UNDP Jobs - 49380- International Consultant

International Consultant – Communication and Coordination Expert for 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 10 working days per month, i.e. 240 working days in total

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 (PA) 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 organizations is foreseen.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Expert for Communication and Coordination (ECC) will support the project implementation in the activities related to the coordination of project activities and wide communication of results. He/she will work under the direct supervision of the Project Management Advisor (PMA) and UNDP Regional Technical Advisor for International Waters, who will have the overall supervision role on the project from the UNDP side.
The ECC will closely cooperate with the other international, national experts and partner organizations working on the project, as well as other relevant UNDP staff –water programme analyst from UNDP Regional Centre for Europe and the CIS and project assistant.

In detail, the Expert for Communication and Coordination 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, Proposal on modification of selected BSC data / information reporting sheets to incorporate the new compliance indicators proposed. The consultant will also organize harmonization workshops and if requested he/she will provide input to the Black Sea SAP IR (incl methodology);
In the PA 2, the consultant will participate in preparation of the Concept of BS monitoring catalogue/factsheets and preparation for the development of online version and manual;
In the PA 4, the consultant will participate in preparation of surveys and organize of workshops focused on biological guidelines;
In the PA 5, the consultant will be involved in the online water quality database, as well as participate in the development of other databases;
In the PA 6, the consultant will be responsible for the Inception Report, Project Dissemination Plan, organizing meetings with key stakeholders as needed, project visibility products (incl. newspapers, press releases, etc.) and maintenance of the project webpage; In addition, the consultant will support the PMA in organizing the kick-off meeting, SC meetings and project partners meetings, as well as in writing the progress reports of the project as per donor reporting requirements. The consultant will support the PMA in preparation of the ToRs for additional project experts, as well as in tracing the performance of contracts of project experts and partners and will help keeping deadlines in all project activities. The consultant will sustain the Project Management Tool and ensure all experts and partners regularly upload results of their work;
The consultant will advise the PMA in any emerging issues related to the coordination of the project and communication of results, including optimization of distribution of funds and re-distribution of responsibilities among experts and partners depending on their performance.

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

December 2014 (40% of payment):

Summary of comments, contributions provided to the documents prepared under PA1 which are drafted or due by the end of 2014 (Draft BS SAP Implementation Report (if requested), BSIMAP revision, GES Methodology);
Selection of a project management tool, preparation of a Gant Chart of the project in support of the preparation of a detailed project workplan and distribution of responsibilities between partners (by the end of September 2014);
Preparation of ToRs and contracts for project experts and organizations;
Contribution to the Project Dissemination plan;
Revised list of stakeholders (developed under EMBLAS I);
Organize harmonization workshops (Agenda, List of participants, minutes), first tentative date November 2014;
Contribution to the draft Proposal on modification of selected BSC data / information reporting sheets to incorporate the new compliance indicators (PA1, as proposed by EMBLAS I);
Comments on the WQ database concept and prototype, suggestions for development;
Draft project visibility products – combined with those prepared under the EMBLAS I, support to the further development of the project webpage;
Participate in the organization of the project kick-off meeting and preparation of all related documents;
Contribution to the First Progress report of the project;
Contribution to the first draft of Inception report and finalization of the document.

June 2015 (25 % of payment):

Summary of comments, contributions provided to the documents prepared under PA 1, 2, 4 which are drafted or due by mid 2015 (Black Sea SAP Implementation report- if requested, preparation of the Joint Survey I (Cost-efficiency assessment and distribution of partners responsibilities);
Organizing workshops with focus on biological guidelines and others (before the Survey);
Contribution to the draft project progress report (April 2014 - April 2015);
First Project newsletter and regular update of the project webpage;
Preparation of new ToRs for contracts with experts as needed.

December 2015 (15% of payment):

Contribution to the draft Proposal on modification of selected BSC data / information reporting sheets to incorporate the new compliance indicators proposed;
Regular update of the project webpage and dissemination of the project results;
Preparation of new ToRs for contracts with experts as needed.

August 2016 (20% of payment):

Summary of comments, contributions provided to the documents prepared under PA 2,4 which are drafted or due by mid 2016 (Concept for the BS monitoring catalogue/factsheets, preparation of the Survey II, support to the trainings/harmonization);
Organize workshop focused on biological guidelines and other (before the Survey II);
Draft progress report (April 2015-April 2016);
Second Project newsletter;
Preparation of new ToRs for contracts with experts as needed;
Regular update of the project webpage.

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.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Excellent communication and management skills and demonstrable capacity to lead a multi-national team and to work with government institutions;
Demonstrated ability to develop strategies and work plans to accomplish objectives, empower others to translate visions and efforts into results, identify strategic issues, opportunities and risks and devise timely and effective responses;
Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations;
Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities.

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:

Minimum Master Degree in economics, IT, oceanography, or environmental engineering.

Experience:

At least 3 years of demonstrable experience and a proven track record in fields required for the implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFWD) orthe Water Framework Directive (WFD) and other EU Directives or Convention on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution and knowledge of capacity building challenges faced by environment/water authorities in the beneficiary countries or EU Member States;
Working experience in international projects related to research and development, in one of the following fields: integrated resources water management, water quality, monitoring programmes, data collection and management,information system & website development and maintenance;
Particular experience in reporting & visibility in line with the requirements for EU funded projects, including communication with the project partners and stakeholders;
Relevant experience in the beneficiary countries of the Black Sea is a strong asset.

Language:

Excellent writing editing and oral 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:

Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
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. Candidates 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 or and MSFD) or Convention on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution - max points: 10;
Criteria C – specific professional experience in, in similar projects, related to water quality monitoring, information system development, website and database development - max points: 10;
Criteria D- particular experience with EU funded projects (in reporting), communication with stakeholders and project partners, etc. – max points: 10;
Criteria E – particular experience in the Black Sea region – max points: 10;
Criteria F – language, writing skills (publications) - max points: 10;
Criteria G – interview (technical and communication skills) - max points: 10.

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

Application procedures:

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.