Call for Technical Assistance to provide support to Eswatini through UNEP DTU Partnership, with funding from the Capacity Building Initiative for Transparency (CBIT).
Under the CBIT activities in Eswatini, a Team comprising of international firm and local Eswatini consultants is being recruited to support in Capacity Building for Enhanced Transparency in Climate Change Monitoring, Reporting and Verification.
Download the full Terms of Reference
Background to the assignment
The UNFCCC enhanced transparency framework demands substantial and immediate progress in the countries’ domestic Monitoring Reporting and Verification (MRV) systems and strategic de-carbonization planning. This entails moving from often disintegrated and often different-methodological approaches in data management to an integrated and robust system. The success of the Paris Agreement hinges on enhanced transparency of action and support, as a critical foundation to making its bottom-up, country-led approach work, as well as building mutual trust and confidence amongst Parties. GEF-CBIT will support Eswatini in establishing an overarching structure across all sectors that will ensure high quality in its transparency instruments; and create the capacities to respond to UNFCCC’s reporting requirements. CBIT’s most important contribution will occur by building capacity and setting up systems to collect data and track NDC implementation. The international firm and local consultant will work closely together to support i.e. the inclusion of the Transparency Unit in the Climate Change Bill. Once established, the consultants will guide the Transparency Unit on how to develop the annual strategic NDC implementation report.
The scope of this assignment is: (i) to establish a climate change coordination framework for the Government of Eswatini and key stakeholders, with sectoral focal points to plan, track and report (internally) climate actions; (ii) to institutionalize a climate transparency unit; and
(iii) to deliver capacity building on the MRV system in Eswatini.
Key Qualifications
The proposed team should at least be composed of the below list of experts. The required/preferred qualifications of key personnel proposed are listed below:
1. Team Leader
Qualifications:
- Master’s or advanced degree in Engineering, Economics, Energy, Environment, International Climate Science and Policy, Climate Change or equivalent; or a related field.
Specific experience relevant to the assignment:
- Minimum 10 years of relevant professional experience (preparation of climate change/environment related legal provisions or research; policy advice; formulation of strategies and programs related to climate change; climate change governance);
- A minimum of 5 years of proven professional experience in managing projects in the areas of climate change mitigation or adaptation (required);
- Excellent understanding of global climate change issues in particular related to transparency and MRV as well as Eswatini’s climate targets in the NDC;
- Demonstrated experience and knowledge of MRV systems and other ETFs;
- Experience in the design of mitigation and MRV strategies or programs (desirable).
Additional requirements:
- Excellent command of MS office applications (including Word, Excel, PDF) is required;
- Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and sound judgment;
- Knowledge of information technology and documentation.
Language qualifications:
- Excellent knowledge of English is required.
2. MRV Expert
Qualifications:
- Master’s Degree in Natural Sciences, Environmental Engineering, Environmental information systems International Climate Policy, Climate Change or equivalent;
- Expertise in GIS and spatial tools will be an added advantage.
Specific experience relevant to the assignment:
- At least 15 years’ experience supporting developing countries to develop capacity and institutional development related to climate change;
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of methodologies for preparation GHG inventories and understanding of the enhanced transparency framework of the Paris Agreement and the reporting requirements of the UNFCCC;
- Proven ability to generate and sustain ongoing consultation and meaningful participatory processes with a wide cross section of stakeholders;
- Excellent understanding of global climate change issues in particular related to transparency and MRV as well as Eswatini´s climate targets in the NDC;
- Proven experience in conducting capacity-building activities.
Language qualifications:
Excellent oral and written communication in English.
3. National Mitigation Expert
Qualifications:
- Master’s Degree in Natural Sciences, Engineering, Economics, Energy, Environment, International Climate Science and Policy, Climate Change or equivalent.
Specific experience relevant to the assignment:
- 5 years professional experience in mitigation;
- Familiarity with Eswatini’s NDC and national development issues, including understanding of technical and regulatory matters in the areas such as sustainable development;
- Prior working experience in design and development of integrated MRV systems and tools;
- Knowledge of data collection mechanisms; excellent understand of the public sector in Eswatini;
- Proven experience in conducting capacity-building activities.
Language qualifications:
- Good knowledge of English.
4. National Adaptation Expert
Qualifications:
- Master’s Degree in Natural Sciences, Environmental Management, International Climate Policy, Climate Change or equivalent.
Specific experience relevant to the assignment:
- 5 years professional experience in adaptation projects, vulnerability assessments, climate projections and analyses;
- Familiarity with Eswatini’s NDC and national development issues, including understanding of technical and regulatory matters in the areas such as sustainable development, climate change adaptation, vulnerability assessment and disaster resilience; land use planning;
- Prior working experience with international organizations on adaptation climate and disaster resilience and related fields is an asset;
- Proven experience in conducting capacity building activities;
- Expertise in GIS and spatial tools.
Language qualifications:
• Good knowledge of English.
Working Arrangement
The UDP on behalf of the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs (MTEA) will be responsible for the contracting, payment, and providing international technical support and quality control. The daily oversight and high-level coordination will be the responsibility of the UDP w MTEA shall facilitate in-country communications, meetings, and high-level briefings across sector ministries relevant for this particular assignment.
Language
All working papers, draft reports and Final Report should be prepared and submitted in soft and hard copies in English Language
Selection Process and Selection Criteria
The selection process will be carried out by UDP in consultation with the MTEA and the contracting and payment will be from UDP. The selection will be based on two criteria:
- Expert experiences and qualifications;
- Quality of work plan and methodology: the scope of work, methodology and approach, robust and coherent of the work plan;
Duration of assignment:
Up to 11 months. Request for project extension could possibly be made subsequently by Eswatini Government.
Application Procedure
To submit your application, the consultant (or lead consultant if several or a company) should send a complete application:
(i) Including the CVs of all members of his consortium; and
(ii) Technical proposal on how they plan to undertake the task.
The complete application should be sent to all the following contacts: Emmanuel Ackom (emac@dtu.dk), Alejandro Regatero (arela@dtu.dk), Fernando Farias (ffar@dtu.dk), and the Government of Eswatini (eswatini.cbit@gmail.com).
Application deadline: August 17th 2021 at midnight (Eswatini time).
Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
Application deadline: 17/08/2021