UNDP Jobs - 80098- Local Consultant - Junior Architect to assist the

Local Consultant - Junior Architect to assist the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage - Part time

Location :

Nicosia, CYPRUS

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

20-Sep-2018

Application Deadline :

29-Aug-18 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

6 months (with the possibility of extension)

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

UNDP in Cyprus works to support the ongoing peace and confidence building process by promoting initiatives that encourage dialogue and cooperation between the communities of Cyprus. In close partnership with the European Union, UNDP works in support of different bi-communal Technical Committees in the implementation of their confidence building measures. Our main partners are: The Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage (TCCH), the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus (CMP) and the Technical Committee on Crossings (TCC).

Through cultural heritage conservation projects, community engagement initiatives and large infrastructure and urban upgrading projects we aim to support both political peace-making and practical confidence building processes.

Since 2012 approximately €14.7 Million have been provided by the European Union through the Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community to implement the priorities of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage for the preservation of the island-wide cultural heritage in Cyprus. The European Union is the largest contributor to the work of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage in Cyprus. The European Union has been supporting cultural heritage projects in Cyprus since 2001.

Within this context, UNDP is seeking a junior architect to support the activities of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage and its Advisory Board.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Senior Programme Manager/ Head of Office, the junior consultant will act as liaison between the Advisory Board of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage and UNDP as well as between the TCCH and the Senior Programme Manager/Head of Office when/if requested.

In particular, the consultant will:

Technical Assistance to the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage and UNDP (time allocated for this estimated 20% of the consultancy time)

Conducts projects site visits and prepare photographic documentation, sketches, preliminary assessments as requested;
Review the maintenance checklist for each site and suggests improvements and rationalization;
Prepares monitoring checklists for each ongoing project and site visits;
Interact with assigned counterparts/technical departments for the monitoring and administration of conservation projects carried out by external entities;
Work with projects’ designers and UNDP staff to prepare texts & contents for projects informative panels and/or other communications materials.
Prepare technical annexes for donor reports.
Assist in the preparation of TCCH events if necessary

Support to the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage (TCCH) in EU funded projects monitoring & TCCH/UNDP coordination (time allocated for this estimated 40% of the consultancy time)

Acts as focal point to arrange appointments and meetings between TCCH and UNDP;
Provides support in the preparation of Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage & UNDP meetings agendas;
Weekly updates of TCCH calendar of activities and internal circulation for information/action;
Attends weekly UNDP programme meetings and prepare and disseminate minutes within the same day;
Attends weekly UNDP/TCCH meetings and prepare and disseminate minutes within the same day;
Supports all logistic arrangements for TCCH project monitoring visits;
Provides the TCCH and UNDP with an up-to-date detailed timeline and work plan of activities;
Prepares, disseminates and maintains up-to-date records, files, documents and work plans for the monitoring of project implementation.

Support to the Advisory Board of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage (AB) in AB/UNDP coordination and monitoring of EU funded and UNDP implemented projects (time allocated for this estimated 20% of the consultancy time)

Acts as focal point to arrange appointments and meetings between AB and UNDP;
Attends weekly Advisory Board/UNDP meetings and prepare and disseminate minutes within the same day;
Supports all logistic arrangements for AB project monitoring visits;
Liaises between UNDP and the Advisory Board for the timely collection of feedback/comments on designers’ presentations;
Liaises between UNDP and the Advisory Board for the timely collection of feedback/comments in preparation of, and following joint project monitoring visits;

Strategic Partnerships Supports (time allocated for this estimated 20% of the consultancy time)

Supports the development of new partnerships in support of the work of the TCCH and its initiatives, including researching potential partners, coordination and participating in meetings, writing proposals and developing necessary materials for partner engagement;
Participates in meetings with new and existing partners as requested;
Prepares and disseminates meetings minutes and follow up;
Ensures all reports, cost plans and requisite paperwork is completed fulfilling donor requirements.
Prepares proposals and concept notes for future funding of activities;

Deliverables

The following deliverables are expected from the consultancy:

Attends weekly UNDP, TCCH and AB meetings (minimum 3 meetings per week /approx. 2 hours each)
Weekly technical minutes of TCCH/UNDP meetings (4 meetings per month)
Weekly technical minutes of AB/UNDP meetings (4 minutes per month)
Weekly technical minutes of UNDP’s programme unit (4 minutes per month)
Supports the preparation of minimum 8 technical meetings per month;
Supports the preparation and follow-up of maximum 2 project monitoring visits of the AB/TCCH per month;
Supports the preparation and follow-up of maximum 2 project designs presentation per month;
Weekly update of TCCH/AB activities’ calendar;
Weekly update of projects logs.
One monitoring checklist for each ongoing project.
Assist in the preparation of TCCH events if necessary

Payments will be released in monthly installments, upon submission of a time sheet and monthly progress report on completed tasks certified by the reporting officer. Summary of specific tasks will be agreed with the Supervisor at the beginning of each month.

Competencies

Professionalism

Knowledge of the full range of communications approaches, tools, and methodologies essential to planning and executing effective campaign strategies and programmes.
Shows pride in work and in achievements.
Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter.
Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.
Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns.
Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.

Communication

Speaks and writes clearly and effectively.
Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately.
Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication.
Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience.
Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Planning & Organizing

Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies.
Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required.
Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work.
Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning.
Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary.
Uses time efficiently.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master Degree in architecture, engineering, heritage conservation, cultural heritage management, art history and/or related fields.

Experience:

At least 2 years of relevant professional experience in architecture or engineering or heritage conservation or in cultural heritage management (experience working on heritage conservation projects is an asset).
Proven communications, coordination and documentation skills in English.
Knowledge of the Cypriot cultural heritage context.
Previous experience working for international or public organizations is an asset.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in written and spoken English and Greek.
Knowledge of Turkish is an asset.

Other requirements:

Nationals or others legally authorized to work in Cyprus.
Valid driving license.

Application:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

CV: Submission of CV

References: Contact details of 3 references.

Financial Proposal: Applicants requested to submit financial proposal for up to 72 working days (a working day will be calculated as 8 hours in total (half an hour break and 7.5 hours of work) could be pro-rated to the actual hours works, and shall cover all expenditures including fees, health insurance, vaccination, international (all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel) or local travel (place of residence to office and office to place of residence), cost of living 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.

Authorized travel to and from the project sites will be reimbursed according to the UN rate of reimbursement of fuel consumption.

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 interviews) – 70% of total evaluation– max. 70 points

CV review: 30 points:

Educational qualification as defined in the ToR (10 points)
Experience as defined in the ToR (20 points)

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

Written test: 10 points

English writing and editing skills (10 points)

Interview: 30 points

Prior work experience at junior level in architectural and/or cultural heritage project planning and monitoring – 10
Knowledge of the Cypriot cultural heritage context - 10
Communications and interpersonal skills - 10

Only those individual consultants who obtained at least 70% of points from the interview and written test (28 out of 40) will be considered for 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 payable upon submission of the monthly, certification of payment form, time-sheet and the monthly report upon approval of UNDP.