Background

Albania has declared in 2010 its first marine protected area, as a result of an UNDP assisted project. In order to ensure the proper management of this area and to expand the marine protected areas, a new project has been designed and is currently under implementation in incipient stage.

The goal of the new project is to secure the long-term protection of Albania’s unique coastal and marine biodiversity. The immediate objective is to improve the coverage and management effectiveness of Albania’s network of marine and coastal protected areas as an essential complement to its network of terrestrial protected areas.

The project aims at removing existing systemic, regulatory and knowledge barriers.

The objective will be achieved through two outcomes:

• Improved bio-geographical representation of marine and coastal protected areas (MCPA); and
• Improved management arrangements for MCPAs, clarifying institutional settings and capacity building.

The immediate global biodiversity benefits include expanded protection coverage (by at least 13,000 ha) for unique marine, lagoon, wetland, and cape habitats hosting critically endangered, threatened and near-threatened species such as Loggerhead and Leatherback turtles, Mediterranean seal, Dalmatian pelican, threatened birds-of-prey and fish species, corals, sponges, sea-grasses and other important habitats and species.

Management Plan for Karaburun-Sazani MCPA has been developed throughout 2014, with the professional assistance and expertise from WWF MedPO. It encouraged and committed a participatory approach, including stakeholder workshops, meetings, questionnaires, etc. Structure of the Management Plan followed the “Standard Structure of Protected Areas Management Plans in Albania” which was approved by the Ministry of Environment on 21 February 2013 (Order No. 148). The plan addresses main descriptive elements of the area, followed by an evaluation of the protected area and assessment of institutional framework, more insight into the values, threats and current institutional framework, the vision of the MPA and then stating the management themes and management zones. For each activity an estimate of financial costs is given in the financial plan; it also describes the monitoring and evaluation of management; the management plan is intended to be a strategic planning document of the Management Administration for the next 10 years.

Whereas, since autumn 2012, under the framework of PIM Initiative on Small Mediterranean Islands, the management plan for Sazani Island was anticipated to be developed as the result of a process carried out by CdL, including data collection for different biodiversity compartments (flora and vegetation, invertebrates, amphibian, reptiles, birds, mammals and rocky shore marine communities), carrying out assessment of land based pollution; then, in coordination with UNDP and WWF Mediterranean Programm, in the scope of the process for preparation of the Karaburun-Sazani MCPA management plan, Conservatoire du Littoral (France) committed with management planning process for Sazani Island, addressing the main descriptive elements of the area, the physical, biological and historical features, an analysis of the socio-economic and cultural aspects, human-induced impacts existing on the island; it followed with the evaluation of the area and assessment of the institutional framework, delineated the management proposals and included guidelines for preparing the annual work plans and annual budgets, and the annual reports, as a tool for monitoring the effectiveness and the adequate use of funds.

Duties and Responsibilities

The general objective for this assignment is to assist the local team on preparation of a Business Plan for the MPA Karaburun-Sazani, providing an overall economic picture on the characteristics of the area, allowing performing diagnostic analysis of the present situation.

Secondary purpose is to weight basic elements of analysis which will determine the priority actions that enable the business management of this target area.

The objective and main inputs of the Business Plan

The Business Plan should be the main basis and tool for the management of MPA Karaburun-Sazani. It should develop the Vision into operational strategies forming a framework for the rolling three year and annual planning and budgeting.

The preparation of a Business Plan shall be carried out in close co-operation with the National Agency for Protected Areas and the administration of MPA Karaburun-Sazani.

The scope of assignment:

• The expert will cooperate with local team on preparation of the report which will cover and respond to different questions like: a) Human activities and resources exploitations/ use in the area (demographic changes, social setup and development, social services status, demands and values as claimed by the population; b) Land use and local economies, cumulative economic activities, manufacturing activities, artefacts, SMEs, development activities; c) Local Development and area planning instruments;
• Collaborate closely with the national experts and other project experts for preparation of a Business Plan for the MPA Karaburun-Sazani;
• Transfer international best practices for coastal and marine protected areas to the project team and provide appropriate orientations and guidance;
• Assist the national experts for preparing a financial sustainability plan (inc. financing needs for the expanded network of MCPAs in Albania and explore the feasibility of different revenue-generating mechanisms for bridging the gap (fees, charges for sustainable use, private sponsorship, public-private-partnerships, external donor funding);
• Facilitate the national and project team to assess the expected budget of the MPA, analyze the current approach to funding protected areas in Albania and assess whether the available resources are likely to be adequate for meeting conservation needs of the proposed MPA;
• Provide inputs on infrastructure required for the park administration to undertake monitoring and design of the system in terms of data entry and report generation; estimation of financial needs for setting-up this system.
• Provide a training session to project team/ local team on business plan development

Duration of the assignment:

• The assignment is expected for a maximum of 13 (thirteen) working days and should be completed in e period of 6 months from May to October 2015.

Deliverables:

• Mission report (1 weeks after completing the mission and conducting the training);
• Draft Document of the Business Plan for MPA Karaburun-Sazani;
• Business Plan for MPA Karaburun-Sazani.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling 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.

Functional Competencies:

• Excellent analytical, report writing and training skills;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, strong cultural sensitivity and ability to work in multi-cultural environments;
• Ability to work under pressure;
• Meet tight deadlines without compromising on the quality of work, and being flexible;
• Effectively coordinate and advise a research team;
• Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communications skills;
• Excellent presentation skills;

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master's or higher degree in environmental economics/business administration/natural resources management.

Work Experience:

• Minimum 5 years relevant experience in environmental and/or protected area especially of MPCAs finance and business planning;
• Minimum 2 years relevant experience in cost offsetting and feasibility in MCPAs.

Specific Experience requirements:

• Working experience in Albania or Mediterranean is an asset;
• Previous experience with UNDP is an advantage;
• Excellent analytical, report writing and training skills;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, strong cultural sensitivity and ability to work in multi-cultural environments;
• Ability to work in a team, under pressure and ability to meet deadlines.

Language:

• Excellent command in written and spoken English.

Evaluation of applicants:

Individual consultant(s) will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants and financial proposal.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 70 points: Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 30 points.

Criteria A: Relevant experience in environmental and/or protected area especially of MPCAs finance and business planning   – max points: 40.

Criteria B: Educational background     – max points: 10.

Criteria C: Analytical and reporting skills – max points: 20.

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.

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 - lump sum amount in USD (including the breakdown of consultancy daily fee; travel /per diems or other possible costs related to the assignment if any).

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.

How to Submit the Application

To submit your application online, please follow the steps below:

• Download and complete the UN Personal History Form (P11) for Service Contracts (SCs) and Individual Contracts (ICs);
• Merge your UN Personal History Form (P11) for Service Contracts (SCs) and Individual Contracts (ICs), Financial Proposal, monthly based and cover letter into a single file. The system does not allow for more than one attachment to be uploaded;
• Click on the Job Title (job vacancy announcement);
• Click “Apply Now” button, fill in necessary information on the first page, and then click “Submit Application;”
• Upload your application/single file as indicated above with the merged documents (underlined above);
• You will receive an automatic response to your email confirming receipt of your application by the system.