Background

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to transfer technologies for climate resilient flood management in Vrbas River Basin, 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. 

Objective

The overall objective of this assignment is to assist project personnel in overall technical management of the project, as well as management of technical resources. Purpose of this assignment is also provide leadership, guidance and coordination for the scaling up of the project activities and formulation of scaling-up activities with other international and national consultants, BiH counterparts and relevant stakeholders. 

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

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:

• Coordination and sequencing of tasks from a technical perspective;
• Establishing technical standards, and ensuring that established technical standards are applied;
• Providing technical inputs to all aspects of projects as necessary;
• Providing necessary guidance/advice to project staff, experts and national partners, assist in resolution of technical issues/problems;
• Assisting the PM in the preparation of project reports, annual reviews etc.
• Preparation of Terms of Reference for consultants and sub-contractors, and assistance with the selection and recruitment process;
• Advising inter-agency working group on flood risk management;
• Reviewing existing spatial planning legislation and policies for zoning development and economic activities away from high risk areas and develop a flood zone designation policy;
• Input to the development of policies that will protect against the impacts of flood risk - this will include incorporating climate change flood resilience into construction and building codes for properties in the floodplain;
• Leading the development of the Flood Risk Management plan (FRMP) for Vrbas which will include the detailed design of structural and non-structural measures;
• A costed and prioritized list of options and activities;
• An activities programme based on packaging of the options;
• An Action Plan risk log;
• A detailed description of each management/intervention measure including the assumptions used in deriving costs;
• Reviewing detailed floodplain agro-forestry study for VRB which will include floodplain and hillslope agro-forestry approaches that will be appropriate.Review the designed agro-forestation scheme to be implemented on 840 hectares of floodplain and develop an implementation plan for the scheme;
• Assisting in the assessment of structural and non-structural options (options appraisal, feasibility, and detailed design studies);
• Defining the broad scope, data standards and data protocols of the project Spatial Data Initiative to be implemented by GIS/Data Management expert;
• Input to the identification of training needs for practitioners, and training approaches including identification, assessment and evaluation of training providers;
• Contribution to the provision of training during the project;
• Input to the development of the flood insurance scheme for Vrbas basin:Oversee feasibility studies into an index-based flood insurance scheme for VRB, and the design and implementation of pilot flood insurance scheme in 13 municipalities;
• Providing input to development of community intervention plans;
• Input to the implementation of the basin-level FFEWS for Vrbas basin.Overseeing the implementation of the already developed FFEWS system within the Water Agencies in BiH;
• Input to the design and implementation of the Community-based Early Warning schemes for selected communities in Vrbas basin;
• Input to the production of an article and footage to showcase what has been done and what has been learned;
• Overseeing the production of technical and non-technical guidance documents;
• Review and Analysis of Climate Change and Variability it’s related policies, strategies and practices in BiH;
• Consultation with relevant ministries, UNDP and other relevant stakeholders and other experts on scaling up and formulation of the project activities;
• Consideration Investment Criteria of potential donors in all aspects of proposal formulation;
• Guidance and Coordination with international and national consultant/s involved in the project formulation and prepare their work plans with clear outline of scope of their expected inputs and related timeline for Full Size Project Proposal Preparation;
• Reviewing and analyzing relevant technical reports, review reports/ monitoring evaluation reports, annual reports /outputs to prepare a scoping report for project idea note;
• Ensuring leadership in the Project Feasibility study and coordinate with other International and national consultants, Government of BiH counterparts and relevant stakeholders;
• Conducting feasibility appraisals of the proposed project in consultation with relevant BiH institutions, UNDP and other relevant stakeholders and other experts both national and international involved in the project formulation;
• Coordination with other team members working on Full Size Project Proposal Preparation;
• Archives and documents all activities;
• Ensure the timely and effective management of the activities as scheduled;.
• Provides progress reports to the PM.

Deliverables and timelines

The consultant is responsible for the following deliverables:

• Input to the development of the flood risk management plan for Vrbas basin – Input to development of terms of reference, methodology, technical studies needed (including optioneering and socio-economic appraisal and design studies for structural and non-structural measures) to support the FRMP; Input to the development of policies that will protect against the impacts of flood risk - this will include incorporating climate change flood resilience into construction and building codes for properties in the floodplain - 30/04/2018;
• Inception Report with detailed plan, identification of formulation team, assessment of required resources, ToRs for formulation team positions for scaling up of the project results  - 30/04/2018;
• Mission 1:  To consult on agro-forestry strategy, insurance and terms of reference and methodology for FRM plan, input to the selection of non-structural measures; First Formulation Mission with full formulation team, BTOR, Field notes, stakeholder consultations meeting notes - 15/05/2018;
• Input to the implementation of the basin-level FFEWS for Vrbas basin; Input to development of community intervention plans - 30/06/2018;
• Draft pre-feasibility report for project scaling-up - 30/06/2018;
• Draft Concept note for project scaling-up - 30/07/2018;
• Mission 2:  Meetings with WA's. Meeting with Community-based Early Warning system (CBEWS) pilot municipalities, meeting with Consultant designing technical tools for CBEWS schemes, meeting with consultants on development of the FRMP, follow up on implementation of non-structural measures; 1st validation workshop to consult and receive comments on draft Concept note and pre-feasibility report - 15/09/2018;
• Input to the design and implementation of the Community-based Early Warning schemes for selected communities in Vrbas basin - 31/10/2018;
• Draft feasibility report - 31/10/2018;
• Draft Full Proposal - 31/11/2018;
• Mission 3:  Consultations on final FRMP, consultations on Insurance, Meetings with technical experts; 2nd validation workshop to consult and receive comments on draft Full proposal and feasibility report - 20/12/2018;
• Final Technical Feasibility Study and Full Proposal with all annexes based on key inputs by national consultant/s and UNDP CO and IRH colleagues - 28/02/2019;
• Mission 4:  Meetings with technical experts and follow up on the activities of the Project “Technology Transfer for Climate Resilient Flood Risk Management in Vrbas River basin” - 30/04/2019;
• Final Technical Feasibility Study and full proposal with all required annexes that incorporates GCF Sec comments - 30/06/2019;

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;

Required Skills and Experience

Education: 

• Advanced degree in relevant field on Flood Risk Management, hydrology, forecasting and modeling, early warning systems;
• PhD should be considered as an asset.

Experience: 

• Minimum 10 (ten) years of professional experience in Flood Risk Management, hydrology, forecasting and modeling, early warning systems, project management, supervision, including work experience in BiH;
• Experience of the technical leadership of river basin flood risk management;
• Experience of the development of flood management and mitigations measures and strategies;
• In depth knowledge and experience of international best practice in all aspects of flood risk management;
• Charter ship/accreditation with relevant institution will be desirable;
• Knowledge of the environmental issues in BiH.
• Experience with GEF funded projects should be considered an asset;
• Experience in drafting GCF project proposals should be considered an asset;

Language Requirements: 

• Fluency in both written and spoken English is a must.

EVALUATION

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

Cumulative analysis

When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:
a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
b) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

• * Technical Criteria weight-70%
• * Financial Criteria weight- 30%

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points for technical criteria assessment would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

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);
• 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.
• 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.