plans and strategies, national/regional climate change adaptation projects and programmes as well as the status and practice of integrating climate change into national development policies.
• Based on this analysis, characterize the needs and challenges the region is facing in the process of adapting to climate change and assess the regional adaptive capacity and institutional maturity.
• Highlight international best practices and lessons learned from regional adaptation frameworks, focusing on neighboring developments (EU and the Mediterranean Action Plan).
• Recommend how the existing regional intergovernmental structures of BSEC and BSC can enhance the climate change adaptation process in the Black Sea region.
• Develop a roadmap and present an adaptation framework for BSEC and BSC to advance the climate change adaptation agenda within its institutional structures and on the regional level.
• Present a practical catalogue of activities in form of a results matrix (i.e. Action Plan).
• Propose the introduction of climate change into concrete policy documents already identified in the stocktaking exercise for this project, i.e. the BSEC Action Plan for Cooperation in the Field of Environmental Protection; the new Strategic Action Plan for the Black Sea Biodiversity and Landscape Conservation Protocol (BSCLCP-SAP); and the Report on the State of the Environment and the BSC Annual Work Programme.
• Visit Istanbul for consultative purposes to present the draft report to the key beneficiaries of BSEC and BSC and incorporate the feedback into the analysis.
• Prepare the final document and a power point presentation on the key findings and results of the assessment.
• Implement a capacity building workshop to present the results of the climate change assessment review and to conduct a climate change mainstreaming workshop for the key beneficiaries and target groups (in Istanbul or Athens or other Black Sea location).
• Present the report at a final conference in Athens.

The main deliverables are:

• A climate change vulnerability and impact assessment review for the Black Sea region, which includes a climate change adaption framework and action plan for the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization (BSEC) and the Black Sea Commission (BSC).
• A capacity building workshop to equip key stakeholders with the skills and knowledge necessary to further promote and engage in climate change mainstreaming.
• A final presentation of the findings and results of the assessment.

The final document shall comprise the following chapters:

• Executive Summary
• Introduction: Climate Change Adaptation, BSEC and BSC
• Climate Change Impacts and Consequences in the Black Sea region
• Vulnerability and Adaptation in the Black Sea region
• Adaptive capacity and institutional maturity in the Black Sea region
• International best practices and lessons learned from regional adaptation frameworks
• Recommendations: A regional adaptation framework and action plan for BSEC and BSC
• Conclusions
• ANNEX 1: Filling the Knowledge Gap - A contribution to the development of a regional adaptation research agenda
• ANNEX 2: Introducing Climate Change into selected work and policy areas of BSEC and BSC

The expected length of the Review, including the Annexes, is 100 pages max.

• Draft report to be submitted 3-4 months after signing the contract (beginning of November 2012 at the latest).
• The final report to be submitted beginning of February 2013.

• Excellent analytical skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Excellent facilitation skills.

The consultant shall have the following qualifications:

Education:

• At least a Master’s degree in environmental studies, social or political science related to climate change or other relevant fields.
• PhD or PhD candidate status in environmental science, climate change politics, climate change adaptation or relevant fields shall be considered as a strong asset.

Experience:

• At least 7 years of professional experience in (research and/or consulting) projects related to climate change.
• Experience in providing consultancy and advisory services. Track record of at least three relevant assignments.
• Knowledge of climate change issues in the European Union and the BSEC context shall be considered as a strong asset.
• Previous experience in preparation of studies, reviews, development of comprehensive reports and policy recommendations.
• Writing experience (number of relevant publications). 

Languages:

• Excellent knowledge in English language.

Terms and conditions for provision of services:

Language : The report shall be prepared in proof read English language.
Timeframe: The start of the assignment is expected beginning of July 2012 and it shall be completed no later than March 2013.
Reporting: During the fulfillment of the assignment, the contractor will ensure regular communication with the Project’s staff and the Climate Change and Green Economy Project Management Consultant. The Consultant shall report on a regular basis to the UNDP Project Manager. The contractor shall ensure quality and timely delivery of the expected results and will regularly inform on the progress as well as any obstacles that might occur.
Working materials: The Project Unit will provide the Consultant with background information to the extent possible.
Stakeholder Consultations: If needed, the contractor shall be available during the duration of the assignment for video and telephone consultations (organized by UNDP).
Travel: Travel will be organized by UNDP. Travel costs and DSA will be covered in accordance with the applicable UNDP rules and procedures.
Payment:

• 20% - First installment upon submission of the outline
• 30% - Second installment upon submission and approval of the draft report
• 50% - Third installment upon submission and approval of the final report

Estimated Duration of the Assignment:

Beginning of July 2012 – End of March 2013 (approximately 65 working days within this period).

Evaluation of Applicants:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.
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 (P11 desk reviews and interviews) and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Only highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job based on the P11 desk review will be invited for an interview

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 55 points:

• Criteria A - Relevant education – max points: 5
• Criteria B – Experience in relevant or similar assignments: 10
• Criteria C – Knowledge of climate change in the EU context: 10
• Criteria D – Knowledge of the economics of climate change and green economy: 5
• Criteria E – Experience in the Black Sea region: 5
• Criteria F – Interview (responses regarding climate change and green economy will be evaluated) – max :20

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 24 points

Application procedures:

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website. The application should contain:

• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position and a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work (if applicable). Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application.
• Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees
  (blank form can be downloaded from http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc ); please upload the P11 instead of your CV.
• Financial Proposal* - specifying a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this announcement inclusive of all expenses with the exception of travel expenses. Travel expenses will be paid by UNDP in accordance to UNDP rules and regulations.
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials

*Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive except for travel and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, vaccination and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services.  

Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.

Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org
General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://europeandcis.undp.org/home/jobs

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.

Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.