UNDP Jobs - 75720- International Consultant

International Consultant - Building Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) disaster response and management through transfer of knowledge and Czech experience

Location :

Home-based with one mission to BiH, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

22-Nov-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

November - December 2017

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

15 working days including one mission to BiH

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

Development losses caused by disasters as well as population and GDP exposure to hazards (floods, droughts, earthquakes, wildfires and landslides) are continuously being increased in BiH.
Numerous challenges the country faced after the war, combined with political deadlocks and weak economic situation, resulted in disaster risks being at the bottom of priorities. The civil protection (CP) system in the country is thus facing challenging times today. The CP in BiH is, in itself, a complex system, functioning on the basis of linkages and cooperation of administrative units at all governmental levels, including units from different areas of the broader DRR sector. The model has been taken from the civil protection system of ex-Yugoslavia and subsequently saw some organizational changes that were not systematically translated into all relevant DRR areas. Today, overall coordination is done by Ministry of Security of BiH, while operational mandate is at entity levels based on subsidiarity as the guiding principle with municipalities being the first responders.
Inadequate response, prevention and recovery capacities, due to numerous open issues that DRR sector is facing currently, are seen regularly through small-scale, high-frequency events and were clearly demonstrated during the May 2014 floods that caused a total of 2 billion EUR of losses and damages. The catastrophic flooding that hit BiH in May 2014 triggered various assessments and lessons learned analysis, as well as initiatives to address some of the identified shortcomings. These efforts resulted in identification of areas that need improvement. These include overall disaster response coordination, legislation and technical capacities. Given the BiH aspiration to join EU, and in particular EU Civil Protection Mechanism (EUCPM), it is important to address these issues taking into consideration EU requirements and practices.

Duties and Responsibilities

The objective of the assignment is to support strengthening of resilience of BiH through increasing knowledge on crisis management and disaster response coordination. This will be done through transfer of knowledge from the Czech Republic to BiH with particular focus on EU requirements. Given the Czech experience in the field of disaster risk reduction and in particular EUCPM, this assignment will seek to explore how it transfers to BiH.

The consultant will provide analysis of potential improvements in the area of disaster management legislation and conduct one-day training to Coordination Body of BiH for Protection and Rescue.

DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES

Based on the already produced review and analysis of disaster response sector in BiH, the project will seek to share experience and knowledge from Czech Republic, in particular related to EU requirements, and to transfer it to BiH.

This will be done through a review of existing legislation framework and needs assessments conducted in the field for BiH and provision of advice on what needs to be done to strengthen the system from the angle of EU civil protection requirements and Czech experience. These findings will be presented to relevant associations, agencies and government counterparts as well as international stakeholders. To this, consultant is expected to deliver a one-day training to Coordination Body of Bosnia and Herzegovina for Protection and Rescue on international standards for disaster response coordination, host nation support and disaster management.

In detail consultant is expected to:

Provide methodologies for:

Review and analysis of legislative framework and needs assessments conducted in the field of disaster response for BiH;
One-day training to Coordination Body of BiH for Protection and Rescue on following topics:
- International principles and requirements for disaster response with particular focus on EU requirements;
- Guidelines on receipt and rendering of international assistance and donations in the field of protection and rescue.

This will include:

Structure and content of the analysis and training;
List and description of other research methods and tools that will be used;
Detailed list of all relevant domestic and international documents that will be reviewed (regulations, law, policies, studies) including best practices and international standards related to disaster risk management coordination and legislation.

For the BiH related documents UNDP will provide translated legislation documents, results of assessments done previously and any other useful outputs produced. This will include, but not be limited to:

Framework law on the protection and rescue of people and property in the event of natural or other disasters in BiH , Law on protection and rescue of people and material goods from natural and other disasters in FBiH including new draft law and Law on protection and rescue in emergency situations in RS as well as relevant by-laws;
Relevant decisions, analysis and recommendations of the BiH institutions and international organizations (NATO, EU, etc.);
Analysis of legal framework In BiH in relation to prevention of risks from disasters and crisis management developed by UNDP;
Flood and Landslide Risk Assessment for the Housing Sector in BiH.

List of interviews that will be conducted including interview questions;
Detailed work plan;

Final methodology will be approved by UNDP.

Based on agreed methodology from deliverable 1, provide:

Analysis of legislative framework and needs assessments, including description of identified improvements and recommendations for their introduction into practice in the area of disaster management;
Prepared materials for one-day training to Coordination Body of BiH for Protection and Rescue.

Draft and final versions of analysis and training materials will be approved by UNDP.

Present findings and lead discussion with stakeholders on identified improvements in the area of disaster management;
Deliver one-day training to Coordination Body of BiH for Protection and Rescue. UNDP will provide all logistical support in terms of venue, translation, printing materials, etc.

It is expected for consultant to be present physicly in BiH for 4 days (without travel time to BiH and from).

DELIVERABLES AND TIMELINES

The consultant is expected to provide the following deliverables and services:

Draft methodology submitted for review - 30th November 2017;
Delivered analysis of legislative framework and needs assessments, including description of identified improvements and recommendations for their introduction into practice in the area of disaster management and prepared materials for one-day training to Coordination Body of BiH for Protection and Rescue - 10th December 2017;
Present findings and lead discussion with stakeholders on identified improvements in the area of disaster management and deliver one-day training to Coordination Body of BiH for Protection and Rescue - 20th December 2017.

Competencies

Corporate Responsibility and Teamwork:

Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Plans, prioritizes and delivers tasks on time;
Strives for and promotes excellence in performance continually;
Participates effectively in a team-based, information-sharing environment, collaborating and cooperating with others;

People Skills:

Demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with persons of different national and cultural backgrounds;
Recognizes and responds appropriately to the ideas, interests, and concerns of others;
Builds trust and engenders morale by displaying open, transparent and credible behavior;
Respects individual/cultural differences; utilizes diversity to foster teamwork;
Ensures others’ understanding of, involvement in, and adaptation to a change process.

Partnering and Networking:

Communicates sensitively and effectively across different constituencies;
Ability to work as a member of a team as well as work autonomously.

Results-Orientation:

Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals.

Communication:

Technical writing skills, formulates written information clearly and persuasively;
Strong communication skills;
Presents information in a clear and articulate manner.

Job Knowledge and Expertise:

Strong analytical skills;
Knowledge and experience on disaster risk management;
Demonstrates substantive and technical knowledge to meet responsibilities and post requirements;
Initiative and sound judgment.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Masters in disaster risk management or similar field

Experience:

At least 7 years of professional experience in the field of disaster risk management and response;
Knowledge and experience of working in disaster response and management from the Czech Republic, knowledge of EUCPM
Proven experience on preparation of written reports and studies in an accurate and concise manner;

Language Requirements:

Fluency in both written and spoken English.

Other desirable skills:

Proficiency in computer applications such as MS Word, Excel etc., CAD, GIS.

EVALUATION

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

1. Lowest price and technically compliant offer

When using this method, the award of a contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as both:
a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
b) offering the lowest price/cost
“responsive/compliant/acceptable” can be defined as fully meeting the TOR provided.

Applicants are required to submit an application including:

Completed and signed UNDP Personal History Form (downloadable from http://www.ba.undp.org/content/bosnia_and_herzegovina/en/home/operations/jobs.html);
Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work;
Financial proposal which will separately specify professional fee, indicating number of anticipated working days, travel costs (air-ticket or use of private vehicle), living allowance, and all other applicable costs.

Please scan all above mentioned documents and upload as one attachment only online through this website.

Note:

For an assignment requiring travel, consultants of 62 years or more require full medical examination and statement of fitness to work to engage in the consultancy.
Due to large number of potential applicants, only competitively selected candidates will be contacted for remaining steps of the service procurement process.