UNDP Jobs - 84749- Expert for Administrative & Financial Sustainabili

Expert for Administrative & Financial Sustainability of Two Wastewater Systems

Location :

Nicosia, CYPRUS

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

03-Jun-2019

Application Deadline :

05-May-19 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

2 months, up to 20 working days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Cyprus joined the EU in 2004 as a de-facto divided island. On 26 April 2004 the Council of the European Union stated its determination to "put an end to the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community and to facilitate the reunification of Cyprus by encouraging the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community". Against this background, the Commission implements an aid programme for the Turkish Cypriot community based on the Aid Regulation (EC No. 389/2006). The programme is managed by the Commission's Structural Reform Support Service. The programme aims to facilitate the reunification of Cyprus by encouraging the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community.

Based on a long-standing partnership and UNDP previous experience in implementing large and medium-size EU funded urban upgrading and infrastructure projects in the northern part of Cyprus, the European Commission requested UNDP to continue supporting this type of infrastructure projects through the establishment of a new instrument called “Local Infrastructure Facility”.

The Facility will help identify, screen, mature, prepare for tender, and implement local infrastructure investments, targeting the funding on competitive basis to ensure best value for money and providing support also to those communities with a lower technical and administrative capacity. This will in turn result in a greater positive impact on the standard of living of local populations and increase the visibility of EU interventions in the priority areas.

Duties and Responsibilities

Famagusta Waste Water System:

One of the prioritized projects is the extension of the Famagusta Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) which was constructed with EU funding in 2013. The overall objective of this project is to double the capacity of the existing wastewater treatment plant. The first phase of the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) was constructed and handed over to the local community in Famagusta in 2013. The capacity of the first phase is 4,100 m3 /day. The current load of 5,500 m3 /day is already exceeding the design capacity. By constructing the second phase, the plant's capacity will reach 8,200 m3 /day, in line with the 2006 Master Plan. The extension of the wastewater treatment plant will also have a positive impact on the surrounding environment. At the moment, the treated effluent is discharged into the Famagusta freshwater lake (wetland). The main beneficiaries of this project will be the urban inhabitants of Famagusta (population of around 50,000).As part of the requirement, a financial sustainability assessment will be carried out to establish the financial viability of the existing WWTP and the extended WWTP.The existing WWTP is managed by the local authority/community and is operated by a private company.

Morphou/Guzelyurt Waste Water System:

The daily maximum capacity of the existing plant was designed as 1347 m3/ day. However, capacity increase was projected and in line with this necessary land was reserved and concept projects were also prepared.The daily average inflow of the plant has reached approx. 950 m3/day. Given the increased students population in the area and subsequent increased need for accommodations, the municipality predicts that the WWTP will exceed its capacity in the near future. Therefore, there is a need to construct the second phase of the WWTP which will allow more wastewater to be disposed and the sewerage network to be expanded in other regions of the city. As part of the requirement, a financial sustainability assessment will be carried out to establish the financial viability of the existing WWTP and the extended WWTP. The existing WWTP is managed by the local authority/community and is operated by a private company.

Objectives of the Assignment (for both):

The objective of the assignment is to assess the current administrative and financial setup of both the Famagusta Waste Water System and the Morphou/Guzelyurt Wastewater System and their operation & maintenance of the waste water treatment plants (WWTP).

Tasks (for both):

Under direct supervision of the LIF Project Manager and in close engagement with the beneficiary local authority the expert will:

Obtain information, data and documents for the existing administrative and management setup of the Famagusta and Morphou/Guzelyurt waste water systems and the waste water treatment plants
Obtain information, data and documents of the existing operational and maintenance setup of the Famagusta and Morphou/Guzelyurt waste water systems and the waste water treatment plants
Obtain revenues and expenditures pertaining to the sewerage systems of both
Obtain financial data for the waste water systems from the local authorities/communities
Obtain financial data for the waste water treatment plants from the local authorities/communities and the plant operators
Obtain financial data for the waste water treatment plants from the plant operators
Obtain relevant population data from the local communities
Obtain water meter connection data from the local communities and verify future capacity demand for the WWTP’s.
Obtain other relevant information, data and documents from other sources, if required.

The expert will collate and assess the data obtained and formulate a non-technical assessment of the whole Famagusta and Morphou/Guzelyurt wastewater systems in general and the waste water treatment plants in particular.

The expert will assess the administrative & financial sustainability of the two systems and recommend actions to improve.

Deliverables:

Presentation to the stakeholders at UNDP office (one presentation to the stakeholders before submitting the final output).
The expert shall submit two reports one of Famagusta and one for Morphou/Guzelyurt.

The reports will contain, but not limited, these main headings/sections:

Current snap shot of the administrative and financial setup of the waste water systems and the waste water treatment plants
Assessment of the current setup (administrative and financial)
Assessment of the administrative and financial sustainability of the wastewater systems and the extension of the WWTPs
Conclusion and recommendations on sustainability

Timelines:

The whole assignment must be completed during the months June - July 2019 and up to 20 working days will be utilized.

Payment modality:

Payments shall be made in one instalment at the completion and acceptance of the two reports of the assignment.

Competencies

Core Competencies

Demonstrated commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
Sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, race, nationality and age;
Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

Functional Competencies

Excellent analytical and research skills;
Excellent communication skills (spoken, written and presentational);
Good interpersonal skills and ability to work in and with teams;
Ability to set priorities and manage time effectively.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree or equivalent in finance, business development studies, economics or any other related field

Experience:

At least 5-years professional experience in conducting financial assessments (minimum qualification requirement)
At least 2 financial sustainability assessments of 2 public sector and/or parastatal entities
Experience in working in Cyprus will be a strong asset

Language Requirements:

Excellent English skills (both written and verbal) with knowledge of Turkish language

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

CV: Submission of CV
References: Contact details of 3 references.

Financial Proposal: Applicants requested to submit financial proposal for the assignments defined in this term of reference as:

A lump sum financial offer for the deliverables (presentation and two reports); shall cover all expenditures including fees, health insurance, vaccination, international (all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel) or local travel (place of residence to office and office to place of residence), cost of living and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services. Leave benefits (annual, sick, paternity, maternity) are not applicable to Individual Contractor and absent days including weekends and office holidays are not payable.

Evaluation / Selection Process

All applicants will be screened against qualifications and the competencies set above. Candidates fully meeting the requirements will be further evaluated based on the criteria below.

Technical Criteria (CV review and desk review/interview) – 70% of total evaluation – max. 70 points

CV review - 20 points:

Educational qualification as defined in the ToR (10 points)
Experience in environmental projects (10 points)

Only candidates who obtained at least 70% of points from the CV review (who will score at least 14 points) will be eligible to be invited for an interview/desk review.

Desk review/Interview - 50 points:

Experience in preparing financial and administrative assessments of private or public entities – 15 points
Experience in preparing at least 2 financial and administrative sustainability assessments of parastatal entities – 15 points
Experience in carrying similar assessments in a member state of the EU – 10 points
Prior experience in Cyprus and working with EU/EC and/or UNDP – 10 points

Only those individual consultants who obtained at least 70% of points from the desk review/interview (35 out of 50) will be considered for financial proposal evaluation.

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

Financial scores will be calculated using the formula [lowest offer / financial offer of the candidate x 30].

UNDP applies the “Best value for money approach” – the final selection will be based on the combination of the applicants’ qualification and financial proposal.

Payment Term:

Upon submission and acceptance of the deliverables upon the certification of UNDP