REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK GROUP
Climate Change and Green Growth Department (PECG) Climate and Environment Finance Division
Avenue Joseph Anoma, 01 BP 1387, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
GEF International Waters Specialist
- The African Development Bank (AfDB) is one of the implementing Agencies for the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The AfDB hereby invites Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in the following position : Global Environment Facility (GEF) International Waters Specialist ;
- The objectives of this assignment are to coordinate project preparation for the AfDB sector departments, which involves developing several projects; coordinate the preparation of projects and develop a pipeline of projects, with a focus on the above mentioned focal area that can be submitted to the GEF secretariat for financing. The pipeline will be developed by assessing the investment operations and identifying how environmental management that yields global and local benefits can be mainstreamed into the project activities.
Major duties and responsibilities will include the following, among others :
- Provide technical guidance and operational input during the project cycle of AfDB-GEF operations;
- Monitor AfDB-GEF pipeline in identification and preparation;
- Provide support to other Task Managers developing GEF projects in aspects of PIF and PPG development and full size project development;
- Sensitize AHAI and AHWS Task Managers on GEF financing opportunities for projects (including but not limited to drawing up a check list; presentations and one on one consultations with the TMs);
- Identify key opportunities and challenges in securing GEF financing for AHAI, PERN, PICU and AHWS project proposals including potential solutions to the challenges;
- Review the current AfDB IOP and identify potential projects that can benefit from the GEF financing and ranking their readiness for GEF financing;
- Engage the various Task Managers in developing components of the projects focusing on land degradation, international waters, biodiversity and climate change adaptation for GEF financing;
- Prepare Project Identification Forms (PIFs) and Project Preparation Grant (PPGs) for selected projects eligible for GEF financing;
- Carry out operational support missions in RMCs to work with operation staff in gathering information needed for the development and refinement of project concepts/documents;
- Assist with management of the AfDB/GEF portfolio, including inputs to AfDB/GEF project tracking tables and other information management tools to support the systematic and regular provision of data/information to AfDB and GEF Secretariat on both the processing and administration of AfDB/GEF projects;
- Participate in other tasks assigned by Management in agreement with the AfDB-GEF Coordinator.
- The Climate and Environment Finance Division (PECG.1) invites Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in providing the above-described services. Interested Consultants shall provide information on their qualifications and experience demonstrating their ability to undertake this Assignment (documents, reference to similar services, experience in similar assignments, etc.).
- The eligibility criteria, the establishment of a short list and the selection procedure shall be in conformity with the Bank’s procedure for the acquisition of consulting services funded by the Administrative or Capital expenditure. Please, note that interest expressed by a Consultant does not imply any obligation on the part of the Bank to include him/her in the shortlist.
- The position will be based at AfDB Headquarters in Abidjan. The duration of services is 12 months renewable based on performance. The expected starting date is February 2019. Interested Individual Consultants may obtain further information at the address below during the Bank’s working hours: from 08:00 to 17:00 hours, Abidjan local time.
- Expressions of interest must be received by email at the address below no later than Friday, 18th January 2019 at 4 p.m. Abidjan local time and specifically mention: “Global Environment Facility (GEF) International Waters Specialist”
For the attention of: Mr. AYANLEH DAHER ADEN
African Development Bank/Climate Change and Green Growth Department (PECG) Avenue Jean Paul II, CCIA 01 BP 1387, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire Tel: (+225) 20 26 43 47.
E-mail: A.DAHERADEN@AFDB.ORG with copy to G.PHILLIPS@AFDB.ORG
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SHORT LIST
- A shortlist of three to six individual consultants will be established at the end the request of expressions of interest. The consultants on the shortlist will be judged on the following criteria on the basis of their updated resume.
| – Level of education in general | 20% | |
| – Educational level compared to the field of mission | 20% | |
| – | Years of experience in general | 20% |
| – | Number of years of experience relevant to the mission | 40% |
TERMS OF REFERENCE
INTERNATIONAL WATERS SPECIALIST
- INTRODUCTION
The African Development Bank (AfDB) is one of the implementing Agencies for the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The GEF brings together 179 member governments, in partnership with international institutions, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector, to address global environmental issues. It is an independent financial organization that provides grants to developing countries and countries with economies in transition for projects related to biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, the ozone layer, and persistent organic pollutants. These projects benefit the global environment, linking local, national, and global environmental challenges and promoting sustainable livelihoods. The GEF is also the designated financial mechanism for a number of multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) or conventions on biodiversity, desertification and climate change; as such the GEF assists countries in meeting their obligations under the conventions that they have signed and ratified.
GEF projects are co-financed with the partnership agencies and thus effectively promote the mainstreaming of environmental issues within the baseline projects traditionally financed by these agencies. The AfDB operations in both the agriculture and infrastructure sectors have benefited from previous financing by GEF ensuring environmental management in these interventions and the realisation of envisaged national and global environmental benefits.
- RATIONALE
The African Development Bank (AfDB) wishes to recruit 1 individual International Waters Specialist (consultant) under the AfDB Global Environment Facility (GEF) unit to support the Bank in the development of projects to be funded by the GEF trust fund and the least developed countries fund/ special climate change fund. The African Development Bank (AfDB) is one of the implementing Agencies for the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The GEF brings together 179 member governments, in partnership with international institutions, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector, to address global environmental issues. It is an independent financial organization that provides grants to developing countries and countries with economies in transition for projects related to biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, the ozone layer, and persistent organic pollutants. These projects benefit the global environment, linking local, national, and global environmental challenges and promoting sustainable livelihoods. The GEF is also the designated financial mechanism for a number of multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) or conventions on biodiversity, desertification and climate change; as such the GEF assists countries in meeting their obligations under the conventions that they have signed and ratified. GEF projects are co-financed with the partnership agencies and thus effectively promote the mainstreaming of environmental issues within the baseline projects traditionally financed by these agencies. The AfDB operations in both the agriculture and infrastructure sectors have benefited from previous financing by GEF ensuring environmental management in these interventions and the realization of envisaged national and global environmental benefits.
Under the overall supervision of the Manager of the Environment and Climate Finance Division (PECG.1) and the supervision of the GEF Coordinator, the Consultant – to be based at the AfDB Headquarters in Abidjan – will carry out the following activities: (i) identification of projects
that could benefit from GEF funding under the International Waters, Climate change and Biodiversity focal areas; (ii) Provide technical guidance and operational input during the project cycle of AfDB-GEF operations ; (iii) reinforce project preparation activities by supporting the designing, review and due diligence of specific projects; (iv) Provide support to other Task Managers developing GEF projects in aspects of PIF and PPG development and full size project development and (v) all other relevant tasks as may be assigned from time to time.
The objectives of this assignment are to coordinate the project preparation for the AfDB sector departments, which involves developing several projects; coordinate the preparation of projects and develop a pipeline of projects, with a focus on the above mentioned focal areas that can be submitted to the GEF secretariat for financing. The pipeline will be developed by assessing the investment operations and identifying how environmental management that yields global and local benefits can be mainstreamed into the project activities.
- SCOPE
Major Duties and responsibilities will include the following among others :
- Provide technical guidance and operational input during the project cycle of AfDB-GEF operations ;
- Monitor AfDB-GEF pipeline in identification and preparation ;
- Provide support to other Task Managers developing GEF projects in aspects of PIF and PPG development and full size project development ;
- Sensitize AHAI and AHWS Task Managers on GEF financing opportunities for projects (including but not limited to drawing up a check list; presentations and one on one consultations with the TMs) ;
- Identify key opportunities and challenges in securing GEF financing for AHAI, PERN, PICU and AHWS project proposals including potential solutions to the challenges ;
- Review the current AfDB IOP and identify potential projects that can benefit from the GEF financing and ranking their readiness for GEF financing ;
- Engage the various Task Managers in developing components of the projects focusing on land degradation, international waters, biodiversity and climate change adaptation for GEF financing ;
- Prepare Project Identification Forms (PIFs) and Project Preparation Grant (PPGs) for selected projects eligible for GEF financing ;
- Carry out operational support missions in RMCs to work with operation staff in gathering information needed for the development and refinement of project concepts/documents ;
- Assist with management of the AfDB/GEF portfolio, including inputs to AfDB/GEF project tracking tables and other information management tools to support the systematic and regular provision of data/information to AfDB and GEF Secretariat on both the processing and administration of AfDB/GEF projects ;
- Participate in other tasks assigned by Management in agreement with the AfDB-GEF Coordinator.
- SKILLS AND CAPABILITIES :
- The candidate should possess Master degree in Agriculture, Transport, Civil engineering, Environmental Sciences or Environmental Management or equivalent in similar disciplines ;
- At least 8 years professional experience at project level, broad knowledge of all environmental management sub-sectors, including climate change adaptation, with specific experience in project design and implementation in an African setting ;
- Strong computer skills and ability to use standard technology packages and Bank’s standard software (word, excel, outlook, power-point) ;
- Full understanding of the principles of the GEF strategic priorities and project design and implementation as applicable in the Bank’s Regional Member Countries ;
- Proven planning and organizational skills ;
- Strong conceptual and research/analytical skills, with ability to think strategically and rapidly analyse and integrate diverse information from varied sources into conclusions and recommendations ;
- Excellent oral and writing skills in English or French and good working knowledge of the other ;
- Proven ability to interact competently with technical and administrative staff.
- EXPECTED OUTPUTS :
- 5 project documents (PIF) for GEF Secretariat submission as full or medium size projects and CEO endorsement requests ;
- 5 project documents (CEO endorsement) from for GEF Secretariat submission as full or medium size projects and CEO endorsement requests ;
- Written products on the AfDB/GEF portfolio or other GEF-related topics as required by AfDB to support AfDB’s engagement with the GEF community and/or to report on the status of AfDB/GEF activities ;
- Completed PIFs, PPGs and CEO endorsement documents for 5 projects according to GEF guidelines ;
- Increased awareness of the GEF financing opportunities for Bank’s Task Managers ;
- Brief monthly progress reports and a final report on outcomes and outputs achieved.
Formats and outlines for AfDB reporting will be agreed at inception; deliverables for submission to GEF will adhere to prevailing GEF guidelines.
- SCHEDULE
The consultancy will be for a period of 12 months starting in February 2018 :
- A full detailed work programme will be developed in the initial 2 working days.
- A review of progress will be conducted every two months of the assignment
- LOGISTICS :
The consultant will provide twelve (12) months of services, with assignments to be carried out at AfDB Headquarters (Abidjan) and with operational support missions to selected RMCs in accordance with the Scope of Work described above. The Bank will provide the consultant with all the necessary support including :
- Providing all the necessary Bank documents, reports, guidelines etc
- Providing office space and logistical support.
- REPORTING AND SUPERVISION
The consultant will report to the Climate and Environment Finance Division (PECG.1) Division Manager with direct supervision under the GEF coordinator, or any other officer designated by the Manager.