International short-term consultant on climate change adaptation

Turkmenistan is a water stressed country and has one of the harshest climates in the Central Asian region.   Climate change modeling indicates significant increases in temperature and reduction in rainfall. Temperatures are expected to increase by 20C by 2040, with precipitation declining across all agro-ecological zones by 8-17 percent between 2040 and 2100, which coupled with increase in temperature, will lead to a decrease in total volume of water availability that is likely to have a profound impact on agricultural production systems and local farmers.  The long-term solution envisaged by the Government of Turkmenistan is to mainstream climate change adaptation at the community, district, provincial and national levels in order to secure climate resilient livelihoods in agricultural communities.  To help the Government meet these outcomes, the project will support three inter-related components, namely:

1. Improving climate related socio-economic outcomes in targeted agricultural communities in Lebap and Dashoguz velayats through the implementation of community-based adaptation solutions;
2. Mainstreaming climate adaptation measures in agricultural and water sector development strategy and policy; and
3. Strengthening national capacity for iterative climate change adaptation planning, implementation and monitoring in the country.

The project will directly strengthen the adaptive capacity and reduce the vulnerability of around 40,000 to 50,000 persons (of which around 51.2% would be women) in the Lebap and Dashoguz velayats by helping them improve the productivity of farm operations, be better prepared for increasing water scarcity and by introducing alternative income sources.  Improved water efficiency and crop production systems will bring approximately 20,000 ha of agricultural and 500,000 ha of pastoral lands under climate resilient technologies resulting in a real net household income increase of at least 15% for participating households (including at least 20% of women-headed households).  The replication potential of successful efficient water management and climate resilient practices and of new climate-friendly sectoral planning, legislative and capacity development measures would indirectly benefit around 500,000 people in Turkmenistan, of which around 50% would be women).

The project will work in two etraps (districts) of two different velayats (provinces) of Turkmenistan.  These are the Gorogly etrap of Dashoguz velayat and Danev etrap of Lepab velayat. The etraps were identified at the recommendation of the Government. The project has selected three pilot daikhan associations and a livestock farm in the two velayats and will start working with these daikhan associations and farms, including individual farmers/households and private farms, in the initial phase of the project to demonstrate adaptation options for various types of agricultural activities (crop production, horticulture and livestock). The pilots are the Yagtylyk, Abadanlyk and Balysh Ovezov daikhan associations and Garagum livestock (cattle ranch) farm in the Gorogly etrap of Dashoguz velayat and the Vatan, Parakhat and Babadayhan daikhan associations in the Danev etrap and Serdar livestock farm of Chardzew etrap of Lebap velayat.

For more detailed information about this project as well as other UNDP Turkmenistan environmental projects please visit: www.undptkm.org.

According to the Mid-term evaluation and its recommendation #10a project seek international adaptation expert to review the measures implemented by the SCRL project in the light of the opinion received from the project consultants on the approach taken and provide advice to project team on making correct choice and adequate application of the climate change adaptation technologies which enable to consume water resources efficiently, preserve soils from degradation and increase overall agricultural income.

International Consultant on Climate Change Adaptation (hereinafter referred to as “IC”) will be responsible for providing more guidance, especially in relation to international expertise in climate change adaptation. International consultant will report to the SCRL Project Manager with overall reporting to the UNDP Programme Specialist on Environment.

Deliverables:

International Consultant on Climate Change Adaptation will provide the following services:

Deliverable 1 (50%) to contain the following:

• Conduct a comprehensive analysis of the project approach applied to achieve the project objectives and make the necessary adjustments, if any;
• Study and analysis of the performed work of the project on Remote Agro-Consulting and recommendations for improvement;
• Study and analysis of the implemented adaptation activities of the project, as well as Local Adaptation Plans (MAP) prepared jointly with local communities; Assesses the approach/methodology on preparation of MAP and recommendations for its improvement;
• Visit to Daihan associations located in the etraps of Gorogly and Danev to analyse the current situation of water and land management in pilot regions and assess the technical condition of water infrastructure. This assessment will be required to identify the advantages and disadvantages of current practices and to recommend improvements;

5 homebased working days and 5 working days in Turkmenistan.

Deliverable 2 (50%) to contain the following:

• Provide consultations on the methodology and mechanism for iterative monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) of implementation of the mainstreamed adaptation actions;
• Advises project specialists on the calculation of socio-economic benefits of adaptation practices after their application.
• Prepare proposals for using different principles and approaches to address irrigation problems in salty soils and water scarcity;
• Offers innovative activities aimed at providing alternative income and supporting climate-resilient livelihoods;
• Prepares a final report on the work done and lessons learned, including a methodology for on preparation of MAP, methodology for MRV with a view to taking into account project targets in a scientific and sound manner.

10 homebased working days.

• Deliverable 1: due date: 30 March 2020. Payment: 50% of total contract amount.
• Deliverable 2: due date: 30 April 2020. Payment: 50% of total contract amount.

Payments will be done in 2 installments: 1st and 2nd installments – 50% each, upon delivery of each respective deliverable as described above.

Corporate Competencies:

• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, age sensitivity/adaptability;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP.

Technical Competencies:

• Experienced engineer in water, irrigations, or hydrogeology, soil physicists, climate change  adaptation or related areas;
• Good understanding of climate change issues and climate change adaptation measures including traditional water collection and supply techniques under limited water availability;
• Good understanding of soil physics and/or subsoil drainage water related issues. Outstanding time-management, organizational and interpersonal skills;
• Graduate degree in agriculture, soil science, cropland irrigation or related field.

Functional competencies:

• Strong communication and analytical skills;
• Excellent ability to communicate in English, Russian both written and spoken;
• Good writing skills and computer literacy;
• Ability to meet deadlines;
• Excellent organizational, communicative, time-management and teamwork skills;

Personal Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;
• Positive, constructive attitude to work.

Education:                 

• Graduate Degree in the field of agriculture, hydraulic engineer or land recultivation or similar filed related to soil physics and/or water management.

Experience:               

• At least 10 years of practical experience in the design and/or implementation of activities/project related to climate change adaptation of agriculture, agriculture, rural livelihoods, soil salinity and degradation issues and/or water management systems; 
• Demonstrated experience in improving water management practices;
• Working experience in developing countries and CIS countries is an asset. Experience of work in Turkmenistan will be a plus.

Language requirements:      

• Proficiency in English and Russian, analytical and presentation skills.

Submission of applications:

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

1. Cover letter explaining why they are the most suitable candidate for the assignment;
2. A brief description of approach to work/technical proposal on how they will approach and complete the assignment (maximum 1 page);
3. Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability that represents a Financial Proposal with the references to (1) the daily rate for the assignment and within the timing scale indicated in the present TOR, and (2) any other expenses (including transportation costs, accommodation costs, the possibility of vaccination and etc.). Template of the form can be found at: https://www.tm.undp.org/content/turkmenistan/en/home/procurement.html . The UNDP will enter into an Individual Contract based on a lump sum amounts. The financial proposal shall represent a detailed, justified and “all inclusive” amount. In order to assist UNDP in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount, including: a daily fee for the tasks and an estimated duration as specified in this announcement, travel (to and from the missions), per diems, any other possible costs (including vaccinations, dwelling, communication etc.). 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, that they wish to be contracted in accordance with the Reimbursable Loan Agreement modality;
4. Personal CV Form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees.

Note (Conflict of Interest): Any individual who participated in the project preparation, formulation, and/or implementation (including the writing of the Project Document) is ineligible to participate in this bidding.

Evaluation of proposals:

Individual Consultants will be evaluated based on the combined scoring methodology. When using this method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Responsive/compliant and
• Having received the highest score – out of 100 points

Out of the maximum score, the score for technical criteria equals 70% – maximum 70 points, and for financial criteria 30%.

The technical evaluation will take into account the following as per the scoring provided:

Technical criteria-70%, which includes:

• Education in the field of agriculture, soil science, cropland irrigation or similar related filed -20 points;
• Professional experience (including climate change adaptation planning)- 20 points;
• Demonstrated experience in improving water and land management practices-10 points;
• Working experience in developing countries and CIS countries is an asset- 20 points;
• Methodology – 20 points;
• Additional skills (languages, etc.) – 10 points;

Financial proposal – 30% of total evaluation.

Additional requirements for recommended contractor:

Recommended contractors aged 65 and older, and if the travel is required, shall undergo a full medical examination including x-ray, and obtain medical clearance from the UN-approved doctor prior to taking up their assignment. The medical examination is to be cleared by the UN physicians, and shall be paid by the consultant.