International consultant on Advocating and assistance in following -up actions and sustainability of MCPA-2 results

Contract

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

Background

UNDP has supported the Albanian Government to improve the coverage and management effectiveness of Albania’s network of marine and coastal protected areas (MCPAs) as an essential complement to its network of terrestrial protected areas and contribute to Albania’s obligations under different UN Conventions and the EU accession process. Significant achievements were made in the Vlora region by catalyzing the involvement of stakeholders and by supporting the establishment of a clear institutional and legal framework for MCPA designation and management. However, multiple stages of development are needed before an Albanian ecologically representative MCPA network is fully realized and can provide coastal communities with sustained benefits from the marine and coastal environment.

UNDP, jointly with the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, has experienced successful efforts in performing Marine Protected Areas gap analysis, which followed with the establishment of the first National Marine Park of Sazan-Karaburun (April 2010). In order to strengthen this experience, using such momentum of efforts and insights achieved into marine habitats and ecosystems assessments, the Albanian Government intends to expand the system of protected areas in Albania, by increasing it at 6 % of the coastal and marine areas coverage by 2020 (which is still less than 10 % of Aichi targets, but however, indicated target and MPA approach, represent a proven methodology for the conservation of marine habitats and populations), ensuring better biogeographically representation, as well as higher management effectiveness, and diversification of revenue sources.

The project is providing support to the National Agency of Protected Areas to create a model of management for the Karaburun-Sazan MPA to be replicated in country level.

The project results and exit/follow up strategy might play a valuable role for the development and implementation of actions addressing specific actions/ needs of the Karaburun-Sazan Marine Protected Area management. The development of the management capabilities to provide dedicated management services with project termination on one hand and mobilization of relevant authorities to develop a follow up project as per the requirements of donors on the other hand are two areas that will contribute to sustain the K-S MPA administration, create a model of practice and development of the MPA network.

Duties and Responsibilities

The main objective is to examine the extent to which project objectives were met and the extent to which Project have laid out strategies towards the sustainability of the project.

The consultancy is expected to:

• Conduct consultation meetings with relevant stakeholders such as government authorities, partners, communities & project staff
• Clearly identify and document the differences that the Project has made at management of K-S MPA in Albania.
• Assess the appropriateness of the project-end results and development structures and make recommendations to replicate this project to other areas
• Develop an Exit Strategy for the Project, in consultation with project staff, UNDP, the Ministry of Tourism & Environment, the National Agency of Protected Areas and the Individual Consultants (develop a plan of actions for the formulating Exit Strategy).

In general the assignment will:

• Develop a draft related to post – project scenario which has to be considered as complementary of the on-going MCPA activities and efforts
• Provide inputs for the preparation and analysis of various post-project sustainable scenarios and initiatives that affects marine ecosystem management process in the country
• Explore the financing opportunities to continue the initiative on protection of the MPA.

1. Duration and deliverables

This assignment is 25 days within a 6 months period

50% - Upon delivery of the draft report on Exit Strategy

50% - Upon delivery of the Exit Strategy and Follow Up Actions

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Core Competencies:

• Communication - Facilitate and encourage open communication and strive for effective communication
• Planning & Organizing – Develops clear goals in line with agreed strategies, identifies priorities, foresees risks and makes allowances accordingly.
• Organizational Awareness - Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment.
• Teamwork - Demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Accountability – Takes ownership of all responsibilities and delivers outputs in accordance with agreed time, cost and quality standards.

Functional Competencies

• Excellent inter-personal and teamwork skills, networking attitude;
• Capacity to deliver as per deadlines;
• Strong expertise in communication issues.
• Willing to work in a team

Required Skills and Experience

• University Degree in marine biology, environmental management or related fields .
• Minimum 10 years of professional experience academic, research and hands on implementation and management of initiatives related to environment with special focus on nature protection and biodiversity, especially in Marine Protected areas
• Knowledge of the Karaburun-Sazan MPA
• Very good knoweledge of written and spoken English

EVALUATION OF APPLICANTS

Only those applications which are responsive and compliant will be evaluated.

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on Combined Scoring method taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.

Applicants obtaining 49 points or more of the total technical points will be considered for financial evaluation.

Combined weighted scoring: Technical (70%); Financial (30%).

• Educational background 10 points
• Professional experience and experience in similar assignments 35 points
• Experience in MPA management, especially Albania 25 points

Application Procedure

The application should contain:

• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application.
• Latest personal Curriculum Vitae (CV) including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees, including past experience from similar projects or completed and signed UN Personal History Form (P11) for Service Contracts (SC) and Individual Contracts (IC) – Blank form Download here.
• Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability-please fill in the attached form... www.un.org.al/sites/default/files/IC_Offerors%20Letter%20to%20UNDP%20Confirming%20Interest%20and%20Availability.docx
• Financial Proposal in ALL - specifying a total lump sum in Albanian Lek http://www.un.org.al/doc/Financial%20Offer%20template.doc (The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable -qualitative and quantitative- deliverables . Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount-including travel, per diems , and number of anticipated working days).- Please note that with regard to travel component you may provide an average estimated travel cost for one circuit with and without accommodation.
• Copy of Diplomas and copy of Passport.

* Kindly note that Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability and Financial Proposal are two separate documents and should both be part of your application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

How to Submit the Application:

To submit your application online, please follow the steps below:

• Merge your CV or P11, Financial Proposal Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability and cover letter into a single file. The system does not allow for more than one attachment to be uploaded;
• Click on the Job Title (job vacancy announcement);
• Click “Apply Now” button, fill in necessary information on the first page, and then click “Submit Application;”
• Upload your application/single file as indicated above with the merged documents (underlined above);
• You will receive an automatic response to your email confirming receipt of your application by the system.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Due to a large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.