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Position Title:NATIONAL CONSULTANT
Duty Station: Kampala, Entebbe, UGANDA
Employment Type:Full Time Permanent
Additional Category Environment and Energy
Type of Contract : Individual Contract
Post Level : National Consultant
Application Deadline:14-Feb-15
Starting Date :(date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 23-Feb-2015
Duration of Initial Contract : 50 days
Expected Duration of Assignment : 50 days
Organizational Profile:
Addressing climate change vulnerability due to increasing temperatures,
shifting rainfall patterns and climate hazards – in particular droughts, floods
and severe storms is constrained in many countries by a number of factors,
including a decline in the observation network (e.g. automatic weather
stations, hydrological gauges, satellite imagery, radars etc.), which limits
observations and the ability to monitor and forecast the weather, slow onset
disasters and long-term climate. Other limiting factors include the
presentation and communication of climate information to those who can use
early warnings to better manage climate-related risks.
In Uganda, over the past three decades, (hail, thunder, lightning and
violent winds) – have undermined social and economic development in Uganda.
Climate hazards have negatively affected the livelihoods of 150 000 people and
resulted in 74 deaths per year. Notwithstanding these challenges, the current
climate information (including monitoring) and early warning systems in Uganda
are not functioning as optimally as they could for effectively supporting the
adaptive capacity of local communities and key sectors. Without adaptation, the
negative effects of climate change will undermine years of development
assistance and asset accumulation in Uganda.
To respond to some of these challenges, the Government of Uganda in
partnership with UNDP and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the
Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) has initiated the ”Strengthening climate
information and early warning systems for climate resilient development and
adaptation to climate change – Uganda” project. The project is being
implemented by the Ministry of Water and Environment, and is expected to end by
December 2017.
Duties and Responsibilities
The main objectives of the SCIEWS project are to:
·
Establish a functional network of
meteorological and hydrological monitoring stations and associated
infrastructure to better understand climatic changes;
·
Develop and disseminate tailored
weather and climate information (including colour-coded alerts – advisories,
watches and warnings – for flood, drought, severe weather and agricultural
stresses, integrated cost-benefit analyses and sector-specific risk and
vulnerability maps) to decision makers in government, private sector, civil
society, development partners and local communities in the Teso and Mt Elgon
sub-region; and
·
Integrate weather and climate
information into national policies, annual work plans and local development
including the National Policy for Disaster Preparedness and Management, and
district and sub-county development plans in priority districts in the Bukedi,
Busoga, Elgon, Teso, Acholi, Karamoja and Lango sub-regions.
The project has two outcome areas:
Enhanced capacity of the Uganda National
Meteorology Authority (UNAMA) and Directorate of Water Resource Management
(DWRM) to monitor and forecast extreme weather, hydrology and climate change;
Efficient and effective use of
hydro-meteorological and environmental information for making early warnings
and long-term development plans.
A national expert is required to develop a Communications Strategy for the
project partners, particularly in the Meteorology sector.
Rationale of the Consultancy
The complex nature of the climate and atmospheric systems sometimes make
predictions of weather difficult leading to unreliable forecasts. Weather
programs are broadcasted on television and via radios and yet the majority of
people do not have access to televisions. However, UNAMA lacks a proper system
of getting feedback on the information disseminated to the public, mainly
because there has been little interaction between the former Department of
Meteorology and the users of their end products. The public has lost trust in
some of the forecasts and yet there are rarely
opportunities to explain to them the scientific nature of meteorological
phenomena.
As a result, the public has developed an attitude of complacency and often
ignore or disregard early warning signals. The use of English as the official
channel of communication in weather and climate information is another
challenge especially for the rural communities, most of whom do not comprehend
English.
A little effort has been made to
broadcast in Luganda, though this needs to be scaled up to other local
languages.
Related to the issue of language is the technicality of weather and climate
language/jargon which is too scientific for the majority of consumers of the
information. Politicians and sub-national leaders in the communities are not knowledgeable
in weather and climate related issues.
A consultant is therefore being hired to systematically analyse the
communications issues that are affecting the performance of the meteorology
sector, so as to develop an appropriate strategy for improving the impact of
early warning services and the visibility of UNAMA.
Scope of Work:
The project is currently being implemented in 28 Districts comprising:
Bukedi, Busoga, Elgon, Teso, Acholi, Karamoja and Lango sub-regions. This
consultancy is expected to be carried out within Kampala, Entebbe (or Mbale)
and the beneficiary regions, within 50 working days/four months.
Overall Objective of the consultancy:
To develop a National weather and climate information and Early Warning
Systems Communication and coordination strategy in line with the UNAMA Act,
within three months.
Specific Objectives:
·
To clearly assess the information
needs of the public and potential clients of meteorological services and
products;
·
Design appropriate strategies for
engagement with the public throughout the country to build the confidence in
meteorological data;
·
Within three months of
consultancy, to develop a comprehensive communications strategy based on UNAMA
needs, goals and objectives.
Detailed Activities:
The National Consultant will undertake the following activities to achieve
the above objectives:
·
Carry out a desk review of
relevant documents (Uganda Meteorology Act, World Meteorology Organization
Guidelines; Climate Change Policy, SCIEWS project document, etc.);
·
Identify policies, laws,
executive regulations and decrees relevant to developing climate observing
networks and issuing warnings of severe weather;
·
Carry out a Communications Audit
( communication materials and their effectiveness) and media analysis ,by engaging with relevant
Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies to determine the current state
of the EWS, including equipment, telecommunications, databases, forecasting and
monitoring products, advisories and communication of EWS messages;
·
Review and gather information on
past, current and planned projects related to the EWS, including disaster
management and risk reduction activities. Help identify both successful and
unsuccessful communication interventions;
·
Collect currently available
climate information (maps of equipment locations, telecommunications
infrastructure etc.) and examples of early warning messages e.g. hazard risk
maps and agricultural advisories etc.
·
Engage with government
Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) including Civil Society
organizations, to determine the current state of the EWS in terms of equipment,
telecommunications, databases, forecasting and monitoring products, advisories
and communication of EWS messages;
·
Identify the information needs of
key audiences and potential users of meteorological products, and design
strategies for raising awareness among national authorities regarding the
Meteorology Act, UNAMA services and products;
·
Establish communication
strategies that will engage key stakeholders at the right time, in the right
manner and with the right messages;
·
Design appropriate branding
products for UNAMA, develop and deliver best-in-class communication materials
through selected channels;
·
Work with UNAMA communications
team, to implement specific communication projects, events or programs within a
given time frame.
Deliverables:
·
An Inception Report on
information needs of UNAMA and methodology for the consultancy;
·
Interviews and consultations with
relevant stakeholders and target groups including CAA, DWRM, UNAMA, UNDP, OPM;
·
Field visit to the country side
including SCIEWS project sites;
·
Design and develop a Meteorology
Communications Strategy;
·
A detailed Report including a
summarized general communication plan, with communication process and
recommended actions;
·
Develop district specific brief
for distribution in the target areas informing the public about the relevance
of climate information;
·
Develop visibility products for
the project/UNAMA.
Consultancy Implementation Arrangements
The Consultant will be supervised by as well as report to the Executive
Director of the Uganda National Meteorology Authority (UNAMA) and will be
facilitated through the Project Management Unit for his/her day-to-day and
field requirements including: transport and other related requirements,
stationery and other logistic needs for official business purposes only within
Kampala and Entebbe.
Competencies
Functional competencies:
·
Mature judgment and initiative;
·
Ability to think out-of-the-box;
·
Ability to present complex issues
in simple and clear manner; Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;
·
Ability to work under pressure
and deliver high quality results on time;
·
Initiative and independence;
·
Good communication and
organizational skills, with demonstrated evidence of capacity to produce and
present good reports.
·
Analytic capacity and
demonstrated ability to process, analyses and synthesize complex, technical
information from different disciplines;
·
Ability to innovate, combining
methodological approaches and data from various levels and disciplines
including economics, finance, development and conservation.
·
Ability to draft concise and
informative documentation in English for a range of uses from detailed progress
reports to media releases including ability to analyse complex information and
to draw out the key points and issues and to present these in a way that can be
easily understood;
·
Strong inter-personal, networking
and team-building skills; competent in leading teams and creating team spirit,
management of inter-group dynamics and conflicting interests of various actors,
stimulating team members to produce quality outputs in a timely and transparent
fashion.
·
Knowledge and skills in
communicating Early Warning products and services;
·
Designing, and implementing
communications strategies;
·
Monitoring and conceptual skills.
Corporate competencies:
Demonstrates integrity and
ethical standards;
Displays cultural, gender,
religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
A Master’s degree in Mass
Communications, Journalism or related field.
Experience:
·
Knowledge of the global and
national trends of climate change and adaptation, including early warning
services and products in the country; Familiarity with weather and water
resources management and operation related disasters in Uganda;
·
At least five years of working
experience in communications relevant to early warning or disaster preparedness
projects ,with some exposure in the fields of hydro-meteorology;
·
Ability to develop, promote,
implement, monitor and evaluate Communications Policies and Strategies;
·
Knowledge and application of ICT in communicating meteorological services
and products;
·
Strong knowledge / experience in
results-based management and results-oriented approach to project
implementation;
·
Working experience with UNDP or
the UN system in general will be an added advantage;
·
Proven experience in report
writing and drafting Communications Strategy Documents.
Language:
·
Fluent in English (both written
and spoken).
·
Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments
·
Payment shall be by the lump sum modality in the following 3 instalments.
These shall be all inclusive (of transport, field allowance, and cost of
communication) and the contract price is fixed regardless of changes in the
cost components:
·
Upon signature of contract by
both parties and presentation of an approved inception report (1 week after
signing of contract) - 20%;
·
Presentation of acceptable and
approved Draft report,(1 month after signing of contract) - 30%;
·
Submission and acceptance of
Final Report, (2 months after signing the contract) - 50%.
Evaluation Method and Criteria
Cumulative analysis
The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose
offer has been evaluated and determined as:
·
Responsive/compliant/acceptable;
and
·
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%;
·
Financial Criteria weight; - 30%.
·
Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total
technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.
·
Technical Criteria – Maximum 70 points
Criteria
·
Education (Advanced degree or
Natural Resources Management) - 10;
·
Language skills - 5;
·
Knowledge of designing
communications strategy document - 10;
·
Relevant experience in conducting
similar assignments - 15;
·
Relevance of experience in report
writing and drafting - 10;
·
Description of
approach/methodology to assignment - 20.
Mode of application:
The candidate is required to submit an electronic application directly
uploaded on the UNDP jobs website with all the requirements as listed here
below. Annexes and further information may be downloaded on http://procurement-notices.undp.org/.
(Reference # 20412).
Interested individual consultants must submit the following
documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications in one single PDF
document:
The application should include the following documents/information:
·
Duly accomplished Letter of
Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP
(see Annex II);
·
Updated Personal CV highlighting
past experience in similar assignments and with 3 professional references with
contact details (email and telephone);
·
Technical Proposal: suggested
outline for technical proposal;
·
The offerors' interpretation of
the assignment;
·
Approach and methodology for
undertaking the assignment;
Work-plan.
Financial proposal (in template provided in Annex II) stating an
all-inclusive fixed lumpsum fee for this assignment in Ugandan Shillings,
supported by a breakdown of costs. Such total lump sum price must include
professional fee, and costs necessary to conduct the assignment such as
communication costs, etc.
The consultant will be paid against
the completion of specific, measurable deliverables as identified in this TOR.
Annexes:
Annex I: Individual Contractor
General Terms and Conditions;
Annex II: Template to
Confirmation of Interest and Availability and Submit the Financial Proposal.
For clarifications, please send your email to
justine.naiga-bagonza@undp.org, diana.nabbanja@undp.org and
agnes.kintu@undp.org.
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.
If you are experiencing difficulties with online job applications, please
contact jobs.help@undp.org.
Apply Online:
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