UNDP Jobs - 49354- International Consultant

International Consultant – International Expert for Monitoring - EU/UNDP Black Sea Project: “Improving Environmental Monitoring in the Black Sea, Phase 2 – EMBLAS II”

Location :

Home-based with travels in the Black Sea region

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

16-Sep-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Estimated September 2014 - September 2016 with possibility of extension

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Approximately 7 working days per month, i.e. total work input 168 working days

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. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The Black Sea is one of the most vulnerable regional seas in the world given its limited exchange of water with the open oceans and the large area of continental Europe from which it receives the drainage. The four strongly interlinked priority trans-boundary problems of the Black Sea are eutrophication - nutrient enrichment, changes in marine living resources, chemical pollution (including oil), and biodiversity/habitat changes, including alien species introduction - as well as the underlying root causes like industrial activities, agriculture, domestic wastewater, sea transport (oil spills, ballast water), and coastal zone degradation (urbanisation, tourism). The Convention on the Protection of the Black Sea against Pollution (Bucharest Convention) addresses these problems through enhanced cooperation among its signatories. The development/improvement of a monitoring network and data collection to provide for ecosystem-based and knowledge-based decision-making is considered to be a management target of high priority. Further coordination in policies and legislation between the Black Sea countries is of common interest in the region and specifically to the EU's partners countries – being also members of the Black Sea Commission (BSC) - in so far it influences their own ability to comply with EU legislation and policies, notably the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD).

The overall objective of the project is to help improve the protection of the Black Sea environment. This objective will be pursued through the implementation of those initiatives that were elaborated and planned during the preparatory phase of this project (EMBLAS-I).
The specific objectives are as follows: i) to improve availability and quality of Black Sea environmental data in line with the MSFD and Black Sea Strategic Action Plan 2009 (BS SAP 2009) needs; ii) to improve partner countries' ability to perform marine environmental monitoring along MSFD principles, taking into account the Black Sea Diagnostic Report II recommendations on capacity building.

The main results to attain the mentioned objectives are:

Implementation of the provisions of the Bucharest Convention on scientific and technical cooperation and monitoring advanced;
Establishment and implementation by the Black Sea Commission of a coordinated regional marine environment monitoring programme (further development of Black Sea Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme (BSIMAP) in line with MSFD and the BS SAP 2009 supported;
Capacities of the relevant national authorities to carry out marine environmental monitoring in the Black Sea along MSFD principles increased;
Revised monitoring programmes tested (including in open sea and with the development of a network of regional reference stations and transects to trace transboundary environmental problems);
Quality assurance and quality control procedures in field and laboratories systematically applied;
Environmental data management capacities improved and data quality control enhanced;
BSIS further developed and data products in support of informed decision-making in Black Sea environmental protection provided;
On-line Black Sea Monitoring Catalogue and Manual with monitoring specifications agreed and used;
Sharing of marine environmental information between Black Sea riparian countries facilitated and enhanced;
Harmonisation of marine environmental practices further advanced;
Regional cooperation at basin level strengthened;
Public awareness about the need of high quality marine environmental data increased;
Projects results widely incorporated in decision-making and cooperation of ongoing projects facilitated through a web-based platform and with the BSC participation.

The following activities are carried out in the Phase 2 of the project – EMBLAS II:

Project Activity 1: Continue support to the implementation of countries’ obligations under the Bucharest and other related Conventions and Agreements;
Project Activity 2: Implementation of cost-effective and harmonised marine environmental monitoring programmes in accordance with reporting obligations under multilateral environmental agreements, the WFD and the MSFD;
Project Activity 3: Large scale implementation of training programmes on monitoring methods and quality assurance adhering to the ISO 17025 standard;
Project Activity 4: Implementation of Joint Surveys and environmental assessment of the Black Sea along the lines of the WFD and the MSFD;
Project Activity 5: Operate the web-based Black Sea Water Quality Database;
Project Activity 6: Dissemination of Knowledge and Best Practices, Public Awareness and Visibility.

The project will strengthen capacities of the respective national authorities for biological and chemical monitoring of the Black Sea, taking into consideration the requirements of EU water related legislation (EU WFD and MSFD). Significant effort will be put into training and other capacity building activities. In order to promote ownership, engagement of local experts and organisations is foreseen.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Expert for Monitoring (EM) will support the project implementation in the activities related to development of monitoring programs, methodologies, trainings, pilot studies and joint cruises. He/she will work under the direct supervision of the Project Management Advisor and UNDP Regional Technical Advisor for International Waters, who will have the overall supervision role on the project from the UNDP side.
The Expert for Monitoring will closely cooperate with the other international, national experts and partner organizations working on the project, as well as other relevant UNDP staff – project assistant and water programme analyst from UNDP Regional Centre for Europe and the CIS.

In detail, the Expert for Monitoring (EM) will have the following tasks in the project:

In the Project Activity (PA) 1, the consultant will contribute to finalization of the following key project documents: Diagnostic Report, Compliance indicators, Good Environmental Status Methodology, Reference conditions and environmental targets, ‘Mass-loads of wastewater’ Methodology. The consultant will also support organization of harmonization workshops and if requested by the project beneficiary countries, he/she will contribute to the preparation of the Black Sea Strategic Action Plan Implementation Report;
In the Project Activity 2, the consultant will contribute to finalization of the following key project documents: Monitoring programs, Cost-effectiveness assessments of monitoring/economic instruments, Concept of BS monitoring catalogue/factsheets, Monitoring guidelines and Sustainable Operational Monitoring – Concept. The consultant will also actively participate in the preparations for the pilots (pilot studies) and prepare concept, relevant materials, technical reports, and participate in coordination of the pilots;
In the project activity 3, the consultant will prepare training programme – part biology, as well as trainings and harmonization exercises focused on chemistry;
In the project activity 4, the consultant will contribute to the finalization of the Joint Black Sea Survey Methodology (JBSS), participate in preparation of surveys and writing survey reports. The consultant will be also involved in the organization of workshops focused on biological guidelines and he/she will contribute to the preparation of Methodology/template for the Status of Environment report of EMBLAS II.

The consultant will prepare several deliverables in cooperation with the project experts, within the following time frame and payment schedule:

December 2014 (35% of payment)

Summary of comments, contributions provided to the documents prepared under PA 1,2,4 which are drafted or due by the end of 2014 (Diagnostic report, Compliance indicators, Monitoring Programs, draft Monitoring guidelines, draft GES Methodology and update of the JBSS Methodology);
Evaluation of selected EMBLAS I deliverables (by September-October 2014);
Input to the preparation of Harmonization workshops (Agenda, List of participants);
Outline of Training programmes for Biology and Chemistry, outline of training materials (PA3);
First draft of Concept and materials for Pilots (Methodology, selection criteria for the testing sites, mapping of water bodies, collection of maps of habitats, most impacted areas, sensitive areas, what reporting sheets for the data shall be used, etc (PA2);
Contribution to Inception Report and first Progress Report of the project;
Contribution to the organization of the project kick-off meeting and preparation of all related documents before and after the meeting.

June 2015 (15 % of payment):

Summary of comments, contributions provided to the documents prepared under PA1, 2, 4 which are drafted or due by mid 2015 (Black Sea SAP Implementation report- if requested, Compliance indicators – next draft, Finalized Joint Black Sea Survey Methodology);
Contribution to organization of first Joint Survey;
Contribution to the Project Progress Annual Report;
Report on undertaken trainings.

December 2015 (25% of payment):

Summary of comments, contributions provided to the documents prepared under PA 2,4 which are drafted or due by the end of 2015 (Cost-effectiveness assessment of monitoring, draft monitoring guidelines, technical reports from Surveys and Pilots);
Final version of Concept and materials for Pilots.

August 2016 (25% of payment):

Summary of comments, contributions provided to the documents prepared under PA 2,4 which are drafted or due by mid 2016 (GES Methodology, Reference conditions and environmental targets, Mass load of waste water methodology, draft Concept of BS monitoring catalogue/factsheets, Technical reports from Pilots and Surveys, Draft Monitoring Guidelines);
Final version of the Training Programme, Materials and implementation of at least two training (in cooperation with the relevant project partner organizations) (PA3);
Report on undertaken trainings;
Contribution to the Project Progress Annual Report.

The consultant is expected to contribute also to deliverables prepared by other project experts where necessary and participate in other activities arising during the project implementation as needed.
The assignment will require travel in the region, upon request by UNDP (to be covered separately according to UNDP rules and regulations). The consultant is expected to work closely with UNDP Regional Centre for Europe and the CIS, with the staff, responsible for the project implementation.

Location:

Home based, with travels in the Black Sea region, for the project meetings and particularly to Odessa project office as needed. (approximately one mission per month with duration of 3 days).The project will be implemented in Georgia, Russian Federation and Ukraine.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Excellent research and analytical skills;
Ability to work in a team and deliver high quality results under time pressure.

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling 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;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master degree in biology, environmental chemistry, hydrobiology, environmental/natural sciences or environmental engineering.

Experience:

At least 3 years of demonstrable experience and a proven track record at least in one of the following fields: biological and chemical data management, chemistry, oceanography;
Experience and a proven track record in the implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and/or Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFWD) and other EU Directives;
Regional/national experience in working with international projects, at least in one of the following areas: integrated water resources management, water quality, monitoring programmes, quality assurance / quality control (QA/QC), data quality control (DQC), data collection on water quality and data management, laboratory work, organization of trainings and participation in monitoring surveys;
Experience in international consultancy and research in the field of environment and specifically for the Black Sea region is an asset.

Language:

Fluent writing and communication skills in English;
Working knowledge of Russian is an asset.

Evaluation of Applicants:

Individual consultants 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:

a) Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
b) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical (P11 desk reviews and interviews) and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Only those candidates, who will receive at least 70 % of technical points based on the P11 desk review will be invited for the interviews. The individual consultants who obtained at least 70% of points in each of the steps of the process will be considered for financial proposal evaluation.

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

Criteria A – academic qualification / education – max points: 10;
Criteria B – general professional experience in EU environmental Acquis (WFD and MSFD) - max points: 10;
Criteria C – specific professional experience inwater quality monitoring – chemical & biological, monitoring surveys) – max points: 10;
Criteria D – specific professional experience in analytical laboratory work and Quality Assurance/Quality Control – max points: 10;
Criteria E – particular experience in the countries of the Black Sea region – max points: 10;
Criteria F – language, writing skills (publications) max points: 10;
Criteria G – interview (technical and communication skills: 10.

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

Application procedure:

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website. 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 including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc ); please upload the P11 instead of your CV;
Financial Proposal* - specifying a total lump sum amount in USD for the tasks specified in this announcement. The financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (number of anticipated working days and any other possible costs); travel costs for missions will be paid separately according to the UN rules and regulations;
Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.

Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, vaccination and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...). Travel costs for missions will be covered separately according to UNDP rules and regulations.

Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.

Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org.

General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://on.undp.org/t7fJs.

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.
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.