Expert for Institutional and Financial Framework for Implementation of the Post Hazard Recovery and Reconstruction

Contract

This is a International Consultant contract. More about International Consultant contracts.

Background

The Adaptation Fund (AF)/UNDP Integrated climate-resilient transboundary flood risk management in the Drin River basin in the Western Balkans (Albania, Montenegro and North Macedonia) Project (Drin FRM Project) aims to assist the riparian countries in the implementation of an integrated climate-resilient river basin flood risk management approach in order to improve their existing capacity to manage flood risk at regional, national and local levels and to enhance resilience of vulnerable communities in the Drin River Basin (DRB) to climate-induced floods. The following results shall be achieved: (i) Improved climate and risk informed decision-making, availability and use of climate risk information; (ii) Improved institutional arrangements, legislative and policy framework for climate-resilient flood risk management (FRM), and development of climate change adaptation (CCA) and FRM strategy and plans at the basin, sub-basin, national and sub-national levels; (iii) Strengthened community resilience through improved flood management, through implementation of structural and non-structural measures and enhanced local capacity for CCA and FRM.

In order to enhance national and local capacities in post-hazard recovery processes, Drin FRM Project team in cooperation with Ministry of Internal Affairs - Rescue and Protection Directorate supported development on nationalized Methodology for assessing damages and losses after natural disasters and other technical-technological accidents, harmonized with international Post Disaster Needs Assessment/PDNA methodology. The methodology was developed by multidisciplinary team of experts, based on most applicable regional experiences and practices, primarily from Republic of Serbia. The particular focus was given to floods and related climate induced hazards. The Methodology was endorsed by the line Ministry and was followed with Training of trainers for transfer of knowledge for implementation of the methodological approach and protocols at municipal levels, i.e. for current municipal commissions for damage assessment. These activities were completed in 2022, while local level trainings will be conducted in 2023.

Setting up efficient recovery system after natural disasters and other technical-technological accidents in Montenegro requires development of framework legal act.

Government of Montenegro decided to develop Law on Recovery after Natural, Technical-Technological and other Disasters, in accordance with the Conclusion from the Gov’s session held on 25th January 2023. Ministry of Interior - Rescue and Protection Directorate is tasked to draft aforementioned law that would regulate the sector of reconstruction and recovery, i.e. assessment of damages, losses and needs after natural disasters, technical-technological and other accidents.

Drin FRM Project team agreed to support development of key legal act for post hazard recovery, that will fully incorporate PDNA principles and create framework for functional institutional and financial structures and resources to be in place. Rescue and Protection Directorate formally addressed with the request for two (2) experienced experts: i) legal expert for drafting Law on Recovery after Natural, Technical-Technological and other Disasters and ii) expert for defining optimal institutional and financial framework for implementation of the post hazard recovery and reconstruction.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objective of the assignment

To analyse and propose efficient institutional framework and financial resources for implementation of post hazard reconstruction and recovery legislation

Under the supervision of Drin FRM Project Manager and in close coordination with Ministry of Interior – Rescue and Protection Directorate, engaged expert will complete following tasks:

Task 1. Analysis of Montenegrin institutional and organizational framework, and available studies, analyses and other documents related to post hazard recovery and reconstruction system at both central and local levels. Defining of strengths and weaknesses/gaps;

Task 2: Comparative analytical work on the institutional framework from the Western Balkan region and applicable international practices, based on applying of PDNA methodology;

Task 3: Options analysis for efficient institutional framework for implementation of post hazard reconstruction and recovery legislation, primarily Law on Recovery after Natural, Technical-Technological and other Disasters:

• Enhancing of current national and local structures, i.e. National Commission for Damage Assessment and Municipal Commission/s for Damage Assessment, Rescue and Protection Directorate and municipal Protection and Rescue Services;
• Proposing of new institutional framework, by establishing of national entity in charge for posh hazard reconstruction and recovery. Review the existing institutional and organizational forms in Montenegro, which affects the nature of the functioning of new entity. Development of the 'Road Map' - the timeframe and stages of establishing and functioning of the new institutional entity and its links at horizontal/inter-governmental and vertical/national and local levels.

Recent recorded/documented floods hazard recovery process from Montenegro should be used as example to showcase abovementioned options.

Task 4: Consultations on the option analysis with key decision makers and relevant stakeholders in Montenegro, which will be identified by the Rescue and Protection Directorate;

Task 5: The identification and redefinition of existing, as well as proposal for the introduction of new economic and financial instruments as sources of funding for post hazard reconstruction and recovery (national funds, donors’ funds, banks, IFIs). The emphasis will be given to the external aid, in particular existing grant schemes available to Montenegro.

Examples for available funds for post-floods and flood-related climate inducted recovery processes should be elaborated in details.

The analysis will include gender mainstreaming aspects in both institution setting up and allocation of financial resources, in order to ensure that reconstruction and recovery interventions are relevant, effective and sustainable for women and men of the affected population and people with disabilities.

Gender mainstreaming ensures that reconstruction and recovery efforts will reduce inequalities by avoiding assumptions, generalizations and stereotypes, and by promoting positive change.

Ministry of Interior – Rescue and Protection Directorate and UNDP CO Montenegro will organize Inception Conference that will gather key stakeholders from the sector, members of the Working Group for drafting Law on Recovery after Natural, Technical-Technological and other Disasters and engaged experts. Structure of the process for delivering of the aforementioned Law and institutional set up will be presented at the Conference.

The engaged expert will cooperate with Legal expert for drafting of the Law on Recovery after Natural, Technical-Technological and other Disasters. Drin FRM Project team and Rescue and Protection Directorate will facilitate the coordinated work of the experts.

Reporting and delivery of outputs

May 2023 Draft Analysis of institutional framework for post hazard recovery legislation

September 2023 Draft Financial Analysis for implementation of post hazard recovery and reconstruction at central and local levels

November 2023 Final Report for institutional setting and financial resources for post hazard recovery and reconstruction at central and local levels

Timing and travel:

The expert will be engaged under the Individual Contract. The engagement will be in total 60 working days in the period March – November 2023. The expert will have 2 visits and spend up to 10 days in Montenegro.

Reporting languages:

All outputs/product will be delivered in Montenegrin language.

The Final Report will be delivered also in English language.

Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UN/UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
• Demonstrates ability to manage complexities and work under pressure, as well as conflict resolution skills

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• University degree in social sciences, economy, sustainable development or similar, Master degree will be considered as asset;

Experience:

• Minimum 8 years of professional experience in creating institutional and organizational framework/bodies responsible for implementing substantial national and external financial resources;
• Proven experience in defining of financial instruments and sources (national, donors, IFIs) for implementation of reconstruction and recovery policies and programmes;
• Relevant experience in cooperation and provision of support for governments in the region in capacity development and institutional strengthening, working in disaster risk reduction, reconstruction and recovery policy areas will be considered as asset;
• Knowledge of Montenegrin institutional and regulatory framework in relation to disaster risk reduction, reconstruction and recovery policy, institutions and organizations, would be considered as asset;

Language:

• Fluency in English, with excellent writing skills;
• Knowledge of Montenegrin language is required

Other:

• Strong advocacy, communication and presentation skills;

Criteria for selection:

Combined Scoring method will be used. When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: (i) responsive, compliant, acceptable, and (ii) having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

• Technical criteria weight - 70% (Background and education 10%; Relevant previous experience 20%; Substantial knowledge/Required competencies 30%; Required language 10%);
• Financial criteria weight - 30%.

Only offerors obtaining a minimum 490 points for technical criteria will be considered for the financial evaluation. For more information on procurement methodology for Individual Contractors, please refer to Procurement Notice.

Application procedure:

Interested applicants are requested to submit their applications by March 2, 2023 by using the Apply now button. The application should contain CV. Please note that UNDP jobsite system allows only one uploading of application document, so please make sure that you merge all your documents into a single file.

Only the short-listed applicants will be contacted and requested to submit a letter of interest including a price quotation indicating the lump sum (in EUR) requested for the work envisaged in the section "Description of Responsibilities".