International Technical Expert on Low-Carbon Transport Investments–Green...

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

UNDP is one of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) accredited Entities. The GCF is a financial operating entity of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which was set up in compliance with Article 11 of the Convention to contribute significantly to the collective efforts of the international community to combat climate change. Montenegro is eligible for submission of project proposals to the Green Climate Fund, with the representative from Ministry of Sustainable... Development and Tourism acting as the National Focal Point (NFP).

The Green Climate Fund’s vision is to support a paradigm shift to low-emission and climate resilient development. It is driven by innovation and targets its investments for transformational impacts. The Fund has identified the following eight impact areas which will deliver major mitigation and adaptation benefits:

GCF has established six criteria in its Investment Framework to guide its investment decisions: (i) impact potential, (ii) paradigm shift potential, (iii) sustainable development potential, (iv) needs of the recipient, (v) country ownership, and (vi) efficiency and effectiveness.

The transport sector is a key segment of the Montenegro economy recognized as such within Montenegro's energy policy to 2030. This document specified development of the Montenegrin energy sector, identifying key strategic commitments in 20 topics. Among others, the document presents two key strategic commitments relevant for transport sector:

• Efficient use of energy in the transport sector through the promotion of public transport, the promotion of energy efficient and low-emission vehicles, and integration of the criteria of energy efficiency into the projects of transport infrastructure;
• Increase in the share of use of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) in traffic movements with the goal of achieving the national target.

As the main directions of development for the transport sector the Transport Development Strategy until 2030 recognizes the following priorities:

• program for inclusion of criteria of energy efficiency and environmental protection in investments in transport infrastructure introduced;
• introduction of more stringent requirements for the environmental characteristics of the vehicle;
• promotion of the use of energy-efficient means of transport;
• more efficient use of transport and infrastructure through introduction of improved systems for transport management, information systems and advanced logistics. Reduction specific energy consumption per unit of service (ton-kilometers or passenger-kilometers);
• special measures for the improvement of EE in public and municipal transport, including training drivers, better vehicle maintenance, more efficient fleet management systems, etc.;
• public awareness campaigns for around the purchase of energy-efficient vehicles, alternative fuel vehicles, energy conscious driving, greater use of the public transport as well as alternative forms of transport (e.g. bicycles, hiking), etc.;
• redirecting freight traffic to railways to electric power;
• increased use of liquid petroleum gas, compressed natural gas, as well as use of electric vehicles.

UNDP provides support tto he government of Montenegro in identification of priority low-caron invetments in transport sector and outlining a draft national low-carbon transport strategy to realize the key sectoral priorities. In this respect, UNDP is providing advisory services and assisting the government in facilitation of the investment planning exercise, with the aim to define the key government transport sector investment priorities and possible timeframes, including those that will be considered to form the investment basis for the GCF project (as a main investment or co-finance).

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives of the assignment

1. Concept Note

The international expert is expected to revise the draft concept note for GCF with focus on narrowing and sub-defining the project scope, building it around the government priorities and planned investments in the next 1-5 years, and clarifying the roles different stakeholders would be expected to play. The principal responsibility of the consultant is to provide required inputs related to the technical structuring of the project (technical meaning all aspects related to project relevant/ selected sub-sectoral measures, actions, initiatives, calculations, models etc.) in order to finalize the development of the concept note. Special attention shall be paid to the role of a private sector in the sector and the role it would be playing in the project (be it terms of financing, support, or in a role of a beneficiary). Equally, the concept note needs to present a clear justification for the proposed project concessionally/funding structure, avoiding crowding out of the private sector/commercial financing, to the extent possible.

The consultant will be asked to work closely with the UNDP country office, international expert engaged to draft the outline of low-carbon transport strategy and prioritize low-carbon investments, global technical specialist for energy, the national and local authorities and other relevant stakeholders as needed, in order to define the relevant activities, preferred technical solutions to address the specific sectoral barriers, funding structure (including clear sources and estimates of possible co-finance), implementation arrangements, and preliminary project risks (including those related to environmental and social safeguards). The expert is also expected to work closely with the international consultant on financial structuring who will develop the project business model/case and prepare a preliminary financial model/structure, including clear financial flow for the project. The consultant shall consider the feedback received from the GCF on the draft concept note as well feedback from UNDP, government and other relevant stakeholders. The outcomes of the above listed objectives of the assignment shall be:
(i) A concept note, built on a strong and clear theory of change, fully in line with GCF investment criteria as well as the government investment priorities in short and/or medium term.
(ii) Pre-feasibility study outlining the preliminary technical, financial and other requirements and context for the project
(iii) Preliminary social and environmental safeguards screening (note: note that this is not environmental and social management plan but a preliminary screening – see Annex 1 of the Screening guidance.

2. GCF Project Preparation Facility – Application

Further, in order for the concept note to be developed into a full funding proposal, the consultant is expected to draft Project Preparation Facility application to GCF. The consultant will be asked to estimate costs of preparation of different technical and financial studies and incorporate feedback/guidance from the UNDP team on the required deliverables.

The principal responsibility for managing the Consultant will lie with the Programme Manager within UNDP Montenegro.

Scope of work:

Deliverable 1: Revised concept note and theory of change

The consultant will re-draft a concept note and theory of change in line with the GCF template/requirements and as per UNDP guidance. The concept note shall reflect the key government investment priorities identified during the process of drafting the low-carbon transport development programme that includes wide national consultations and a workshop to be held in the second half of September. The revised concept note is expected to be fully in line with the GCF investment criteria, policies and UNDP accreditation. The consultant is expected to present a preliminary fund flow; clearly identifying the sources of funding as well as beneficiaries. The scope of the revised project shall not be broad but instead focus on 1-3 concrete investment opportunities in a concrete transport sub-sector (to be agreed with UNDP and the government).

Deliverable 2: Pre-feasibility study

The consultant will draft pre-feasibility study the contextualise the concept note with respect to the technical, financial and other requirements, as per UNDP guidance. The study shall contain, but might not be limited to, the assessment of the transport market, its key players and their readiness/interest to participate in the project; the policy, legislative and regulatory barriers; as well as the technical, financial, institutional and capacity barriers to be overcome by the project.

Deliverable 3: Preliminary environmental and social safeguards screening

The consultant will prepare draft preliminary environmental and social screening, marking the possible risks for the projects that will be further assessed during the funding proposal preparation.

Deliverable 4: Project Preparation Facility (PPF) application

The consultant will draft PPF application, including the excel budget for the different PPF deliverables and implementation timeline. The UNDP team will advise on the individual deliverables to be budgeted/presented.

Deliverable

Estimated duration /days

Estimated timing and deadlines

1

15

20 September – 10 November

2

13

20 September – 10 November

3

3

10 November – 15 December

4

9

10 November – 15 December

TOTAL working days

40

Responsibility for expenses and their reimbursement:

This is a lump sum assignment. The Consultant will be responsible for all personal administrative and travel expenses associated with undertaking this assignment including office accommodation, printing, stationary, telephone and electronic communications, report copies as well as other costs incurred in this assignment. In case of introduced travel and/or meeting restrictions in the country of residence of the Consultant or in Montenegro, the mission to Montenegro will be cancelled and the tasks will be conducted remotely. The Project Team will support the implementation of virtual workshops and interviews with stakeholders. Travel costs should be not be included in the proposal but rather covered separately by UNDP Montenegro

Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UN/UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
• Demonstrates ability to manage complexities and work under pressure, as well as conflict resolution.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master's Degree, or equivalent, in Transport/Civil Engineering, Transport Economics and/or Business or other related fields. University degree with specialized experience in transport sector, may be considered in lieu of a Master’s degree. At least 15 years of relevant professional experience related to transformation and development of transport sector;

Experience:

• Proven experience developing sustainable transport development related projects and models at scale;
• Experience in working on climate change adaptation/mitigation projects, particularly on designing technical components of projects related to energy efficiency, transport, etc.;
• Knowledge with GCF policies, templates and requirements;
• Previous experience with UNDP is an asset;
• Experience in the Europe and CIS region is an asset.

Language:

• Excellent English writing skills are essential.
• Local language writing/reading skills would be considered as an advantage.

Other:

• Good understanding of the fiduciary, environmental and social safeguards standards and requirements of the GCF and/or UNDP would be an asset;

Criteria for selection:

Combined Scoring method will be used. 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: (i) responsive, compliant, acceptable, and (ii) 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% (Background and education 10%; Relevant previous experience 20%; Substantial knowledge/Required competencies 30%; Required language 10%);
• Financial criteria weight - 30%.

Only offerors obtaining a minimum 490 points for technical criteria will be considered for the financial evaluation. For more information on procurement methodology for Individual Contractors, please refer to Procurement Notice.

Application procedure:

Interested applicants are requested to submit their applications by September 07, 2021 by using the Apply now button. The application should contain CV or P11 that can be downloaded at https://www.me.undp.org/content/montenegro/en/home/jobs.html. Please note that UNDP jobsite system allows only one uploading of application document, so please make sure that you merge all your documents into a single file.

Only the short-listed applicants will be contacted and requested to submit a letter of interest including a price quotation indicating the lump sum (in EUR) requested for the work envisaged in the section "Description of Responsibilities