with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) for the Republic of South Sudan 01 June 2018 NDA Strengthening & Country Programming

Transcription

1 with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) for the Republic of South Sudan 01 June 2018 NDA Strengthening & Country Programming

2 READINESS AND PREPARATORY SUPPORT/PROPOSAL PAGE 1 OF 15 ver. 19 August 2016 SECTION 1: SUMMARY 1. Country submitting the proposal 2. Date of initial submission 3. Last date of resubmission 4. Which entity will implement the Readiness and Preparatory Support project? Country name: South Sudan Name of institution: Ministry of Environment and Forestry (MoEF) Name of official: Mr. Lutana Musa Position: Director General; Directorate of Climate Change and Meteorology Telephone: / Full Office address: Ministries Complex; Republic of South Sudan, Juba. 14/02/ /12/2017 National Designated Authority Delivery partner Accredited entity Name of institution: UN Environment (UNEP) Name of official: Mr. Arshad Khan Telephone: Position: Country Programme Manager Arshad.khan@unep.org lomurlasu@gmail.com Full Office address: C/o: UNDP South Sudan Office Compound, Box 410, Juba; South Sudan 5. Title of the Readiness Proposal 6. Brief summary of the request (200 words) Republic of South Sudan Green Climate Fund s Readiness and Preparatory Support Project The overall objective of this grant is to enhance South Sudan s chance of accessing the Green Climate Fund and other related funding mechanisms as potential source of climate finance which can leverage domestic investment to build a climate resilient and low carbon economy. The specific objectives of the grant are to strengthen the institutional capacities of the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) as an NDA of South Sudan, to effectively fulfil its roles and responsibilities related with the Fund, engage with regional, national and sub-national governments, civil society and private sector stakeholders as well as to develop a country programme through multi- stakeholders engagement process. This Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme will focus on Activity 1 and 2 of the standardized package for strengthening the NDA and strategic framework for engagement with the key, project stakeholders, development partners including fund as follow: 1. Strengthening capacity of the NDA through; a) Creation of operational capacities and procedures within the NDA that are consistent with the Fund s Initial best-practice guidelines; b) Bridging knowledge gaps so that the NDA can fulfil its roles and responsibilities; c) Enabling the NDA to act as the primary communication channel with the Fund as well as stakeholders consistent with the Fund s initial best practice options for country coordination and multi-stakeholder engagement; and d) Raise awareness at national and sub-national levels on the funds activities and benefits for South Sudan s climate responses. 2. Engagement of the key stakeholders in consultative process and preparation of strategic framework programme framework through; a) Supporting the NDA team to engage across and integrate into the existing national forums, planning exercises (e.g. national budget sector and donor working groups), and promote opportunity for synergies, exchange of information and sharing of relevant lessons learnt on GCF; b) Stocktaking and desk review of the existing government's mitigation and adaptation priorities in accordance with its strategic policy documents (e.g. National Adaptation Programme of Actions (NAPA) and Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) etc;), other sectoral programmes and the Fund s Initial Results Management Framework; c) Identification and compilation of a list of programmes and compile a list of programmes and projects and opportunities to engage the private sector, including micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, and to leverage their capacity to implement programming priorities including public-private partnerships, consistent with the Fund s Initial Investment Framework; d) Preparation of country programmes / projects concept notes that implement high-impact national priorities, and building on existing country programmes, planning and strategies as identified in the NAPA, INDCs, South Sudan Development Plan (SSDP), South Sudan s Vision 2040; etc;

3 READINESS AND PREPARATORY SUPPORT/PROPOSAL PAGE 2 OF 15 ver. 19 August Total requested amount and currency 8. Anticipated duration 9. Is the country receiving other Readiness and Preparatory Support related to the GCF? The NDA may also add other activities, within the overall envelope of USD $ 300,000, in accordance with the Fund s defined scope of work in the Standardised Package for NDA or Focal Point Strengthening and strategic framework for engagement with the fund. 300,000 United States Dollars (USD) 18 Months Yes No If yes, please attach the relevant scope of work, and briefly (100 words) describe the scope of support provided by other institutions

4 READINESS AND PREPARATORY SUPPORT/PROPOSAL PAGE 3 OF 15 ver. 19 August 2016 SECTION 2: COUNTRY READINESS LOGICAL FRAMEWORK Please complete the table below, which enables a country to assess its readiness for the GCF and set targets for strengthening its readiness, including proposed outputs and activities to improve the country s readiness. For further guidance on completing the table, please refer to the guidebook Accessing the GCF Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme. OUTCOMES 1 BASELINE TARGET ACTIVITIES (including key outputs or deliverables where applicable) 1. Country capacity strengthened NDA/focal point lead effective coordination mechanism 1.2 No objection procedure established and implemented 1.3 Bilateral agreements between the country and the GCF executed 1.4 Monitoring, oversight and streamlining of climate finance Consultation meetings and one workshop with line Ministries and other institutions to create awareness and understanding of the Readiness support and to enable the NDA to understand the best way to coordinate among other ministries and stakeholders in relation to the GCF. This intervention will strengthen the NDA Office and focus on discussions on establishment of the DNA institutional structure for providing leadership on the development of readiness processes as well as other GCF initiatives and perform its roles and responsibilities; Capacity assessment of the NDA to determine the current level of capabilities, identify the gaps, and propose capacity development interventions; 3. Establish no-objection procedure approach for South Sudan as per the GCF guidelines and in line with the national capacities and existing processes and institutions to undertake stakeholder communication on this process, and installing resources and capacity for the NDA team to implement the no-objection process; 4. Organize two in-country training and supporting one international training for NDA team members and the newly established Climate Change Working Group to strengthen their knowledge and capacities on matters related to the GCF including negotiation and execution of bilateral agreements between South Sudan and the GCF Secretariat and other related partners and entities. 5. Develop and implement monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system for tracking progress, assess outcome/impact and to ensure accountability for the use of GCF resources; 6. Prepare and share publication materials containing operational manual, leaflets, and brochures for national coordination mechanisms based on the GCF guidelines. 1 Based on decisions: B.08/10, annexes XII, XIII & XIV; B.08/11; B.11/10, annex I; B.12/20, annex I

5 READINESS AND PREPARATORY SUPPORT/PROPOSAL PAGE 4 OF 15 ver. 19 August Stakeholders engaged in consultative processes 2.1 Stakeholders engaged in consultative processes 2.2 Country programmes, including adaptation priorities, developed and continuously updated 2.3 Stakeholder consultations conducted with equal representation of women 2.4 Annual participatory review of GCF portfolio in the country organized Supporting the NDA team to establish a National Climate Change Working Group to engage with other existing forums to promote opportunity for synergies, exchange of information and raising awareness on climate change issues and share the best practices and lessons learnt on GCF; Stocktaking and desk review of the existing government's mitigation and adaptation priorities in accordance with its strategic policy documents (e.g. National Adaptation Programme of Actions (NAPA) and Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) and other sectoral programmes and the Fund s Initial Results Management Framework; 3. Identify and compile a list of programmes and projects and opportunities to engage with the relevant public sector organisations and the private sector (micro, small and medium-sized enterprises), and to leverage their capacity to implement programming priorities including public-private partnerships, consistent with the Fund s Initial Investment Framework; 4. Prepare country programme / projects concept notes that implement high-impact national priorities, and building on existing country programmes, plans and strategies as identified in the NAPA, INDCs, South Sudan Development Plan (SSDP), South Sudan s Vision 2040; 6. Direct access realized Candidate entities identified and nominated for accreditation 3.2 Direct access entity accredited Entity/ies annual/multi-annual work programme developed 3.4 Funding proposals through enhanced direct access modality approved Access to finance Structured dialogue between the NDA/Accredited Entities and the GCF Secretariat organized 4.2 Country programmes, concept notes, including on adaptation, Organise one national stakeholder s consultation workshop with participation of women and youth for the review and appraisal of potential country programme concepts and priorities as well as GCF portfolio.

6 developed that implement highimpact priorities identified in INDCs and other national strategies or plans 4.3 Project/programme preparation support, including for adaptation, to develop funding proposals provided 4.4 Funding proposals, including for adaptation, that are aligned with country priorities approved Private sector mobilization Private sector engaged in country consultative processes 5.2 Enabling environment for crowding-in private sector investments at national, regional and international levels exists 5.3 Funding proposals for private sector projects/programmes, including for adaptation, approved 5.4 Funding proposals under the Private Sector Facility programmes (small- and medium-sized enterprises and mobilizing funds at scale) submitted and approved TOTAL 1 14 READINESS AND PREPARATORY SUPPORT/PROPOSAL PAGE 5 OF 15 ver. 19 August 2016

7 READINESS AND PREPARATORY SUPPORT PAGE 6 OF 15 ver. 19 August 2016 SECTION 3: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Please explain how this grant will help deliver on the country s readiness needs as identified above and build on institutions, processes or existing work already underway in the country (maximum 500 words) South Sudan has total area of approximately 640,000 km 2 and became an independent on 9 th July 2011 when it seceded from the Republic of Sudan, following a referendum held in January Over 80% of the communities in South Sudan live in rural area and are vulnerable to climate change. The country has established an independent Ministry of Environment and Forestry which is tasked with responsibilities to address climate change issues. South Sudan is party to the three Rio Conventions namely; the UN framework for Climate Change convention (UNFCCC), the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD), the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in 18 th May Since becoming party to the above conventions, South Sudan with support from UNEP has been working in preparing and submitting the associated national reports, strategies and plans such as National Adaptation Programme of Actions, (NAPA), Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), 5 th National Biodiversity Report (5 th NR), Initial National Communication (INC) report, and National Capacity Self-assessment (NCSA) report and action plans which provide the blue print for addressing climate change issues in the country. In collaboration with UNEP, republic of South Sudan is also undertaking project to prepare first national State of Environment and Outlook Report (SEOR). The most significant capacity gap in South Sudan is the absence of coherent governance structures for the sustainable management of environmental resources and addressing climate change issues. For example, the requirements for effective implementation of provisions of the three Rio conventions exceed the current human, institutional, and financial resources and capacities available in South Sudan. There is potential for overlap of efforts and resources from different lines ministries. Other gap includes inadequate integration of policies and actions; this is affecting coordination between l i n e m inistries working on climate change agenda. Therefore, there is urgent need for strengthening various government tiers as well as other relevant actors including private sectors. Any efforts locally, nationally, regionally or internationally to support environmental issues in South Sudan must address the above capacity gaps necessary to response to climate change issues. Addressing the above challenges becomes even more relevant with the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development including 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular for the integration of global environment commitments into national policies and evidence-informed sustainable development decision making to achieve the SDG indicators 2. This readiness grant is fully in line with the country priorities and strategies such as INDCs, NAPA, South Sudan Development Plan which is extended to 2018 and South Sudan Vision The readiness support will build on the achievements and recommendations related to the INDCs, NAPA, INC and other development strategies and utilize the institutional mechanisms already set-up such as; South Sudan Natural Resources Working Groups, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation and Ministry of Environment and Forestry to further enhance effectiveness of the readiness project in South Sudan for engagement with the Green Climate Fund and other related climate finance opportunities it offers. With the support of readiness programme and strengthening the NDA for the GCF, the NDA will ensure more effective use of climate finance and coordination of resources in South Sudan. In addition to above, successful implementation of this readiness project will enhance the capacity of NDA to operationalise the GCF mechanism in South Sudan as well as help in government allocation of appropriate resources in the national budget to initiate new activities to address climate change issues being faced by South Sudan in a more sustained manner out of 241 global SDG indicators are related to the environmental dimension, with many of them related to MEAs.

8 READINESS AND PREPARATORY SUPPORT PAGE 7 OF 15 ver. 19 August 2016 SECTION 4: BUDGET, PROCUREMENT, IMPLEMENTATION AND DISBURSEMENT OUTCOMES (same as in section 2) Outcome 1: NDA capacity to undertake Fundrelated responsibilities and engage national stakeholders strengthened ACTIVITIES (same as in section 2) 1.1 Consultation meetings and one workshop with line Ministries and other institutions to create awareness and understanding of the Readiness support and to enable the NDA to understand the best way to coordinate among other ministries and stakeholders in relation to the GCF. This intervention will strengthen the NDA Office and focus on discussions on establishment of the DNA institutional structure for providing leadership on the development of readiness processes as well as other GCF initiatives and perform its roles and responsibilities 1.2 Capacity assessment of the NDA to determine the current level of capabilities, identify the gaps, and propose capacity development interventions 1.3 Establish no-objection procedure approach for South Sudan as per the GCF guidelines and in line with the national capacities and existing processes and institutions to undertake stakeholder communication on this process, and installing resources and capacity for the NDA team to implement the no-objection process 1.4 Organize two in-country training and supporting one international training for NDA team members and the newly established Climate Change Working Group to strengthen their knowledge and capacities on matters related to the GCF including negotiation and execution of bilateral agreements between South Sudan and the GCF Secretariat and other related partners and entities. 1.5 Develop and implement monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system for tracking progress, assess outcome/impact and to ensure accountability for the use of GCF resources 1.6 Prepare and share publication materials containing operational manual, leaflets, and brochures for national coordination mechanisms based on the GCF guidelines. TOTAL COST (per activity) Consultan ts COST CATEGORIES Travel Workshop s/ Trainings EXPENDITURE AND IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE (add columns if >24 months) Others 6m 12m 18m 36,914 12,000 2,300 7,614 15,000 23,614 11,300 19,450 10,000 3,450 5,000 1,000 19,450 14,450 10,000 3, ,000 14,450 34,950 10,000 3,450 20,000 1,500 20,000 14,950 14,550 7,400 4, ,550 8,550 6,000 28,950 15,000 3, ,500 16,000 12,950

9 Outcome 2: Stakeholders engaged in consultative processes 2.1 Supporting the NDA team to establish a National Climate Change Working Group to engage with other existing forums to promote opportunity for synergies, exchange of information and raising awareness on climate change issues and share the best practices and lessons learnt on GCF 2.2 Stocktaking and desk review of the existing government's mitigation and adaptation priorities in accordance with its strategic policy documents (e.g. National Adaptation Programme of Actions (NAPA) and Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) etc;), other sectoral programmes and the Fund s Initial Results Management Framework 2.3 Identify and compile a list of programmes and projects and opportunities to engage with the relevant public sector organisations and the private sector (micro, small and medium-sized enterprises), and to leverage their capacity to implement programming priorities including public-private partnerships, consistent with the Fund s Initial Investment Framework 2.4 Prepare country programme / project concept notes that implement high-impact national priorities, and building on existing country programmes, plans and strategies as identified in the NAPA, INDCs, South Sudan Development Plan (SSDP), South Sudan s Vision 2040; etc. READINESS AND PREPARATORY SUPPORT PAGE 8 OF 15 ver. 19 August ,000 12, ,000 12,000 6,000 20,950 13,000 5, ,500 12,000 8,950 20,250 14,000 4, ,000 13,000 7,250 25,250 20,000 3, ,000 15, Organise one national stakeholder s consultation workshop with participation of women and youth for the review and appraisal of potential country programme concepts and priorities as well as GCF portfolio. 13,156 2,000 2,300 6,000 2,856 13,156 ACTIVITIES COST 246,870 Contingency cost (5%) (The budget will be used for any unforeseen programme (output level) cost that is unrelated to implementation/service fee.) Project Management cost (upto 7.5%) - National Project Coordinator - Admin & Finance Asistant - Mission related travel costs of project management unit 12,343 12,343 12,000 4,000 1,300 Delivery partner fee (upto 8.5%) 23,487 23,487 PROJECT BUDGET 300,000

10 PAGE 9 OF 15 ver. 16 August 2016 READINESS AND PREPARATORY SUPPORT Procurement plan Overall financial management and procurement of goods and services under this readiness and preparatory support proposal will be guided by UN Environment s regulations, rules, policies and procedures, as well as its programme manual. Further, procurement of goods and services will follow the general principles stated under clause 7 of Framework Readiness and Preparatory Support Grant Agreement (Framework Agreement) between Green Climate Fund (GCF) and UN Environment. UN Environment will comply with its obligation under clause 7(a) of the Framework Agreement, which states The procurement of Goods and Services for Approved Readiness Support Proposals, whether by the Delivery Partner or by a third party, shall be done in accordance with the rules, policies and procedures of the Delivery Partner. For this readiness and preparatory support proposal, services of a technical nature will be recruited, or acquired, and directly managed by UN Environment, in consultation with the South Sudan NDA. Recruitment and management of consultants will be in accordance with UN Environment rules, policies and procedures. UN Environment will coordinate with South Sudan NDA to procure goods and services in delivering activities at national level [for example meetings, workshops, etc.] in accordance with the agreed procurement management plan and will be in accordance with UN Environment rules, policies and procedures. Procurement Plan (in accordance with UNEP Procurement Manual) Procurement Item Goods and Services (Commercial Vendors) Monetary Threshold < US$ 10,000 Procurement Type Low Value Procurement General Characteristics of Goods and Services to be Sourced 1. Readily available off-the-shelf goods with standard specifications, available from several sources of supply within the country. 2. Goods must not be covered by Blanket Purchase Order (BPO) or Systems Contract, neither in stock nor in procurement pipeline. 3. LVP is not for international purchases Goods and Services specific to GCF Proposal 116,338 USD in total for workshops, meeting Packages and Travel costs Procurement Process Three informal quotations must be obtained with relevant information (price, quantity, delivery, time, etc) via , fax etc using the best value for money approach Time Frame* 2-6 weeks Criteria Lowest quotation

11 PAGE 10 OF 15 ver. 16 August 2016 READINESS AND PREPARATORY SUPPORT Goods and Services (Commercial Vendors) Services of International and local experts (Consultants/individual contractors) US$10,000 - US$ 40,000 N/A Request for Quotations Recruitment Basic, standard goods or simple services with clear specifications A consultant is an individual who is a recognized authority or specialist in a specific field, engaged by the United Nations under a temporary contract in an advisory or consultative capacity to the Secretariat. A consultant must have special skills or knowledge not normally possessed by the regular staff of the Organization 0 (no single activity is above 10,000) 146,832 USD in total for Experts 1. Vendors can submit bids via to a centralized address 2. Evaluation criteria are pass/fail basis only and a vendor needs to pass all criteria to be considered 1. Formulation of ToR and job vacancy announcement for a minimum of 7 days. 2. Desk review of Applications followed by shortlisting. 3. Interview of shortlisted applicants followed by selection by the Hiring Manager 3 week to 2 months Usually 4-8 weeks Evaluation criteria pass/fail basis only Highest score in the evaluation during recruitment process by the panel Total Budget excluding contingency and Delivery Partner fee 264,170 USD

12 PAGE 11 OF 15 ver. 16 August 2016 READINESS AND PREPARATORY SUPPORT 1. Details of the Others costs (47,574 USD) The following table lists goods and works contracts for which procurement activity is either ongoing or expected to commence within the next 12 months. General Description NDA Office Setup and running costs $ = 4800 USD - 1 Laser Jet $4000 = 4,000 USD - 1 PowerPoint 2000 USD = 2,000 USD - 1 Digital 1000 $ = 1,000 USD Contract Value Procurement Method 11,800 Request for Quotation for goods Prequalification of Bidders (y/n) N Adverti sement Date (quarter/yea Q1-3/2018 Comments NDA Office furniture (chairs, office tables, meeting tables, filing cabinets, etc) NDA office Stationery/office 18month = 3600 USD Provision of communication/logistics services to NDA USD/month = 9000 USD 6,886 Request for Quotation for goods 4,388 Request for Quotation for goods 9,000 Request for Quotation for services Outreach materials designing and printing 10,500 Request for Quotation for goods Steering committee meetings, discussions, etc (lump sum) 5,000 Request for Quotation for services N N N N Q1-2/2018 Q1/2018 to Q2/2019 Q1/2018 to Q2/2019 Q2-4/2019 Q1/2018 to Q2/2019 Total 47,574 USD

13 PAGE 12 OF 15 ver. 16 August 2016 READINESS AND PREPARATORY SUPPORT 2. Consulting Services Contracts Estimated ( 140,988 USD) The following table lists consulting services contracts for which procurement activity expected to commence within the next 12 months. 1 Quality and Cost-Based Selection (QCBS) General Description Hiring of three (3) international of consultants to support the Readiness project activities Contract Recruitment Advertisement Date International or National Assignment Value Method 1 (quarter/year) Comments 84,388 QCBS Q1-2/2018 International To be advertised Hiring t w o (2 ) National Consultants 56,600 QCBS Q1-2/2018 National To be advertised 3. Workshops/ Training and travel costs ( 71,650 USD) General Description Contract Value Procurement Method Prequalification of Bidders (y/n) Advertisement Date (quarter/year) Comments 3 stakeholders Workshops, 2 national training and 1 (one) international training for NDA and line ministries staff, including refreshments, banners, stationery, and hall rent. 39,000 Request for Quotation for services N Q2/2018 to Q2/2019 Travel expenses: 4 trips to Juba and 4 trips within South Sudan by international consultants and 4 trips for national consultants and NDA staff 32,650 Request for Quotation for services N Q1/2018 to Q2/2019

14 PAGE 13 OF 15 ver. 16 August 2016 READINESS AND PREPARATORY SUPPORT Additional information This box provides an opportunity to include further explanations related to the budget, procurement plan and disbursement schedule, including any details on the assumptions to justify costs presented in the budget. *Consultants include: Three international consultants and two national consultants will be recruited to undertake specific and specialised activities. **Other cost categories include: procurement of computers, printer, PowerPoint Projector, digital camera, office furniture, Communication /Logistic expenses, Steering Committee Meetings, Discussions, Stationary/Office Supplies, Outreach Materials and Printing, etc. ***Number of Trips: 4 trips to Juba and 4 trips within South Sudan by international consultants and 4 trips for national consultants and NDA staff Disbursement schedule UN Environment as the Delivery Partner for this Readiness and Preparatory Support Proposal will submit requests to GCF for disbursement of grants for approved R&P Support Proposals in accordance with the Framework Readiness and Preparatory Support Grant Agreement between the GCF and UN Environment. Disbursement requests will be signed by the authorised representative of the UN Environment and will include details of the bank account into which the grant will be deposited. UN Environment, the Delivery Partner for this R&P Support Proposal for South Sudan, will administer the grant disbursed by the GCF in accordance with UN Environment s regulations, rules, and procedures including maintenance of records of grant, disbursements and expenditure. UN Environment will follow the disbursement schedule as per the Framework agreement Clause 4 Readiness and Preparatory Support Grant Agreement between the GCF and UN Environment. UN Environment will allocate the grant proceeds as appropriate, including for procuring goods and services required to implement activities of the approved Readiness and Preparatory Support Proposal, in accordance with its obligations under clause 5 (Use of Grant Proceeds by the Delivery Partner) of Framework Readiness and Preparatory Support Grant Agreement between Green Climate Fund (GCF) and UN Environment. SECTION 5: IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS AND OTHER INFORMATION Please attach an implementation map or describe how funds will be managed by the NDA/FP or delivery partner If the entity implementing the readiness support is not an accredited entity of the GCF, please complete the Financial Management Capacity Assessment (FMCA) questionnaire and submit it with this proposal.

15 PAGE 14 OF 15 ver. 16 August 2016 READINESS AND PREPARATORY SUPPORT UN Environment will manage the funds for the activities under this readiness agreement. UN Environment will agree on a plan with the South Sudan NDA to monitor the implementation of the activities using the grant proceeds. However, UN Environment will be responsible for the implementation of the activities under this readiness and preparatory support proposal. UNEP has considerable experience in implementing projects and providing scientific guidance in the field of climate change. To date, UNEP has just facilitated the preparation of South Sudan s NAPA and is assisting the new nation to prepare its Initial National Communications and Biennial reports under the UNFCCC. UNEP has considerable experience in helping countries in accessing climate finance, in particular in partnership with the GEF and GCF, as well as through the capacity building and technical support given to countries to gain direct access to the Adaptation Fund. A UN Environment Programme Officer (PO) will be responsible for project oversight and supervision, and to ensure consistency with GCF and UN Environment policies and procedures. The functions of the PO will include, but will not be limited to the following: i) participating in the Annual Project Steering Committee (PSC) meetings; ii) facilitating the mid-term and final evaluations; iii) clearing the Progress Reports and Project Implementation Reviews; and iv) undertaking the technical review of project deliverables v) providing input to periodic readiness portfolio reporting to GCF; vi) prepare requests for disbursements etc. In line with the standard management arrangements structure for UNEP assisted projects in South Sudan, a Project Steering Committee consisting of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (Chair), which is also NDA and the GCF focal point and other relevant stakeholders will be formed. The Project Steering Committee will oversee, and be responsible for decision making during the project implementation process. The Project Steering Committee will review and approve the detailed Work Plan and associated budget for the project activities. The committee will oversee the progress of the implementation of the Readiness Project, address issues as needed, and guide and support the Technical Committee and experts including the consultants throughout the implementation phase. The Project Steering Committee will also review and approve progress reports. The committee will support organization of the workshop for the review and validation of country programme concept notes and priorities. It will also ensure that appropriate consultative processes take place with the relevant stakeholders. The Project Steering Committee will be a mechanism for closer coordination across all related institutions including the multilateral environmental cconventions focal points in South Sudan to ensure complementarity and concerted action around the Readiness Project Implementation process by drawing relevant inputs from other related projects. Gender equality will be considered in forming the Project Steering Committee to ensure decision-making process consider the view of women and youth. The meetings of the Steering Committee will be held on a regular basis. The project steering committee will work to ensure national ownership, alongside donors and UNEP management. UN Environment will submit semi-annual progress reports to the GCF in accordance with the terms of the Framework R&P Support Grant Agreement between GCF and UN Environment. Other relevant information This box provides an opportunity to include any important information you wish to bring to the attention of the GCF Secretariat, but did not have an opportunity to provide in the sections above. To avoid any possible conflict of interest deriving from the Delivery Partner s role as an accredited entity, the prioritization of investments and projects in the context of this readiness grant will be made through a broad consultation process with relevant stakeholders, under the leadership of the NDA. The final validation of these priorities will be carried out by the country s mechanism of coordination and related institutional arrangements, with the participation of other government agencies, as well as representatives from civil society and private sector, to ensure that chosen priorities are fully aligned with national plans and strategies and adequately include inputs from consulted stakeholders.

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