UNDP Jobs - 61690- National Expert on GIS application in biodiversity

National Expert on GIS application in biodiversity conservation

Location :

Tirana with frequent missions in targeted sites, ALBANIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

20-Nov-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

20 workdays over period December 2015 - April 2016

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 immediate objective of MCPA project 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 PAs as well as to ensure the proper management of this area and to expand the MPAs. The main goal is to secure the long-term protection of Albania’s unique coastal and marine biodiversity, which has two main challenges ahead: i) improvement of bio-geographical representation of MCPA; and ii) improvement of management arrangements for MCPAs, institutional settings and capacity building aspects.

All these efforts must also contribute to enhancing coverage and management effectiveness of MCPAs including an expansion plan for progressive inclusion of additional MCPAs, as part of efforts to maintain political support and interest in piloting marine protected areas in Albania and successfully demonstrating win-win opportunities in these areas.

The project is entering a process for preparing revised maps of the Marine and Coastal PAs (as per Output 1.3 of the project document) which envisages considering of respective buffer zones and proper demarcation), assessing the ecological and conservation status of existing CPAs, update the zoning scheme with a clearly demarcated buffer zone (when applicable and possible)

This process follows findings from the draft Strategic Plan for Marine and Coastal Protected Areas, and intends to undertake a more in-depth assessment for main sensitive marine and coastal areas. It will include ecological quantification of MPAs ecosystems whereas recourse will be taken on possible ecological studies to filling the gaps identified and on GIS-based maps produced for the targeted areas. in addition to this, the newly established NAPA is in the process of verifying and defining all borders of the PA terrestrial and coastal, including also the necessary zoning updates; particularly this is relevant in view of transfer of forests, grazing and other ecosystem habitats, formerly under the general directorate of forest, while now, some of such habitats and areas are under the NAPA.

Scope of work:

The scope of the assignment is to assist in strengthening the knowledge and capacity for PA management, biodiversity monitoring and reporting through development of the MCPA zoning GIS mapping; this will have to consider earlier and existing ecological assessment carried out for main coastal MPAs, aiming completion of the quantitative survey of these sites, with existing (available) information and data of the habitats and ecological status. The purpose of this assignment is to provide maps and GIS data for the preparation of zoning maps (with clear referenceds to existing /known thematic and habitats maps) for the targeted MCPAs sites, based on all possible data and information of different thematic areas; GIS work for generation of maps and data reports accordingly wil lreferer to available knowledge on habitats and species presence and distribution in the targeted areas.

Duties and Responsibilities

The expert will work under supervision of Project Manager and will cooperate with the other biodiversity expert. The main tasks include:

Prepare (and /or update when relevant) maps and cartography of the targeted area through GIS, including detailed description when available- of those special biodiversity values in the targeted area and verifications/validation when deemed necessary (e.g. potentiality of zones for supporting ecological processes important for conservation purposes, any specific threats, occurrence and distribution of key habitats or species activity concentrations and ecosystems - terrestrial, freshwater, wetlands and especially marine ecosystems etc.- with due attention on management and conservation principles (recourse will be taken also to existing available information).
Boundaries of MCPAs and the extension of boundaries of existing CPAs with a marine shoreline should be marked up by manually on approved base maps by relevant experts, at the required scale/resolution (suggested scale 1:50.000); any key economic activities (no take zone, fishing tools, tourism development, etc.) would be optional.
A country map (regional context map) showing the elaborated CPA comprising and clearly distinguishing existing protected areas, where boundary changes are marked.
The surface of water bodies should be calculated also separately from the terrestrial; the area of CPA that include marine shoreline or are entirely marine should be specified for land and water by geographically discrete network unit;
The maps should be simple in a portrait format in N/S orientation to fit within an A4 sheet (margins to be agreed). Each map should have a border, a title, a scale, a compass, and a legend including the source map used. Maps should have the option to show shoreline, roads, land/sea use categories including urban concentrations, military areas, anchorages, munitions dumps, mining areas, protected area types, water courses, and civil administration boundaries.
The provenance of any resulting digital data should be clearly recorded in the GIS and also provided on the hard copy maps if required.-Data to be mapped will be provided by experts and/or entering into the GIS database from existing published digital data or digitized using government survey authority approved base maps and internationally accepted digitizing standards.
Assist in setting up, administer and update of PA GIS database dedicated to PAs collected data.

Deliverables:

Preparation of 6 draft maps (15 working day)
Handover of maps – Note on Map below (5 working day)

Note on Maps for MCPAs: Protected Landscape of Buna river and Velipoja (IUCN project) –cat. V- update of the site border based on the aero-photo 2007; Managed Nature Reserve of Kune –Vaini-Tale (UNDP Climate Change) and Managed Nature Reserve of Patok-Fushekuqe (UNDP Climate Change) – both cat. IV- update of the site border based on the aero-photo 2007, merging in one area; Managed Nature Reserve of Rrushkulli; National Park Divjake-Karavasta (JICA)-cat. II- update of the site border based on the aero-photo 2007; Protected Landscape of Narta - Vjosa river –cat. V and PishPoro– cat. IV- update of the site border based on the aero-photo 2007, merging in one area; National Park Butrinti – cat. II- update of the site border based on the aero-photo 2007; Karaburun – cat. IV- update of the site border based on the aero-photo 2007.

Duration of assignment:

The assignment should be completed in the period from December 2015 - April 2016 with a total of 20 man days.

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:

Strategic vision, strong technical and analytical capabilities;
Strong reporting and writing abilities;
Ability to work in a team, develop synergies and establish effective working relations with National Agency of protected Areas;
Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
Ability to accommodate additional demands on short notice;
Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations;
Ability to manage heavy workload and solve complex problems with minimum supervision.
Ability and readiness to travel to the coastal and marine areas

Required Skills and Experience

Education/Academic Qualification:

University Degree or higher level of qualification in forestry, biology or environmental sciences;

Work Experience:

At least 15 years of experience on GIS and its application in nature resource management.
Previous experience on projects related to protected areas and coastal habitats is an advantage.
Experience in GEF, UNDP, or other international projects, is an advantage.

Language Requirement:

Excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills in 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:

Education and level of qualification in forestry, biology or environmental sciences, 25 points
Relevant experience on GIS and its application in nature resource management, 30 points
Experience on projects related to protected areas and coastal habitats, 15 points

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

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);

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. 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.