Background

The Effective Governance Team partners with state and non-state actors to strengthen governance institutions, frameworks and processes. The UNDP Effective Governance Portfolio is divided into five (5) thematic areas which are 1) Inclusive Political Processes 2) Strengthening transparency and accountability 3) Rule of law and Access to Justice 4) Health and Development 5) support to core government functions.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared a COVID-19 pandemic on March 11, 2020. More than 18 months later, the world is slowly accepting that the COVID-19 virus will be endemic – meaning that the virus will be permanently circulating. With regional vaccination rates climbing, considerations around travel corridors and risk-management to enable cross-border movements within the region have resumed and countries are now considering options for easing border restrictions to restore related social and economic benefits and supply-chain security which have been severely affected.

As the economic and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have become more acute, and as vaccines are being delivered, governments in the Pacific have been considering options for reopening their borders. As debt levels grow in the region, there are significant pressures to reopen borders quickly particularly for countries with a greater reliance on tourism and whereby governments have provided significant financial support for tourism businesses.

Importantly, the pandemic has also become an impetus for countries to streamline their border procedures and invest in digital infrastructure to ensure the smooth flow of people and goods and services across the borders. These considerations include:

• Introduce digital vaccination and PCR certificates;
• Establish single-window information management system with all border management agencies;
• Develop online paperless arrival and departure declarations and payment system;
• Establish quarantine facilities that can respond to urgent needs at the border control areas.

In addition, the project also focuses on the development and implementation of an integrated border management system in Pacific countries to mitigate risks and economic impacts in case of pandemics. UNDP, working closely with IOM and UNCTAD, supports border management agencies in Fiji, Palau, and Vanuatu in the following subjects:

• Build capacity of the front-line border management agencies to continue their business in case of pandemics;
• Enhance risk mitigation majors and management skills on the border management agencies to facilitate safe cross-border travel and trade;
• Support collaboration among border management agencies;
• Enhance regional cooperation through sharing the lessons learned and knowledge to set public health measures based on the COVID pandemic case;
• Support regional coordination to keep the continuity of smooth operation of global supply chains.

The specific outputs for the project are:-

• Output 1: Establish and strengthen Border agencies services with the capacity to develop and implement standard practices and policies that reflect global standards for managing COVID-19 cases and the roll-out of a vaccine in a transparent, accountable and effective manner.
• Output 2: Procurement, installation and maintenance of critical equipment and infrastructure is supported to implement COVID-19 public health protocols and standards while managing border services.
• Output 3: Establish support services for national border agencies implementing COVID-19 public health protocols.
• Output 4: Establish capacity within independent institutions and civil society to monitor the implementation of COVID-19 public health and border protocols to ensure efficiency, transparency and accountability.

There is a recognized need to engage a Maritime Safety and Security Consultant under the Pacific Integrated Border Management Project to provide technical guidance and advice on the safety and security operational procedure and integrated border management system at Palau and Vanuatu Seaports, in addition to Fiji Port. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

The Maritime Safety and Security Consultant will provide specific guidance and advice on the following areas:

• Review and analyze standard operating procedures for the safe arrival of cruise ships;
• Review all relevant documentation and regulations to provide recommendations on maritime safety and security protocols;
• Introduce and guide international best practices for seaports as a point of destination;
• Identify the needs and challenges to systemize integrated border management.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

• Review and analyze standard operating procedures for the safe arrival of cruise ships and support to adjust them to the international standard;
• Introduce international best practices on the overall cruise vessel safety operating procedures and arrivals;
• Conduct desk review of maritime safety and security-related documents, regulations, and guidelines in the targeted countries and identify the gaps and needs;
• Conduct field visits to analyze the current safety and security measures at the ports and identify the gaps and needs;
• Develop and conduct capacity building training sessions for the border management agencies’ staff to operate revised standard operating procedures;
• Collect data and develop good practices on the maritime safety and security measures and systems in the Pacific region;
• Provide coordination and facilitate communication with the border management agencies;
• Provide technical guidance and advice on the project implementation and output/outcome level;
• Support integrated border management conferences and their preparations at the national and regional levels;
• Any other assignments requested by the Programme Manager.  

Deliverables

Institutional Arrangement

• The Maritime Safety and Security Consultant for this assignment will be working under the supervision of the Programme Manager in coordination with project focal points.
• All deliverables should be submitted and approved by UNDP.

Duration of the Work

• Duration: December 2022 to December 2023
• Days: 50 Days

Duty Station

• Home-based assignment

Travel to Fiji, Vanuatu, or Palau should be anticipated for the duration of the assignment.

Competencies

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills;
• Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities skills;
• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
• Ability to plan, organize, implement and report on work;
• Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines;
• Proficiency in the use of office IT applications and internet in conducting research;
• Outstanding communication, project management and organizational skills;
• Excellent presentation and facilitation skills.
• Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;
• Positive, constructive attitude to work;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Self-development, initiative-taking;
• Acting as a team player and facilitating teamwork;
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
• Managing conflict; and
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others.

Required Skills and Experience

Educational Qualifications:

• University degree (Master’s or higher) in sociology, law, political or marine science, or other related fields including maritime studies

Experience

• At least ten (10) years of relevant professional experience in working for the Government or an Intergovernmental Organization in a related areas of maritime safety and security;
• Previous work experience in related area of maritime safety and security in the Pacific region is a strong asset;
• Proven previous working experience in assessments, evaluations, and/or reviews in related areas;
• Excellent written and spoken English. Knowledge of local languages an advantage;
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective relationships.

Language requirements

• Fluency of English language is required;

Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

Consultant must send a financial proposal based on:

Lump Sum Amount. The total amount quoted shall be all-inclusive and include all costs components required to perform the deliverables identified in the TOR, including professional fees, phone, internet, other connections costs, and any other applicable cost to be incurred by the IC in completing the assignment. UNDP will pay mission-related travel costs within UNDP regulations. The contract price will be a fixed output-based price regardless of the extension of the herein specified duration. Payments will be made upon completion of the deliverables/outputs and as per the percentages below:

In the event of unforeseeable travel not anticipated in this TOR, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and the Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

Evaluation Method and Criteria

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

The award of the contract shall 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 set of weighted technical criteria (70%). and financial criteria (30%). Financial score shall be computed as a ratio of the proposal being evaluated and the lowest priced proposal received by UNDP for the assignment.

Technical Criteria for Evaluation (Maximum 70 points)

• Criteria 1: Relevance of Education. Max 30 points

• Criteria 2:  Relevant regional or country specific knowledge. Max 10 Points
• Criteria 3: Technical expertise (required experience and knowledge for the assignment): Max 30 Points.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Documentation required

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications. Please group them into one (1) single PDF document as the application only allows to upload maximum one document:

• Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided in Annex II.
• Personal CV, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references.
• Technical proposal, including a) a brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment; and b) a methodology, on how they will approach and complete the assignment.
• Financial proposal, as per template provided in Annex II. Note: National consultants must quote prices in United States Dollars (USD).

Note: Successful individual will be required to provide proof of medical insurance coverage before commencement of contract for the duration of the assignment.

Incomplete and joint proposals may not be considered. Consultants with whom there is further interest will be contacted. The successful consultant shall opt to sign an Individual Contract or a Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA) through its company/employer with UNDP.

Annexes

• Annex I - Individual IC General Terms and Conditions
• Annex II – Offeror’s Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability for the Individual IC, including Financial Proposal Template

For any clarification regarding this assignment please write to procurement.fj@undp.org