UNDP Jobs - 86446- Consultant in Hydrometerology

Consultant in Hydrometerology

Location :

Home based consultancy with three missions to Georgia, GEORGIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

12-Aug-19 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

60 consultancy days during September 2019-September 2020, including three missions (15 days)

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

GCF board secretariat approved a 7-year (August 2018- July 2025) project for Georgia entitled: “Scaling-up Multi-Hazard Early Warning System and the Use of Climate Information in Georgia” (hereafter GCF project). The project is implemented under National Implementation Modality (NIM) with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture (MEPA playing) an executing entity’s/implementing partner’s role for it.

An overall objective of the project is to reduce exposure of Georgia’s communities, livelihoods and infrastructure to climate-induced natural hazards through a well-functioning nation-wide multi-hazard early warning system and risk-informed local action. The GCF project will provide critical climate risk information that would enable the Government of Georgia to implement a number of nation-wide transformative policies and actions for reducing exposure and vulnerability of the population to climate-induced hazards. The project will thus catalyse a paradigm shift in the national climate risk management, climate-proofed disaster risk reduction and early warning approaches. The project innovation and transformative change will also include (a) participatory “Last Mile” communication solutions tailored to the needs of local communities, including CBEWSs; (b) increasing implementation capacities for carrying out cost-effective risk reduction and community resilience measures through such innovative approaches as watershed/floodplain restoration, agroforestry, etc., and combination of structural and non-structural protection measures aimed at reducing exposure and increasing effectiveness of the early warning; (c) combining best available science and local knowledge for vulnerability assessment, hazard and risk mapping, disaster modelling and forecasting; (d) (e) carrying out a comprehensive community, municipal and national-wide awareness raising, education and capacity development activities on multi-hazard risk reduction, including preparedness, response and EWSs.

The project objective will be achieved through three outputs: i) expanded climate-induced natural hazard observation network and modelling capacities secure reliable information on climate-induced hazards, vulnerability and risks; ii) multi-hazard early warning system and new climate information products supported with effective national regulations, coordination mechanism and institutional capacities; iii) improved community resilience through the implementation of MHEWS and priority risk reduction measures.

As a part of the assignment under expanded climate-induced natural hazard observation network, project aims to procure, install and operationalize new hydro-meteorological monitoring equipment. The project will contribute significantly to the establishment/expansion of the national observation network covering multiple climate-induced hazards, including hydrometeorological and agrometeorological network. The observation network of all hydrological, meteorological and agrometeorological variables will be established to provide an appropriate level of spatial resolution of these variables.

At proposal stage, the following equipment was identified as necessary for the expansion of the network: 12 automatic meteorological stations, 73 automatic meteorological posts, 44 hydrological posts, 10 snow measurement stations, upper air sounding equipment (x2), 1 super computer for strengthening early warning system; 4 ii) technical assistance in the expansion of the network in the form of training, technical supervision and O&M.

The purpose of the assignment is to review the observation network requirements, design the optimised observation network, develop detailed specification for required equipment, assist in the procurement and installation of the observation network equipment and develop the long-term institutional capacity and O&M for the optimised network.

In 2020, procurement and installation of 12 automatic meteorological stations, 73 automatic meteorological posts, 44 hydrological posts, 10 snow measurement stations, 2 upper air sounding equipment and the HPC for the forecasting centre is envisaged.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under technical guidance from Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) and direct supervision from Projects Coordinator, the International consultant will be responsible for i) the design of the optimised expanded hydrometeorological monitoring network including the preparation of technical specification and procurement documents for all equipment and services to be procured, and the installation of the equipment and ii) provide technical assistance in the expansion of the network in the form of training, technical supervision and identification of O&M requirements and development of O&M strategy and plan for the expended network. The consultant will work closely with the Project team leader in Hydrometeorology, National Environmental Agency and will be supported by national consultant.

More specifically, he/she will:

Undertake a review and assessment of the existing hydrometeorological, geological and agrometeorological monitoring network for all hazards. Review the existing coverage, physical condition and data collection procedures including the quality of data. Identify and design the requirements for an effective and optimised monitoring network for strategic hazard risk management, forecasting and early warning in the future and optimised station coverage
Based on the optimised hydrometeorologicaland agrometeorological network, develop detailed specification and design including costs of all equipment and each component of the networks specified including the detailed design and bid documents for the stations for rehabilitation / new installation
Work with the Telecommunications expert to undertake an assessment of the telecommunications network to support telemetered and automated stations
Assess the institutional arrangements (to be led by the institutional specialist) for the operation and maintenance of the hydrometeorological, geological and agrometeorological observation network and suggest manpower and financial requirements, and training needs, for the efficient O&M of the optimized network. Assess existing roles and responsibilities and the capacity of staff responsible for operating and maintaining the network. Assess the existing protocols for the collection, transmission, sharing, storage, management and use of the observed data.
Develop hydrometeorological network O&M plan for the optimized hydrometeorological monitoring networking including optimized institutional arrangements, and financing requirements for O&M
Develop detailed training curriculum for training to be delivered during the project and identify long-term training needs as part of the institutional capacity development plan
Provide training for hydrometeorologicalstaff in the O&M of up-graded hydrometeorological stations.

Consultant in Hydrometerology will report to the Project Coordinator as well as Team Leader in hydro-meteorological monitoring and work closely with PMU staff, other stakeholders, and implementing partners.

Deliverables

Deliverable 1: Design document of the optimised national hydrometeorological network.
Deliverable 2: Report on the existing institutional arrangement for hydrometeorological network management, operations and maintenance.
Deliverable 3: Technical specification, BoQ, procurement plan for the optimised hydrometeorological network.
Deliverable 4: Detailed training curriculum for training to be delivered during the project and identify long-term training needs as part of the institutional capacity development plan
Deliverable 5: hydrometeorological network O&M plan for the optimized hydrometeorological monitoring networking including optimized institutional arrangements, and financing requirements for O&M
Deliverable 6: Trip reports and training reports.

Payment modality:

Upon submission and clearance by UNDP Project Team Leader of the deliverable 1, and Trip report 1 (deliverable 6): due by 15 November 2019; 35% of consultancy fee;
Upon submission and clearance by UNDP Project Team Leader of the deliverable 2: due by 1 December 2019; 15% of consultancy fee;
Upon submission and clearance by UNDP Project Team Leader of the deliverable 3 and deliverable 4 and Trip report 2 (deliverable 6): due by 1 March 2019; 35% of consultancy fee;
Upon submission and clearance by UNDP Project Team Leader of the deliverable 5, Trip report 3 and training report (deliverable 6): due by 30 August 2020; 15% of consultancy fee.

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.
Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Ability to work as a part of a team, sharing information and coordinating efforts within the team.
Ability to work under tight deadlines.
Very good inter-personal skills and demonstrated ability to engage and work with governmental institutions.
Strong analytical skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

MSc degree or equivalent in Hydrology or Water Resources Engineering (minimum requirement: 7 points).

Experience:

At least 7 years of working experience in the design, installation and management of hydrometeorological networks (minimum requirement: 7 years - 7 points; more than 7 years - additional 3 points).
At least 7 years of experience of interpreting and reporting on environmental data and monitoring activities (minimum requirement: 7 years - 7 points; more than 7 years - additional 3 points).
Proven experience of conventional and modern equipment and techniques for hydrometeorological data collection, including up-to-date knowledge on remote sensing and data transmission technology (minimum requirement: 7 points).
Proven experience of a wide range of different monitoring methods, Hydrometeorological Systems management and the resulting data quality (asset: 6 points).
Detailed knowledge of hydrometeorological data management systems.
Knowledge of the design, installation and maintenance of Hydrometeorological operational monitoring equipment.

Language Requirements:

Proficiency in written and verbal English is a must.

Evaluation:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the Cumulative analysis against combination of technical and financial criteria. Technical evaluation stage encompasses desk review and interview of applications. Experts not meeting any of minimum technical qualification requirements will be automatically excluded from the list of candidates for further technical evaluation. Maximum obtainable score is 100, out of which the total score for technical criteria equals to 70 points (70%) and for financial criteria 30 (30%). Technical criteria composed of desk review (40 points) and interview (30 points). Offerors who pass 70% of maximum obtainable scores of the desk review (i.e. 40 x 70% = 28 points as a result of a desk review of applications will be invited for the interview. Those offerors who pass 70% of maximum obtainable scores for interviews (i.e. 30x 70% = 21 points) will be considered as short-listed offerors and included in the roster of qualified consultants.

Financial Proposal:

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum. Payments are based upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR. All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel. In general, UNDP does not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources. In order, to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount.