UNDP Jobs - 77601- Conservation Adviser

Conservation Adviser

Location :

CYPRUS

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

16-Apr-2018

Application Deadline :

25-Mar-18 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

6 Months

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

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 identification, promotion and protection of the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Cyprus. The TCCH is composed of an equal number 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), which was established in 2009 and is 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) and since then it has continued with the successful implementation of the EU funded Programme Support to Cultural Heritage Monuments of Great Importance in Cyprus.

CONSERVATION PHILOSOPHY OF THE PROJECTS

All conservation projects should aim to the conservation of the cultural heritage sites. Namely, conservation actions/works on each cultural heritage site will include the examination, treatment and preventive care of the building elements, with the least possible (minimum) intervention, aiming to safeguard its fabric in the long-term, protecting its special characteristics and elements (and especially of those most at risk), creating safety and safeguarding its heritage values. Interventions should ensure maximum stabilization, consolidation and/or reinforcement actions, if these are considered necessary, in order to achieve structural stability and durability.

The methodology of interventions might be modified if findings during the construction works alter the original hypotheses. All conservation studies and works are in compliance with the international standards of conservation.

Duties and Responsibilities

There will be four distinct assignments of the Conservation Adviser:

1. Preliminary Assessments:

Conduct preliminary assessments for the cultural heritage sites under “Support to cultural heritage monuments of great importance for Cyprus ” as requested by the Senior Programme Manager
Carry out site visits to the identified sites
Undertake desk review of the brief history of the sites and historical photos whenever possible
Visually inspect and photograph the sites
Collate into a report format to be submitted to UNDP and the TCCH
Make presentations to the TCCH and UNDP
Obtain feedbacks from the presentations and update the preliminary assessments
Finalise each Preliminary Assessment report and submit for approval

2. Designs Review:

Monitor the designs that are undertaken by contracted designers for the selected sites
Review each output and make recommendations to UNDP
Organise presentations in consultation with the Advisory Board of the TCCH
Obtain collated inputs of the AB for each output of the designers for selected sited
Arrange timelines of the submissions of the outputs of each design of selected sites
Certify that outputs of designers have met the requirements
At the end of each design of a site collate a brief report to UNDP

3. TCCH Conference/Seminar Focal Person:

Carry out search for related and relevant (cultural heritage) international and national conferences, seminars, workshops, panels
Advice in writing to UNDP
Draft presentation narratives to which the TCCH/UNDP will be attending
Collate presentations in consultation with UNDP

4. Site supervising functions:

Carry out the function of supervising the conservations works contracts to which UNDP will assign
Undertake duties and responsibilities of the Engineer and or Engineer Representative in line with the UNDP General Conditions of Contract for Civil Works (http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=129629)
Weekly reports according to the UNDP requirements

5. Other tasks:

UNDP may assign other ad-hoc tasks relevant to the expertise and experience of the Conservation Adviser
Responsible for the monitoring of ad hoc projects implemented with relevant department, according to UNDP requirements
Act as focal person with the Advisory Board of the TCCH

The Conservation Adviser will be working at the UNDP Office most of the time and follows the core hours of the Office. Use of the office technical equipment will be possible, however, the consultant shall ensure her/his own technical equipment in any case.

Deliverables

Outputs pertaining to the tasks under each assignment are defined and will be submitted at the times of completion to UNDP for records. Deliverables can be listed as follows:

Preliminary Assessments:

Collate into a report format to be submitted to UNDP and the TCCH
Make presentations to the TCCH and UNDP
Finalise each Preliminary Assessment and submit for approval

Designs Review:

Review each output and make recommendations to UNDP
Certify that outputs of designers have met the requirements
At the end of each design of a site collate a brief report to UNDP

TCCH Conference/Seminar Focal Person:

Drafting presentation narratives to which the TCCH/UNDP will be attending
Collate presentations in consultation with UNDP

Engineer and or Engineer Representative:

Weekly report according to the UNDP requirements

Other tasks:

Monitoring notes of site visits

Competencies

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.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

- Master Degree in Architecture or any other relevant discipline from an accredited University

Experience:

- 12 years of professional experience

- Proven relevant experience of 7 years in the designs of conservation projects

- 2 designs of monuments and/or listed buildings

- 2 projects in supervisory role

- Previous experience with UN or any other International Organisation is an asset

Language Requirements:

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

Others:

- Valid registration with the relevant professional association/chamber

- Valid driving license

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

CV
References: Contact details of 3 references.
Financial Proposal: Applicants requested to submit financial proposal for daily fee up to 110 working days. A working day will be calculated as 8 hours with half an hour break and could be pro-rated to the hours worked.
The daily fee shall be an all-inclusive fee containing health insurance, vaccination, local travel (place of residence to office and office to place of residence and to the relevant sites) 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.
Authorised travel to and from the project sites will be reimbursed according to the UN rate of reimbursement of fuel consumption in case the consultant uses her/his own vehicle to carry out the assignments given.

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.

Technical Criteria (CV review and interview/written test) – 70 % of total evaluation– max. 70 points:

CV review: 40 points

- Educational qualifications and certifications as defined in the ToR (15 points)

- Experience as defined in the ToR (25 points):

Experience in supervision of restoration and/or conservation of stone buildings and architectural heritage buildings/structures

Experience in designs for restoration and/or conservation of stone buildings and architectural heritage buildings/structures

- Experience in international organizations (e.g. UN, UNDP, EC) will be considered as an asset.

Only candidates who obtained at least 28 points from the CV desk review will be eligible and invited for a written test and if necessary an interview.

Interview and/or written test (30 points)

Written test duration will be maximum one and half hour. Test will focus on a subject related to the vacancy.

Only those individual consultants who obtained at least 70% of points from the interview/written (21 out of 30) will be considered for the financial proposal evaluation.

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 payment is based on number of days worked, upon submission of the monthly time-sheet and certification by 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