Job: INE/WSA. IDB-GEF Project Identification and Preparation Support (DTC)

Location: Washington
Deadline: Wednesday, 24 July 2013 

Description

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Consultant supporting INE/WSA Staff in IDB-GEF Project Identification and Preparation

Background

In May 2004 the Bank's Board of Executive Directors entered into a formal agreement with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to become an Agency for the preparation and implementation of GEF operations (see Document GN-2304-1). Under this agreement, the Bank has full and direct access to GEF funds for project identification, preparation and execution. GEF resources are grants that complement IDB loans. In the past two years, the pipeline of GEF operations has been growing steadily, encompassing the four major focal areas of the GEF (i.e., biodiversity, land degradation, international waters, and climate change) and reaching over 15 countries in the Region. To access GEF resources, the Bank, as a GEF Agency, is required to follow all of its internal project preparation procedures, in addition to meeting the GEF own project cycle and approval mechanisms, including specific strategic and technical guidelines approved by the GEF Council.

At the moment, INE/WSA official pipeline includes 2 projects: Regional Platform for Water Resource Management (RG-G1001) and Testing a Prototype Caribbean Regional Fund for Wastewater Management - CReW (RG-X1011); representing a total amount of US$ 22 million. The operations have been approved by the GEF and Bank's Board in 2010 and 2011. In addition to the current existing pipeline, additional opportunities for expanding the INE/WSA IDB-GEF portfolio are emerging.

The CReW entails a co-financing of US$234 million that represents more than 12 IDB operations undertaking wastewater investments in the Wider Caribbean Region, and that are at different stages of preparation and implementation. Additionally, there are five project ideas under consideration that require the development of their respective profiles for GEF: i) Integrating biodiversity and ecosystem services into integrated water resources management practices and tools; ii) Incorporate carbon-budgeting into sector planning efforts in water resources management (water supply and sanitation, rural and agricultural water use); iii) Development and use of "Computer-Aided-Participation" (CAP) methods to aid in conflict resolution issues in water use in trans-boundary surface/groundwater basins under the influence of climatic variability and change; iv) Reducing Pollution in the Antarctic LMEs; and v) Public-Private-Partnerships for industrial pollution management (POPs, mercury and other chemicals) in priority watersheds.

The rapid growing portfolio and pipeline has increased the need for project preparation, implementation and administration support. To respond to these needs and to continue the process of mainstreaming the GEF into the Bank and INE/WSA operations, it is important to strengthen and expand the administrative capacities in WSA to support the work of the professional staff assigned to GEF-related operations.

Consultancy Objectives

The objective of this consultancy is to provide administrative support in the origination, identification, preparation and implementation of IDB-GEF operations generated within WSA, as well as in other activities that pertain to the expansion of a high-quality IDB-GEF portfolio.

Main Activities

• Provide administrative support to INE/WSA professional staff working in close collaboration with the Administrative Coordinator in tasks including: programming agendas, meetings, travel authorizations, field visits, trainings events, workshops, etc.

• Provide administrative support to INE/WSA professional staff in the preparation and processing of Bank documents and required annexes needed to prepare and implement IDB-GEF operations.

• Provide support for the follow-up of procurement processes.

• Support the coordination of the INE/WSA-GEF program in other relevant activities as required.

Schedule of payments

Payments under this contract will be performed on a bi-monthly basis.

Coordination

• Team Leader or Coordinator: Henry Moreno, WSA Division Chief (a.i.)

• Department Division: INE/WSA

Characteristics of the consultancy

Consultancy Category & Modality: International/Individual Consultancy, Monthly. Modality DTC

Contract Duration: 18 months starting August 2013

Place of work: Headquarters

Travel: will be covered in accordance to the Bank's policy

• Qualifications
   
  At least three years of relevant experience, and at least one year within the IDB. Experience in supporting GEF (or other interagency operations) funded projects preparation and implementation is highly desirable. Knowledge of the Bank and its systems and processes for approving and implementing operations. Ability to undertake tasks without direct supervision, be proactive, have people skills and capacity to create team work. Fluency in Spanish and English, with excellent oral and written communication skills. Proficiency in MSWord, MSExcel, MSOutlook, and MSPowerPoint.
   
  Primary Location
  Headquarters
   
  Schedule
   Payment and Conditions of Employment:

If the work will be carried out at Bank headquarters in Washington D.C. Remuneration will be determined in accordance with Bank regulations and criteria. The Bank will additionally contribute toward travel and moving expenses, if applicable. If a candidate is not a citizen or resident of the United States, the Bank will apply for a G-IV visa from the consulate of the United States in the candidate's country of origin. If a candidate cannot obtain a visa to work at the IDB the contractual offer will be rescinded.

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Individuals with relatives working for the IDB within and including the fourth degree of consanguinity and the second degree of affinity are not eligible. This includes staff members and consultants. Candidates must be citizens of a member country of the Inter-American Development Bank.

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