The Agreement of 21 March 2008 reached between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots under the auspices of the United Nations (UN), paved the way for the establishment of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage (TCCH), dedicated to the recognition, promotion and protection of the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Cyprus. The TCCH is composed of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot experts. The TCCH works to provide a mutually acceptable mechanism for the implementation of practical measures for the proper preservation, physical protection and restoration (including research, study and survey) of the immovable cultural heritage of Cyprus. The TCCH is operating under the UN auspices and its work is an important tool for building confidence between the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots.

The TCCH is supported in its work by an Advisory Board (AB) composed of archaeologists, architects, art historians and town planners from both communities.

In 2012, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) initiated with the implementation of the European Union (EU) funded activity “Support to Cultural Heritage Monuments of Great Importance for the communities in Cyprus – Phase 1” and since then it has continued with the successful implementation of the EU funded activities “Support to Cultural Heritage Monuments of Great Importance in Cyprus – Phases 2, 3 and 4”.  In November 2016, UNDP started the implementation of the new EU funded activity “Support to Cultural Heritage Monuments of Great Importance in Cyprus – Phase 5”.

Within this framework of the activities of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, conservation studies (designs) for 7 new cultural heritage sites which lay under “Support to cultural heritage monuments of great importance for Cyprus – Phase 4”, and for 11 more new cultural heritage sites which lay under “Support to cultural heritage monuments of great importance for Cyprus – Phase 5”, are about to start.

The conservation studies of “Phase 4” are planned to be initiated in April 2017 and should be completed by August 2017. Furthermore, the conservation studies of “Phase 5” will start in the second half of 2017 and will be completed in 2018.

Conservation Studies (Designs) Philosophy:

The overall objective of the TCCH projects is to safeguard these cultural heritage sites from further deterioration and to protect and conserve them for the future generations.

All conservation studies should aim to the conservation of the cultural heritage sites. Namely, conservation actions/works will include the examination, treatment and preventive care of the building elements, with the least possible (minimum) intervention, aiming to safeguarding its fabric in the long-term, retarding further deterioration and to safeguard its heritage values. Treatment should ensure maximum stabilization, consolidation and/or reinforcement actions, if these are considered necessary, in order to achieve structural stability and durability. For any of these actions it is preferable that the traditional techniques and materials of same type as the originals will be used. All conservation studies and works should be in compliance with the international standards of conservation.

Restoration actions/works, namely specialised actions which aim to restore the items at a known earlier state might be considered, further than the conservation actions, in case these are evaluated as necessary or highly beneficial and feasible (detailed scientific justification will be necessary) within the available budget.  Excavations, aiming to reveal previous layers of the structure, are not included in the proposed actions. In case there are paintings, mosaics, frescoes, or any other specialized conservation subjects in any of the heritage sites, it is suggested to plan only for their stabilization and protection within the framework of the TCCH projects.

The Conservation Studies Advisor’s main tasks will be:

1. to monitor and review the outputs submitted by the appointed designers of each conservation study for the cultural heritage sites under “Support to cultural heritage monuments of great importance for Cyprus – Phase 4” and to report to UNDP in regard to the content of the submitted outputs;
2. to monitor the process of the outputs submission until the completion of each conservation study of the cultural heritage sites under “Phase 4”;
3. conduct preliminary assessments for the cultural heritage sites under “Support to cultural heritage monuments of great importance for Cyprus – Phase 5”;
4. assist to the preparation of the Terms of Reference for the conservation studies of the cultural heritage sites under “Phase 5”;
5. to provide administrative assistance to UNDP for the completion of the conservation studies and preliminary assessments.

More specifically, in regard to tasks (i) and (ii) the Conservation Studies Advisor will have to support UNDP to monitor the conservation studies’ (designs) process, to ensure their efficient delivery and to ensure that the submitted outputs are in compliance with the international standards of conservation, the contractual stipulations and with the requirements of the TCCH, its AB, as well as UNDP.

The assigned Conservation Studies Advisor will be fully informed on the conservation study (design) requirements for all of the sites and will be working under the guidance of UNDP, under the supervision of the Senior Programme Manager. The Conservation Studies Advisor will be informed in the case of divergence from this format of the conservation design process.

Namely, within this framework each of the conservation studies (designs) will be submitted in several outputs. In regard to each of these outputs the responsibilities of the Conservation Studies Advisor will be: 

More specifically, in regard to tasks (i) and (ii) the Conservation Studies Advisor will have to support UNDP to monitor the conservation studies’ (designs) process, to ensure their efficient delivery and to ensure that the submitted outputs are in compliance with the international standards of conservation, the contractual stipulations and with the requirements of the TCCH, its AB, as well as UNDP.

The assigned Conservation Studies Advisor will be fully informed on the conservation study (design) requirements for all of the sites and will be working under the guidance of UNDP, under the supervision of the Senior Programme Manager. The Conservation Studies Advisor will be informed in the case of divergence from this format of the conservation design process.

Namely, within this framework each of the conservation studies (designs) will be submitted in several outputs. In regard to each of these outputs the responsibilities of the Conservation Studies Advisor will be:

Conservation study Output 1: Survey and the production of the releve (measured drawings) for each building/site, and in depth historical account of the sites including bibliography;

-       The Conservation Studies Advisor will be required to review the releve (measured drawings) and provide feedback to UNDP on the quality of the releve drawings, missing elements and advice on the improvement of the submitted output, if required. 

Conservation study Output 2: Technical condition assessment and proposal for conservation intervention with supporting sketches, photographs and layouts;

-       The Conservation Studies Advisor will review the submitted output and will ensure that the designers recommendations are well described, efficiently and scientifically supported, objectively corroborated, that the conservation principles are followed, and references of up-to-date standards/norms are included, etc.

Conservation study Output 3:  Draft conservation design set of drawings incl. supporting documentation (draft designs include drawings/details, particular specifications, bills of quantities & estimates and maintenance/upkeep guidelines pertaining to the conservation intervention);

-         The Conservation Studies Advisor will ensure that the draft conservation designs were made according to the feedback provided to the designers by the TCCH, AB and UNDP during all the previous stages.  In addition the consultant will be expected to comment on the quality of the conservation studies (designs) and the compatibility with the available budget.

Conservation study Output 4:  Final design set and related outputs (drawings & details, particular specifications, bills & estimates, estimated durations of conservation works and the final maintenance & upkeep guidelines)

-         The Conservation Studies Advisor will review these final outputs to ensure all outputs are inclusive of the comments made on the drafts and the related materials correspond to the final design.

The Conservation Studies Advisor will also be required:

-               to attend all presentations by the designers to the TCCH, AB and UNDP, as well as other related meetings;

-               to make electronic notes of the meetings and follow-up according to the agreed actions/recommendations;

-               to coordinate with the AB in order to obtain their comments on the outputs following each submission.

Furthermore, in regard to task (iii) the Conservation Studies Advisor will be expected to conduct a preliminary in-situ assessment of the cultural heritage sites under Phase 5. The specific content of the cultural heritage assessments will be agreed in advance with UNDP.

In regard to task (iv) the Conservation Studies Advisor will work in cooperation with UNDP based on the information collected during the preliminary assessment to form the Terms of Reference for the conservation studies under Phase 5.

In regard to task (v) the Conservation Studies Advisor will be expected to provide administrative support to UNDP for the completion of the conservation studies and preliminary assessments. Within this framework the appointed consultant might be required to be in contact competent authorities and/or other stakeholders, to obtain necessary permissions, to be manage related correspondence etc.

IV. Deliverables

In regard to tasks (i) and (ii) the Conservation Studies Advisor after the review of each output for each site and/or presentation by the designers, will be expected to submit a concise report to UNDP with his/her comments on the output.

In regard to tasks (iii) the Conservation Studies Advisor will have to submit an intermediate preliminary assessment report for each site under Phase 5. The assessment reports will have to be finalised by the consultants following a presentation to the AB and TCCH according to the final comments of AB, the TCCH and UNDP. The narrative part must be written in good English and must be proof read before submission. The final assessment reports will be submitted to UNDP in hard copy (3 copies) and electronic form (on a DVD).

Expected Inputs of the Assignment: An average of 12 days per month, maximum 100 days by end of contract.

Other than the specific and technical competencies required in order to perform the duties described above, the following personal and general competencies will be needed:

• Overall Professionalism, Integrity, Enthusiasm & Commitment;
• Good problem-solving skills; ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given;
• Ability to plan own work and meet tight deadlines;
• Attention to detail;
• Able to work efficiently with minimal direction;
• Self-disciplined with strong work ethic;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive attitude;
• Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure;
• Demonstrates integrity by behaving according to the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Maintains effective partnerships and working relations with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Partner in a team effectively and work as team;
• Good problem-solving skills; ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given; ability to plan own work and meet tight deadlines; attention to detail;

Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills.

Education:

• Architecture Degree from an accredited University.
• Postgraduate degree/diploma in heritage related subject is considered an asset.

Experience:

• Minimum 10 years of post-graduate experience.
• Proven minimum relevant professional experience of 5 years in heritage projects.
• At least 2 designs of monuments and/or listed buildings.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in spoken and written English. Fluency in Greek and/or Turkish is an asset 

Application
Interested individuals must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

• CV  
• References: Contact details of 2 references (related with conservation projects only)
• Financial Proposal: Applicants requested to submit financial proposal for daily fee. The financial proposals for each project site shall cover all expenditures including consultation fees, health insurance, vaccination, local travel (place of residence to office and office to place of residence) and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services. Leave benefits (annual, sick, paternity, maternity) are not applicable to Individual Contractor and absent days including weekends and office holidays are not payable. Travel from/to the project sites will be reimbursed according to the UN rate.

Evaluation / Selection Process
All applicants will be screened against qualifications and the competencies set above. Candidates fully meeting the requirements will be further evaluated based on the criteria below. 

1. Technical Criteria (CV review and interviews) – 70 % of total evaluation– max. 70 points of which:

• CV review: 30 points*
  • Educational qualifications as defined in the ToR (15 points);
  • Experience as defined in the ToR (15 points).

* Only candidates who obtained at least 70% of points from the CV review (who will score at least 21 points) will be invited for an interview.

• Desk Review and/or Interview: 40 points** 
  • Relevant professional experience in heritage projects (15 points)
  • Experience in designs of monuments and/or listed buildings (15 points)
  • Communication and interpersonal skills (10 points)

**Only those individual consultants who obtained at least 70% of points from the interview (28 out of 40) will be considered for financial proposal evaluation.

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

Financial scores will be calculated using the formula [lowest offer / financial offer of the candidate x 30].

UNDP applies the “Best value for money approach” – the final selection will be based on the combination of the applicants’ qualification and financial proposal.

Payment Term:
Monthly lump-sum payable upon submission of the monthly time-sheet, the monthly report and approval of the UNDP.

General Conditions:
General Conditions of contract for the services of Individual contractor can be downloaded from: http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/documents/procurement/documents/IC%20-%20General%20Conditions.pdf