Project Title: European Union Pacific Technical Vocational Education & Training for Sustainable Energy and Climate Change Adaptation (PacTVET) Project
B. Project Description Background
The European Union Pacific Technical and Vocational Education and Training on Sustainable Energy and Climate Change Adaptation (PACTVET) project is the component three within the broader Adapting to Climate Change and Sustainable Energy (ACSE) programme. The Project builds on the recognition that energy security and climate change are major issues that are currently hindering the social, environmental and economic development of Pacific African Caribbean and Pacific (P-ACP) countries. Despite efforts to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and improved energy security, many P-ACP countries remain almost 100% dependent on imported petroleum products for power generation and transportation. Around the region, the price of fuel oil and electricity tariffs rank amongst the highest in the world and this is supported by the significant scale of inefficiencies in power generation and consumption and in the transport sector too. While there are promising renewable energy opportunities, about 7 million people out of the region’s 10 million people still do not have access to electricity. Transport comprises some 70% of the regions use of imported fuel.
The Pacific region is among the most vulnerable to climate change. These countries are hardest hit by the adverse effect of climate change while they have little to contribute to the cause – producing less than 0.03% of the current global greenhouse gas emissions – they also have the least capacity to react and adapt to changes in climate.
Arguably one of the key barriers to improving P-ACP countries’ energy security status and resilience to climate change impacts is the lack of local and regional capacity and expertise which results in the absence of sustainable training programmes and the absence of trained staff and well-resourced and equipped training institutions to deliver on the required training programmes.
The significance of capacity building on sustainable energy and climate change to the sustainable development of the P-ACP countries can be seen by the endorsement by the Forum Leaders on the Framework for Action on Energy Security in the Pacific (FAESP) and the Pacific Islands Framework Action on Climate Change (PIFFAC). Both frameworks have themes on Capacity Building, Training and Awareness with outcomes of:
Increased awareness and understanding of sustainable energy and climate change issues among communities and other stakeholders.
Strengthened capacity to monitor and assess impacts of sustainable energy and climate change.
Strengthened capacity to identify, design and implement effective sustainable energy and climate change measures.
The project will be implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) in partnership with the University of the South Pacific (USP) over a period of 53 months, from July 2014 with funding provided by the European Union.
The general objective of the project is to enhance sustainable livelihoods in PACPs. Sustainable livelihoods are a high priority for P-ACP communities and governments alike. The purpose of the project is to enhance and/or create P-ACP’s regional and national capacity and technical expertise to respond to climate change adaptation (CCA) and sustainable energy (SE) challenges.
The project completed its first phase having undertaken and shared results of its Training
Needs and Gap Analysis to provide the baseline for the development of or tailoring of each PACP countries’ SE and CCA training requirements that are appropriately accredited. With countries now having identified their priority needs for SE and CCA, and implementation plans developed, in-country focal points are needed to coordinate activities on the ground and to continue to build partnerships and networks with stakeholders.
C. Scope of Work
The scope of work for the consultancy is generally to ensure effective, efficient and a coordinated implementation and reporting of Tonga’s PACTVET Implementation Plan. It will include, but not necessarily be limited to the following activities:
Build the relationships/linkages on behalf of the project with key stakeholders in-country.
Coordinate with the Tonga PACTVET coordination committee (Energy, Climate Change, Education, Industry reps, etc) on the ground implementation of project activities incountry.
Facilitate consultations with key Tongan training providers to confirm CCA and SE related training packages on offer, and identify gaps in training areas that the Pacific Centre for Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency (PCREEE) can facilitate.
In coordination with the Project Management Unit, oversee financial spending and reporting of the project in-country.
Provide quarterly reporting on project progress in-country highlighting issues and constraints to the Project Management Unit.
Provide monthly reports to CEO of MEIDECC, copy Director of Energy, Director of Climate Change, and CEO for Ministry of Education.
Coordinate the development of regional qualifications on CCA and SE with relevant government authorities in Tonga.
Coordinate the partnership agreement development between the project and training provider(s) under the in-country oversight of the Ministry of Education and MEIDECC.
Liaise with In-country Coordinators from 14 other project member countries and the Project Management Unit to coordinate the translation and documentation of training materials developed under the EU-PacTVET project into the local languages.
Coordinate the in-country liaison for the procurement of equipment for training provider(s).
Liaise with PMU to identify potential certified Trainers in-country from local counterparts within the Energy, Climate Change and private sectors; Organize Training of Trainers (ToT) in-country.
Compile and maintain a list of certified trainers in the region.
Ensure visibility of all project activities in-country.
Establish and maintain a network of TVET practitioners for CCA and SE in Tonga.
Assist with the monitoring and evaluation activities in-country.
Assist with any other activities that the Project Management Unit and Director of PCREEE may request within the contract period.
D. Expected Outputs
The incumbent will produce the following deliverables during the assignment:
An updated national contact list of stakeholders/network (training/education institutions, relevant government agencies, private sector and civil society institutions) involved in TVET, SE and CCA/DRM.
A list of key focal points in the Education, SE and CCA sectors.
Signed agreements with partner institutions.
Provision of equipment list from training provider(s).
Provision of list of potential trainers
An established network of CCA, SE and Education practitioners for Tonga.
An established network of national Trainers for SE and CCA qualifications.
Established network of certified trainers/practitioners in the region.
Monthly reports to PMU and CEO for MEIDECC and Education on activities.
Quarterly reports to the PMU on project progress including highlights of issues and constraints along the way.
Repository for all translated training materials in the local languages of the 15 P-ACP countries established.
List and set up of identified priority trainings in SE and CCA for Tonga that the PCREEE can facilitate.
E. Institutional Arrangement
The consultant will be directly responsible to the Team Leader of the PacTVET team through the Regional Coordinator PacTVET. In this case the reporting and
any matter relating to the consultancy work should be referred to the PacTVET Team Leader.
In-country, the consultant will be under the overall supervision of the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Environment, Information, Disaster Management, Energy and Climate Change & Communications (MEIDECCC), and will regularly update and provide copies of all project reports to the CEO of MEICECC, Education and to the Manager of PCREEE) once the office is established and operationalised.
The Reports are due as specified in section 3.
The consultant is expected to consult/interact or collaborate with the following institutions in Tonga as well as in each of the P-ACP countries:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Climate Change & Communications.
Ministry of Education
Technical training institutions (formal and non-formal)
Development Partners
University of the South Pacific
Other CROP agencies
TVET Associations
Industry / professional associations
Representative(s) of industries chosen at random in-country, if required
In-country Coordinators/ National Representatives from the 14 other PACP countries.
The consultant would be working very closely with the MEIDECC and the Ministry of Education, including the Technical training institutions in Tonga.
F. Duration of the Work
The consultancy work will begin anytime between the 1st of August 2016 and 1st September, 2016 , and will commence up to the end of the project period. Reports should be submitted on a quarterly basis with monthly summaries of activities.
Phasing of the consultancy work is at the Consultant’s discretion and is based on the work methodology that forms the part of the bidding document.
G. Duty Station
The Consultant will be based within the relevant Department of the Ministry of Environment, Information, Disaster Management, Energy and Climate Change (MEIDECC), Nuku’alofa,
Tonga in the first instance and at the Pacific Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency office at Nuku’alofa when it is fully established and operationalized for the duration of the contract. Any project related travel will have to be adequately justified and approved by the Project Team Leader.
The consultant, depending on the work plan, will have to report or liaise with the PACTVET team through the Team Leader on any matters that need the team’s attention during the course of the consultancy work.
H. Evaluation Criteria
Qualifications of the Successful Contractor
The Consultant should have relevant postgraduate level qualifications or a bachelor’s degree in a related discipline, and must have substantial experience in either the Adult/ Tertiary Education, Energy or Climate Change sectors.
Experience required
3-5 years relevant experience in a related sector;
Project management experience in a related field will be considered a significant advantage;
Experience in conducting and contributing to workshops or professional training exercises.
Strong coordination and networking skills;
Other required skills:
Possess good oral and written communication, organizational/administrative, data analysis and reporting skills;
Be able to effectively represent the PacTVET Project in stakeholder meetings and show confidence in imparting knowledge to industry and other stakeholders;
Demonstrated ability to organize work, manage time, determine priorities and meet deadlines;
Demonstrated ability to work independently and flexibly, as well as being part of a team;
Excellent computer skills including MS Excel.
Reporting
Proposal Evaluation Matrix
Competency Requirements
Score Weight (%)
Total
Obtainable
Score
1. A relevant postgraduate level qualifications or a bachelor’s degree in a related discipline, and must have substantial experience in either the Adult/ Tertiary Education, Energy or Climate Change sectors
10%
10
2. A minimum of 3-5 years of experience in a related sector
10%
10
3. Has project management experience in a related field
10%
10
4. Has experience in conducting and contributing to workshops or professional training exercises
10%
10
5. Has Strong coordination and networking skills
5%
5
6. Possess good oral and written communication,
organizational/administrative, data analysis and reporting skills
5%
5
7. Be able to effectively represent the PacTVET Project in stakeholder meetings and show confidence in imparting knowledge to industry and other stakeholders
5%
5
8. Demonstrated ability to organize work, manage time, determine priorities and meet deadlines
10%
10
9. Excellent computer skills including MS Excel
5%
5
Total Score
70%
70
Qualification Score
70%
70
I. Budget and Schedule of Payments
The contract cost will be paid based on achieving each set out milestone as shown in the table herein this section.
The professional fees must be specified by the bidder and must be included in the computation of the contract price.
In full consideration for the complete and satisfactory completion of the activities specified in section 2, the consultant shall be paid in accordance to the following milestone activities:
Milestones/outputs
Deadline (date)
% Payment
Signing of a Contractual Agreement
1st August 2016
10% of price
Interim monthly progress report in
accordance with reporting template annexed in MEIDECC and EU-
PacTVET Project MOA
1st September 2016 and monthly thereafter up to 31st August 2018.
80% of price sub- divided into corresponding monthly payments
Satisfactory delivery of the following deliverables:
i. An updated national contact
list of stakeholders/network
(training/education
institutions, relevant government agencies, private sector and civil society institutions) involved in TVET, SE and CCA/DRM.
ii. A list of key focal points in the Education, SE and CCA sectors.
iii. Signed agreements with
partner institutions before June 2016. iv. Provision of equipment list from training provider(s) before June 2016.
v. Provision of list of potential trainers vi. An established network of CCA, SE and Education practitioners for Tonga. vii. An established network of
End of Project duration
10% of the price
national Trainers for SE and CCA qualifications.
viii.
Monthly reports to PMU on activities.
ix.
Quarterly reports to the PMU on project progress including highlights of issues and constraints along the way.
The available remuneration for this consultancy is FJD28, 000 per annum up to the end of the EU-PacTVET project duration.
Annex III
SPC GENERAL CONDITIONS OF CONTRACT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Request for proposal (RFP) no: 15/
1. LEGAL STATUS
The Contractor shall be considered as having the legal status of an independent contractor vis-à-vis SPC. The Contractor’s personnel and sub-contractors shall not be considered in any respect as being the employees or agents of SPC.
2. SOURCE OF INSTRUCTIONS
The Contractor shall neither seek nor accept instructions from any authority external to SPC in connection with the performance of its services under this Contract. The Contractor shall refrain from any action which may adversely affect SPC and shall fulfil its commitments with the fullest regard to the interests of SPC.
3. CONTRACTOR’S RESPONSIBILITY FOR EMPLOYEES
The Contractor shall be responsible for the professional and technical competence of its employees and will select, for work under this Contract, reliable individuals who will perform effectively in the implementation of this Contract, respect the local customs, and conform to a high standard of moral and ethical conduct.
The Contractor shall not discriminate against any Staff of SPC, their employee, independent professional or any other person because of race, medical condition, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, age, sex or handicap.
4. SPECIFIED PERSONNEL
The Service Provider must ensure that the Specified Personnel perform the Services in accordance with this Contract. SPC may, at its absolute discretion, require the Service Provider to remove any Personnel (including Specified Personnel) from work in respect of this Contract, or from undertaking the Services or any part of the Services. If it does so, or if Specified Personnel are unable or unwilling to perform the Services, the Service Provider shall provide replacement Personnel (acceptable to the Customer) of suitable ability and qualifications at no additional cost and at the earliest opportunity.
5. ASSIGNMENT
The Contractor shall not assign, transfer, pledge or make other disposition of this Contract or any part thereof, or any of the Contractor’s rights, claims or obligations under this Contract except with the prior written consent of SPC.
6. SUB-CONTRACTING
In the event the Contractor requires the services of sub-contractors, the Contractor shall obtain the prior written approval and clearance of SPC for all sub-contractors. The approval of SPC of a sub-contractor shall not relieve the Contractor of any of its obligations under this Contract. The terms of any sub-contract shall be subject to and conform with the provisions of this Contract.
7. OFFICIALS NOT TO BENEFIT
The Contractor warrants that no official of SPC has received or will be offered by the Contractor any direct or indirect benefit arising from this Contract or the award thereof. The Contractor agrees that breach of this provision is a breach of an essential term of this Contract.
8. INDEMNIFICATION
The Contractor shall indemnify, hold and save harmless, and defend, at its own expense, SPC, its officials, agents, servants and employees from and against all suits, claims, demands, and liability of any nature or kind, including their costs and expenses, arising out of acts or omissions of the Contractor, or the Contractor’s employees, officers, agents or subcontractors, in the performance of this Contract. This provision shall extend, inter alia, to claims and liability in the nature of workmen’s compensation, products liability and liability arising out of the use of patented inventions or devices, copyrighted material or other intellectual property by the Contractor, its employees, officers, agents, servants or sub-contractors. The obligations under this Article do not lapse upon termination of this Contract.
9. INSURANCE AND LIABILITIES TO THIRD PARTIES
9.1 The Contractor shall provide and thereafter maintain insurance against all risks in respect of its property and any equipment used for the execution of this Contract.
9.2 The Contractor shall provide and thereafter maintain all appropriate workmen’s compensation insurance, or its equivalent, with respect to its employees to cover claims for personal injury or death in connection with this Contract.
9.3 The Contractor shall also provide and thereafter maintain liability insurance in an adequate amount to cover third party claims for death or bodily injury, or loss of or damage to property, arising from or in connection with the provision of services under this Contract or the operation of any vehicles, boats, airplanes or other equipment owned or leased by the Contractor or its agents, servants, employees or sub-contractors performing work or services in connection with this Contract.
9.4 The Contractor shall, upon request, provide SPC with satisfactory evidence of insurance cover as required under this Article.
10. ENCUMBRANCES/LIENS
The Contractor shall not cause or permit any lien, attachment or other encumbrance by any person to be placed on file or to remain on file in any public office or on file with SPC against any monies due or to become due for any work done or materials furnished under this Contract, or by reason of any other claim or demand against the Contractor.
11. TITLE TO EQUIPMENT
Title to any equipment and supplies that may be furnished by SPC shall rest with SPC and any such equipment shall be returned to SPC at the conclusion of this Contract or when no longer needed by the Contractor. Such equipment, when returned to SPC, shall be in the same condition as when delivered to the Contractor, subject to normal wear and tear. The Contractor shall be liable to compensate SPC for equipment determined to be damaged or degraded beyond normal wear and tear.
12. COPYRIGHT, PATENTS AND OTHER PROPRIETARY RIGHTS
SPC shall be entitled to all intellectual property and other proprietary rights including but not limited to patents, copyrights, and trademarks, with regard to products, or documents and other materials which bear a direct relation to or are produced or prepared or collected in consequence of or in the course of the execution of this Contract. At SPC’s request, the Contractor shall take all necessary steps, execute all necessary documents and generally assist in securing such proprietary rights and transferring them to SPC in compliance with the requirements of the applicable law.
13. USE OF NAME, EMBLEM OR OFFICIAL SEAL OF SPC
The Contractor shall not advertise or otherwise make public the fact that it is a Contractor with SPC, nor shall the Contractor, in any manner whatsoever use the name, emblem or official seal of SPC, or any abbreviation of the name of SPC in connection with its business or otherwise.
14. CONFIDENTIAL NATURE OF DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATION
14.1 All maps, drawings, photographs, mosaics, plans, reports, recommendations, estimates, documents and all other data compiled by or received by the Contractor under this Contract shall be the property of SPC, shall be treated as confidential and shall be delivered only to SPC authorised officials on completion of work under this Contract.
14.2 The Contractor may not communicate at any time to any other person, Government or authority external to SPC, any information known to it by reason of its association with SPC which has not been made public except with the authorisation of SPC; nor shall the Contractor at any time use such information to private advantage. These obligations do not lapse upon termination of this Contract.
15. FORCE MAJEURE AND OTHER CHANGES IN CONDITIONS
15.1 Force majeure, as used in this Article, means acts of God, war (whether declared or not), invasion, revolution, insurrection, or other acts of a similar nature or force which are beyond the control of the Parties.
15.2 In the event of and as soon as possible after the occurrence of any cause constituting force majeure, the Contractor shall give notice and full particulars in writing to SPC, of such occurrence or change if the Contractor is thereby rendered unable, wholly or in part, to perform its obligations and meet its responsibilities under this Contract. The Contractor shall also notify SPC of any other changes in conditions or the occurrence of any event which interferes or threatens to interfere with its performance of this Contract. The notice shall include steps proposed by the Contractor to be taken, including any reasonable alternative means for performance that is not prevented by force majeure. On receipt of the notice required under this Article, SPC shall take such action as, in its sole discretion, it considers to be appropriate or necessary in the circumstances, including the granting to the Contractor of a reasonable extension of time in which to perform its obligations under this Contract.
15.3 If the Contractor is rendered permanently unable, wholly or in part, by reason of force majeure to perform its obligations and meet its responsibilities under this Contract, SPC shall have the right to suspend or terminate this Contract on the same terms and conditions as are provided for in Article 16, “Termination”, except that the period of notice shall be seven (7) days instead of thirty (30) days.
16. TERMINATION
16.1 Either party may terminate this Contract for cause, in whole or in part, upon thirty days notice, in writing, to the other party. The initiation of arbitral proceedings in accordance with Article 17 “Settlement of Disputes” below shall not be deemed a termination of this Contract.
16.2 SPC reserves the right to terminate without cause this Contract at any time upon 15 days prior written notice to the Contractor, in which case SPC shall reimburse the Contractor for all reasonable costs incurred by the Contractor prior to receipt of the notice of termination.
16.3 In the event of any termination by SPC under this Article, no payment shall be due from SPC to the Contractor except for work and services satisfactorily performed in conformity with the express terms of this Contract. The Contractor shall take immediate steps to terminate the work and services in a prompt and orderly manner and to minimise losses and further expenditure.
16.4 Should the Contractor be adjudged bankrupt, or be liquidated or become insolvent, or should the Contractor make an assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or should a Receiver be appointed on account of the insolvency of the Contractor, SPC may, without prejudice to any other right or remedy it may have, terminate this Contract forthwith. The Contractor shall immediately inform SPC of the occurrence of any of the above events.
17. SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES
17.1. Amicable Settlement
The Parties shall use their best efforts to settle amicably any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of, or relating to this Contract or the breach, termination or invalidity thereof. Where the parties wish to seek such an amicable settlement through conciliation shall take place in accordance with the Local Law, or according to such other procedure as may be agreed between the parties. 17.2. Arbitration
Unless any such dispute, controversy or claim between the Parties arising out of or relating to this Contract or the breach, termination or invalidity thereof is settled amicably under the preceding paragraph of this Article within sixty (60) days after receipt by one Party of the other Party’s request for such amicable settlement, such dispute, controversy or claim shall be referred by either Party to arbitration in accordance with the applicable local law. The arbitral tribunal shall have no authority to award punitive damages. The Parties shall be bound by any arbitration award rendered as a result of such arbitration as the final adjudication of any such controversy, claim or dispute.
18. PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES
Nothing in or relating to this Contract shall be deemed a waiver, express or implied, of any of the privileges and immunities of SPC, including its subsidiary organs.
19. TAX EXEMPTION
19.1 Under the ‘Host Country Agreement’ with the Country hosting SPC Offices, SPC, being an International Organisation, is exempt from all direct taxes, except charges for public utility services, and is exempt from customs duties and charges of a similar nature in respect of articles imported or exported for its official use. In the event any governmental authority refuses to recognise SPC’s exemption from such taxes, duties or charges, the Contractor shall immediately consult with SPC to determine a mutually acceptable procedure.
19.2 Accordingly, the Contractor authorises SPC to deduct from the Contractor’s invoice any amount representing such taxes, duties or charges, unless the Contractor has consulted with SPC before the payment thereof and SPC has, in each instance, specifically authorised the Contractor to pay such taxes, duties or charges under protest. In that event, the Contractor shall provide SPC with written evidence that payment of such taxes, duties or charges has been made and appropriately authorised.
20. CHILD LABOUR
20.1 The Contractor represents and warrants that neither it, nor any of its suppliers is engaged in any practice inconsistent with the rights set forth in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, including Article 32 thereof, which, inter alia, requires that a child shall be protected from performing any work that is likely to be hazardous or to interfere with the child’s education, or to be harmful to the child’s health or physical mental, spiritual, moral or social development.
20.2 Any breach of this representation and warranty shall entitle SPC to terminate this Contract immediately upon notice to the Contractor, at no cost to SPC.
21. OBSERVANCE OF THE LAW
The Contractor shall comply with all laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations bearing upon the performance of its obligations under the terms of this Contract.
22. AUTHORITY TO MODIFY
No modification or change in this Contract, no waiver of any of its provisions or any additional contractual relationship of any kind with the Contractor shall be valid and enforceable against SPC unless provided by an amendment to this Contract signed by the authorised official of SPC.
For interested candidates please send in your CV to these emails: leighanne.buliruarua@usp.ac.fj
and sarahh@spc.int and all applications must reach us no later than 10th July, 2016.
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