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 contribute 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 and management. However, 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.

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 the governance-based 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 Karaburuni Peninsula-Sazani Island littorals (total surface of 12.570 ha), is the first MPA in Albania proclaimed through a decision of council of ministers on 28 April 2010 as the National Marine Park (IUCN category II). It is located if the south-eastern coast line of Albania. This area hosts more than 150 mollusk species and about 50 species of decapod crustaceans, of which many species belong to the national red list. This Marine Park represents a very rich and attractive site in terms of natural and cultural heritage attractions, both in the coastal and hinterland. The most important and sensitive species short-beaked common dolphin, Loggerhead turtle, Red coral, Date mussel, Dusky grouper, Starfish, Posidonia meadows, etc. It reveals a rich traditional living culture, folklore, music, handicrafts, gastronomy, etc. Meanwhile, the main economic sectors relying on this ecosystem are traditional agriculture, livestock and fishery, tourism remains one of the most important uses of the Park creating economic opportunities and enabling a range of nature based tourism activities such as wildlife watching. While the coast is the main natural attraction for sun and sea tourism, special interest tourism represents marine activities, spear gun fishing, day tours, designed trails, hiking and walking around to coastal destinations linking coastal and hinterland. Lately a management plan is developed and approved for this MPA, whereas respective authorities are committed to progress with its implementation.

One of the project objectives is to support the functionality of the Visitor Centre of Karaburuni-Sazani MPA 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.

The Strategic Plan will define the mission and management structure of the Centre, its financial/ business plan and will include an environmental education and awareness raising plan. The Strategic Plan will be conceived to address the needs and expectations of local communities (Vlora, Orikumi) and other user groups (e.g. tourists, natures-based tourism service providers).

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant will produce a comprehensive Strategic Plan with the main goal its operation and functionality.

Detailed tasks are:

1. Assisted by the local expert, he /she will review the stakeholder profiles and validate/adjust info on the various grassroots groups who either influence or are affected by the ecosystem health.

2. Propose ways to develop and strengthen mechanisms for effective interaction among the project, the MPA management authorities and stakeholders at regional and national level. This will include the role of partners within environmental information processes and propose ways for building and forming partnerships.

3. Devote attention to schools and public education institutions and prescribe educational approaches to increase public awareness amongst the school children and youth in the Vlora and Orikumi area through various activities. This will have to capture also general and institutional audiences and specifically propose creative and innovative approaches to highlight and emphasize issues of concern to the project and the marine ecosystem such as:

• Marine habitats conservation approaches and efforts[1]
• Pollution and marine debris - either coming from the coastline in a form of waste and wastewater and or from the sea in a form of discharges and accidental oil spill[2]
• Site recreation potential, facilitation and management of tourism and promotion of ecotourism in the area including improvement in the state of archaeological and historical sites.
• Sustainable fishing and fisheries management as well as sustainable use and manage of the buffer zone
• Planning and management arrangements  

4. Present and discuss the Strategic Plan in a workshop with the stakeholders attendance

Methodology

The Strategic Plan should be developed in participatory and consultative process; stakeholders and target groups at all levels should be engaged in the development process through various approaches such as meetings, round tables, questionnaires, etc.

In the course of development of the plan, the process must:

• Ensure that stakeholders and target groups are provided with adequate opportunities to communicate feedback and voice concerns.
• Define the most appropriate tools for approaching and engaging ideas with each key target group, stakeholders and the most relevant impacting information products/channels
• Identify the main potential issues for each stakeholders groups and determine the respective level of interest
• Clearly identify and propose appropriate approaches on raising the awareness and the level of understanding for main target groups.

In the preparation of this plan, the consultant should take into consideration project coordination mechanisms, existing stakeholder’s analysis, engagement plans and capacity building and awareness raising activities – under the project document.

The consultancy is expected to utilize resources and faculties provided through the project Visitors’ Center in Rradhima.

The consultant will draw up a plan outline that will include 4 main components:

• Education which targets specifically children in the Vlora region of school age but also propose approaches to synergize the educational activities with universities and other prominent bodies that offer practical work to the students (environment and natural studies universities).
• Public awareness raising that will, on one hand educate wider general audience on the value of the marine ecosystem and MPA management, and, on the other hand proposes measures to raise issue based awareness on issues such as degradation of Posidonia meadows, coralligenous communities, enforcement measures again illegal actions, ecotourism in the area including, sustainable fishing and fisheries management
• Participation - that will identify the skills and conditions needed to allow community participation in conservation and marine ecosystem management and offer ideas for delivering skills development, especially in those communities whose livelihood is closely linked with and relies on marine resources, should also be part of the strategy.
• Financial plan/ budget breakdown – that will enable a step wise implementation of the Strategic Plan.

When considering the capacities to implement this strategic plan, it should propose ways to strengthen the team or propose more efficient ways for implementing the plan, with due consideration on the management plan. Therefore it will draw on existing or planned resources of the Visitor Center in Rradhima and will validate possible roles in the implementation of the strategy.

Duration and deliverables:

The assignment is 20 days within 4 months period, February to May 2018.

20%  Upon delivery of the outline of the Strategic Plan(beggining of March)

60%  Upon preparation of the first draft of the Strategic Plan for of Visitor Center in Radhima, mission in the site and workshop included (mid-April 2018)

20%  Upon delivery of the Strategic Plan  of  the Visitor Center in Radhima, financial plan included (31 May 2018)

[1] Degradation of Posidonia meadows, coralligenous communities, degradation of geological formations, decreased fish stocks and harvesting of marine invertebrates); such habitats are impacted by anchoring, invasive species, pollution, fishing above meadows, mechanical damage from trawling and boats, changes in the structure of the fishing fleet and illegal fishing and sometimes harvesting by divers,

[2] Including also benthic enrichment i.e. increased organic content of the sediment beneath the fish cages (alerting intensive aquaculture)

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;
• Ability to pick up new terminology and concepts easily;
• Ability and willingness to travel to the coastal and marine areas;
• Willing to work in a team with national and international expert.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• University Degree in in marine biology, environmental management, public relations or related fields

Experience

• At least 7 years of experience working experience in the environment education, Environmental Information Centre management, community participation approach in Protected Areas, etc.
• Excellent knowledge with zoning (and habitat when available) of Marine and Coastal Protected Areas.

Languages

• Excellent English knowledge, including excellent report writing and presentation skills.

Evaluation Procedure

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% 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 on Protected Areas and marine biodiversity. (25 points)

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

Application Procedure

The application should contain:

• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position and a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work (if applicable). Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application.
• Completed and signed UN Personal History Form (P11) for Individual Contracts (IC) – Blank form Download here.
• Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability - please complete the attached form...
• Financial Proposal - specifying a total lump sum amount (working days, travel, per diems, and any other possible costs) for the tasks specified in this announcement. Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, vaccination and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of service, etc.). All envisaged international travel costs should be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel .http://www.un.org.al/editor-files/file/Financial%20Offer%20template.doc.
• Copy of Diplomas and copy of Passport

* Kindly note that Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability and Financial Proposal are two separate documents and should both be part of your application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

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);
• 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 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.