Climate Action Intelligence Consultancy Vacancy Announcement (Firms/Institutions/company), no individual applicants, Lilongwe, Malawi

Background

The Government of Malawi, through the Ministry of Development Planning and Cooperation (MoDPC), with support from the Japanese Government and the United Nations Development Programme, is implementing a two-year project: Building Capacity for Integrated and Comprehensive Approaches to Climate Change Adaptation in Malawi (AAP Malawi). The objective of the project is to enhance Malawi's existing climate initiatives by strengthening capacity for long term investment in, and management of climate-resilient sustainable development. This will be achieved through the realisation of the following five outputs:

• Dynamic, long-term planning mechanisms to manage the inherent uncertainties of climate change introduced;
• Leadership capacities and institutional frameworks to manage climate change risks and opportunities in an integrated manner at the national and local levels strengthened;
• Climate-resilient policies and measures implemented in priority sectors;
• Financing options to meet national adaptation costs at national and local levels expanded;
• Knowledge on adjusting national development processes to fully incorporate climate change risks and opportunities generated and shared across all levels.

A major challenge that faces the Government of Malawi in implementing several of these outputs is the need to understand the complex network of actors engaged and activities initiated on climate change. Such information should be captured through dynamic visual representations which capture the complexity of climate change actors and initiatives on the ground, by way of ensuring a timely, accurate and updated comprehension on climate change trends at all times.

Objectives of the Consultancy:

The overall purpose of the assignment is to:

• Map the climate change actors, activities, projects, programmes and trends currently underway in Malawi;
• Develop and transfer analytical capacity to understand current socio-economic trends between actors and actions in climate change (which is herein referred to as 'business intelligence') to support and inform decisions for efficient and effective development climate change related decisions and investments;
• Develop an information/ knowledge platform and public output of this information.

Duties and Responsibilities

Specific assignment:

In carrying out the exercise the Consulting Firm shall:

• Assist the AAP team and relevant stakeholders with identifying the most relevant methodologies and products to map climate change actors, activities, projects, programmes and trends and to support national decision making processes with specific reference;
• Assist the AAP team and relevant stakeholders with extracting the information required for this dynamic mapping exercise;
• Assist the AAP team and relevant stakeholders with developing visual representations of the information extracted;
• Provide the AAP team and relevant stakeholders with ongoing coaching and technical guidance to ensure the development of analytical skills and the transfer of ownership of the identified methodologies and products;
• Advise on the relevant institutional structure to ensure the long term sustainability and dissemination of the skills learned and the technologies transferred;
• Formulate preliminary recommendations on the management of the information/ knowledge platform and public output of this information as a next phase;
• Work closely with the AAP Manager and team assigned to the above mentioned tasks, as well as with the AAP regional component based in Dakar, which will be providing additional technical guidance on the process.

Expected outputs and deliverables:

The Consulting Firm is expected to produce the following deliverables:

• Initial 'project design' report making recommendations on the most relevant methodologies, processes and social analysis and information management tools;
• A package of compatible and customisable social network analysis, visualisation tools and information management tools to be used by the AAP team and relevant stakeholders to best inform co-ordination and planning mechanisms, knowledge-management and implementation of specific activities as endorsed in 2011 AWP;
• A 'manual' prepared for Malawi Team and relevant stakeholders explaining how the intelligence process and information management tools should be used in county for maximum effect;
• Interim report following an in-country visit summing up progress to date, opportunities and challenges and recommendations on the way forward.

Competencies

• A good understanding of the key challenges faced by developing countries in managing the complexity of data related to the actors and agencies involved in climate change;
• A track record of success in undertaking this type of work in developing countries is essential;
• Previous experience of using the outputs from analytical models to develop to assist the development of policy making, leadership development or decision-making within government would be an added advantage;
• Strong communication skills to share the results and benefits.

Required Skills and Experience

• A minimum of an advanced degree in organisational science, organisational behaviour, information management, business intelligence or related fields;
• Proven experience in mapping and /or visual representation and management of institutional actors, agencies, programmes and activities in specific technical fields and management of complex data is essential;
• Experience working within the development community, experience with UNDP and the UN system is an asset;
• Experience working in the African region.

Duration:

The Consultancy firm shall work for a total of 35 person days spread over a period of 4 calendar months. This may entail 2 trips of 2-3 weeks to Malawi for consultation and analysis, plus reporting and writing at home base.

Submission of applications:

Submissions of proposals should include a detailed proposal outlining how the consultancy envisages to undertake the assignment. This proposal should include:

• A financial proposal with an itemized budget;
• A technical proposal with detailed time-lines;
• Description of team members and CVs;
• Proof of past experience as per section 10 'Consultancy Track Record'.

Applications which don't include financial and technical proposals will be automatically disregarded. Applications should comply with the following formal administrative requirements:

• Offers must be submitted within the stipulated deadline;
• Offers must include documentation regarding the company's legal status and registration;
• Offers must include the latest audited accounts.

Please attach the technical and financial proposals in separated files clearly market in bold. Applications will be assessed on the basis of their combined weighted technical and financial attributes.

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.