Researcher (Turkish Speaking)

Contract

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

Background

United Nations Development Program (UNDP) works to support the ongoing peace and confidence building process by promoting initiatives that encourage dialogue and cooperation between the communities of Cyprus.

With funding from the EU and implementation by UNDP, the “Support Facility to the Technical Committees" provides financial, conceptual, and operational support in the preparation and realization of small, ad-hoc activities as well as more substantive projects and interventions.

Through the assistance provided by the “Support Facility to the Technical Committees”, the Technical Committee on Health (TC on Health) has completed implementation of the Action "Identification and distribution of vectors of medical importance on the island of Cyprus (ID-VEC)". The Action resulted in the establishment of an island-wide mosquito surveillance network and development of a database on mosquito distribution and mapping of mosquito distribution based on a health-importance basis. The Action has provided an opportunity to perform for the first-time an island-wide morphological and molecular identification of mosquito species. The TC on Health is now implementing a new Action – “Mapping risk for vector-borne diseases (ID-VRisk). The Action will utilize the surveillance network established through the implementation of the (ID-VEC) to:

• Carry out an island-wide survey for native and invasive mosquito vectors throughout a dry and wet season in regions at higher risk for disease transmission.
• Develop a vector-borne disease management plan using West-Nile Virus (WNV) surveillance as a model.
• Integrate an early warning system in which mosquitoes will be used to timely predict possible outbreaks of WNV and later other mosquito-borne diseases.
• Enhance capacity building of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to identify mosquitoes of medical significance and perform surveillance programs for detecting viruses.
• Increase public awareness on prevention and protection measures against mosquito bites and the significance of surveillance.
• Establish the fundamental pillars for integrated vector management (vector and disease surveillance, public outreach and education, quality control and research).

Within this context, UNDP is seeking two Researchers (1 Greek Speaking and 1 Turkish Speaking) to work jointly on a part time basis to support the Technical Committee with the implementation of the Action.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Programme & Communications Analyst and in collaboration with the Co- Chairs of the Technical Committee on Health, the Researcher will be responsible for:

• Developing training and educational materials and delivering capacity building training for the Biological / Environmental Science Technicians in the technical team, and for Greek Cypriot health professionals;
• Implementing surveillance by ensuring the traps are assembled and samples are collected in line with a standardized protocol;
• Transferring knowledge to health professionals with regards to mosquito surveillance to enhance the sustainability of the Action after its lifespan;
• Performing morphological and genetic identification of vectors and viruses;
• Developing content for public awareness and visibility materials, including video scripts and leaflet contents;
• Maintaining a close collaboration and coordination with all technical team members including Project Coordinators, Scientists, Technicians and other Researchers;
• Attending all technical team meetings, project events and trainings;
• In collaboration with Scientists, Quality Control / Quality Assurance Expert Scientist and other Researchers, developing a final report which will cover the results and findings from the ID – Vrisk as well as the results of all previous research carried out in this field;
• Ensuring all laboratory equipment required for the purpose of this assignment is available and can be accessed with Researcher’s own means.

Consultant and the supervisor will mutually agree on the timeframe for each deliverable / output at the initial phase of the project.

Deliverables / Outputs

• Deliverable/output 1: development of training and educational materials & delivery of trainings to Biological / Environmental Science Technicians and health professionals (end of October 2021)
• Deliverable /output 2: Completion of mid-term report (morphological and genetic identification of vectors and viruses for dry season) (end of December 2021)
• Deliverable /output 3: development of content for visibility materials (end of February 2020)
• Deliverable /output 4: development of the final report covering morphological and genetic identification of vectors and viruses for dry season and wet season, the results and findings from the ID – Vrisk as well as the results of all previous research carried out in this field (mid March 2022)

Competencies

Professionalism

• Shows pride in work and in achievements.
• Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter.
• Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.
• Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns.
• Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.

Communication

• Speaks and writes clearly and effectively.
• Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately.
• Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication.
• Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Planning & Organizing

• Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required.
• Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work.
• Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning.
• Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary.
• Uses time efficiently

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s Degree in Biology, Entomology, Environmental Science and Technology, Agronomist and/ or Molecular Biology and Genetics
• PhD Degree in a relevant subject listed above will be considered as an asset

Experience:

• Minimum 1 year of experience in morphological and genetical identification

The followings will be considered as assets:

• Work experience in Cyprus
• Knowledge of Cyprus context
• Previous enrolment in donor funded bi-communal projects related to mosquito surveillance in Cyprus
• Having published relevant publication(s)

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English
• Fluency in Turkish

Other Requirements:

• Access to required laboratory equipment
• Ability and willingness to travel island wide
• Valid driving license

Application:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

• CV or Personal History (P11): Applicants are required to submit CV or a P11 Form. The UNDP P11 Form can be downloaded from: http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/corporate/Careers/P11_Personal_history_form.doc
• Reference: Contact details of 3 references
• Financial Proposal: The financial proposal shall cover all expenditures including fees, health insurance, vaccination, international (all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel) or local travel (place of residence to office and office to place of residence), travel to and from the field (location of traps), cost of living and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services. Leave benefits (annual, sick, paternity, maternity) are not applicable to Individual Contractors and absent days including weekends and office holidays are not payable. Applicants are requested to submit financial proposal in euro for the outputs listed below as follows:

Output/Deliverable

Financial offer (in Euro)

Deliverable 1: development of training and educational materials & delivery of trainings to Biological / Environmental Science Technicians and health professionals (end of October 2021)

Deliverable /output 2: Completion of mid-term report (morphological and genetic identification of vectors and viruses for dry season) (end of December 2021)

Deliverable /output 3: development of content for visibility materials (end of February 2022)

Deliverable /output 4: development of the final report covering morphological and genetic identification of vectors and viruses for dry season and wet season, the results and findings from the ID – Vrisk as well as the results of all previous research carried out in this field (mid March 2022)

Total financial proposal in Euro

Logistics of the Assignment:

The Consultant shall arrange her/his own local travel. Please note that consultants will need to provide their own laptop and other relevant equipment for working purposes.

Evaluation / Selection Process

All applicants will be screened against qualifications) set above. Candidates fully meeting the requirements will be further evaluated based on the criteria below.

Technical Criteria (CV review and interview/desk review) – 70% of total evaluation– max. 70 points

CV review: 20 points:

• Educational qualification as defined in the ToR (10 points)
• Experience as defined in the ToR (10 points)

Only candidates who obtained at least 70% of points from the CV review (who will score at least 14 points) will be eligible to be invited for an interview/desk review.

Interview/Desk review: 50 points

• Relevant work experience and/or research experience (15 points)
• Previous enrollment in donor funded bi-communal projects related to mosquito surveillance in Cyprus (13 points)
• Work experience in Cyprus (12 points)
• Knowledge of Cyprus context (6 points)
• Having published relevant publication(s) (4 points)

Only those individual consultants who obtained at least 70% of points from Interview/desk review (35 out of 50) will be considered for financial proposal evaluation.

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 30 points.

Financial scores will be calculated using the formula [lowest offer / financial offer of the candidate x 30].

UNDP applies the “Best value for money approach” – the final selection will be based on the combination of the applicants’ qualification and financial proposal.

Payment Term:

Payments shall be made in four instalments upon the submission of the certification of payment form and the completion and approval of the following sets of outputs by UNDP:

• Deliverables 1

• Deliverable 2

• Deliverable 3

• Deliverable 4