Background

Purpose

To provide guidance and inputs on institutional platform for transparency, to support local consultants on the establishing of Transparency Framework, and to deliver initial training on the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) tracking.

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 as expressed in 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. 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, and building capacities of relevant institutions in the field of climate change.

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 International Consultant 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:

• Review the transparency of the system for collection and reporting of data and information and their compliance with the UNFCCC/international and the EU requirements;
• Provide recommendations for building capacities on transparency, based on nexus approach in assessing climate change mitigation (CCM) and climate change adaptation (CCA) policies/measures, including backstopping guidance and support;
• Develop detailed gaps analysis including quantifying climate finance gaps, and needs assessment, based on initial capacity needs prepared during project preparation;
• Recommendations for transparency framework for climate financing at national and local level;
• Provide recommendations for the loss & damage impact assessment;
• Support in capacity building to generate socio-economic assessments and models (related to CC policies and measures);
• Develop a framework of options for NDC tracking and reporting on climate change adaptation and mitigation, including roles and responsibilities of specific institution and using a gender-sensitive approach;
• Conduct training on the initial NDC tracking and reporting framework on climate change adaptation and mitigation for specific institutions;
• In line with already developed stakeholder engagement plan within the Project Document, prepare report on NDC training and reporting framework including all relevant institutions (on national and local level) with proposal of clear roles of each institution in NDCs reporting framework;
• Conduct initial training on NDCs tracking and reporting for relevant institutions related to climate change mitigation (CCM) and climate change adaptation (CCA);
• Participate and deliver a presentation on at least one additional capacity building event during the assignment, to provide most up to date information on Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) under Paris Agreement, and UNFCCC reporting requirements after 2020;
• Regulatory advisory support where needed with respect to existing international guidelines and benchmarks;
• Particularly related, but not limited to: EU ETS, EU MMR and the Decision (EU) 2019/504 on amending Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency and Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 on the governance of the Energy Union and climate action, in order to assess recommendations developed by the Energy Community and to provide detailed guidance on the development of National Climate & Energy Plans and Programmes;
• Review the most appropriate Conceptual Framework for Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) on national level, in line with the new Transparency framework;
• Provide support in the preparation of the Terms of Reference for development of the Integrated MRV Information System.

Deliverables and Timeline

• Deliverable 1. Detailed transparency gaps analysis and needs assessment prepared and accepted 10 days from signing the contract - deadline: 10 days from signing the contract
• Deliverable 2. Report with recommendations for new transparency framework, with capacity building plan, prepared and accepted - deadline: 20 July 2019;
• Deliverable 3. Guidelines for loss & damage impact assessment developed - deadline: 20 August 2019;
• Deliverable 4. Report (up to 15 pages) on NDC tracking and reporting framework, including stakeholders mapping and programme on initial NDCs training, developed and accepted - deadline: 10 October 2019;
• Deliverable 5. Deliver one-day initial training on NDCs tracking and reporting for institutions relevant for CCM and CCA and deliver a presentation on additional capacity building event on EFT and UNFCCC reporting requirements after 2020 - deadline:15 November 2019;
• Deliverable 6. Report (up to 20 pages) on Conceptual Framework for Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) on national level -deadline: 1 December 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 modeling 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;
• Proven international experience in establishing of MRV systems;
• Demonstrable experience in training and capacity building of national stakeholders and institutions;
• 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 7 June 2019.

The above listed documents may be uploaded under consultancy ref. 1947 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.

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).

Additional Information:

• Individual Contract (IC) will be applicable for individual consultants applying in their own capacity.
• Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA) will be applicable for applicants employed by any legal entity. Template of RLA with General Terms and Conditions could be found on:
  http://www.undp.org.rs/download/RLA%20with%20General%20Terms%20and%20Conditions.doc . 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.