UNDP Jobs - 64875- Local Consultant

Local Consultant – Agricultural expert

Location :

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

24-Mar-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Apr 2016 – Mar 2017

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

a) Purpose
The purpose of this project is to transfer technologies for climate resilient flood management in Vrbas River Basin (VRB), UNDP, BiH to enable the communities of the Vrbas basin to adapt to flood risk through the transfer of adaptation technologies for climate resilient flood management, upgrade and rehabilitation of the hydrometric monitoring network, development of a flood forecasting system and early warning system, development of emergency response plans, and provision of training in flood-specific civil protection. Importantly, the project will provide targeted training on climate-induced FRM to over 100 practitioners and decisions makers, and will develop an institutional capacity development plan for the long-term development of capability and capacity in Flood Risk Management (FRM). The project will work closely with affected communities to introduce climate resilient community-based non-structural measures and provide training to local communities in climate resilient FRM. This will include the introduction of agro-forestry, community-based early warning systems, reforestation and introduction of financial instruments such as index-based flood insurance and credit deference schemes as a means of compensating for flood damages for agriculture.

b) Objective
The overall objective of this assignment is to introduce new approaches such as agro-forestry measures which could provide flood management benefits and opportunities while enhancing the flood resilience of the agricultural sector in VRB.

c) Background Information
Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is a middle income country which is still recovering from the 1992-1995 war which had a devastating impact on its human, social and economic resources, leading to enormous challenges of the post-war reconstruction and economic and social recovery. This challenge has been further compounded by the transition towards market economy requiring structural reforms and improved governance. The slow rate of the post-war economic recovery of Bosnia and Herzegovina has been compounded by the negative impacts of climate change on key sectors such as agriculture, energy (hydropower), the environment and, in particular, the frequency and magnitude of flood disasters, which have tripled in frequency in the last decade. In May 2014, Bosnia and Herzegovina experienced its worst flooding in 150 years which resulted in 23 deaths and $2.7 Billion USD worth of damages which is 15% of GDP, and is expected to result in a 1.1 percent contraction in the economy this year, compared to the growth of 2.2 percent that had been predicted before the flood.
BiH is significantly exposed to the threats of climate change, but has very limited capacity to address and adapt to its negative impacts, in particular the frequency and magnitude of floods from its major rivers. The Vrbas River basin is characterized by a large rural population comprised of the poorest and most vulnerable communities in BiH, including war returnees and displaced people, with high exposure to flooding and its devastating impacts.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of work
The expert should work in consultation with and under the guidance and supervision of the Project Manager (PM). Specifically, his\her responsibilities are but not limited to the following:

Prepare farm-level exposure and flood risk assessment for all agricultural land in VRB to fully characterize the exposure of agriculture to flood risk;
Develop a farm level flood risk management strategies for the VRB only to include: crop diversification, investigation of crop yield insurance options;
Assess and identify flood risks to agricultural infrastructure in VRB, as well as flood risk management opportunities associated with agricultural infrastructure under climate change and potential new infrastructure such as irrigation retention basins that could also serve as flood storage areas; (July);
Prepare detailed floodplain agro-forestry study which determine species of plants are appropriate for VRB and investigate floodplain and hill slope agro-forestry approaches that will be appropriate;
Design an agro-forestation scheme to be implemented on identified area of floodplain and develop an implementation plan for the scheme;
Provide farm level training in more flood-resilient agricultural methods;
Assist international agricultural expert in preparation of agriculture chapter for National Adaptation Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina;
Archiving and documenting all activities;
Ensuring the timely and effective management of the activities as scheduled;
Providing progress reports to the PM.

Deliverables and timelines
The consultant is responsible for the following deliverables:

Deliverable Schedule

Flood risk assessment for all agricultural land in VRB completed 15 Jul 2016;
Report on flood risks to agricultural infrastructure in VRB, flood risk management opportunities associated with agricultural; infrastructure under climate change and suggested new infrastructure adopted by UNDP 30 Sept 2016;
Floodplain agro-forestry study prepared and adopted by UNDP; Agro-forestation scheme with implementation plan completed 30 Nov 2016;
Farm level training in more flood-resilient agricultural methods completed 31 Mar 2017

Competencies

Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modeling UN values and ethical standards;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Knowledge on BiH gender equality mainstreaming institutions, regulations and mechanisms;
Excellent communication skills;
Excellent analytical skills;
Strong oral and writing skills;
Extensive knowledge of computer applications;
Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
Ability to work independently as well as part of a fairly big team;
Ability to operate under strict time limits.

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

Required Skills and Experience

Degree in agriculture;
Minimum 5 (five) years of professional experience;
Good understanding of development policy document preparation in the field of agriculture and their relation to water management, especially in flood risk management aspects;
Knowledge of flood-resilient agricultural approach;
Knowledge of the environmental issues in BiH;
Fluency in both written and spoken English.

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 and a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work (if applicable). 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 for the tasks specified in this announcement. The financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (number of anticipated working days, travel, per diems and any other possible costs);
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 and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...). All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal.