UNDP Jobs - 31150- International expert on water quality

INTERNATIONAL EXPERT ON WATER QUALITY
Location :	Home-based with 1 mission to Belarus (Lithuania)
Application Deadline :	26-Jul-12
Type of Contract :	Individual Contract
Post Level :	International Consultant
Languages Required :	English Russian
Duration of Initial Contract :	20 July, 2012 – 24 December, 2012
Expected Duration of Assignment :	25 working days
Background
UNDP Belarus and UNECE implement an environmental project “Management of the Nieman River basin with account of adaptation to climate change”. The project is one of UNECE Transboundary pilot projects on climate change adaptation (http://www1.unece.org/ehlm/platform/display/ClimateChange/), partially implemented under the Environment and Security initiative (ENVSEC www.envsec.org). The project aims at improving the integrated water resources management in Belarus using the basin approach in the climate change context by the example of the Nieman River. The project will also facilitate the development of transboundary cooperation between the countries located in the Nieman River basin, and will facilitate achievement of mutual understanding regarding forecasted water resources and water use, taking into account possible climate change impacts. MAIN OBJECTIVES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ANALYTICAL WORK: The international expert on water quality will work in close cooperation with the group of national experts, UNECE and ENVSEC and to complete the assignment shall: In consultation with the project’s group of national experts conduct a preliminary assessment of the existing network for surface water quality monitoring of the Nieman River basin (Belarus, Lithuania and the Kaliningrad oblast of the Russian Federation) and provide the group of national experts with the methodology for assessment of climate change impacts on qualitative characteristics of water resources. Prepare an interim report in English containing the results of the assessment and description of the methodology; Based on the results of the assessment, formulate proposals for optimization of the network for surface water quality monitoring in the Nieman River Basin (Belarus, Lithuania and the Kaliningrad oblast of Russian Federation) in order to enable the timely and harmonised monitoring of the impacts of climate change in the basin, and estimate the approximate cost of implementation of the proposals; Based on the methodology for assessment of climate change impacts on qualitative characteristics of water resources conduct an assessment in a qualitative, and where possible in a semi-quantitative way of the potential impacts of the projected climate change scenarios upon surface water quality of the Nieman River basin (Belarus, Lithuania and the Kaliningrad oblast of Russian Federation) (considering both the physico-chemical and the limited biological parameters, e.g. those related to the oxygen regime and eutrophication); Draft a report in English (up-to 50 pages) that includes: a) the results of assessment of the existing network for surface water quality monitoring in the Nieman River Basin (Belarus, Lithuania and the Kaliningrad oblast of the Russian Federation); b) recommendations and approximate cost estimations for adjustment and optimization of the network for surface water quality monitoring in the Nieman River basin (Belarus, Lithuania and the Kaliningrad oblast of the Russian Federation) in order to enable the timely and harmonised monitoring of the impacts of climate change in the basin; c) methodology for assessment of climate change impacts on qualitative characteristics of water resources; d) the results of assessment made in a qualitative, and where possible in a semi-quantitative way of the potential impacts of the projected climate change scenarios upon surface water quality of the Nieman River Basin (Belarus, Lithuania and the Kaliningrad oblast of the Russian Federation) (considering both the physico-chemical and the limited biological parameters, e.g. those related to the oxygen regime and eutrophication). Circulate the draft report to the main national and international stakeholders, including the Ministry of Environment of Belarus, UNDP, the Secretariat of the UNECE Water Convention and the ENVSEC Initiative, and collect comments and suggestions; Finalize the draft report based on the comments and suggestions received from the stakeholders, and submit the final version of the report to UNDP; Undertake in September 2012 a 5-day working mission to the Nieman River basin (Belarus and Lithuania) and take part in field work together with the national expert team. During the mission, participate in a workshop to discuss projects results. For the workshop, prepare and deliver a presentation on the results of (i) the preliminary assessment of the existing network for water quality monitoring in the Nieman River basin (Belarus, Lithuania and the Kaliningrad oblast of the Russian Federation) and (ii) methodology for assessment of climate change impacts on qualitative characteristics of water resources.
Duties and Responsibilities
The International expert on water quality will ensure satisfactory completion of the following Milestones: Milestone 1: by 1^st September 2012. Interim report in English containing (i) the results of the assessment of theexistingnetwork for surface water quality monitoring for the Nieman River basin (Belarus, Lithuania and the Kaliningrad oblast of the Russian Federation) and (ii) description of methodology for assessment of climate change impacts on qualitative characteristics of water resources; Milestone 2: by 20^th September, 2012. Mission to Belarus successfully completed. A presentation on the results of (i) the preliminary assessment of the existing network for surface water quality monitoring in the Nieman River basin (Belarus, Lithuania and the Kaliningrad oblast of the Russian Federation) and (ii) methodology for assessment of climate change impacts on qualitative characteristics of water resources developed and delivered during a workshop in September 2012. Mission report approved by UNDP Belarus; Milestone 3: by 15^th November, 2012. The draft report in English (up-to 50 pages)that includes: the results of assessment of the existing network for surface water quality monitoring in the Nieman River Basin (Belarus, Lithuania and the Kaliningrad oblast of the Russian Federation); recommendations and approximate cost estimations for adjustment and optimization of the network for surface water quality monitoring in the Nieman River basin (Belarus, Lithuania and the Kaliningrad oblast of the Russian Federation) in order to enable the timely and harmonised monitoring of the impacts of climate change in the basin; methodology for assessment of climate change impacts on qualitative characteristics of water resources; the results of assessment of the potential impacts of the projected climate change scenarios upon water quality of the Nieman River Basin (Belarus, Lithuania and the Kaliningrad oblast of the Russian Federation) (considering both physico-chemical and the limited biological parameters, e.g. those related to the oxygen regime and eutrophication) made in a qualitative, and where possible in a semi-quantitative way; Milestone 4 – by 24^th December, 2012. The draft report in English (up to 50 pages) is circulated to the main national and international stakeholders, including the MinEnv, UNDP, the Secretariat of the UNECE Water Convention and the ENVSEC Initiative; comments and suggestions are collected and incorporated into the final report. The final report with (i) the results of assessment of the existing surface water quality monitoring network in the Nieman River Basin (Belarus, Lithuania and the Kaliningrad oblast of the Russian Federation); (ii) recommendations and approximate cost estimations for adjustment and optimization of the network for surface water quality monitoring in the Nieman River basin (Belarus, Lithuania and the Kaliningrad oblast of the Russian Federation); (iii) description of the methodology for assessment of climate change impacts on qualitative characteristics of water resources and (iv) the results of assessment of the potential impacts of the projected climate change scenarios upon water quality of the Nieman River Basin (Belarus, Lithuania and the Kaliningrad oblast of the Russian Federation) (considering both physico-chemical and the limited biological parameters, e.g. those related to the oxygen regime and eutrophication) made in a qualitative, and where possible in a semi-quantitative way, approved by the UNDP Belarus. Schedule of work and special conditions of payment Payment of the consultant remuneration will be performed in 4 stages upon satisfactory achievement of the Milestones with written confirmation by the Project Manager and UNDP Programme Officer. All travel expenses related to mission in September, 2012 to Belarus/Lithuania are not included in the lump sum and will be paid additionally in accordance with the respective UNDP rules and procedures. 1^st payment – upon satisfactory completion of Milestone 1; 2^nd payment – upon satisfactory completion of Milestone 2; 3r^d payment – upon satisfactory completion of Milestone 3; 4^th payment – upon satisfactory completion of Milestone 4.
Competencies
Good professional knowledge on water quality issues, including familiarity with empirical / semi quantitative assessment of surface water quality; Good understanding of climate change and its impact upon water resources; Good knowledge of water quality monitoring design; Familiarity with the EU and international practices and legal requirements on water quality assessment; Excellent analytical and report writing skills; Excellent level of written and spoken English; Knowledge of Russian is an asset.
Required Skills and Experience
Academic Qualifications: University degree in the field of natural science or ecology or fields relevant to water quality assessment; Advanced degree (Master or PhD) in relevant field is preferable. Years of experience: Minimum 10 years of proven working experience in water management, water quality assessment; Working experience in Eastern Europe and the CIS counties will be a strong asset DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS: Proposal: Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work and providing a brief methodology on how they will approach and conduct the work. The methodology must address all aspects of the TOR, implementation schedule, quality assurance measures if applicable; Financial proposal – please fill in Annex II (Finance Proposal) Personal CV including past experience in similar projects and at least 2 references (or contact information of at least 2 people who could provide references upon request). Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials. FINANCIAL PROPOSAL: Lump sum contract The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in installments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR. Travel Travel related expenses are not included in the lump sum and will be paid additionally in accordance with the respective UNDP rules and procedures. EVALUATION: Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology: Cumulative analysis When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria: Total score=Technical Score + Financial Score * Technical Criteria weight; [70%], maximum 700 points * Financial Criteria weight; [30%], maximum 300 points All the offers of individual consultants who scored 560 (80% from 700) and more points during the desk review/interview are acceptable for financial evaluation. The lowest technically qualified proposal receives 300 points and all the other technically qualified proposals receive points in inverse proportion according to the formula: P=Y*(L/Z), where P=points for the financial proposal being evaluated Y=maximum number of points for the financial proposal L= price of the lowest price proposal Z=price of the proposal being evaluated FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONSULT PROCUREMENT NOTICE. ANNEXES: ANNEX I – Terms of Reference ANNEX II – FINANCE PROPOSAL ANNEX III – IC contract form ANNEX IV – General Terms for IC contracts

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