International Lead Hydrologist for Integrated climate-resilient transboundary flood risk management in the Drin River basin in the Western Balkans (Drin FRM project)

Consultant

Contract

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Background

UNDP is implementing an Adaptation Fund-funded project “Integrated climate-resilient transboundary flood risk management in the Drin River basin in the Western Balkans (Albania, Montenegro and North Macedonia)” (hereinafter Drin FRM Project). The 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.

Outcome 1 of the project is aimed at achieving an improved climate and risk informed decision-making, availability and use of climate risk information. Key to the strategic management of climate-induced flood risk is to have appropriate density and frequency of monitoring of important hydrometeorological variables. Given the importance of accurate historical hydrometeorological records in the assessment of flood risk, it would be important to ensure that the hydrometric network is spatially optimized and centrally managed, and that data is made available to all flood management practitioners.

Outcome 2 is aiming at improved institutional arrangements, legislative and policy framework for FRM, and development of climate change adaptation and flood risk management strategy and plans at the basin, sub-basin, national and sub-national levels. The Adaptation Fund (AF) project will consolidate and extend current flood risk management efforts by DRB countries through the establishment of a dedicated coordination mechanism on flood risk management with the necessary political support and resourcing from the Riparian countries to comprehensively address missing formalized and effective cooperation on FRM.

Outcome 3 of the project will secure strengthened resilience of local communities through improved flood forecasting and early warning, implementation of structural and non-structural measures and the strengthened capacity for CCA and FRM at the local level.

Duties and Responsibilities

The International Lead Hydrologist is recruited to support riparian countries with hydrological modelling studies for the catchments and sub-catchment of the DRB. The International Lead Hydrologist (the Consultant) will work under the direct supervision of the Regional Project Manager and with the guidance from the International Chief Technical Advisor.

Under close supervision of Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) and Project Manager (PM) the Lead hydrologist will lead all hydrological modelling studies for the catchments and sub-catchment of the DRB under Output 1.2 and 2.3 and 3.1. and will oversee the work of practitioners in the riparian countries. The expert will undertake hydrological modelling of the whole DRB and detailed hydrological modeling of the DRB (Crn Drin) in North Macedonia based on detailed surveys of the physical characteristics of the river basin, and produce high resolution EU flood hazard inundation maps (for N. Macedonia). The lead hydrologist will work in close cooperation with the hydrometric network expert to define requested data types and gauge locations, and with the lead hydraulic expert to identify necessary outputs from hydrological models in line with hydraulic models. Hydrological models, both for flow management and flood forecasting, will necessary be elaborated using free software such as HEC-HMS suite (eventually including HEC-RTS).

Key tasks will include:

• Lead the collection, review and analysis of all datasets relevant to hydrological modeling and processing of raw data;
• Prepare hydrological monographs on Drin River Basin, main tributaries, dam cascade effects, relevant rainfall values and durations, as well as effects of snow melt from available documents and data. In particular relevant statistical quantiles will be calculated. Monographs will also detail climate change effects accounting for snow, rain, temperatures, sea level rise and also changes in land use and forest covering;
• Establishment of numerical hydrological models of the DRB for the production of high-resolution flood hazard inundation maps in line with EU Flood Directive 2007/60/EC (EUFD), with detailed modelling to be done for DRB (Crn Drin sub-basin) in North Macedonia, and GIZ models incorporated where available. Maps are to be produced for a number of different return periods and for a range of climate change scenarios;
• Work closely with the lead hydraulic modeler and input to the hydrodynamic model calibration and sensitivity analysis;
• Undertake hydrological modelling to support the development of long-list of structural and non-structural measures, options modelling and appraisal; the identification of the preferred options; and the outline and detailed design of preferred options in the development of the basin FRM strategy (Output 2.3);
• Undertake hydrological modelling to support the detailed engineering design of structural measures under Output 3.1;
• Produce or complete an existing flood risk modeling and mapping guidance document (covering catchment hydrological modeling topics of the guidance) and provide training to riparian country staff in advanced climate risk management planning and flood prevention measures (covering hydrology) as prepared and partially applied in riparian countries, where training was already implemented a few years ago, including relevant detailed complements regarding hydrological modeling, in particular for rainfall scenario preparation and modeling techniques and simulation result analysis ;
• Identification of long-term training needs in hydrology and hydrological modelling for FRM, contribute to overall capacity development and training plan, and
• Provide training in hydrological modelling to practitioners in Riparian countries, in line with already acquired know-how, local experience and the guidance document.

Timing and travel: The Consultant will be engaged under the Individual Contract. The engagement will be up to 120 working days.

At least six missions are envisaged under this assignment (up to 25 days), including min. of two missions to each of the beneficiary countries of Albania (Tirana), Montenegro (Podgorica), North Macedonia (Skopje). As necessary, any local travel to project sites outside of the capitals will be arranged by the hosting country offices and covered separately.

In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and International Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed. In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources. Approval of the IRH CDT Team Leader is required prior to planning of the trips and relevant logistics.

Reporting and delivery of outputs

The International Lead Hydrologist should provide the following reports according to the UNDP format:

1. Completed time sheets and his/her mission reports;
2. Methodology for the assignment, including the scope of work, workplan and a timeframe;
3. Progress reports after every mission;
4. Report on hydrological functioning of DRB and main tributaries;
5. Report on the establishment of numerical hydrological models of the DRB for the production of high-resolution flood hazard inundation maps in line with EUFD;
6. Report on hydrological modeling to support the development of long-list of structural and non-structural measures, options modelling and appraisal and the outline and detailed design of preferred options in the development of the basin FRM strategy (Output 2.3)
7. Report on hydrological modeling to support the detailed engineering design of structural measures under Output 3.1
8. Flood risk modeling and mapping guidance document (covering catchment hydrological modeling topics of the guidance);
9. Assessment of long-term training needs in hydrology and hydrological modelling for FRM and training plan;
10. Report on training delivered to practitioners in Riparian countries on hydrological modelling and on advanced climate risk management planning and flood prevention measures (covering hydrology)
11. Final compiled report, consolidating all technical outputs, which incorporates the comments.

Tentative Timeframe

Deliverable

Payment schedule

Inception phase/ 2 months following the Contract signing (CS)

1. Work plan, data collection and assessment of the current situation. Gathering and review of the existing documents, field visits in coordination with UNDP, Inception Report

10% of the total contract value

6 months following CS

1. Report on hydrological functioning of DRB and main tributaries
2. Report on the establishment of numerical hydrological models of the DRB for the production of high-resolution flood hazard inundation maps in line with EUFD with detailed modelling for DRB in North Macedonia
3. GIZ models incorporated into hydrological models where available;

20% of the total contract value

10 months following CS

1. Report on the hydrological input for production of the high-res flood hazard inundation maps

10% of the total contract value

12 months following CS

1. Report on input to the hydrodynamic model calibration and sensitivity analysis

10% of the total contract value

16 months following CS

1. Report on hydrological modelling to support the development of a long-list of structural and non-structural measures, options modelling and appraisal and the outline and detailed design of preferred options in the development of the basin FRM strategy (Output 2.3)
2. Report on hydrological modelling to support the detailed engineering design of structural measures under Output 3.1

20% of the total contract value

18 months following the CS

1. Flood risk modeling and mapping guidance document (covering catchment hydrological modeling topics of the guidance)
2. Report on training delivered to practitioners in Riparian countries on hydrological modelling and on advanced climate risk management planning and flood prevention measures (covering hydrology)

10% of the total contract value

22 months following the CS

1. Assessment of long-term training needs in hydrology and hydrological modelling for FRM and training plan
2. Report on training in hydrological modelling to practitioners in Riparian countries

10% of the total contract value

24 months following CS

1. Final compiled report, consolidating all technical outputs which incorporates the comments

10% of the total contract value

Reporting language:

Deliverables will be delivered in English.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies

• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
• Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.
• Demonstrates ability to manage complexities and work under pressure, as well as conflict resolution skills.

Functional Competencies:

• Strong interpersonal skills;
• Ability to work independently and in teams;
• Ability to provide quality assurance and attention to detail;
• Excellent communication skills.
• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Hydrology, Water Resources Management, Flood Risk Management, Civil Hydrotechnical or Water Resources engineering; PhD in same fields will be considered as advantage;

Experience:

• At least 7 years of relevant work experience, with proven record of the works in hydrological monitoring and modeling, climate resilient flood management or water management projects, detailing modeling tools and purposes of carried out projects;
• Experience in similar projects addressing climate resilient flood risk management or water management in last 7 years is an advantage;
• Former work with UN/UNDP will be considered as advantage.

Language skills:

• fluent English writing and speaking skills.

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%).

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 70 points:

• Criteria A – Advanced university degree in the fields related to Hydrology, Water Resources Management, Flood Risk Management, or Water Resources engineering – up to 10 points;

• Criteria B – Experience, with proven record of the works in hydrological monitoring and modeling, climate resilient flood management or water management projects – up to 30 points;

• Criteria C – Experience with supporting water management, flood risk management or climate change adaptation projects in ECIS countries and/or EU – up to 25 points;

• Criteria D – Fluency in English: up to 5 points.

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 30 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 USD - specifying a total lump sum in USD 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.

Apply now

Added 3 years ago - Updated 3 years ago - Source: jobs.undp.org