Consultant to support the overhaul and digitalization of the library of UNEP/MAP (NOA)

Result of Service The current UNEP/MAP library assets are classified, indexed, stored, discarded or digitalized as appropriate, and the space of the current library is freed up.

Work Location On-site (Duty station: Athens)

Expected duration The consultancy is for 15 working weeks spread over 23 weeks from the date of the signature (full time between 1 to 7 weeks and then half time between 8 to 23 weeks)

Duties and Responsibilities The United Nations Environment (UNEP) is the United Nations system’s designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. UN Environment’s ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and advisory services for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. The Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) is one of the UN Environment’s Regional Seas Programs encompassing a comprehensive system of activities for the protection and the sustainable development of the Mediterranean region based on a legal framework (the Barcelona Convention and its Protocols). The Convention involves the 21 countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea as well as the European Union. The individual consultancy assignment is for the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP), Athens, Greece.

UNEP/MAP premises are in need of refurbishment/renovation and rearrangement. The premises are situated in downtown Athens in Greece, composed of 1 floor (~900 Sqm each). In consideration of recent expansion of the MAP Programmes/Activities and an increase in the number of the MAP staff, it has been decided to decommission the existing library to make the best use of the office space. In this regard, a consultant is required to provide with Library Management services to prepare for the office renovation work scheduled in 2022.

The assignment includes the following key tasks (See Annex I for implementation schedule)

• Task 1. Interview relevant UNEP/MAP staff and draft an inception report summarizing and assessing the types of physical assets contained in the library and proposing a policy and workplan for classification of items for donation, retention, digitalization, or discarding (Output 1);
• Task 2. Perform a detailed inventory/index of physical assets contained in the library and related storage shelves and cabinets as well as submission of a progress report including the progress on assets index (Output 1);
• Task 3. Draft a plan for retention by UNEP/MAP, of assets in labeled transport cases (labels indicate the category and list of items contained in each case) (Output 2);
• Task 4. Propose a policy and plan for the digital preservation of key paper-based MAP assets and other documents , including an estimation of needs in terms of equipment, software, and human resources (Output 2);
• Task 5. Propose a policy and plan for donation of assets and identify possible recipients of items to be donated (Output 2);
• Task 6. Develop a plan of discarding of assets (Output 2);
• Task 7. Execution of policies and plans under Output 2 (classification, retention, digitalization, donation, discarding, etc.) (Output 3);

• Task 8. Execution of any other related duties identified and follow up for the dismantling of the library, and submission of a final report including the final assets index (Output 4).

  Qualifications/special skills Skills: Knowledge of library operations, and cataloguing is required. Proficiency in MS Excel is required. Academic Qualifications: A university degree or equivalent in library science or the related field. Experience: A minimum of two (2) years of experience in library work, archives, information network administration or related field. Language: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English and Greek is required. Knowledge of French is desirable.

  No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.