Reference Number: SADC/CLIM/08/2014 – RESEARCHER - IDENTIFYING AND SETTING THE SCENE FOR A SOUTHERN AFRICA EMISSIONS TRADING PLATFORM.
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
SELECTION OF INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS
Reference Number: SADC/CLIM/08/2014
Request for Services Title:
RESEARCHER - IDENTIFYING AND SETTING THE SCENE FOR A SOUTHERN AFRICA EMISSIONS TRADING PLATFORM.
- The SADC Secretariatis inviting Individual Consultants to submit their CV and Financial Proposal for the following services:
RESEARCHER - IDENTIFYING AND SETTING THE SCENE FOR A SOUTHERN AFRICA EMISSIONS TRADING PLATFORM.
The Terms of Reference defining the minimum technical requirements for these services are attached as Annex 1 to this Request for Expression of Interest.
2. Only Individual Consultants are eligible for this assignment provided that they fulfil the following eligibility criteria:
a)they are not bankrupt or being wound up, are having their affairs administered by the courts, have entered into arrangements with creditors, have suspended business activities, are being subject of proceedings concerning those matters, or are being in any similar situations arising from similar procedures provided for in the national legislation or regulations of the SADC member states;
b)they have not been convicted of offences concerning their professional conduct by a judgment which has the force of res judicata; (i.e. against which no appeal is possible);
c)they have not been declared guilty of grave professional misconduct proven by any means which SADC Secretariat can justify;
d)they have fulfilled obligations related to the payments of social security contributions or the payment of taxes in accordance with the legal provisions of the country in which they are established or with those countries where the contract is to be performed;
e)they have not been the subject of a judgment which has the force of res judicata for fraud, corruption, involvement in a criminal organisation or any other illegal activity detrimental to the SADC Secretariat' financial interests; or
f)they are not being currently subject to an administrative penalty.
3.The maximum budget for this contract is US $20,000 for expert service/consultants fees only. Proposals exceeding this budget will not be accepted.
4.Your Expression of Interest must be presented as per Standard Expression of Interest Forms attached as Annex 2 to this REOI, in the English language and be accompanied by copies of all the indicated supporting documents. If the supporting documents are not in English, these shall be accompanied by a certified translation into English.
5.Your proposalclearly marked “Reference Number: SADC/CLIM/08/2014 – RESEARCHER - IDENTIFYING AND SETTING THE SCENE FOR A SOUTHERN AFRICA EMISSIONS TRADING PLATFORM.” in a sealed envelope, should be submitted in our tender box located at the following address:
Secretary to the Tender Committee
SADC Secretariat
Plot 54385 CBD
Private Bag 0095
Gaborone
Botswana
Attn: Mr Snowden Mmadi
Copy: Ted Peter Luka
6.The deadline for submission of your proposal, to the address indicated in Paragraph 5 above, is:
10TH December 2014 at 15:00 hours
7.Proposals submitted by Fax or E-mailare acceptable.
8.Your CV will be evaluated against the following criteria.
Criteria / Maximum points allocatedEducation and Training / 30
Specific Experience relevant to assignment / 50
General Experience / 20
Total / 100
9.You proposal should be submitted as per the following instructions and in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of the Standard Contract attached as Annex 3 to this REOI:
(i) PRICES:
The financial proposal shall be inclusive of all expenses deemed necessary by the Individual Consultant for the performance of the contract.
(ii)EVALUATION AND AWARD OF THE CONTRACT:
Expressions of Interest determined to be formallycompliant to the requirementswill be further evaluated technically.
An Expression of Interest is considered compliant to the requirements if:
- It fulfils the formal requirements (see Paragraphs2,3,4,5,6 and 7 above),
- The financial proposal does not exceed the maximum available budget for the contract.
The award will be made to the applicant who obtained the highest technicalscore.Expressions of Interest not obtaining a minimum score of 70% will be rejected.
(iii) VALIDITY OF THE EXPRESSION OF INTEREST:
Your Expression of Interest should be valid for a period of 90 days from the date of deadline for submission indicated in Paragraph 6 above.
10. The assignment is expected to commence within two (2) weeks from the signature of the contract.
11.Additional requests for information and clarifications can be made until10working days prior to deadline indicated in the paragraph 6 above, from:
The Procuring entity: SADC Secretariat
Contact person: Ted Peter Luka/ Timothy Gotora
Telephone:3951863
Fax:3972848
E-mail:; ; ;
Copy:
The answer on the questions received will be sent to the Consultant and all questions received as well as the answer(s) to them will be posted on the SADC Secretariat’s website at the latest 7 working days before the deadline for submissionof the proposals.
ANNEXES:
ANNEX 1: Terms of Reference
ANNEX 2: Expression of Interest Forms
ANNEX 3: Standard Contract for Individual Consultants
Sincerely,
______(signature)______
Name:Ted Peter Luka
Title:Procurement Officer
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Reference Number: SADC/CLIM/08/2014 – RESEARCHER - IDENTIFYING AND SETTING THE SCENE FOR A SOUTHERN AFRICA EMISSIONS TRADING PLATFORM.
ANNEX 1: TERMS OF REFERENCE
IDENTIFYING AND SETTING THE SCENE FOR A SOUTHERN AFRICA EMISSIONS TRADING PLATFORM.
Background
The Durban Platform for Enhanced Action set the basis for the development of a legally binding agreement by 2015 [COP 21], and to be put into action by 2020. The upcoming agreement is most likely to spell out legally binding emission reduction targets for every member of the convention within the confines of the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and or independently determined national contributions especially on mitigation. This will bring wide ranging benefits and changes especially to developing countries including SADC member States. Benefits are likely to include enhanced international trade, access to the Green Climate Fund, and multilateral and bilateral funding for low carbon development but also emission reduction targets that have to be met and reported on. As such Member States in the SADC region have to design systems and mechanisms to capitalise on the benefits whilst minimising potential effects of anticipated mandatory emission reductions, but with participation and beneficiation of even the smallest of contributors to current climate change in the smallholder agriculture farming sector.
One such system of achieving mandatory emission reductions in a cost effective and very useful way are emission trading schemes (ETS). ETSs have been proven to support sustainable development through emissions offsetting and reductions projects that can be implemented by the most vulnerable communities such as smallholder farmers. At present the region is dotted with several Carbon Tax systems in most member states. Of late, the South African National Treasury published proposals for a carbon offset scheme, which aims to increase investments in projects that will reduce GHG emissions and enable businesses to reduce their liability to carbon tax. This system has potential and high likelihood of spreading its tentacles and benefits across the whole Southern African region.
Apart from carbon offsetting systems, most SADC member states, if not all, already have carbon taxing and pollution levying regulations and legislation that could, to a certain extent, be modified to see benefits from such initiatives being used to support the development and implementation of emission reduction projects for sustainable development initiatives. On the other hand, the region itself is not new to initiatives of setting up emission trading schemes. Initiatives in the recent past, such as the Africa Carbon Credit Exchange[1] and Africa Climate Bourse[2],[3] in Zambia and South Africa partnering AFRXIMBANK and Johannesburg Stock Exchange respectively are a clear testimony that the region is partially ready for such a sustainable markets and trading platform. In addition several certification schemes are employed across different industries especially in agricultural commodities to achieve premium prices in international trade. It is therefore within this background that the SADC Secretariat seeks to commission the following assignment.
Scope of the Assignment
Within the basiccontext of the above background, the Southern African region should explore possibilities and modalities of harnessing the existing SADC member states specific market and legislation based approaches to establish a regionally bred and controlled emission trading system (ETS). The ETS should be structured in a way that allows for offsetting emissions through projects that benefit the most vulnerable groups to antrhopgenically caused climate change such as smallholder farmers whilst allowing major emitters to reduce or offset their emissions either through mandatory or voluntary emission reduction targets, but within costs effective ways and systems. To that end the SADC Secretariat seeks to engage Individual Consultant to assess the current set ups, structures and mechanisms of regionally based ETSs in other parts of the world, and propose an appropriate mechanism for the Southern Africa Region including systems, processes and mechanisms that need to be put in place.
Objectives
The overall objective of the assignment is to set the basis for developing aregional carbon trading platform that would directly benefitthe most vulnerable groups to climate change in the Southern Africa region including smallholder farmers. .
Key tasks and responsibilities [4]
- The key tasks and responsibilities for the assignment are as follows, Identify and analyse the nature of regionally based ETSs in other regions of the world. Ideally the analyses should include visits to at least two regionally-based ETSs in other regions in the world.
- Carry out a comparative analysis of existing ETSs with respect to the nature, context and dynamics of the Southern African region.
- Draw recommendations of the most plausible mechanism of structuring a Southern African Emissions Trading Scheme, including among other issues a clear outline of major polluters and ways of transforming them into major carbon buyers for the proposed scheme.
- Identify and recommend viable options of attracting other regional carbon trading platforms to participate in a Southern African Emissions Scheme.
- Identify the most plausible bio-carbon actions in the region that can be used as offsetting projects by major emitters.
- Analyse the current legislative frameworks dealing with related issues in the region and identify policy and legislative needs and reforms needed for the setting up of the Southern African Emissions Trading Scheme.
- Provide a detailed action plan with a time line and relevant stakeholders list that will see the proposed mechanism being setup in the region.
Expected Output/ result
- A comprehensive report of not more than 40 pages [excluding annexes] in English is expected.
- Report should contain details as per the key tasks and responsibilities that may be amended as per the signed contracts.
Desired Qualifications and Experience
Applications are expected from suitably qualified individual researcherssatisfying the following requirements;
1.Specific Experience
- Demonstrable experience or familiarity in dealing with market based solutions for pollution control and or sustainable development.
- A clear understanding of emissions trading systems and other mechanisms of climate change mitigation as evolved from the Kyoto Protocol.
- Demonstrable ability of analysing legal setup of environmentally related legislature from different countries.
- A clear understanding of the rubric steps and issues to consider when building a carbon trading platform.
- Ability to conceptualise and strategically design regional approaches for a carbon trading platform.
- Demonstrable ability to conduct strategic environmental impact assessments.
- Demonstrable ability to link inclusive and green approaches in the development context.
2.General experience
- Demonstrate at least 8 years of continuous experience working in a related sector.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the geographical, political and economic understanding of Southern Africa issues.
- Ability to link bio-carbon issues to smallholder famers and climate change vulnerable communities/populations in middle/low income countries;
3.Education experience
- Researcher should be a holder of a Master’s Degree in, Environmental Economics, Environmental Science, Environmental Law, International Relations, or any other related Master’s Degree.
- Have professional Microsoft Word, Excel and Power Point skills.
ANNEX 2: Expression of Interest Forms
A.COVER LETTER FOR THE EXPESSION OF INTEREST FOR THE PROJECT
B.CURRICULUM VITAE
C.FINANCIAL PROPOSAL
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Reference Number: SADC/CLIM/08/2014 – RESEARCHER - IDENTIFYING AND SETTING THE SCENE FOR A SOUTHERN AFRICA EMISSIONS TRADING PLATFORM.
A.COVER LETTER FOR THE EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR THE PROJECT
Reference Number:SADC/CLIM/05/2014
Request for Services Title: RESEARCHER - IDENTIFYING AND SETTING THE SCENE FOR A SOUTHERN AFRICA EMISSIONS TRADING PLATFORM.
[Location, Date]
To:SADC Secretariat
Dear Sirs:
I, the undersigned, offer to provide the consulting services for the INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT/RESEARCHER RESEARCHER - IDENTIFYING AND SETTING THE SCENE FOR A SOUTHERN AFRICA EMISSIONS TRADING PLATFORM.
in accordance with your Request for Expression of Interests number SADC/CLIM/08/2014, dated [insert date]for the sum of [Insert amount(s) in words and figures1[5]]. This amount is inclusive of all expenses deemed necessary for the performance of the contract in accordance with the Terms of Reference requirements, and [“does” or “does not” delete as applicable] includeany of the following taxes in Procuring Entity’s country: value added tax and social charges or/and income taxes on fees and benefits.
I hereby declare that all the information and statements made in my CV are true and accept that any misinterpretation contained in it may lead to my disqualification.
I take note that under the provisions of the SADC Procurement Policy applicable to this Request For Expression of Interest, a contract cannot be awarded to applicants who are in any of the following situations:
a)they are being bankrupt or wound up, are having their affairs administered by the courts, have entered into arrangements with creditors, have suspended business activities, are being subject of proceedings concerning those matters, or are being in any similar situations arising from a similar procedures provided for in the national legislation or regulations of the SADC member states;
b)they have been convicted of offences concerning their professional conduct by a judgment which haves the force of res judicata; (i.e. against which no appeal is possible);
c)they have been declared guilty of grave professional misconduct proven by any means which SADC Secretariat can justify;
d)they have not fulfilled obligations related to the payments of social security contributions or the payment of taxes in accordance with the legal provisions of the country in which they are established or with those countries where the contract is to be performed;
e)they have been the subject of a judgment which has the force of res judicata for fraud, corruption, involvement in a criminal organisation or any other illegal activity detrimental to the SADC Secretariat' financial interests; or
f)they are being currently subject to an administrative penalty.
I confirm that I am not in any of the situations described above, and I hereby declare that at any point in time, at the SADC Secretariat’s request, I will provide certified copies of documents to prove so.
I am aware that the penalties set out in the Procurement Policy may be applied in the case of a false declaration, should the contract be awarded to me.
My proposal is binding upon me for the period indicated in Paragraph 9(iii) of this Request for Expression of Interest.
I undertake, if my Proposal is accepted, to initiate the consulting services related to the assignment not later than the date indicated in Paragraph 10 of the Request for Expression of Interest, and to be available for the entire duration of the contract as specified in the Terms of Reference.
I understand you are not bound to accept any Proposal you receive.
Yours sincerely,
Signature [In full and initials]:
Name and Title of Signatory:
B.CURRICULUM VITAE
[insert full name]
- Family name:
- First names:
- Date of birth:
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- Postal address
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- E-mail:
[Insert Postal Address]
[insert the phone and mobile no.]
[Insert E-mail address(es)
- Education:
Institution:
[Date from – Date to] / Degree(s) or Diploma(s) obtained:
[indicate the month and the year] / [insert the name of the diploma and the specialty/major]
[indicate the month and the year] / [insert the name of the diploma and the specialty/major]
10.Language skills: (Indicate competence on a scale of 1 to 5) (1 – excellent; 5 – basic)
Language / Reading / Speaking / Writing[insert the language] / [insert the no.] / [insert the no.] / [insert the no.]
[insert the no.] / [insert the no.] / [insert the no.] / [insert the no.]
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12.Other skills: / [insert the skills]
13.Present position: / [insert the name]
14.Years of experience: / [insert the no]
15.Key qualifications: (Relevant to the assignment)
[insert the key qualifications]
16.Specific experience in the region:
Country / Date from - Date to[insert the country] / [indicate the month and the year]
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[insert the country] / [indicate the month and the year]
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Reference Number: SADC/CLIM/08/2014 – RESEARCHER - IDENTIFYING AND SETTING THE SCENE FOR A SOUTHERN AFRICA EMISSIONS TRADING PLATFORM.
17. Professional experience:
Date from – Date to / Location of the assignment / Company& reference person (name & contact details) / Position / Description[indicate the month and the year] / [indicate the country and the city] / Name of the Company:
Address of the company:
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Name and title of the reference person from the company: / [indicate the exact name and title and if it was a short term or a long term position] / Name of the Assignment:
Beneficiary of the Assignment:
Brief description of the Assignment:
Responsibilities:
[indicate the month and the year] / [indicate the country and the city] / Name of the Company:
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[indicate the month and the year] / [indicate the country and the city] / Name of the Company:
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Name and title of the reference person from the company: / [indicate the exact name and title and if it was a short term or a long term position] / Name of the Assignment:
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[indicate the month and the year] / [indicate the country and the city] / Name of the Company:
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Name and title of the reference person from the company: / [indicate the exact name and title and if it was a short term or a long term position] / Name of the Assignment:
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