Background

Elimination of obsolete pesticide stockpiles and addressing POPs contaminated sites within a sound chemicals management framework in Armenia” is a GEF-5 Chemicals and Waste focal area project.
The objective of the project is to protect human health and the environment globally as well as locally through elimination of POPs and obsolete pesticide (OP) stockpiles, and addressing associated contaminated sites within a sound chemicals management framework to fulfil signatory party commitments of Stockholm Convention. The Project will meet this objective by eliminating a large POPs pesticide burial site that represents the major POPs stockpile and waste legacy for the country as well as residual obsolete pesticide stores at 24 locations. In total, approximately 7,100 tons of POPs waste in the form of heavily contaminated soil, 1,050 tons of POPs pesticides and other obsolete pesticides will be recovered, secured and ultimately treated and destroyed in an environmentally sound manner. Additionally the project will provide critically needed hazardous chemical waste infrastructure and national technical capability for the ongoing management of POPs and other hazardous chemical wastes as well as supporting the strengthening of institutional and regulatory capacity within an overall chemicals management framework.

The specific objective of the assignment is the Project Outcome 1.2 “Development and operation of the Kotayk national hazardous chemical waste (HCW) storage/management facility”.
To attain this objective, the Project has developed and announced an RFP/ToR   http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=32510 for selection of a company (Contractor) to provide the design/operational planning and detailed technical and costing definition of the required works to upgrade the overall infrastructure of the existing storage facility near Hrazdan town in Kotayk region of Armenia (in compliance with national standards and international requirements for such facilities) for establishment of an operationally secure hazardous chemical waste storage/management capability as defined in the Project Document http://www.thegef.org/sites/default/files/project_documents/9-25-2014__ProjeDoc_0.pdf

Since, the Czech Republic has advanced expertise in the relevant aspects of this assignment, to introduce the best international practices in the field  http://www.recetox.muni.cz/rc/index-en.php  , therefore, the following input from the expert/consultant is expected:

1. Expert support to the Project team and providing consultancy to local engineering/design companies and relevant stakeholders on specific international (EU) requirements/standards with respect to the design and operational planning of hazardous chemical waste management/storage facilities.
2. Review of civil-engineering design specifications of the national hazardous chemical waste storage/management facility in Kotayk (Armenia) to ensure compliance with the relevant international norms/standards (BAPs/BATs, etc.).

The target of the assignment will be the private sector, in terms of national capacity development, by providing consultancy/training to local engineering/design companies, as well as Project implementing partners/stakeholders on application of specific international (EU) requirements/standards to the design specifications and operational planning of the hazardous chemical waste management/storage facilities.
In a long-term perspective, intervention of the Czech expertise within the scope of this assignment is expected to be catalytic for the development of national policy on hazardous chemical waste (HCW) management, and having established HCW management/handling sub-sector in place.
The added value of Czech expertise will be sharing the best practices and lessons learned from the Czech Republic’s transitional experience, as well as development of national capacity by provision of Czech expertise/experience in the focal area of Chemicals and Waste http://www.mzv.cz/tirana/en/bilateral_relations/diplomatic_relations/hazardous_chemical_waste_in_albania.html . Moreover, extended cooperation and partnership at public and private levels are anticipated beyond the scope of this assignment.

Duties and Responsibilities

Responsibilities:

• Site visits for observation, discussion and advice (on-site);
• Conducting short-term consultancy with Project team and stakeholders;
• Conducting workshops/consultancy seminars;
• Delivering training to beneficiaries/stakeholders;
• On-desk reviewing (home-based) of design specifications and operational plan.

Deliverables:

• Deliverable no. 1 (by mid November 2016): Training material (PPT) on specific technical and safety requirements for hazardous chemicals/waste storage facilities (for the Project team, private design companies, MES relevant staff, other project stakeholders);
• Deliverable no. 2 (by mid of November 2016): Two PPT presentations prepared; 1 for the workshop:  international best practices on operation and safety aspects of hazardous chemical waste storage facilities, 1 for the seminar: international requirements with respect to the design and specifications of hazardous chemical waste storage facilities;
• Deliverable no. 3 (by end of November/early December 2016): Presentations delivered at the workshop and during the training sessions. The consultant will also be available for a discussion with the Project team and partners, as well as short individual consultations after workshop for the local companies, public authorities, local universities and CSO representatives.
• Deliverable no. 4 (by mid-December 2016): First mission report containing amongst other technical recommendations on the design specifications, facility operation and safety;
• Deliverable no. 5 (by mid-March 2017): Presentation delivered at the conclusive seminar with participation of relevant stakeholders. The consultant will also be available for short individual consultations after the seminar for the local companies, public authorities and local universities.
• Deliverable no. 6 (by the end of March 2017):

Final mission report containing amongst other the following:

• Expert conclusion on the review/evaluation of the facility design specifications developed by a local private contractor;
• Relevant Operational/Safety Guidelines/Instructions on operation of the hazardous chemical waste storage facility, based on international best practices.

Important notice: All deliverables have to be quality reviewed and accepted by the UNDP CO. None of the materials produced under this Contract will be used, released, and/or disseminated without prior approval by UNDP.

Timing and reporting:
The Consultant will be engaged on short-term base approximately 15 working days under Individual Contract. Once hired, the consultant will get in touch with the UNDP Country Office to establish the communication with the CO. The Expert will work under overall guidance of the UNDP CO Project Management Unit. He/she will directly report to the Project Coordinator and/or Technical Task Leader.

Time duration and travel:  The task will require 2 missions to Yerevan, Armenia with duration of each mission of 5 working days (tentatively 1st mission from mid- to the end of November 2016; 2nd mission in March 2017).

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;
• Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Functional competencies:

• Excellent analytical skills including oral and written communication (ability to express ideas clearly and concisely);
• Excellent presentation skills: at least five (5) years training experience in relevant field;
• Excellent coordination and collaboration skills with ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with people of different social and cultural backgrounds;
• IT skills: MS office, web applications, proven experience in the usage of special software for construction/civil works design (preferred).

Required Skills and Experience

Qualifications: such as specialized knowledge, language needs and experience the consultant/contractor must fulfill, an unambiguous description of the selection criteria including required degree of expertise:

Academic Qualifications/Education:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in chemical/environmental/civil engineering or related field of science/engineering.

Experience:

• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience from Czech Republic, working in the area of hazardous chemical waste handling/management/.
• Specific experience in design/assessment and operation of hazardous chemicals/chemical waste storage facilities.

Language skills:

• English (fluent), Russian (preferred)

Other information:

7. 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 (in USD) a) total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this announcement, b) mission related costs for 12 - working day mission to Yerevan [including i) travel costs, ii) accommodation, iii) per diem]
• 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). All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal.

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.