TERMS OF REFERENCE
FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS/CONTRACTORS
POST TITLE:
National Consultant for Assessment and Integration of Social,
Environmental and Gender Standards in GEF/LDCF and GCF
Project Design.
AGENCY/PROJECT NAME:
UNDP/GEF/LDCF Project on Enhancing Sustainability and
Climate Resilience of Forest and Agricultural Landscapes and
Community Livelihoods in Bhutan.
COUNTRY OF ASSIGNMENT:
Bhutan
1) GENERAL BACKGROUND
In order to reduce climate change vulnerabilities and improve the sustainability of local livelihoods
and biodiversity of the country, the Royal Government of Bhutan has requested support from the
Global Environment Facility through UNDP for a full-sized project titled “Enhancing
Sustainability and Climate Resilience of Forest and Agricultural Landscapes and Community
Livelihoods in Bhutan.” The project aims to operationalize an integrated landscape-based approach
to climate change adaptation and biodiversity conservation. It seeks to do so through: (a)
improvement of institutional capacity at national, sub-national and local levels to manage forest and
agricultural landscapes sustainably for enhanced climate resilience; (b) emplacement of governance
system for biological corridors and operationalization of conservation management system in the
pilot corridors; and (c) development of climate-resilient livelihood options for the local
communities.
Based on the project identification form (PIF) document, which articulates the project concept and
key components, the GEF has approved a project preparation grant (PPG) to develop the Project
Document and GEF CEO Endorsement Document. The PPG phase commenced in January 2016
and is scheduled to end in December 2016. In order to aid the project design and formulation of the
Project Document, a series of sub-consulting assignments has been anticipated.
In parallel, UNDP is providing technical support to GNHC/National Designated Authority for
Green Climate Fund (GCF) to develop a project proposal to increase food self-sufficiency in
Bhutan through climate-resilient agriculture and improved market access. The project seeks to
address the urgent needs of the agriculture sector in adapting to climate change and broader
challenges inhibiting long-term economic growth. The project will have strong linkage with the
Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which Bhutan has subscribed to be
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‘early movers’ by localizing SDGs into its development plans and the GNH development
philosophy.
2) OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT
The objective of this assignment is to screen the 1) GEF/LDCF project; and 2) the GCF project
proposal for potential social and environmental risks and adverse impacts, and ensure that necessary
social and environmental safeguards and standards, especially including those related to gender, are
integrated in the project design.
3) SCOPE OF WORK AND KEY TASKS
Under the supervision of UNDP and GNHC and in close consultation with the PPG team, the
consultant will carry out the following tasks:
(1) Review the pre-screening UNDP Social and Environmental Screening Procedure (SESP)
template submitted during the PIF stage for quality, consistency and comprehensiveness and
prepare the full SESP for inclusion in the project document;
(2) Verify the project’s risk category (low, moderate, high) with detailed rationale (e.g. relating
to changes in communities’ access to natural resources, the existence of grievance
mechanisms for responding to rights and resource access issues, etc) and define possible risk
mitigation options;
(3) Review Results and Resources Framework (RRF) of the two projects (GEF/LDCF & GCF) to
ensure that it incorporates indicators referring to gender mainstreaming, including gender
disaggregated baseline data;
(4) Conduct gender analysis for the design of the two projects, and formulate an action plan for a
proactive gender-based approach to project implementation including monitoring and
evaluation to ensure that there is continuing awareness of gender mainstreaming issues during
project implementation, monitoring of project progress and evaluation of project results;
(5) Review all GEF/LDCF PPG assessment reports and GCF technical feasibility report, and
examine to what extent a gender-based and social inclusiveness approach has been undertaken
in the various assessments, and summarize relevant information for inclusion in the project
document;
(6) Review the final design of the project against UNDP’s Social and Environmental Standards
and support the PPG team to incorporate SES information, including those related to gender,
in the project document including the monitoring and evaluation plan.
4) DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT, DUTY STATION AND EXPECTED PLACES OF TRAVEL
The consultant will be employed for 40 working days intermittently spread over the period from the
1st week of June to the 30th September, 2016.
5) FINAL PRODUCTS
(1) Completed Social and Environment Screening Template as per UNDP SES Procedure.
(2) Gender analysis report of the two project design, including input to the RRF.
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(3) An action plan for a gender-based approach as a part of the Project Document for both the
GEF/LDCF and GCF projects.
6) PROVISION OF MONITORING AND PROGRESS CONTROLS
The consultant will receive technical guidance and support from the PPG team comprising of two
international and a national consultants. The PPG team will ensure that the methodology of the
assessment is in alignment with the intended objectives of the project, and monitor quality of the final
products. UNDP will provide technical advice and liaise with GNHC and project partners to conduct
field assessment in the target landscapes.
7) DEGREE OF EXPERTISE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Master’s degree or higher in environmental/ social assessment, Gender Studies, community
development, environmental management, or related field;
At least seven years of relevant progressive work experience;
Sound knowledge of gender and environmental mainstreaming concepts and safeguards
approaches;
Good knowledge of results-based project design approach;
Very good analytical and report writing skills in English.
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8) CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF THE BEST OFFER
The criteria which shall serve as basis for evaluating offers will be:

Combined Scoring method – where the qualifications and relevant work experience will be
weighted a max. of 70%, and combined with the price offer which will be weighted a max of
30%
Criteria
Technical
Weight
Max. Point
70

Academic background.
10

Relevant work experience in areas of environmental/social
assessment [Note: consultant should submit documentation of
their past assignments, as this will be used to assess their
technical competencies]
20

Experience in undertaking gender analysis including use of
appropriate tools and developing gender action plan [Note:
consultant to provide supporting documents from past
assignment]
20

Experience in project design, management and monitoring &
evaluation, including design of log frame with indicators.
20
Sub-total A. (Technical)
Financial
70
30
30
Sub-Total B.(Financial)
30
Total (A+B)
100
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9) PAYMENT TERMS
The applicant is required to submit a lump-sum financial proposal for the period of 40 working days.
The selected consultant will be paid upon payment certification from the hiring manager, in the
following manner:

15% upon submission and acceptance of the inception note detailing the methodology and
work plan for the assignment.

25% upon completion of the review of assessments reports for GEF/LDCF; technical feasibility
reports for GCF project design; gender analysis and gender action plan for the GCF project
proposal.

25% upon review and completion of GEF/LDCF project’s Social and Environment Screening
Procedure.

35% upon completion of gender analysis and gender action plan, including review of RRF for
GEF/LDCF project.
10) AWARD OF CONTRACT
The consultant who fulfill the requirements will be assessed based on a combined scoring of:

Technical evaluation comprising of 70%, and

Financial evaluation of 30%.
11) FINANCIAL PROPOSAL
Please indicate fee structure:
i.
If Lump-sum (provide breakdown of this lump sum i.e travel, per diem and fee for
anticipated number of working days); and
ii.
Daily fee (inclusive of fees, including any other relevant expenses related to this
assignment).
12) RECOMMENDED PRESENTATION OF OFFER
Please submit the below preferred documents with you Presentation of Offer:
a) Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability;
b) 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;
c) Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the
assignment, and a methodology on how they will approach and complete the assignment.
The proposal should be submitted in electronic format by Thursday 13th May 2016 to
[email protected].
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