United Nations Development Programme Terms of Reference Biodiversity Mainstreaming Field Level Local Consultant Contract Type: Individual Contract Holder Type of consultant: Local Project Name: Conserving biodiversity and enhancing ecosystem functions through a “Ridge to Reef” approach in the Cook Islands Title of the Consultancy: Biodiversity Mainstreaming Field Level Local Consultant (UNDP-GEF Biodiversity Focal Area Project) 1) GENERAL BACKGROUND UNDP is supporting the Government of the Cook Islands to build national and local capacities and actions to ensure effective conservation of biodiversity and enhancement of ecosystem functions within and around marine and terrestrial protected areas. This cost effective and innovative project will enhance the Cook Islands’ capacities to effectively manage its protected area estate, focusing more specifically on the operationalization of the Marine Park– and community conservation areas falling within it. The project will assist the Government to tailor its policy, regulatory and institutional frameworks to suit the specific characteristics of this large marine protected area – where protection and sustainable use will need to be zoned and planned carefully, with the recognition that tenure over most land areas are vested into local communities through a traditional tenure system. This project has been designed to engineer a paradigm shift in the management of marine and terrestrial Protected Areas (PA) sites from a site centric approach to a holistic “ridge to reef” management approach, whereby activities in the immediate production landscapes adjacent to marine and terrestrial protected areas will be managed to reduce threats to biodiversity stemming from key production activities (tourism and agriculture). Financing for this programme has been committed from the Global Environment Fund. Details of the programme are articulated in a concept note (Annex B). The project has two components-- designed to reach the afore-mentioned objectives. The first component will strengthen the national system of protected areas, while under the second component the project will build the national capacity to mitigate threats to biodiversity in protected areas emanating from agriculture and tourism. In order to operationalize the programme that is currently in the conceptual stage, albeit with a confirmed commitment for funding, UNDP will initiate a 4 month project preparatory phase (PPG phase). During this period, in-depth consultations with key stakeholders and beneficiaries, potential partners as well as technical feasibility/capacity assessments will be completed to define an operationally viable UNDP-GEF compliant project document. 1 The Biodiversity Mainstreaming Field Level Local Consultant will be working in close collaboration with the Team Leader and a group of other two national consultants: a Social, Economic and Institutional Expert and a Protected Areas (PA) system field level consultant. His role will be to support the work and deliverables of the Team Leader together with the other national consultants and will deliver his own additional products. The indicative tasks of the Team Leader and the other national consultants are included in Annex C. 2) FUNCTIONS/KEY RESULTS EXPECTED The BD Mainstreaming Field Level Local Consultant will be responsible for consultations and facilitation with local stakeholders regarding Component 2 of the project namely “Effective mainstreaming of biodiversity in key sectors to mitigate threats to protected areas from production landscapes”. The consultant will carry out the following tasks: Provide technical input pertaining to biodiversity mainstreaming in the Cook Islands; Ensure the accuracy of indicator baselines with clear methodologies for monitoring, as well as the feasibility of targets for the project; Assist in data collection related to project planning and monitoring with particular attention given to the description and quantification of the baseline investments; Facilitate the local level negotiations and gather information in order to agree on the targeted areas and, in collaboration with the Social, Economic and Institutional Expert, identify project baseline and interventions in the agricultural and tourism sectors; Assist the Social, Economic and Institutional Expert in completing the GEF Strategic Objective 2 Tracking Tool included as deliverable, and defining interventions to improve the current status; Assist the Social, Economic and Institutional Expert in identifying project interventions that will encourage the support and financial contribution of tourism entrepreneurs in and around CCAs for biodiversity conservation and establish the baseline for investment/contribution in order for improvement to be tracked during project implementation; Assist the Team Leader to organize stakeholder consultation sessions in order to solicit inputs and ensure stakeholder involvement in and buy-in to the project; Provide administrative support for project design and perform any other activity required to produce the expected deliverables or reasonably requested by the Team Leader and/or the Social, Economic and Institutional Expert within the scope of work. 3) KEY DELIVERABLES The key deliverables of Biodiversity Mainstreaming Field Level Local Consultant will be to: In collaboration with the other consultants, accurate description and quantification of the baseline indicators and investments, as well as targets and monitoring mechanisms; In collaboration with the Social, Economic and Institutional Expert, report on suggested project interventions and capacity building activities in the agricultural and tourism sectors: 2 o In agriculture, to improve water quality in lagoons at least 10 sites and avoidance of habitat loss from farming on 300 farms covering 6,000 ha of agro ecosystems; o In tourism, to ensure that at least 20 tourism businesses near Community Conservation Areas (CCAs) are accredited and regularly monitored for biodiversity management performance using environmental guidelines; In collaboration with the Social, Economic and Institutional Expert, baseline (current status report) of investment/contribution of tourism entrepreneurs in and around CCAs for biodiversity conservation and report on suggested interventions to encourage their support; In collaboration with the Social, Economic and Institutional Expert, completed GEF Strategic Objective 2 Tracking Tool1 based on the agreed interventions that the project will implement; In collaboration with the Team Leader, stakeholder consultation sessions in order to solicit inputs and ensure stakeholder involvement in and buy-in to the project 4) DUTY STATION The consultant is expected to be based in Rarotonga (Cook Islands). Travel to the outer islands of the Cook Islands could be also required. 5) QUALIFICATIONS Education: Experience: Language requirements: Relevant diploma in environmental studies or related to biodiversity conservation Extensive experience in biodiversity mainstreaming and conservation; Environmental work experience in Cook Islands is necessary; Excellent writing and oral communication skills in English required 6) OTHERS Time frame: The products are expected to be delivered in a maximum time of 10 weeks Inputs: The Individual Contractor (IC) is required to have his/her own computer for the consultancy, and availability to travel within Cook Islands 1 Template available online: http://www.thegef.org/gef/sites/thegef.org/files/Docs/Biodiversity%20_GEF_SO_2_Tracking_Tool-GEF-4.doc 3 APPLICATIONS SUBMISSION All applications must include the documents listed below on Annex A to be electronically submitted to procurement.ws@undp.org by October 20th, 2013. Incomplete applications will not be considered and only candidates for whom there is further interest will be contacted. Further queries about the consultancy can be directed towards Jaime de Aguinaga (jaime.aguinaga@undp.org) Women candidates are encouraged to apply. 4 Annex A. Proposal Requirements Qualified candidates are requested to apply by October 20th, 2013, by sending their application packages to procurement.ws@undp.org with the subject line “Conserving biodiversity and enhancing ecosystem functions through a “Ridge to Reef” approach in the Cook Islands”. The application should contain: Letter of interest and availability using the standard template (included in Annex D). Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position and a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work. CV including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees. Financial Proposal - specifying a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this announcement. The financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (number of anticipated working days – in home/office and on mission, travel to Pa Enua, per diems and any other possible costs), preferably according to the following indicative template (columns and rows can be added/removed as required). Estimated Nr. of units Units Working fee in Rarotonga Baseline, targets and M&E Baseline and interventions in agriculture and tourism GEF Strategic Objective 2 Tracking Tool Stakeholders consultations Working fee in Pa Enua* man/days Sub-total working fees man/days Rate / NZD Total / NZD man/days Flight tickets to Pa Enua (estimate*) Miscellaneous (communication, printing…) TOTAL * Final travel plans to Pa Enua (number of trips, destinations and number of days) will be defined in consultation with the Team Leader before signing the contract, but a preliminary estimation should be included in the methodology and the financial proposal Reporting Requirements: The consultant will be monitored, overseen and supervised by UNDP MCO Samoa, which can consult to its national partners (National Environment Service, Ministry of Marine Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Cook Islands Tourism Corporation). Progress and final reports submitted to UNDP shall be in English. Evaluation Method Individual consultants will be evaluated using the UNDP cumulative analysis method - Combination of the weighted technical and financial score to obtain the total score. 5 A Technical (70%) i) Demonstrated experience in developing UNDP/GEF compliant project documents (experience especially in biodiversity area is an asset) 10% ii) Relevant experience in biodiversity conservation and mainstreaming 40% iii) Extensive knowledge of the social, economic and institutional local context 10% iv) Demonstrated experience in negotiating and interacting with stakeholders on 5% complex natural resource management issues vi) High level facilitation, communication and presentation skills 5% B Financial (30%) Total (100%) The award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and b) having received the highest score out of the pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation. Only technically qualified proposals will be further considered for financial evaluation. 6 Annex B. Summary of the Proposed Programme in the Cook Islands PART I: PROJECT IDENTIFICATION Project Title: Country(ies): GEF Agency(ies): Other Executing Partner(s): GEF Focal Area (s): Name of parent program (if applicable): For SFM/REDD+ A. Conserving biodiversity and enhancing ecosystem functions through a “Ridge to Reef” approach in the Cook Islands Cook Islands GEF Project ID:2 5348 UNDP (select) (select) GEF Agency Project ID: 5168 National Environment Service, Ministry Submission Date: 4 April 2013 of Marine Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Cook Islands Tourism Resubmission: 12 April 2013 Corporation Multi-Focal Area Project Duration (Months) 48 Pacific Islands Ridge-to-Reef Agency Fee ($): 384,068 National Priorities – Integrated Water, Land, Forest and Coastal Management to Preserve Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services, Store Carbon, Improve Climate Resilience and Sustain Livelihoods INDICATIVE FOCAL AREA STRATEGY FRAMEWORK3: Focal Area Objectives BD-1 B2 IW-1 Total Project Cost Trust Fund GEFTF GEFTF GEFTF Indicative Amount ($) Grant Indicative Co- Financing ($) 3,159,164 944,940 163,327 4,267,431 10,500,000 3,000,000 793,673 14,293,673 B. INDICATIVE PROJECT FRAMEWORK Project Objective: To build national and local capacities and actions to ensure effective conservation of biodiversity and enhancement of ecosystem functions within and around marine and terrestrial PAs (including community conservation areas) Trus Indicative Indicative Project TA / t Financing Cofinancin Componen Expected Outcomes Expected Outputs INV Fund ($) g t ($) Strengthen Operationalization of management in GEF 3,000,000 10,681,489 Legal / Regulatory ing the 1.1 million square km Cook Islands 1.1 national Marine Park: National agencies Framework for Marine Protected system of responsible for marine and terrestrial Area: Legal framework for the protected PA management (currently by the newly established MPA clarified areas Ministry of Marine Resources and the and legal regime for PA National Environment Service management updated (inter alia INV respectively) are effectively configuring the management delivering PA management functions structure and responsibilities for across the Marine Protected Area, PA management, financing including Community Conservation arrangements, and the inclusion of Areas (planning; financing; monitoring, traditional communal conservation enforcement) (capacities tracked by areas within the PA system) Capacity Score Card and PA management using the METT) Institutional capacities Effective community conservation 1.2 of key biodiversity areas covering emplaced for the management 11700 ha of coastal/ marine areas of Protected Area nationally 2 3 Project ID number will be assigned by GEFSEC. Refer to the reference attached on the Focal Area Results Framework when filling up the table in item A. 7 and 11200 ha of terrestrial areas (tracked by METT for community conservation areas, with average score of at least 60 by end of project) Stable or increased populations of critically endangered species such as Green Turtle and Giant Wrasse (baseline to be established during PPG stage); as well as globally vulnerable endemic bird species such as Atiu swiftlet (Collocalia sawtelli), Rarotonga starling (Aplonis cinerascens), and Mangaian kingfisher (Todiramphus ruficollis) 2. Effective mainstrea ming of biodiversit y in key sectors to mitigate threats to protected areas from production landscape s TA Threats to marine and terrestrial protected areas mitigated from agriculture and tourism sectors: Improved water quality in lagoons (through measures to control agrochemical related water pollution) in at least 10 sites Avoidance of habitat loss from farming on 300 farms covering 6,000 ha of agro ecosystems At least 20 tourism businesses near CCAs accredited and regularly monitored for biodiversity management performance using environmental guidelines developed through project support and included in national accreditation process Tourism related infrastructure development in or around CCAs undergo clear EIA and adapted to conserved biodiversity as necessary Increase in contribution and support from tourism entrepreneurs reported by CCAs in and around CCAs for biodiversity conservation (tracked by their resource investment / contribution in relevant actions) Sub-Total Project Management Cost Total Project Costs (government capacities and institutional mechanisms for participatory planning, surveillance, enforcement and reporting – including joint work between Ministry of Marine Resources and the National Environment Service; national system of support to community conservation areas and cross learning between CCAs) 1.3 Financial sustainability framework for Protected Areas System developed - valuation of the ecosystem services and financial benefits of PAs quantified; costing for effective management worked out nationally - brokerage of annual budgetary appropriations to underwrite the costs of PA functions at the new MPA (staff/ equipment, infrastructure and maintenance) from government budgets - additional sources of financing identified and mechanisms detailed to access and utilize such funds (such as through revitalization of a percentage of airport departure tax being provided for environment fund; use of part of international fishing licenses for conservation) 2.1 Biodiversity conservation mainstreamed into agriculture sector – (through agriculture sector plan, capacity building for conservation farming sustainable agricultural intensification to reduce habitat loss) ; supporting community landuse planning to prevent encroachment onto sensitive areas) 2.2 Biodiversity conservation mainstreamed into tourism sector: (tourism sector plans and actions supported to ensure that tourism accreditation system include environmental standards, and they are enforced; ensure that planned tourism infrastructure development are biodiversity friendly (walking paths, cycling paths etc.) and assist the government tourism agency is able to promote eco-based tourism as incentive for conservation) GEF 1,052,431 2,897,500 4,052,431 215,000 4,267,431 13,578,989 714,684 14,293,673 8 C. INDICATIVE CO-FINANCING FOR THE PROJECT BY SOURCE AND BY NAME IF AVAILABLE, ($) Sources of Co-financing Name of Co-financier National Government National Environment Service National Government Ministry of Marine Resources National Government Agriculture National Government Tourism GEF Agency Non-Governmental Organization UNDP Ipukarea Society Type of financing Grant In-kind Grant In-kind Grant In-kind Grant In-kind Grant Grant Co- Amount ($) 2,843,673 200,000 6,650,000 350,000 920,000 80,000 1,880,000 120,000 50,000 1,200,000 14,293,673 D. INDICATIVE TRUST FUND RESOURCES ($) REQUESTED BY AGENCY, FOCAL AREA AND COUNTRY1 GEF TYPE OF AGENCY TRUST FUND UNDP GEF TF UNDP GEF TF UNDP GEF TF UNDP GEFTF Total Grant Resources FOCAL AREA Biodiversity Climate Change Land Degradation International Waters Country name/Global Cook Is Cook Is Cook Is Global Grant amount (a) 1,896,636 1,772,557 443,139 155,099 4,267,431 Agency Fee (b)2 170,697 159,530 39,883 13,958 384,068 Total c=a+b 2,067,333 1,932,087 483,022 169,057 4,651,499 * Government of Cook Islands wishes to avail of the STAR flexibility mechanism in order to maximize in GEF V the use of resources for this priority project.. 2 Please indicate fees related to this project as well as PPGs for which no Agency fee has been requested already. E. PROJECT PREPARATION GRANT (PPG)4 Please check on the appropriate box for PPG as needed for the project according to the GEF Project Grants: Amount Requested Agency Fee for PPG ($) ($)5 _____13,500________ (upto) $150k for projects up to & including $6 ____150,000 million PPG AMOUNT REQUESTED BY AGENCY(IES), FOCAL AREA(S) AND COUNTRY(IES) FOR MFA AND/OR MTF PROJECT ONLY TRUST FUND GEF AGENCY GEF TF UNDP GEF TF UNDP GEF TF UNDP GEFTF UNDP Total PPG Amount FOCAL AREA Biodiversity Climate Change Land Degradation IW Country Name/Global Cook Islands Cook Islands Cook Islands Global (in $) PPG (a) 66,667 62,305 15,576 5,452 150,000 Agency Fee (b) 6,000 5,607 1,402 491 13,500 Total c=a+b 72,667 67,912 16,978 5,943 163,500 Government of Cook Islands wishes to avail of the STAR flexibility mechanism in order to maximize in GEF V the use of resources for this priority project. 4 5 On an exceptional basis, PPG amount may differ upon detailed discussion and justification with the GEFSEC. PPG fee percentage follows the percentage of the GEF Project Grant amount requested. 9 ANNEX C. Indicative tasks of the other consultants INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANT #1: Type of Consultant: International Position / Titles: Biodiversity Project Development/PA Management Expert (Team Leader) Maximum person weeks needed to carry out the task: 15 Tasks to be performed: The overall objective of the consultant is to prepare the Full-size Project Document and GEF CEO Endorsement Request Form6 for project "Conserving biodiversity and enhancing ecosystem functions through a “Ridge to Reef” approach in the Cook Islands" for approval by the Global Environment Facility. The Biodiversity Project Development/PA Management Expert will serve as team leader in collating inputs of different team specialists and take the lead in collaboration with key stakeholders, implementing and executing agencies in designing the full project document. The key duties and responsibilities are: Define operational strategies and resource needs, and providing administrative support for effective project design. Provide an overall orientation to the PPG team in relation to GEF requirements for project planning and monitoring, and coordinate the team of consultants hired for this phase. Provide methodological guidance for data collection related to project planning and monitoring with particular attention given to the description and quantification of the baseline investments. Conduct feasibility analysis of different options for the implementation of project activities and project governance. Assess governance frameworks for the management of sites. Define and validate the project outcomes, outputs, and activities based on a logical framework analysis and the results of the PPG studies undertaken by the team of experts. Collate relevant information on existing policies, legal, regulatory, institutional and financial frameworks for PA System management on sustainably intensify agriculture and cultivation of indigenous crops and trees, as well as on mainstreaming biodiversity into the tourism sector in Cook Islands and compose an analysis of it providing the ‘baseline’ picture and the justification for the project. Determine the needs for effective PA management in target sites and in the entire and expanded PA estate, building this analysis into proposed activities and outputs. Assess existing monitoring and evaluation systems of relevant institutions for biodiversity in Cook Islands and providing guidance and orientation to define indicators and quantify targets to track project progress and effectiveness. Develop the results framework of the project. Compile the final baseline/situational analysis for the project based on the inputs from local experts and in close cooperation with the key national stakeholders. This will include a precise definition of baseline projects, activities, budgets, goals, and co-financing links to GEF outcomes; definition of GEF incremental value per outcome and output; and development of incremental cost matrices, describing and evaluating (costing) any alternative means of achieving the goals of the project. Define overall Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for the project 6 Templates may be subject to change, the person responsible for this consolidation and drafting will be required to obtain guidance by the UNDP/GEF Regional Technical Advisor and UNDP CO on applicable formats and templates and ensure that his/her work is compliant with UNDP/GEF and UNDP CO requirements 10 Prepare a quantified assessment of the project’s global environmental benefits for biodiversity conservation based on inputs from local experts and international standard criteria for effective PA management. Review and comment on the application of relevant tools, in particular the METT, Financial Scorecard and GEF Biodiversity Strategic Objective 2 Scorecard. Define recommended project monitoring and evaluation indicators. Perform final reviews of the required project documentation. Coordinate the capacity assessment of implementing partners. Qualifications: Master’s or equivalent degree in natural or environmental sciences or other related to the expertise areas Minimum 7 years work experience in protected areas management Proven record of projects developed under Biodiversity Focal Area and approved by GEF Experience in community mobilization and financial sustainability of PAs considered an asset Experience in working with government institutions as well as civil society organizations Excellent writing and oral communication skills in English required NATIONAL CONSULTANT #1: Type of Consultant: Local Position / Titles: Social, Economic and Institutional Expert Maximum person weeks needed to carry out the task: 15 Tasks to be performed: The overall objective of the assignment is to assist in the preparation of the Full-size Project Document and GEF CEO Endorsement Request Form. The Social, Economic and Institutional Expert will carry out the following tasks: Support the Team Leader on operational strategies, estimation of resource needs and administrative issues for effective project design; Support the Team Leader in the coordination of the other national specialists and produce a common plan of activities including relevant workshop programs; Clarify, through stakeholder consultation, the different mandates (specifically the roles and responsibilities) of the various Protected Area (PA) management agencies and local communities in the management of the PA that will be emplaced by the project; Assess existing PA management and financial capacity and sustainability, as indicated in the corresponding tracking tools, and define interventions to improve the current status; In collaboration with the Biodiversity Mainstreaming Field Level Local Consultant, identify project baseline and interventions in the agricultural and tourism sectors; Determine key equipment or infrastructure that should be provided under GEF funding and cofinancing; Provide administrative support for project design and perform any other activity required to produce the expected deliverables or reasonably requested by the Team Leader within the scope of work. Qualifications: Degree in environmental economics or relevant development studies Extensive experience in economic and institutional analysis Environmental work experience in Cook Islands necessary 11 Excellent writing and oral communication skills in English required NATIONAL CONSULTANT #2: Type of Consultant: Local Position / Titles: PA System Field Level Local Consultant Maximum person weeks needed to carry out the task: 10 Tasks to be performed: The PA System Field Level Local Consultant will be responsible for consultations and facilitation with local stakeholders regarding Component 1 of the project namely “Strengthening national system of protected areas”. The consultant will carry out the following tasks: Provide technical input pertaining to protected area planning and management in the Cook Islands; Ensure the accuracy of indicator baselines with clear methodologies for monitoring, as well as the feasibility of targets for the project; Assist in data collection related to project planning and monitoring with particular attention given to the description and quantification of the baseline investments; Facilitate the local level negotiations and information gathering in order to agree on the targeted key biodiversity areas (KBAs); Assist the Social, Economic and Institutional Expert in assessing existing PA management capacities, as indicated in the corresponding Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (METT) included as deliverable, and defining interventions to improve the current status; Recommend appropriate mechanisms for local capacity building in PA management for communities and community-based organizations in the selected target sites for the project to undertake during project implementation; Recommend possible legal amendments/provisions to empower local environmental wardens to enforce locally agreed rules and regulations pertaining to PA management; Assist the Team Leader to organize stakeholder consultation sessions in order to solicit inputs and ensure stakeholder involvement in and buy-in to the project; Provide administrative support for project design and perform any other activity required to produce the expected deliverables or reasonably requested by the Team Leader and/or the Social, Economic and Institutional Expert within the scope of work. Qualifications: Relevant diploma in environmental studies or related field Extensive experience in protected area management Environmental work experience in Cook Islands is necessary Excellent writing and oral communication skills in English required 12 ANNEX D. Letter of interest and availability OFFEROR’S LETTER TO UNDP CONFIRMING INTEREST AND AVAILABILITY FOR THE INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTOR (IC) ASSIGNMENT Date Jaime de Aguinaga Garcia Programme Manager United Nations Development Programme Multi-Country Office covering the Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa and Tokelau Dear Sir: I hereby declare that: a) I have read, understood and hereby accept the Terms of Reference describing the duties and responsibilities of [indicate title of assignment] under the [state project title]; b) I have also read, understood and hereby accept UNDP’s General Conditions of Contract for the Services of the Individual Contractors; c) I hereby propose my services and I confirm my interest in performing the assignment through the submission of my CV which I have duly signed and attached hereto as Annex 1; d) In compliance with the requirements of the Terms of Reference, I hereby confirm that I am available for the entire duration of the assignment, and I shall perform the services in the manner described in my proposed approach/methodology which I have attached hereto as Annex 3 [delete this item if the TOR does not require submission of this document]; e) I hereby propose to complete the services based on the following payment rate : [pls. check the box corresponding to the preferred option]: An all-inclusive daily fee of [state amount in words and in numbers indicating currency] A total lump sum of [state amount in words and in numbers, indicating exact currency], payable in the manner described in the Terms of Reference. f) For your evaluation, the breakdown of the abovementioned all-inclusive amount is attached hereto as Annex 2; g) I recognize that the payment of the abovementioned amounts due to me shall be based on my delivery of outputs within the timeframe specified in the TOR, which shall be subject to UNDP's review, acceptance and payment certification procedures; 13 h) This offer shall remain valid for a total period of ___________ days [minimum of 90 days] after the submission deadline; i) I confirm that I have no first degree relative (mother, father, son, daughter, spouse/partner, brother or sister) currently employed with any UN agency or office [disclose the name of the relative, the UN office employing the relative, and the relationship if, any such relationship exists]; j) If I am selected for this assignment, I shall [pls. check the appropriate box]: k) Sign an Individual Contract with UNDP; Request my employer [state name of company/organization/institution] to sign with UNDP a Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), for and on my behalf. The contact person and details of my employer for this purpose are as follows: I hereby confirm that [check all that applies]: At the time of this submission, I have no active Individual Contract or any form of engagement with any Business Unit of UNDP; I am currently engaged with UNDP and/or other entities for the following work : Assignment UNDP Business Unit / Name of Institution/Company Contract Duration Contract Amount I am also anticipating conclusion of the following work from UNDP and/or other entities for which I have submitted a proposal : Assignment l) Contract Type Contract Type Name of Institution/ Company Contract Duration Contract Amount I fully understand and recognize that UNDP is not bound to accept this proposal, and I also understand and accept that I shall bear all costs associated with its preparation and submission and that UNDP will in no case be responsible or liable for those costs, regardless of the conduct or outcome of the selection process. m) If you are a former staff member of the United Nations recently separated, pls. add this section to your letter: I hereby confirm that I have complied with the minimum break in service required before I can be eligible for an Individual Contract. 14 n) I also fully understand that, if I am engaged as an Individual Contractor, I have no expectations nor entitlements whatsoever to be re-instated or re-employed as a staff member. Full Name and Signature: Date Signed: Annexes [pls. check all that applies]: CV or Duly signed P11 Form Breakdown of Costs Supporting the Final All-Inclusive Price as per Template Brief Description of Approach to Work 15