Background

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Albania invites qualified experts (national ones) to express their interests in possible consultancies under the Expert Roaster who can deliver professional services within the Fourth National Communication of Albania to UNFCCC and its First Biennial Update Report in the following thematic expertise areas:

·         Climate Change Policy & Legislation; Gender mainstreaming and Communication;

·         Climate Change mitigation (energy, transport, forestry, agriculture, industrial processes, waste, uncertainty analysis, monitoring, reporting and verification);

·         Climate change adaptation (climate modelling, socio-economic, water resources, population, tourism, health, agriculture, forestry, disaster risk management, GIS).

Project background information

Albania ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1994, Kyoto Protocol in 2005 and signed the Paris Protocol in 2016. Ministry of Tourism and Environment (MoTE) of Albania has been allocation main responsibility on formulation and implementation of the environmental policies including policies on climate change in Albania. Nevertheless due a complex character of the policy on climate change all policies and measures are being formulated and implemented in close cooperation with several line ministries represented in the Inter-Ministerial working group on Climate Change. Against this background MoTE is also acting as the National Focal Point to UNFCCC for Albania. Under the Decision 17/CP.8 and the Decision 2/CP17 Albania as a non-Annex I party to the UNFCCC should prepare and submit its National Communications and Biennial update reports on climate change to the UNFCCC. In 2016 Albania already submitted the Third National communications on climate change. Currently the Ministry of Tourism and Environment is in the process of preparation of the Fourth National Communication (4NC) and First Biennial update report (1BUR) on Climate Change.

Preparation of the 4NC and 1BUR for the first time since Albania was declared as a middle income country tables new challenges to collect specific data and information in order to draft the specific chapters of the reports. Local experts already involved with preparation of the TNC will need to address several ambiguities and doubts, familiarize themselves with more international case studies, lessons, learnings and best practices. Amidst these concerns, it is appropriate to work towards country specific data and information in order to report on climate change to the UNFCCC. Ministry of Tourism and Environment as the implementing governmental agency of the 4NC and 1BUR intends to utilize this reporting mechanism as an opportunity to establish a solid mechanism to retrieve the relevant data not only to comply with its reporting commitments in the future, but also to benefit from such information in formulation of evidence based policies addressing the climate change.

Project objectives

The project for preparation of the 4NC and 1BUR on climate change is a logical continual step towards further implementation of the UNFCCC at national level. Its main objective is to support Albania to prepare the comprehensive report on the climate change related data and information. The country still reports to the UNFCCC as a Non-Annex I parties. A year 2010 was selected as a base year for reporting. Preparation of both 4NC and the 1BUR will built upon previous studies, self-assessment exercises and will closely follow the UNFCCC Guidelines. Both reports will enable Albania to present the updated information on the implementation of the Convention in a consistent, transparent and comparable manner.

Duties and Responsibilities

1)    Climate Change Policy and Legislation, Gender mainstreaming and Communication

• Conduct a comprehensive policy, legal and institutional assessment of the abilities and constraints Albania faces to implement the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and provide practical recommendations to overcome these constraints, including approaches to leverage existing abilities and new policies or laws.  Specific attention shall be paid towards constraints, needs and recommendations to deepening and broaden governmental ownership and substantive involvement in the National Communication process, and consider the existing and required human, financial, training and technology capacities required.
• Following the request of the relevant experts contribute to the GHG emission projections by sharing knowledge of drivers of the country economic growth, information on structure of the economy, etc.
• Using publically available data, provide a comprehensive update to the “National Circumstances” and “Others” chapters of the 4NC & 1BUR, including the (i) Integration of climate change in social, economic and envoronmental policicies, (ii) Technology Transfer; (iii) Climate Change Research and  Systematic Observation; (iv) Education, Training and Public Awareness; (v) Capacity building; and (vi) Co-operation with Annex II Parties and International Institutions.
• Review the current disaster risk management policies, programs, laws and regulations in all relevant sectors of economy and provide insights into how a more integrated approach to disaster risk management and climate change adaptation can be built.
• Conduct an impact assessment to identify different needs and challenges of man and woman with respect to adaptation to climate change.
• Based on the results of the gender analysis and review of the international best practices provide ideas and recommendations on how to incorporate the gender perspective into the Albania’s climate change policy framework.
• Design appropriate strategies for engagement with the public throughout the country to build the confidence in publications.
• Develop a comprehensive communications strategy based on the project needs, goals and objectives.

2)    Climate change mitigation (energy, transport, forestry, agriculture, industrial processes, waste, uncertainty analysis)

• Following the 2006 IPCC guidelines and the IPCC Good Practice Guidance update and enhance the existing Albanian National Greenhouse Gas Inventory for the economic sectors covering the period 2010 - 2016. Identify any existing gaps, and errors, including those related to data quality assurance and control in order to reduce uncertainty.
• Undertake the assessment of uncertainty for the GHG inventory using 2006 IPCC Guidelines.
• Develop/update plan for quality assurance and control (QA/QC). Prepare recommendations to ensure quality control and contribute to the establishment of the independent panel of experts to conduct the cross check.
• Submit the background training materials, presentations, exercises and case studies on GHG sectorial emissions to conduct a training workshop, with the purpose of enhancing the professional knowledge and skills of the staff of the national authorities and institutions participating in the development of GHG inventory.
• Deliver a training workshop/s on data related and methodological aspects of GHG emission inventory from economic sectors.
• Update the climate change mitigation scenarios for the period 2010 – 2030.
• Identify required policy instruments to achieve the required emission reductions.
• Review the mitigation options undertaken, assess the reduction potential and costs of mitigation in the main sectors of the economy as applicable (e.g. Energy, LUCF, Industry, Agriculture, Transportation, Waste).
• Identify costs and financing options and indicate possible sources of financing.
• Identify, describe any potential barriers for mitigation investments and characterize them as economic, financial, institutional, regulatory etc.).
• Conduct downscaling of the shared socio-economic pathways for Albania.
• Provide technical guidance on:

          1. the design of a national MRV System to support tracking of GHG emissions, the impact of mitigation and adaptation actions, and climate               finance flows,

          2. MRV plans for prioritized climate change actions,

• Provide recommendations on the policy, legal and institutional frameworks necessary for the development and implementation of the MRV system, as well as the supporting coordination mechanisms, based on international best practices.

3)    Climate change adaptation (climate modelling, climate scenario developing, socio-economic, water resources, population, tourism, health, agriculture, forestry, disaster risk management, coastal zone management, GIS)

• Update the existing climate change scenarios developed for Vjosa watershed in Albania using the new set of IPCC scenarios from AR5: “Representative Concentration Pathways” and pre-defined set of global circulation models.
• Organize data so that it will be most useful for sectoral experts (agriculture, health and sanitation, water, disaster management, biodiversity/forestry and population and tourism) in preparation of impacts assessments and to analyze alternative adaptation options.
• Identify and collect the relevant economic data (e.g., commodity prices, costs of sectorial infrastructure and practices) for climate impact and adaptation cost and benefit analysis.
• Identify the key vulnerabilities to climate change for the Vjosa river area, including water needs and impacts on gender.
• For priority vulnerabilities, quantitatively model the impacts of climate change on sectors productivity.
• Identify potential adaptation measures to be implemented to cope with climate change impacts.
• Assist the V&A team on prioritization of adaptation measures.
• Submit the background training materials, presentations, exercises and case studies on V&A to conduct a training workshop, with the purpose of enhancing the professional knowledge and skills of the staff of the national authorities and institutions participating in the development of climate change policies.
• Deliver a training workshop/s on data related and methodological aspects of V&A analysis.
• Source, prepare, and structure GIS model of the Vjosa watershed building on existing spatial data layers using ArcGis 9.3 and QGIS software.
• Design and develop a data management system by establishing clear protocols for collecting, recording and storing data, including archiving in electronic or hardcopy formats.
• In consultation with the project’s expert on biodiversity i) identify existing metadata sources relevant to habitat mapping or Corine Land Cover in Vjosa watershed, ii) produce maps for different time horizons up to 2100 of the expected ecosystem and/or biodiversity changes due to climate change impacts on protected areas.
• In consultation with the project’s expert on DRR produce flood risk maps, taking in consideration assessment of the climate change impacts in all systems/sectors within the   Vjosa area, especially in the downstream part.
• In consultation with the V&A team of experts produce the spatial maps of impacts in other sectors, such as agriculture, tourism, water resources and maps of priority adaptation measures related to ecosystem based or engineering interventions.
• Conduct a GIS training on geospatial analysis for producing the geographic statistics and thematic maps, using ArcGIS or QGIS.

Competencies

Core Values

• Demonstrating/safeguarding UN core values on accountability, integrity, transparency, mutual respect, professionalism, and results orientation
• Demonstrates professional competence and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results
• Displays cultural, gender, nationality, religion and age sensitivity and adaptability

 Core ompetencies

• Facilitates and encourages open communication in the team, communicating effectively
• Able to identify priorities and plan/organize efficiently in line with agreed approach/framework
• Demonstrates self-initiative and responsibility in carrying out tasks
• Demonstrates the ability to act as a team player and facilitate team work in a multicultural environment
• Shows readiness to self-development, sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others

Required Skills and Experience

The minimum required qualifications as well as the preferred professional and educational assets for the interested candidates are listed below.

The specific experience depends upon the scope of the specific assignments, details of which will be communicated through respective ToRs. The following requirements are indicative and additional requirements can be included at any time by UNDP.

1)      Climate Change Policy and Legislation, Gender mainstreaming and Communication

• Master’s degree, or higher, in public policy, law, environmental science or policy, economics, statistics, communication, or a related field.
• At least 8 years of policy, institutional, or legal work experience on climate change or environmental policies, including gender, in or related to Albanian national or local governments.
• Good knowledge of the current international agenda in climate policy, climate and environmental policy infrastructure, gender streaming, legal and regulatory framework in Albania and the process of Albania’s accession to the EU.
• Familiarity with the UNFCCC National Communication process is a strong asset.
• Excellent written and analytical skills.
• IT literacy.
• Fluency in English.

2)      Climate change mitigation experts (energy, transport, forestry, agriculture, industrial processes, waste, uncertainty analysis)

• Master's or higher degree in natural or environmental sciences, engineering, economics, agriculture, forestry, computer science or other related to the expertise areas.
• Minimum 10 years of practical working experiences with planning/modeling in the energy, transport, agriculture, forestry, industry, waste, programming, IT or related sectors.
• Familiary with national communication reports to the UNFCC and IPCC guideliens 
• Experience in preparation of the National Communication (GHG inventory and analysis of measures to mitigate the impact of greenhouse gases) is preferred.
• Experience managing and characterizing data, in performing QA/QC techniques for data intensive processes and uncertainty analysis is a strong asset.
• Proven analytical skills and experience in project drafting, implementation, monitoring, reporting and verification.
• Training experience is an asset
• Advanced IT literacy
• Fluency in English.

3)      Climate change adaptation (climate modelling, climate scenario developing, socio-economic, water resources, population, tourism, health, agriculture, forestry, disaster risk management, coastal zone management, GIS)

• Master’s degree or higher in natural and environmental science, climatology, meteorology, geography, computer science, engineering, agriculture, forestry, natural sciences, geography, medicine, economics, finance, or related field.
• Minimum 10 years of practical working experience with planning/modeling in climatology, meteorology, water resources, tourism, population, biodiversity, public health, disaster risk reduction, economic evaluation, GIS techniques, IT or related sectors;
• Familiarity with climate modeling and climate scenario management is a strong asset;
• Technical knowledge of the implications of climate change on development, finance, environment and other relevant fields is critical;
• Familiarity with the UNFCCC National Communication process is a strong asset;
• Experience in preparation of the National Communication (V&A) is preferred.
• Training experience is an asset;
• Excellent IT skills, especially with quantitative and data management software.
• Experience with GIS is an asset.
• Fluency in English.

Evaluation of applicants:

Applicants will be screened against qualifications and the competencies specified above for each thematic area. The inclusion into the Vetted Roster of Experts will be offered to those individuals who are socred higher in the procees of sreening and evaluation of the below important qualification requirements :

• Knowledge and analysis of the subject matter ( 25 %) 
• Relevance of previous experience and technical expertise (40%)
• Education background; (20 %)  
• Language skills (15%)

 Contracting Arrangements:

The successful candidates will be included in UNDP’s technical expert roster . Entry into the expert roster system does not necessarily mean that contract with UNDP is guaranteed. This will depend on forthcoming needs.

Where a request for services arises,  UNDP procurement unit will approach the identified consultants from the roster to seek their availibitly for the specific assignement . A specific Term of Reference (ToR) outlining the outputs for each assignment shall be provided .The individual selected for the deployment will be contracted as per the UNDP IC modality