Background

The applicants who have already applied to job ID 85621 do not need to re-apply 

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 protected areas and contribute to Albania’s obligations under different UN Conventions and the EU accession process. After designating the first Albanian Marine Protected Area Karaburun - Sazan (MPA KS) in April 2010, UNDP and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MoTE) marked significant achievements in the Vlore

 region by catalyzing the involvement of stakeholders and by supporting the establishment of a clear institutional and legal framework for MCPA designation and management.

One of the project outputs is the building of capacities of the Management Committee (MC) and the Protected Areas staff. Various institutions with responsibilities for terrestrial and marine resources are operating individually with some levels of corporation and collaboration. The National Agency of Protected Areas, the first government unit dedicated to protected areas in the country, is overseeing and managing the overall PA system as well as the specific PA units. However, consensus building on the definitive institutional structure is still required.

The MC will coordinate synergies among several sectors and authorities at local and central level whose work and functions relate to management and administration of the MPA K-S. It will also enable more inputs to and active support for national-level project activities, serving as a forum for stakeholders’ input and discussion, playing an active oversight role in project activities and reviewing the performance and progress. In addition, this body, is intended to facilitate the coordination related to PA management issues, contributing as appropriate in the process for sustainable management of area concerned. 

Duties and Responsibilities

The purpose of this assignment is to assess and support the operations of the Management Committee (MC), with focus on the existing practices and challenges for enhancement and upgrade of management and governance in Karaburun-Sazani MPA. The emphasis will be placed on an assessment of the past years experiences, and the recommendations for supporting improvement of the institutional arrangements and counsel/ secretarial services RAPA could be assigned with, particularly on issues such as facilitating MC and institutional meetings, preparing respective files, proposal for MC, collection, processing and administration of pertinent information on MPA management and marine habitats conservation, monitoring of activities and developing programs in the MPA or adjacent buffering sites, securing of generated incomes from tariff and taxes, and their use according to respective regulation; as well as issues on education, information, branding and awareness matures

The consultant will carry out a Capacity Needs Assessment (CNA) and Capacity Development Plan (CDP) for the overall effective management of the PAs (and MPA) at the system/institutional level for Vlora Region.  

Task 1 – Institutional assessment

The assessment will incorporate (but is not limited to) the following duties:

• A review of the current institutional set up of the MC, capacity to perform its duties, the role of the secretariat, with the aim to assist the MC in maintain the communication protocols with related line ministries/ institutions as well as bridging between the national and the regional level (information schemes)
• A review of the current legal provisions in relation to MPA governance and its relevance with the regional sustainable development including review of existing commitments, if any, about bilateral agreements in relation to the ecosystem management and administration, estimating the needs of MC for counseling and advisory (mainly through RAPA/ ad-hoc expert groups) on:
  • strengthening MC knowledge management system, which need to be part of MC daily practice (organizational pattern, sharing of lessons learned, integration and continuous improvement of the MC capabilities, flow of information, members’ roles and accountabilities) to maximize the value and application of MC members’ knowledge to building, developing and retaining know-how, in service of MC goals (i.e. MC decision making in the light of a full knowledge base)
  • communication and public relations, taking into account communication strategies, coordination, social media outreach, maintain and updates of the MC social media (FB etc.) and any other media channels used by the MC, drafting PR articles, reports and newsflash on the work and commitment of the MC with MPA activities and achievements, branding and visibility, fact sheets, roll-ups, poster, standard presentations and other material for the continuous promotion of the MC engagement and performance, with all implementing partners, as well as with other bodies/ organization involved in MPA and PA management in Vlora Region.

• Assessment of the financial sustainability of the MC operations, funding mechanisms and commitment from the Prefecture and/ or PAs agency to sustain its operations.

• Formulation of concrete recommendations on the most appropriate institutional arrangements/ agreements set up for management and governance of the Karaburun-Sazan MPA
• Presentations of the findings of the assessment at an identified stakeholder workshop for comments and feedback     

Task 2 - Capacity development for the MC Secretariat

This task would ensure assessment of capacities and country-level priorities, as well as propose a capacity development plan that addresses the needs of the coordinated institutional mechanism.

• Carry out an assessment of capacity development needs and country-level priorities for the management protected areas and MPA considering the relevant and most pertinent thematic areas such as Fish and Fisheries, Aquatic vegetation, Birds and other biodiversity, marine Water (quality/ quantity), Socio-economy, Forests and terrestrial habitats and Land-use;
• Accordingly, to estimate and develop, for the main thematic, the need of [external] experts’ groups /ad-hoc expert units that will supplies with info and knowledge on relevant performance indicators, methods, protocols, cost evaluation, training needs, operational aspects (e.g. who will do the monitoring; equipment available/ required; budget, etc).
• Identify needs /constraints of key local institutions/ department /units and stakeholders for PA management.
• Develop a Capacity Development Action Plan based on the output of the assessment and identification of country-level priorities for the effective management of a system of protected areas, including developing simplified communication protocols based on documentation and information required mutually from the members of the MC
• The following issues must be assessed as auxiliary secretariat instruments or ad-hoc working groups which are expected to assist MC such as:
  • Analyses/ reviews of the MPA needs, priorities, assessment of the standing positions received from different stakeholders and resources users, as well as respective proposals (when relevant), including opinions on their feasibility
  • Elaboration, development and implantation of plans, programs and projects which aim MPA management and habitats conservations, in coordination with all entities affiliated in this sector at central and local level
  • Identification of the needs for legal and regulatory improvements, development and proposal of bylaws in full synergy with the line ministries and when relevant proposal for abrogation / repeal/ cancelation of bylaws
  • Representation of management authorities in different judiciary processes and monitoring of court issues with relevance and implication in MPA management 
  • Cost -benefit analyses related to use of ecosystems services, as well as all tariff and tax issues thereof
  • Business and financial planning matters, performance indicators
  • Update and maintenance of the information systems
  • Development, update and overseeing implementing of the management planning

Task 3 - Short-term trainings

Based on outputs of the capacity needs assessment and capacity development plan identified in Task 2, the consultant will conduct short-term training on crucial capacity development priorities identified. At least 3 training sessions are anticipated and may include (being determined, as identified in current capacity assessments) the following topics:

• Protected areas planning processes and tools including management planning, operational planning, and business planning
• Review of relevant UN conservation commitments and related global databases, including UN Conventions ratified and implications for management decision making IUCN PA management categories, IUCN Red List, and others
• Use of decision-making support tools and database management tools; how to identify categories of information needs (users, resources, digital inventory, monitoring, basic data collection) and use of data for management decisions
• Synergies between ecotourism development and protected areas management, including understanding differences between ecotourism and general tourism
• Conflict and dispute resolution;
• Community /stakeholder engagement and participatory planning; and
• EIA reports review, including use of relevant case studies to highlight importance and implications of review and recommendations.

Duration and deliverables:

The assignment is 30 days within 1 year period.

• 10% - Upon delivery of the report outline and a clear work plan
• 30% - Upon preparation of the first draft of the report and completion of the first mission and workshop
• 30% - Upon preparation of the capacity development plan and completion of the second mission (6 days) in the site and training sessions included 
• 30% - Upon delivery of the final report 

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.
• Willing to work in a team 

Required Skills and Experience

Required skills and experience

• Degree on natural resource management or related field ; advanced degree will be an asset
• At least 15 years working experience in conducting overall capacity needs assessment and producing capacity development plans, developing reports on instructional structures, preferably for the overall effective management of the PA system at the institutional level as well as for PAs management
• Demonstrable skills for conducting stakeholders’ engagement at the community and national level where government, NGOs, community-based organizations (CBOs) and non-affiliated community members contribute to decision making
• Prior experience with UNDP projects and / or deep knowledge of the public administration would be an asset
• 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 Criteria (70%); 

• Educational background                                                                                10 points
• Professional experience and experience in similar assignments                         35 points
• Experience in Mediterranean Protected Areas                                                  25 points

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