Background

The ammunition contamination of the territory is a nation-wide problem in Albania. In line with the past regime’s defence strategy, weapon storage depots and military units are scattered across the country. In 1992, the AAF counted over 194,000 tons of ammunitions stored in 955 depots across the country. After the civilian riots of the late 90s, following the collapse of numerous financial pyramid schemes and the massive looting of army depots, the government supported by the international community undertook a reform focusing mainly on the reduction of storage depots and the destruction of a considerable number of SALWs and AP mines. Nevertheless, the amount of remaining obsolete ammunition is still around 72,000 tons, and its chemical stability is further deteriorated.
 
Such a volatile state of storage and poor handling practices have resulted in various deadly accidents to operators and civilians in different storage areas around the country, including Tepelena (south), Lac and Burrel (north) and the most recent and deadly accident in Gerdec in March 2008, near the capital city, where the application of substandard practices in defusing ammunition caused the death of 26 people and injury of more than 300 others, besides large property and natural damages within a larger perimeter.
 
The Albanian Mines and Munitions Coordination Office (AMMCO)’s initial Technical surveys conducted in 2010-2011, identified 19 UXO hotspots dispersed throughout Albania which indicated the presence of unexploded ammunition threat, while other UXO contaminated hotspots were identified as a result of indications from civilians or the Albanian Army. During 2012-2013 approx. 153,000 sqm (6 hotspots) have been rendered free of ammunition threat through clearance or non-technical means while there are still contaminated areas that represent a serious threat to the local communities.
 
The AMMCO work with regard to coordination of clearance activities, monitoring, controlling and certification of cleared land is resumed thanks to the funding received from Germany through UNDP and US Department of State through ITF. Due to this support the AMMCO team is being redeployed.
 
For this purpose, AMMCO (Albanian Mine and Munitions Coordination Office), is envisaging to establish a position of Programme Specialist, with duty station in Tirana.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Programme Specialist will report to the AMMCO Director for the execution of his/her duties. The Programme Specialist will perform all duties as directed by the AMMCO Director in accordance with UNDP/AMMCO rules and regulations.
 
Coordination
  • Make sure, in cooperation with the AMMCO Operations Department that the task dossiers issued for ERW/AXO clearance activities to implementing partners are in accordance with the Albanian National programme and strategy, priorities and work plan.
  • Provide support and advice in the establishment of reliable mechanisms for ensuring that ERW/AXO related information are processed through appropriate channels and eventually received by the AMMCO IMSMA database.
  • Inform the AMMCO Director of any reporting problems encountered with clearance organisations;
 
Planning & Reporting
  • Drafting several plans, and related documents as required to support AMMCO activities;
  • Ensure all the necessary data for AMMCO Management during the preparation of briefing documents;
  • Collect and consolidate monthly reports on separate activities of the AMMCO and the implementing partners;
  • Prepare Programme progress reports, briefings and presentations for various donors as required;
  • Prepare the annual plan and report for the Programme;
  • Collect data and draft the report for the Albanian Government as required under Article 7 of the Mine Ban Convention and Cluster Munitions Convention obligation;
  • Assist the AMMCO Director in preparing the periodic reviews of the Albanian Mine Action Portfolio;
  • Assist in preparing various project proposals for submission by AMMCO to various international donors;
  • Prepare briefing materials on the Programme as required by Government for participation/contribution to eventual international Mine Action meetings/events.
Liaison
  • Support AMMCO Director in coordinating AMMCO activities with implementing partners;
  • Be responsible for routine liaison and coordination with the Ministry of Defence, Albanian Armed Forces (AAF) and Police (or other appropriate authorities);
  • Act as the point of contact for donor organisations on behalf of AMMCO as required by AMMCO Director
  • Liaise with similar organisations in other countries for attendance at meetings.
     

Competencies

  • Strong oral and written communication skills.
  • Good communication, coordination and facilitation skills
  • Consistently ensures timeliness and quality of Project work.
  • Establishes lasting relationships and substantive dialogue with clients.
  • Treats all people fairly without favourism
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling ethical standards.
  • Ability to deliver when working under pressure and within changing circumstances;
  • Excellent interpersonal, networking and team building skills;

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
  • University Degree in Social Sciences or other relevant degree
Work Experience:      
  • Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience with national and international organizations
  • Experience in drafting reports, plans, briefings, reviews and presentations for donors
  • Experience in drafting project proposals for major donors
  • The following specific experiences will be considered as an asset: experience working in the UN system; experience in supporting the implementation of national projects in the field of mine action and/or disaster risk reduction in Albania
  • Experience in partnership building at international, national, regional and local level
Languages:
  • Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and Albanian languages
Evaluation of applicants:
 
Individual consultant will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.
The award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:
  • Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
  • Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.
Only the highest ranked consultants who would be found qualified for the job will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.
Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 70 points:
  • Criteria A: Relevant professional expertise - max points: 50;
  • Criteria B: Educational background – max points: 25;
  • Criteria C:  Proficient analytical and writing skills - max points: 25.
Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 30 points
 
Application procedures
 
Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website. Incomplete submission can be a ground for disqualification. 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;
  • Filled P11 form for Individual Contracts including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from http://www.al.undp.org/content/albania/en/home/operations/jobs.html please upload the P11 instead of your CV;
  • Financial Proposal* - Monthly professional fee in Albanian leke
* Please attach the Financial Proposal with your P11 form in one file document as only one upload is allowed in the site.
 
UNDP applies a fair and transparent selection process that would take into account both the technical qualification of Individual Consultants as well as their financial proposals. The contract will be awarded to the candidate obtaining the highest combined technical and financial scores. UNDP retains the right to contact references directly.  Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.