South Sudan: Environment and Sustainable Energy - National Consultant

Apr 8, 2016 | UNDP
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South Sudan is a young country which is well endowed with agricultural and fertile arable land, a huge population of globally important and endangered wildlife species and has 6 legally created national parks and 13 game reserves covering 11.1% of the total land area, abundant forestry (covering 29% of total land area with annual deforestation rate of 2%) and water resources (including permanent Sudd wetlands which make up to 5% of the total land area of the country) and potential presence of precious minerals of high value. It has an area of approximately 640,000 km2 and is situated in the Nile Catchment area. The lowest part of the basin forms one of the world’s largest swamp, the Sudd Wetland along with other smaller wetlands. Rainfall is seasonal causing seasonal flooding of flood plains and determine land use patterns of cultivation, livestock grazing and fisheries.  The last population Census carried out in 2008 estimated the country’s population at 8.2 million with an annual population growth rate of 2.2 percent. Recent estimates indicate a population of around 11.91 million in 2014 with more than 70 percent of the population being under 30 years of age (World Bank, National Bureau of Statistics). Most of the country is covered with natural and semi-natural vegetation with a variable tree density. The dominant land use pattern is livestock keeping practice all over the country particularly in the dry areas which have better grass quality and lower livestock parasitic occurrence. The forests are an important source of food for livestock, timber, fuel wood, charcoal and a varied list of Non-Timber based forest produce (NTFPs), including food plants, medicines and bush meat. Agricultural production takes place on a relatively small proportion of the land. Even though land is abundant, the area which is under cultivation is estimated to be less than 4% and is rain fed. Sorghum (69%) and maize (27%) are the dominant crops. Up to 95 percent of the country’s population depends on farming, fishing or herding to meet their food and income needs. The country largely depends on fuel based power sources including generators for electricity and does not have any electric grid. Renewable energy options are limited in scale and scope and are an important growth area for the future.

Climate Change has been identified as one of the most important threats to the development of South Sudan. Studies estimate that temperature rise in the country will be two and a half times higher than the global average with the weather expected to become substantially warmer and drier. Anticipated weather pattern changes are inter-alia estimated to lower crop yields by an estimated 20%, result in increased risks of floods and droughts, exacerbate risks of pests, disease outbreaks and inter-communal conflicts around natural resources access and control. Cumulatively, climate change impacts are expected to worsen existing household vulnerabilities and resort to adverse coping mechanisms. Whilst the country remains highly vulnerable to the worst impacts of climate change, it is least prepared to engage on critical adaptation and mitigation needs.

Clean and renewable energy solutions lie at the heart of South Sudan’s pursuit of sustainable development. Currently, the economy has near complete dependence on carbon fuels including diesel generators, batteries, charcoal, and wood fuel, leading to rapid deforestation of the countries extensive forest reserves. Deforestation affects the provision of ecosystem services, economic services and disrupts the carbon sink functions of the absorption of greenhouse gases. Despite rapid deforestation, there are practically no substantive initiatives underway to transform the country towards green sources of energy. Through developing inclusive and green growth strategies, South Sudan has an opportunity to make a leap forward as it enjoys the ‘late comer’ advantage by learning from the growth experiences of countries in analogous contexts and powering its productive activities from clean energy sources. Lack of energy access and gender inequalities (with women having the sole responsibilities for meeting household energy needs) affect women’s participation in economic activities. Women’s differing energy needs and position in accessing energy sources can be addressed by a de-centralized approach to renewable energy services.

South Sudan as a young nation has a historic opportunity to make a quantum jump in crafting sustainable economic development strategies whilst minimizing adverse environmental impacts. UNDP South Sudan currently supporting the Government of South Sudan in the implementation of the Protected Area Network Management and Building Capacity in Post-conflict Southern Sudan, as well as broader areas of disaster risk reduction and linked climate change adaptation activities. The Human Development and Inclusive Growth Unit (HDIGU) is seeking service of qualified national consultant to provide high quality technical inputs and coordination support on emerging priority areas on environmental issues to the Government of South Sudan.  

Institutional arrangements and reporting: 

The national consultant will work under the technical supervision of the Programme Specialist, Human Development and Inclusive Growth Unit, UNDP South Sudan. He/she will interact with other relevant technical staff within the HDIG unit.

Duties and Responsibilities: 

Scope of work: 

The objective of the assignment is to engage with concerned line Ministries and government counterparts on development of Project Identification form (PIF) and a draft National Adaptation Plan of Action (NAPA) proposal for the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) by way of early preparedness.

The national consultant will support the Human Development and Inclusive Growth Unit to identify emerging opportunities and develop project ideas under the energy and environment thematic area, coordinate and establish partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Cooperatives and Rural Development and other related government institutions. environment other concerned line ministry with a sector wide approach

The consultant is expected to mainly do the following: 

  • Initiate concrete technical discussions with the Government counterparts and other stakeholders on elaboration of the proposed project to establish improved drought and flood Early Warning Systems in South Sudan through improved hydro-meteorological monitoring network;
  • Coordinate follow ups and the support the preparation of the Draft National Adaptation Plan of Action (NAPA) project identification form (PIF)  and initiation of the preparatory processes for the Government of South Sudan to access the resources under the Green Climate Change Fund;
  • Engage with key stakeholders and draft the project document on  renewable energy for poverty reduction and green  growth project document;
  • Technical and coordination support on 2 knowledge products and organizing 6 monthly brown bag sessions at the country office 
  • Participate in the Natural resource management working group. 

Methodology: 

The consultant will combine various methods to undertake the assignment including a desk review of relevant documents, conduct meeting with key government counterparts and related UN agencies and other development partners, and field visits to project sites. 

Expected outputs and deliverables: 

Deliverables/ Outputs to be reviewed and approved by the Team Leader HDIGU;        
Preparation of assignment inception and approach: Estimated Duration to Complete 2 days; Target Due Dates: April 20 2016;               
Coordinate and support the preparation of the NAPA Project Identification Form (PIF);    Estimated Duration to Complete 22 days; Target Due Dates: May 31 2016;     
Preparation of the Renewable energy project proposal; Estimated Duration to complete    22 days; Target Due Dates: July 15 2016;     
Coordinate the preparation of a project document for South Sudan to access the Green Climate Change Fund;     Estimated Duration to Complete 14 days; Target Due Dates: August 15 2016;   
Technical and coordination support on 2 knowledge products and 6 monthly brown bag sessions at the country office    30 days     October 30 2016.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:

Development and Operational Effectiveness

  • Ability to lead strategic planning, change processes, results-based management and reporting;
  • Ability to lead formulation, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects;
  • Ability to apply development theory to the specific country context to identify creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations.

 

Management and Leadership

  • Demonstrates team-building capacity including interpersonal and communication skills and ability to cope with a difficult environment where formal institutions of government are at the embryonic stage; 
  • Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
  • Deals diplomatically with challenging bureaucratic processes, and pressure to meet strict deadlines;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
  • Ability to lead effectively, mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
  • Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
  • Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills;
  • Capacity to work under pressure, manage stress and adapt to rapidly evolving situations;
  • Ability to work in a multicultural environment with sound understanding and capability to empower and develop the capacity of national counterparts.
Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Advanced university degree in the field of natural resource management, climate change, sustainable development studies, environment or other related field.

Experience:

  • Work experience in relevant technical areas for 5 years;
  • Demonstrated understanding of issues related to sustainable environmental management in South Sudan; 
  • Experience applying SMART targets and reconstructing or validating baseline scenarios;
  • Experience working in East Africa, and post conflict environment; 
  • Excellent communication skills and technical writing skills;
  • Demonstrable analytical skills.

Languages:

  • Fluency in spoken and written English is a must.

Required documents:

Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references;

Applicants are required to submit a brief proposal of not more than six pages with a clear articulation of the following content; 

  • Approach and problem analysis (1 page);
  • Objective (½ page ;
  • Methodology (½ page);
  • Financial proposal  (1  page).

Evaluation Criteria: 

The evaluation committee will appraise both the technical proposal and financial proposals for all the applicants. 

The award of the contract will be made to the individual contractor whose offer has been evaluated and determined as having received the highest combined score of the technical and financial scores.

Technical Criteria weight; 70%.

Financial Criteria weight; 30%.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70 points out of 100 points at the technical evaluation will be considered for the financial evaluation;

  • Proper problem analysis including challenge related to environment and sustainable energy solutions development. (25 Points);
  • Well-structured and a clearly  articulated methodology (25 points);
  • Level of education, competence and experience of the applicant in ( 20 points);
  • Effectiveness of the proposed methodological approach (30 Points);
  • Minimum passing marks is (70 points). 

Attach your Financial Proposal; P11 and CV in one single PDF file.