UNDP Jobs - 79426- International consultant for development of Nation

International consultant for development of National Planning Framework for PAs system in Albania

Location :

Home based with two missions of three days to Tirana, Albania, ALBANIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

25 days for a duration of 6 months

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 Goverment of Albania (GoA) has recently approved a new Law on Protected Areas, which over the long-term should result in a significant improvement in the overall management effectiveness of the country’s system of protected areas, covering 460,060 ha of marine and terrestrial habitats.

The current funding baselines for the PA system, and the capacities to administer and improve PA revenue streams, are still well below the levels required to ensure that the protected area system can properly serve its function as an important tool to protect biodiversity. If the Ministry of Tourism and Environment (MoTE) and its sub-agencies are to fulfil their mandate for the management of the protected areas system, it will need the capacity to: (i) secure sufficient, stable and long-term financial resources for protected areas; (ii) allocate these resources in a timely manner and appropriate form to cover the full costs of protected areas; and (iii) ensure that the protected areas are managed effectively and efficiently with respect to conservation and other complementary objectives.

This project seeks to assist the GoA in reducing existing funding gaps for the system of protected areas, improving the management of individual protected areas, improving cost-efficiencies in individual protected areas and building the financial management capacities of protected area staff in the National Agency of Protected Areas (NAPA).

This project addresses two levels of support: (i) building the financial management capacities of the agency responsible for administering the system of protected areas; and (ii) demonstrating the efficacy of different financing strategies in a sub-set of individual protected areas.

The project will seek to strengthen the capacity of MoTE and NAPA to effectively plan, administer and manage the financial resources for the protected area system.

Duties and Responsibilities

Work under this assignment will seek to establish a “national planning framework” for the protected area system which will then serve as an enabling context for the functioning of the NAPA to effectively plan for long-term financial sustainability. The National Planning Framework will comprise:

An overarching medium-term Strategic Plan for the institutional development of the NAPA;

A medium-term Financial Plan for the protected area system;

This planning framework will provide the strategic direction and guidance for the future funding, management and development of the protected area system. It will also act as a mechanism for standardizing and coordinating the efforts of MoTE in aligning the performance accountability of the Protected Area Administrations.

The main duty of the international consultant are as follows:

(i) An overarching medium-term Strategic Plan for the NAPA;

Develop a document describing the following:

SWOT ANALYSIS
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK

Vision Mission and Core Values

Stakeholders

NAPA 2028 Focus Areas

Strategic Objectives

IMPLEMENTING THE STRATEGY

Strategic Performance - Vision, Mission and Core Values, Governance, Strategic Stakeholder Relations, M&E

Program Performance- Strategy Planning for National Protected Areas System (NPAS), development of Management Plans for PAs, M&E of NPAS, Investments in NPAS, Marketing, Co-Manager Capacity Development, Investment cycle management, Financial Performance, Funding of NPAS, Funds for Capital Investments

Operational Performance - Administrative Costs, Human Resources

IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

(ii) A medium-term Financial Plan for the protected area system

A document describing the methodology, scope of work, limitations, and information sources used to calculate the baseline.
Matrices with information on actual 2015-2017 expenditures and self-generated revenues.
Analysis of the financial gap between 2015 baseline expenditures and the financial needs to cover basic and integral management costs, including financial indicators.
Financial projection for the next 5 years based on the results of the study and income assumptions.
A final study document integrating the results produced by the Protected Areas experts and the Financial experts, based on the objectives of the study, including conclusions and recommendations, methodology, and process.

(iii) Communication

PowerPoint presentations on the results of the study to be used in presentations to different stakeholders and donors.

Communications material on the results of the study to be used by protected area managers.

Note: The international consultant will work closely with two national experts for this consultancy. The international consultant will have one mission to Tirana, Albania in the beginning of the assignment and one at the end of the assignment.

DELIVERABLES:

25%- Upon submission of a detailed methodology, initial outline and draft TORs for the supporting national consultants.

25 %- Upon submission of an overarching medium-term Strategic Plan for the NAPA;

25 %- Upon submission of a medium-term Financial Plan for the protected area system;

25 %- Upon finalization of the assignment with a presentation in a national workshop;

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.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

Communication - Facilitate and encourage open communication and strive for effective communication.
Planning & Organizing – Develops clear goals in line with agreed strategies, identifies priorities, foresees risks and makes allowances accordingly.
Organizational Awareness - Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment.
Teamwork - Demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
Accountability – Takes ownership of all responsibilities and delivers outputs in accordance with agreed time, cost and quality standards

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES

Thorough understanding of disability issues, human rights, social inclusion and social services
Excellent inter-personal and teamwork skills, networking attitude;
Capacity to deliver as per deadlines;
Ability to pick up new terminology and concepts easily.
Excellent understanding of Eco regional conservation, and the principles of PA management;
Good understanding of IUCN standards for protected areas, CBD process, etc.;
Good understanding of the establishment of an effective, representative protected areas network;
Good technical, organizational, interpersonal and teambuilding skills essential;

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Advanced university degree in natural resources management, business and finance, biological sciences, biodiversity financing or related field.

Work Experience

10 years of experience in protected areas management or related field, or financial flow management, with special attention to strategic planning and operational planning.
Demonstrable experience in training and capacity building of national stakeholders and institutions related to the above.
Practical experience in similar projects in the region is preferred.
Demonstrated leadership ability and technical ability to communicate complex ideas verbally and in writing.
Prior UNDP/GEF project experience and knowledge of UNDP and GEF procedures and guidelines is an advantage.

Language

Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

Evaluation of Applicants

Only those applications which are responsive and compliant will be evaluated;
Individual consultants will be evaluated based on Combined Scoring method taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal;
Combined weighted scoring: Technical (70%); Financial (30%).

30 % or 30 points: - 10 years of experience in protected areas management or related field, or financial flow management, with special attention to strategic planning and operational planning.

20% or 20 points: - Advanced university degree in natural resources management, business and finance, biological sciences, biodiversity financing or related field.

20% or 20 points: - Demonstrable experience in training and capacity building of national stakeholders and institutions related to the above.

General Conditions of Contract for the IC

http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/documents/procurement/documents/IC%20-%20General%20Conditions.pdf

The application should contain:

A Brief Methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application
Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability-please fill in the attached form...http://www.un.org.al/editor-files/file/PSU_%20ICLA.doc.
Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees, please upload the P11 instead of your CV. Download here.
Financial Proposal in ALL* - specifying a total lump sum in Albanian Lek for the tasks specified in this announcement. The attached template may be used - http://www.un.org.al/editor-files/file/Financial%20Offer%20template.doc. Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant during the contract period (e.g. fee and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services).
Copy of Diplomas and copy of Passport

How to Submit the Application:

To submit your application online, please follow the steps below:

Download and complete the UN Personal History Form (P11) for Service Contracts (SCs) and Individual Contracts (ICs);
Merge your UN Personal History Form (P11) for Service Contracts (SCs) and Individual Contracts (ICs), Financial Proposal. Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability and cover letter into a single file. The system does not allow for more than one attachment to be uploaded;
Click on the Job Title (job vacancy announcement);
Click “Apply Now” button, fill in necessary information on the first page, and then click “Submit Application;”
Upload your application/single file as indicated above with the merged documents (underlined above);
You will receive an automatic response to your email confirming receipt of your application by the system.

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