Background

UNDP has supported the Albanian Government to improve the coverage and management effectiveness of Albania’s network of marine and coastal protected areas as an essential complement to its network of terrestrial protected areas, and, contributes to Albania’s obligations under different UN Conventions and the EU accession process. Significant achievements were made in the Vlora region by catalyzing the involvement of stakeholders, supporting the establishment of a clear institutional and legal framework for MCPA designation and management. The current project is focused on developing a scientifically designed, stakeholder supported network of MCPAs to effectively protect 30% of representative marine and coastal habitats of Albania. 

Among others, the project focus is given to intensifying and strengthening management activities for Karaburuni-Sazani MPA, strengthening institutional support and ensuring that relevant authorities, administrations and stakeholder groups have the necessary capacities and tools to sustain the management and monitoring of the MPCAs network. It goes without saying, that multiple stages of development are needed before an Albanian ecologically representative MCPA network is fully realized and can provide coastal communities with sustained benefits from the marine and coastal environment. 

One of the project outcomes is to support the functionality of the Visitor Centre of Karaburun-Sazan Marine Park to raise the awareness and educate local communities and MPA user groups on the values and benefits of MCPAs and increase their engagement in the MPA management. On June 2018 was developed the Strategic Plan for the Visitor Center (SPVC) of Karaburun-Sazan Marine Park in Radhima, Vlora (SPVC). This document has defined the mission and management structure of the Visitor Centre, its financial/ business plan and also includes an environmental education and awareness raising program, conceived to address the needs and expectations of local communities (Vlora, Orikumi) and other user groups (e.g. tourists, natures-based tourism service providers).

In this respect, the visitor centre is perceived as an important contribution to the economic, social and recreational well-being of communities by encouraging visitors to experience and support local activities, attractions and services. Therefore the project intends to enhance the quality of customer service, facilities and information provided, in order to affect not only what visitors are doing in the area but also the use of information much wide in the region. This is an effort to assist the professional growth of staff working at the Visitor Center, Radhima, facilitating dissemination of information, customer service, staff training, signalling & exposure.

Duties and Responsibilities

The junior expert will assist the project and Vlora Regional Administration of Protected Areas on running the Visitor Center of the National Marine Park Karaburun-Sazan in Radhima and the National Park of Llogara.

He will fulfil the following tasks:

-          Facilitate sustainable tourism in the MPA

a.       Welcome and inform tourists and groups visiting  the area;

b.       Promote the marine park attractions;

c.       Registering and collecting visitor data at the Visitor Center;

d.       Assist on distribution and compilation of questionnaires directed to tourists and focused on improving National MPA Karaburun-Sazani tourism facilities and services conditions.

-          Assist to information and relevant data management :

a.       Record keeping and filling of Visitor Center Register and other relevant documents in use.

b.       Monitoring, recording and updating data of tourism activities at Radhima Visitor Center and guided field visits in National Marine Park.

c.       Manage, update and upload data/information of Visitor Center email contact address, webpage and social media accounts (YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and others)

-       Support the project in organising events like field visits, meetings, trainings, awareness activities, etc.

-          Support  stakeholders participation and involvement, update the list of stakeholders in Vlora region (address and contact )

-          Gather and insert data/information regarding marine park activities to the Newsletter template, keeping it up to date and distribute it to all partners (emailing list);

-          Prepare meetings minutes 

-          Facilitate coordination with other projects and programmes working in the area;

-          Assist in reporting various sub-contracted activities and services as requested in accordance with the project needs.

Deliverables:

-          Provide database on tourism in protected areas and Visitor Center and comparable analyses

-          Writing of at least 2 articles for the MPA K-S Newsletter based on project activities in the marine park and others protected areas in Vlora region

-          Organize at least 3 events on education and awareness with the primary schools of the area

Timeline and schedule of payments

20% upon providing the tourism related data for the PA and Visitor centre – 2months after starting of the assignment

20% upon providing workplan and relevant photos of the activities with the school’s pupils- 4 months after starting of the assignment

30% upon submitting the 2 articles focused on project activities in the MNP- 6 months after starting of the assignment

30% upon providing the comparable analyses of tourism related data - 8months after starting of the assignment

Competencies

Corporate and core 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 favouritism
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
• Demonstrate and safeguard ethics and highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.
• Sensitivity to cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age differences. 
• Act as a team player while also taking individual initiative to complete outlined tasks;
• Sharing knowledge - across the programme in particular and the organization in general -through supporting the building of a culture of knowledge sharing and learning;

Functional Competencies

• Ability to use creative and effective communication tools that captures the attention of non-technical stakeholders;
• Computer literacy (MS Word, MS Excel, MS Power Point etc.);
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, strong cultural sensitivity and ability to work in multi-cultural environments
• Strong interest in working with projects in Environment and Tourism fields, particularly with marine and coastal protected areas projects;
• General competence and command of main office software programmes
• Internet communication and searching skills
• Social media skills (Youtube, Facebook, Instagram/ ect.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications

• University degree in natural sciences, environmental sciences, tourism and other related fields.

Work Experience:

• Work experience in communication, coordination, information or/and related fields at local level
• Previous work experience in projects related to protected areas in Vlora region is an advantage
• Previous experience with UNDP /other international donors in the region will be an asset

Languages required:

• Good working knowledge of English and Albanian. Other languages will be an asset.

Evaluation Procedure

UNDP applies a fair and transparent selection process that would consider both the technical qualification of Individual Consultants as well as their financial proposals. The contract will be awarded to the candidate whose offer:

·        Is deemed technically responsive / compliant / acceptable (only technically responsive applications / candidates will be considered for the financial evaluation)

·        And has obtained the highest combined technical and financial scores.

 Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max points: 70

 Combined weighted scoring: Technical (70%); Financial (30%).

o   Educational background                                                                        20 points

o   Professional experience and experience in similar assignments          30 points

o   Experience on Protected Areas and marine biodiversity                       20 points

 Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max points: 30. Candidate obtaining the highest combined scores in the combined score of Technical and Financial evaluation will be considered technically qualified and will be offered to enter into contract with UNDP.

Application procedures

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website. The application should contain:

• A brief presentation explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position, to be entered in the first part of "Resume and Motivation" (max 1000 characters)
• Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability-please fill in the attached form... www.un.org.al/sites/default/files/IC_Offerors%20Letter%20to%20UNDP%20Confirming%20Interest%20and%20Availability.docx
• Latest personal CV, including past experience from similar projects or completed and signed UN Personal History Form (P11) for Service Contracts (SC) and Individual Contracts (IC) – Blank form Download here.
• Financial Proposal in ALL* - The financial proposal shall specify an all-inclusive daily fee in Albanian Lek 
• Copy of Diplomas and copy of Passport.

Interested applicants are advised to carefully study all sections of this ToRs and ensure that they meet the general requirements as well as specific qualifications described. Incomplete applications will not be considered therefore please make sure you have provided all requested materials

PLEASE NOTE THAT INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR FURTHER EVALUATION 

How to Submit the Application:

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

• Merge your CV or P11, 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.

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.

Due to a large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process