Background

Albania is a disaster-prone country. The four main hazards affecting the country are earthquakes, floods, forest fires and landslides. The International Disaster Database (EM-DAT) shows that, during 1979-2019, floods accounted for the major share of disaster events (38%), followed by earthquakes (15%). According to the annual World Risk Report (BEH-IFHV, 2020), which calculates the Disaster Risk Index due to earthquakes, storms, floods, droughts and sea-level rise for 181 countries in the world based on exposure and vulnerability (susceptibility, and coping and adaptive capacities), Albania has a high-risk index and ranks first in Europe and 60st in the world.

Albania has a long history of flooding, especially in its western lowlands. Historical records show that flooding has occurred in all major catchment basins of the country. The projected increase of more intense precipitation and higher rainfall events is expected to increase the likelihood of floods.[1] According to the World Bank’s (2021) report on climate risk country profile, the total exposure from the private assets is greater than from public assets, although the exact ratio of private to public asset exposure is unknown. Climate change and climate variability have been increasing the frequency, intensity and impact of natural hazard events in Albania.

Albania’s coastal area is at high risk to sea level rise as well as flooding from rivers, storm surges and coastal inundation due to sea level rise. The likely increase in frequency and intensity of heavy rains could make the coastal region even more vulnerable.

RESEAL project, intends to support the efforts of the Government of Albania for improving the disaster risk management (DRM) system in the country. The overall objective of the project is to strengthen Albania’s DRM system and support country’s efforts in becoming a fully-fledged member of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The project is in line with promoting the implementation of Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) and is developed based on the Albania’s earthquake PDNA recommendations. Also, in light of the severe and acute public health emergency due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, measures related to risk preparedness and risk mitigation of biological hazards will be provided.  

The project is built upon the results of an ongoing two-tier UNDP pilots i) National DRR Capacity Assessment and ii) pilot intervention in Lezha Municipality.

At central level, the findings of the DRR Capacity Assessment would facilitate the process of strengthening DRM policy framework through drafting of the National DRR Platform for DRR and the National DRR Strategy and its Action Plan. During the capacity assessment a parallel process focused on preparedness and response capacities related to management of biological hazards as a national and community priority. It has been recognized as part of the Sendai Framework and is globally addressed under the International Health Regulations. Civil Emergency Plans will be developed based on disaster risk reduction strategies, disaster risk assessment documents, civil protection capacities, new expert findings, as well as experiences gained in disaster management.  At the institutional level, the project supports institutional strengthening of the National Civil Protection Agency (NCPA), whereas for creating an enabling framework for DRR, the project will further support membership to EUCPM.

Therefore, UNDP is seeking for qualified expertise to continue and expand its work in the area of DRR at national level and ensure the continuity and coherence through building upon the results and progress made in 2021. In this respect, the services of a Local Expert on Floods Risk Assessment are highly demanded for the continuation. 

[1] Republic of Albania (2016). Third National Communication of the Republic of Albania under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. URL: https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/Albania%20NC3_13%20October%202016.pdf

Duties and Responsibilities

The Local Expert on Floods Risk Assessment will work in close cooperation with the International Expert under the direct supervision of RESEAL Project Manager and in close coordination with UNDP Programme Officer for Environment and Climate Change to perform the following duties: 

General duties of the Consultant

• Carry out a comprehensive flood risk assessment for the national level;
• Build the capacities of the interinstitutional working subgroup to undertake similar assessments in the future;
• Provide specific recommendations on how to improve the flood resilience;

More specifically the Consultant will:

• Be working with the project team, international and other national experts on risk assessment processes;
• Make necessary arrangements regarding meeting and interviews with relevant actors involved in the flood risk assessment exercise;
• Provide necessary support in organization and management of overall assessment process;
• Organize introductory meetings with partners from the interinstitutional working subgroup on flood risk assessment, and other relevant stakeholders to create a common platform for dialogue on capacity development;
• Plan a schedule of work for the assessment process and propose a methodology for the flood risk assessment;
• Conduct a workshop with representatives of the working subgroup, as well as other relevant stakeholders within the subgroup, to present and get feedback on the evaluation methodology and schedule of work;
• Conduct desk analysis of the situation (secondary data), as well as field visits to collect other relevant data (if needed) to understand and provide comprehensive analysis of flood events in the country;
• Organize and facilitate workshops, meetings and training sessions to relevant stakeholders to develop their capacities on flood risk assessment;
• Explain the value and importance of flood hazard and risk assessments to relevant stakeholders, as well as the key steps and process, data requirements, challenges, implementation arrangements of the process, etc,;
• Provide technical guidance and support for supervision of the implementation of flood risk assessment;
• Review technical reports of the outcomes of flood hazard and risk assessment to verify if they are technically sound;
• Support the documentation of lessons learned and development of guideline on implementation of flood risk assessment process for future use.
• Provide administrative and technical support in preparing reports, presentations, brochures, guidance notes related to flood risk assessment for meeting, seminars, forums, trainings, etc.;
• Contribute to the preparation of the flood risk assessment report, endorse it with the working subgroup, and present it to the Government for endorsement;
• Other activities and functions in line with the main responsibilities and processes.

If unforeseen travel outside the Duty Station not required by the Terms of Reference is requested by UNDP, and upon prior written agreement, such travel shall be at UNDP’s expense and the Individual Contractor shall receive a per diem not to exceed United Nations daily subsistence allowance rate in such other location(s).

3 - Deliverables

Although almost all below listed deliverables are part of teamwork, the Consultant should directly contribute and be instrumental in ensuring the following deliverables are completed.

Deliverable 1 (D1)

1. Inception report outlining:
   1. information on past floods (including images, graphs and numbers) to understand the mechanisms and causes;
   2. current design parameters used for all types of city flood control/protection, probabilities of occurrence, and structural design levels;
   3. data availability and their assessment;
   4. data availability for flood risk mapping already conducted.
   5. proposed methodology for flood risk mapping based on existing studies and assessments;
   6. work plan, detailed timeline, milestones, site visits

Deliverable 2 (D2)

1. Determination of the Flood Risk Profile of the country
   1. Completion of data acquisition, quality checking and data storage for flood hazard mapping by collecting all relevant data, and existing assessments.
   2. Food vulnerability assessed (Physical and Nonphysical vulnerability)
   3. Data processing work for flood hazard mapping based on existing studies and information ;
   4. Completion of data acquisition, quality checking, data processing and data storage for flood risk mapping by analyzing functional damages, estimating vulnerability, etc.;
   5. Review of existing Flood risk analysis and maps.

Deliverable 3 (D3)

1. A well-structured documentation of the methodologies used throughout the flood risk assessment;
2. A training for DRR decision-makers in government to ensure knowledge and skills transfer about flood risk assessments
3. Guidelines and training manual developed for the whole risk assessment process approach in line with EU requirements
4. Completion and submission of the final report summarizing the result and giving relevant recommendations

Competencies

Core competencies and values:

• Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modelling UN values and ethical standards;
• Demonstrates professional competence and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
• Display cultural, gender, nationality, religion and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional competencies:

• Demonstrated analytical skills to identify obtain and synthesize information from various sources and formulate objectives and conclusions;
• Understanding of public information management and financial tools in disaster risk management;
• Demonstrated technical skills and work experience on Disaster Risk Management with a special focus on flood risk assessment;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to liaise effectively with government officials, community partners, as well as representatives of international organizations;
• Advanced computer skills (especially Microsoft office applications) and the ability to use information technologies as a tool and resource.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Advanced degree hydrology and hydraulic engineering, meteorology, or any other relevant field of study.

Professional Experience

• A minimum of 7 years in the area of Flood risk assessment and management;
• Demonstrated outstanding technical expertise as relevant for the respective assignments;
• Direct experiences working with flood disaster management activities would be preferred;
• Country specific knowledge is a must;
• Experience in working with academia, government agencies in Albania, development partners and or UN agencies would be an added value.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in Albanian and English, with excellent drafting, writing and presentation skills is required.

6 - Payment Schedule:

1. First payment – 20%

That is upon completion of deliverables D1

1. Second payment - 40%

Upon completion of deliverables D2

1. Third payment – 30%

Upon completion of deliverables D3

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

Criteria A: Education Background – max points: 20

Criteria B: Relevance of work experience – max points: 30

Criteria C: Expertise in conducting UNDAF evaluations/and or other programme reviews - max points 20

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max points: 30

Application Procedure 

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. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials. 

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 & Detailed Financial Proposal - please fill in the attached form. Download Here (kindly use Firefox browser)
• Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees, please upload the P11 instead of your CV. Download Here (kindly use Firefox browser)

• Financial Proposal in ALL*- Specify a Total Lump Sum in Albanian Lek for the tasks specified in this announcement. The attached template may be used - Download Here (kindly use Firefox browser) Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall consider 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. 
• Technical proposal – specifying the methodology which the consultant will employ to conduct this assignment.

*Kindly note that Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability and Financial Proposal are two separate documents and should be both part of your application. 

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); In the P11 Form make sure to include Email Addresses of the Persons who are willing to provide References on your past experience in working with them.
• 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. 

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.