Background

UNDP has supported the Albanian Government to improve the coverage and management effectiveness of Albania’s network of marine and coastal protected areas (MCPAs), as an essential complement to its network of terrestrial PA contributing 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 and by supporting the establishment of a clear institutional and legal framework for MCPA designation & management. The project focuses on developing a scientifically designed, stakeholder supported MCPAs to effectively protect 30% of representative marine and coastal habitats of Albania. Among others, the project tries to intensify and strengthen management activities for K--S MPA, strengthening institutional support to the MCPAs network 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.

The best conservation practices worldwide have already proved that sustainable tourism is an ideal vehicle for creating public-private partnerships coherent frameworks, whereby PA and MPAs, represent core attractions for sustainable tourism, while the abundant traditional, high quality natural product as part of such habitats, contemporary & traditional art, play an important role in the cultural attraction mix and offer temporally transcendent experience. These products can be central to the branding component of the destination development approach. Particularly, the richness of MPA S-K with its magnificent landscapes, high quality habitats and their abundant biodiversity, both on land and in the sea, its history and built heritage, exceptional agro-culinary, combined with centuries-old living arts, could obviously serve as a product ready to be communicated in international markets for high value added sustainable tourism, generating positive economic impacts and benefits to the local population, through green tourism, improvement of private sector initiatives; on the other side it provides a strong potential for various types of conservation activities integrating both tourism and education; Therefore, it is to highlight the risk linked to un-sustained tourism development, causing as a direct consequence a decline in environment quality, artificial modification of coastlines and threat to marine ecosystems; as such, in order to conserve biodiversity, while sustaining the tourism industry, new ecotourism approaches and certification frameworks & tools are developed, and need to be integrated into a wider strategy of environmental protection; the marine water being at the heart of this fragile balance, it is important to elaborate and introduce know-how & best management practices for on-the-water tourism, while promote and operate tour boats and sustainable ecotourism management and /or certification initiatives;

Considering said circumstances, this assignment will pay attention to the actual legal and institutional situation in the tourism sector, and on that bases, develop necessary adjustments and changes that encourage on-the-water tourism and eco-truism management schemas, with involvement of all concerned actors responsible for implementing, monitoring, developing the respective bylaws, planning, coordination with regional administrations and tourism organizations at the national, regional and local level. While there is still a limited number of boats (but steadily increasing) promoting BMPs , the project and RAPA envisage increase of this tools deployed for on-the-water tourism purposes in the near future; therefore the assignment will assist the sector to differentiate tourism businesses, based on a sustainable model of resource management and on the existing potential for introducing relevant financial instruments (ref. UNDP /MCPA phase I, K-S MPA business plan 2016).

Main legal reference for this assignment:

• DCM no 633, dated 15.7.2015 on approval of procedure and requests for ecomanagement and audits schemas (ref. to Law on Environment no.10431 (article 56), so called SEMA, as a management instrument for business organizations to assist them in the estimation, reporting and improving their environment compliant performance (ref to also the law of environment permits nr. 10448, dated 14.7.2011, and law on EIA nr. 10440, dated 7.7.2011 (approximating the EC reg. 1221/2009, dated 25.11.2009, “on voluntary participation of the organizations in community ecomanagement and auditing schema EMAS”.
• DCM no. 220, dated 11.3.2015 for the approval of the procedures and criteria for provision with EKOLABEL, its means of use, and validity, authority who issues such ecolabel etc (based on article 55 of Law on Environment nr. 10431, dated 9.6.2011, approximating EC reg. 66/2010 dated 25.11.2009 on ecolabelling on EU); this reg, intends to avail with ecolabels to different products with impacts into environment and promote those will less impact or reduced effect, encouraging this way efficacy of nature resources, higher standards of environment protection and as well as informing on consumers and wider public.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the project manager the consultant will develop know-how & best management practices (BMP) for on-the-water tourism, with emphases on promotion and operation of tour boats and sustainable ecotourism initiatives, enabling their implementation and ensuring sustainability over time; The rationale is to contribute on mainstreaming marine ecosystem protection & conservation into the tourism sector, to further improve management MCPA K-S and enable schemas that promote rational and eco-efficient use of resources, as steps towards an integrated environmental management system; As such the consultant will assist the project unit, local authorities and other stakeholders to enable engagement of tourism operators in Vlora into sustainable and feasible actions.

He/she will carry out the following tasks:

A. Conduct a research of eco-tourism development needs and opportunities in the area through desk research, interaction with project staff and key implementing partners, and field visits to tour operators. This will include (but not limited to):

• Identification of overall strengths and weaknesses of tour operators in terms of their internal operating capacities, as well as terms of respective business agreements;
• Identification and sharing of best practices themes in tour operators;
• Identification of key indicators used when applying best practices for on-the-water tourism operators

B. Prepare a Feasibility Concept for the Nature-based (on-the-water-) Ecotourism at MPA K-S:

• Spatial analysis and caring capacity assessment of ecosystem services and nature-based resources, with focus on ecotourism development at MPA;
• Assess potential impacts to the MPA ecosystem by eco-tourism development
• Assess community’s perception in developing a nature-based ecotourism at MPA – benefits vs impediments
• Assess the capacity and readiness of human resources and management system to be established;
• Conduct a general market analysis for nature-based ecotourism – tourists’ perspectives and segmentation. This to include market research exercises / examples among selected private sector operators, procurement of local products and services and options for PA concessions, licenses and access /usage fees etc.
• Conduct stakeholders’ consultation on the conceptual feasibility and adoption of MPA K-S Nature-based Ecotourism.

C.Scenario projection for MPA Nature-based Ecotourism

This scenario projection will be formulated and presented as decision-supported tools for the best option agreed among relevant institutions, central and local government, community(ies) and key stakeholders. The projected scenario will comprise:

• Assumptions that will determine the viability of the scenario;
• Synthesize value chains of ecosystem services generated by conservation-oriented activities compared to impacts from existing economic activities and livelihoods;
• Assessment of benefits and mitigation of impacts to wildlife and habitat protection;
• Capacity requirement of the services providers (e.g. outreach team on wildlife and habitat protection, nature guides, etc.)
• Potential sources of long-term funding to maintain the ecotourism project;
• Conceptual design on governance and benefit-sharing arrangements;
• Workshop on presentation of scenarios for the MPA K-S Nature-based Ecotourism.

D. Prepare a Manual on Ecotourism Best Practices and Code of Conduct for tour operators

The manual will have to be in line with the objectives and provisions stipulated in the National Strategy for Sustainable Tourism Development 2018-2022. The manual will include (but not limited to) the following sections:

• Status of ecotourism: local / regional / global perspective
• Ecotourism planning, design and development
• Sustainable practices
• Conservation and awareness
• Participation and partnership
• Monitoring and evaluation

The consultant will prepare a Code of Conduct for tour operators, which will be adopted by tour operators to guide their operations within the MPA boundaries. The code of conduct will constitute an integral part of the manual on eco-tourism and must inform on applicability of best available practice, sustainable tourism standards, accrediting, destination awards and incentives scheme.

The International Consultant will have to conduct in coordination with the project unit, and all concerned parties and local stakeholders, workshops to share main findings on best available practice elsewhere in similar sites, entailing a series of informal meetings with interested parties and namely structured workshops; as such he/she must advice a proper grant allocation structure to develop and implement visibility actions/tools for the promotion of nature-based tourism services within the MPA

Duration and deliverables:

Expected Outputs and Deliverables of the consultant include the followings:

1. Detailed Work Plan and Approach;
2. Report on the research of eco-tourism development needs and opportunities in the area
3. Feasibility Concept of the Nature-based Ecotourism at MPA K-S:
4. Projection of proposed scenario with enabling factors and assumptions (Report and workshop):
5. Manual on Ecotourism Best Practices and Code of Conduct for tour operators

The assignment is 40 days within 1 year.

• 20% - upon delivery of the report outline and a clear work plan
• 30% - upon submission of deliverable 2 and 3 and completion of the 1st mission
• 40% - upon submission of deliverable 4, completion of the 2nd mission and workshop
• 10% - upon submission of deliverable 5

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

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

• Excellent inter-personal and teamwork skills, networking attitude;
• Capacity to deliver as per deadlines;
• Strong expertise in communication issues.
• Familiarity with the International Conventions and EU Regulations
• Willing to work in a team with national and international expert.

Required Skills and Experience

Required Skills and Experience

• University degree in sustainable development/nature resource management tourism or related fields   
• At least 15 years of working experience in sustainable tourism and on-the-water tourism or relevant fields
• Proved experience, knowledge and experience on development of standards for on-the -water-tourism undertakings / business   
• Excellent English knowledge, including excellent report writing and presentation skills.

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.

Applicants obtaining 49 points or more of the total technical points will be considered for financial evaluation.

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

• Educational background                                                                                   10 points
• Professional experience and experience in similar assignments                            35 points
• Experience in the Mediterranean region                                                             25 points 

Application Procedure

The application should contain:

• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position. 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/doc/PSU_%20Individual%20Contract_Letter%20to%20UNDP.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 - specifying a total lump sum amount in USD for completion of the tasks specified in this announcement. The financial proposal should indicate an all-inclusive fixed total contract price and all other travel related costs (such as flight ticket, per diem, etc), supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template attached to the Letter of Confirmation of Interest template.  If an applicant is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the applicant must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP. 
• Copy of Diplomas and copy of Passport.

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.

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

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.