TERMS OF REFERENCE
Position:
Project Title:
Duty Station:
Duration:
Contract Type:
International Consultant on Low-carbon Urban Development
UNDP\GEF Project “Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions
for Low-carbon Urban Development”, 00091328
Home-based, 2 missions to Astana (Kazakhstan) and 1 mission to
Istanbul (Turkey)
5,5 months
IC
Introduction:
The Project supports the identification, design, and implementation of Nationally Appropriate Mitigation
Actions (NAMAs) in the urban sector. NAMAs, consisting of investments in infrastructure supported by
capacity building, awareness raising and technical assistance, will contribute to achieving the country’s
GHG emission reduction voluntary target while improving urban services and the quality of life of
citizens in Kazakh towns and cities. The project is the first effort in Kazakhstan to adopt a comprehensive
approach to reduce GHG emissions in cities. The Project will Improve the capacity of municipalities to
carry out integrated municipal planning, make targets and prioritize urban mitigation actions
(Component 1), support the creation and strengthening of institutional structures that will allow public
and private sector investments in identified infrastructure and technical assistance (Component 2),
provide facilitation of financing of urban NAMA through creation of a dedicated fund (Component 3),
piloting of an urban NAMA in the Prigorodnyi district of Astana through investments in modernization
and upgrading of the urban infrastructure (Component 4), monitoring, verification and knowledge
management (Component 5). Linking the project with the national GHG mitigation efforts, including
through standards, rules and procedures for monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV), promoting
better information dissemination to stakeholders, and linking the NAMA process with the domestic
Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) for industrial emitters. As a result of this project direct emission
reductions of 370,000 tCO2¬e, direct post project emissions of 275,000 tCO2¬e and indirect emission
reductions of between 1 and 5 million tCO2¬e are expected.
Background:
According to the Project Document and under the established regulations for implementation of GEF
Projects the international experts are engaged to participate at the initial phase of the project and at the
inception workshop.
The inception period is crucial to building ownership for the project results and to plan the first-year
annual work plan. During the inception period with participation of engaged international consultant the
project partners have an opportunity to understand the project concept, to discuss roles, functions and
responsibilities within the decision-making structures, including the communication channels and
reporting relationships, conflicts resolution mechanisms. Initially, the current situation is analyzed
within project implementation context and based on real situation the conclusions and
recommendations are drafted for clarification of implementation of specific project components. In
particular this is applied to such project components whereby the situation has significantly changed
since the period of Project Document preparation.
At this time, the key terms of references for the key consultants are being drafted and discussed to
implement the project initial phase, the first project annual work plan is drafted, indicators,
performance targets and verification measures are revised and approved,.
Current issues for implementation of this UNDP/GEF Project are formation of financing tool for urban
NAMA in the country (Project Component 3) and implementation of pilot urban NAMA initiative (Project
Component 4). Thus, Housing and Public Utilities Modernization Fund described in the Project
Document (already established by the Government) still has high degree of uncertainty for possible
financing of urban NAMA, which can also be identified within implementation of the Project Component
1. Meanwhile the recently created Ministry of Investments and Development has plans to create
financing tool (most probably in the form of a Fund), which will be focused on financing the energyefficiency projects, possibly including the municipal services as well.
Pilot initiative of urban NAMA, indicated in the project document (Prigorodnyi village nearby Astana),
and to be implemented within UNDP/GEF Project to demonstrate the economic feasibility of reducing
the urban GHG emissions for future replication, currently also has some uncertainties due to the
position of city administration. The grant amount proposed by UNDP/GEF Project for this initiative is
about 40% of total amount required for project implementation. About 60% has been planned to attract
from banks expenses or the municipal budget. However, due to the sequestering of municipal budget
and reorientation of a significant budget part for other urban needs (in particular for conducting the
international exhibition EXPO-2017), there are very real risks to fail performing the previously planned
measures on co-financing the project in Prigorodnyi settlement. Although, it should be noted that the
Prigorodnyi settlement is in immediate area of EXPO facilities and there is a good opportunity to
demonstrate an integrated approach to low-carbon urban development through NAMA pilot initiative in
Prigorodnyi settlement.
Based on above-said, the engaged international consultant should pay specific attention to analysis of
planned implementation of Project Components 3 and 4, providing the required recommendations to
the Project Implementation Team. Thus, for implementation of all the above-mentioned actions within
the inception period there is need in engagement of international consultant with significant experience
in preparation, implementation and funding of low-carbon projects. This engaged consultant will be
responsible for drafting the inception report under UNDP/GEF Project in cooperation with PIT, for
drafting the number of ToRs within the initial stage of project implementation and for participation in a
range of the project events, including the inception workshop (in Istanbul) and International Conference
on sustainable low-carbon urban development (in Astana).
Objective:
Participation in the inception phase of UNDP/GEF Project, including drafting of initial report (with
particular focus on implementation of Project Components 3 and 4), drafting the number of ToRs for
engagement of expertize at the initial stage of project implementation and participation in initial Project
events.
Main Functions:
 Provide management oversight for project as required and recommend actions that focus work
plans on achieving key milestones in a timely manner;
 Recommend special expertise to be deployed on the Project to assist in its achievement of key
milestones, and provide the interface between Project team and key specialist consultants, both
domestic and international when appropriate;
 Provide technical support to the Projects Manager to go through and finalize the Inception
phase of the Project. In essence, the responsibility of the IC is to ensure that the overall
technical direction of the project in this phase is maintained and flexibly adapted to meet the
practical challenges faced during implementation.
Scope of works:
1. To familiarize with Project Document, other strategic and program documents, ratified in the
country (a list is given below). To participate in the internal inception workshop in Istanbul
(Turkey), to hold consultations with RTA and PM, to meet with key national partners in Astana
(Kazakhstan). To provide strategic advice on the overall project implementation strategy to
Project Board and PM;
2. Policy and technical advice in individual project components:
Outcome 1: the Project will Improve the capacity of municipalities to carry out integrated
municipal planning, make targets and prioritize urban mitigation actions – to develop necessary
ToRs to engage consultants for achievements of Outcome 1 (Component 1). The Component 1
addresses the first “readiness” phase of the Project, which supports the preparation of urban
GHG inventories and baseline scenarios, assessment of abatement potential and costs,
prioritization of NAMAs and adoption of urban GHG reduction targets;
Outcome 3: provide facilitation of financing of urban NAMA through creation of a dedicated
fund – to hold consultations with main stakeholders (Ministry of Investments and Development,
Ministry of National Economy, JSC “Center for Utilities Modernization and Development”,
international financial institutions in Kazakhstan (WB, ADB, EBRD, etc.). To familiarize with
analytical materials related to possibilities energy efficiency projects funding (within the
available materials) and to suggest an implementation strategy of this Component, considering
the current changes in the situation with formation of finance institutions for infrastructure
projects round the country;
Outcome 4: piloting of an urban NAMA in the Prigorodnyi district of Astana through investments
in modernization and upgrading of the urban infrastructure – to hold consultations with main
stakeholders (Akimat of Astana city, Maslikhat of Astana city, JSC “Teplo-Tranzit Astana”, JSC
“EXPO-2017”, etc.) and to suggest recommendations on implementation of the pilot urban
NAMA (using the example of Progorodnyi settlement or another similar settlement);
3. Jointly with Project Manager to draft the Project Inception Report, which contains of
recommendations on achievement of outcomes, outputs and activities including project work
plan and monitoring and evaluation plan and to provide specific consultancy services at least
during the first year of the project., including overview of changes in project environment,
summary and justification for revision in Project Logical Framework, M&E plan, Risk Log, QA/QC
provisions and quarterly annual work plan and budget for 2015-2016;
4. To support the project manager in arranging co-operation with the current project partners and,
as applicable, in establishing new, additional national and/or international partnerships to
support the project goals and objectives and including support to the UNDP in the preparation
of the Project Inception Workshop in Astana (about October 2015);
5. To develop a presentation on international best practice and technologies in Low-carbon Urban
Development. Overview of a number of success stories in Urban Development achieved in CIS
and other countries is highly desirable. To make a presentation and hold a speech at Project
Inception Workshop in Astana in October 2015.
Expected results:
No
Deliverables
Participation in the meetings in Istanbul and Astana
taken. Interim report with strategic advice on the
1.
overall project implementation strategy to Project
Board and PM drafted
Necessary ToRs to engage the consultants for
2.
achievement of Outcome 1 drafted. These ToRs are
approved by PM and RTA
Interim report with strategy and recommendations
3
on implementation of the Component 3 (Financing of
urban NAMA) drafted
Interim
report
with
suggestions
and
4
recommendations on implementation of pilot NAMA
within Component 4 drafted
Inception report drafted. Report approved by PM,
5
RTA and finalized
Support to PM and Project Board on arrangement
and conducting the Project Inception Workshop in
6
Astana made.
Completion form – progress report
Presentation on international best practice and
technologies in Low-carbon Urban Development
made. Speeches at Inception Workshop in Astana
7
hold.
Completion form – final progress report with
presentations
Timeline
Payment
1 month after IC signing
1,5 month
signing
after
20 %
IC
2 month after IC signing
2,5 month
signing
after
IC
3,5 month
signing
after
IC
30 %
25 %
4 month after IC signing
25 %
5,5 month
signing
after
IC
List of documents* to be studied and analyzed by the Consultant:
1. Project Document of UNDP/GEF Project “Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions for Lowcarbon Urban Development”, 00091328 Project;
2. The Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Energy Efficiency and Energy saving”;
3. Energy Saving Program-2020
4. Regional Development Program
5. Nurly Zhol Concept
6. Concept for transition of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Green Economy
*To be provided upon request.
Duty station: home-based. Travels to be made to:
- Istanbul (Turkey), one trip, with duration no longer than 3 days (including travel days),
- Astana, 1st trip (during summer), with duration no longer than 5 days (including travel days),
- Astana, 2d trip (during autumn), with duration no longer than 4 days (including travel days),
All travel costs (air ticket costs, accommodation, meal and transfer to\from the airport) must be
included in total prices of financial proposal.
Requirements to submitted documentation: draft and final documents should be submitted in Emglish
or Russian in MS Word (2007 and later), used font: Arial, size: 12
Responsibility:
 Agrees the actions with Project Manager of UNDP/GEF Projects on EE,
 Reports to Project Manager of UNDP/GEF Projects on EE,
 Ensures timely and quality execution of the Terms of Reference,
 Payments to be made after satisfactorily performance of services and by approval of Project
Manager.
Qualifications and requirements:
 University degree (as minimum Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, finance, energy
and/or environmental economics, or related discipline
 As minimum 10 years of working experience in the field of low-carbon urban development/
sustainable city infrastructure;
 Proven experience with drafting, implementation and financing of low-carbon urban projects,
 Good technical knowledge of modern approaches and technologies for low-carbon urban
development;
 Working experience in CIS-countries with energy efficiency in power economy, housing and
utilities infrastructure, transport sector and municipal waste;
 Experience and expertise in carbon financing of projects, preferably in municipal services sector;
 Proficiency in English;
 Proficiency in Russian is a significant advantage;
 Good communication, analytical and writing skills;
 Good PC commands, knowledge of information technologies
COA (MUST BE INDICATED IN NUMBERS)
Project ID
Activity
00091328
Account
Amount
71205
Fund
Dept ID
62000
55205
Total:
JOB DESCRIPTION AUTHORISATION
Supervisor
Alexandr Belyi/ Project Manager
Name/Title
Programme officer
Rassul Rakhimov/Programme Analyst
Name/Title
Signature
Signature
Impl
Agency
006750
Donor
10003