Historique

Climate change and climate variability have been increasing the frequency, intensity and impact of natural hazard events in Albania. Albania is vulnerable to the impact of climate change, due to its poor infrastructure and poverty in rural areas. Therefore, many natural hazards including hydro-meteorological ones (floods, droughts, forest fires and landslides) are becoming more and more frequent. Extreme weather events have significant impacts to the country’s key sectors, its economy and population.

Among natural hazard, floods present the most dangerous one as the country is highly exposed to water resources. Floods in the lower flow of the river can cause great damage as they are more frequent and catch larger surfaces. These are formed by heavy rainfall and high intensity rainfall, which fill the soils with water and cause leakage out of the riverbed.

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.

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. The impact of natural hazard is augmented by the poor crisis management and interventions.

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 also 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 new 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 an International Expert on Floods Risk Assessment are highly demanded contributing to the update of the Albania National Risk Assessment. 

[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

Devoirs et responsabilités

The International Consultant on Floods Risk Assessment will work closely with the national 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

• Leads the analysis of current status of flood risk assessments in the country in close cooperation with the national expert and the interinstitutional working subgroup
• In coordination with national expert support the interinstitutional working subgroup to undertake similar assessments in the future.
• Based on his/her experience and in line with international best practices provide specific recommendations on how to improve flood resilience.

More specifically the Consultant will:

• Work with project team, National Agency on Civil Protection and other key national authorities as well as other relevant stakeholders in the field of DRR and Civil Protection.
• Provide necessary assistance in organization and management of overall assessment process based on existing studies and assessments including analysis of current fire hazard and risk assessment practices including quality and availability of input data to be provided by the national expert;
• Provide key findings and best practices on floods risk assessment including methodology and lesson learned on related studies.
• 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;
• Provide expertise on floods related hazards during the organized workshops, meetings and training sessions to relevant stakeholders and development of their capacities on floods risk assessment;
• Ensure support to the documentation of lessons learned and assist the development of guideline on implementation of floods hazards risk assessment participatory module for further replication and provide related recommendations.
• Revising and assuring technical support to the project office and national expert in preparing reports, presentations, brochures, guidance notes related to floods risk assessment for meeting, seminars, forums, trainings, etc.;
• Review and validate the floods risk assessment report, assist endorsement with the working subgroup, and provide technical support to present it to the Government for adoption.
• Provide direct advise to project manager on floods risk profile
• 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 International Consultant should directly contribute and be instrumental in ensuring the following deliverables are completed

Deliverable 1 (D1)

1. Validate the 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. ;
   7. work plan, detailed timeline, milestones, site visits including proposed national and international staffing.

Deliverable 2 (D2)

1. Review, provide technical inputs and validate the Determination of the Flood Risk Profile of the country, working closely with national Expert and based on data collected and their analysis.
   1. Completion of data acquisition, quality checking and data storage for flood hazard mapping by collecting all relevant data, spatial information and finalizing a base map;
   2. Estimation of design discharge or the rate of the flow of water through the river or floodplain.
   3. Statistical Discharge Frequency Analysis
   4. Hydraulic modeling and floodplain mapping
   5. Food vulnerability assessed (Physical and Nonphysical vulnerability)
   6. Data processing work for flood hazard mapping;
   7. Development of a hydrological and hydrodynamic model with justifications, its limitation, modeling software used, procedure, assumptions, etc.;
   8. Completion of data acquisition, quality checking, data processing and data storage for flood risk mapping by analyzing functional damages, estimating vulnerability, etc.;
   9. Flood risk analysis and maps for the whole country.

Deliverable 3 (D3)

1. A well-structured documentation of the methodologies used throughout the flood risk assessment including regional and European references.
2. Affirm guidelines compliance and training manual developed for the whole assessment process accordingly as regional and international best practices.
3. Technical assistance and workshop materials for training DRR decision-makers in government to ensure knowledge and skills transfer about risk assessments.
4. Final Report on flood risk assessment that would feed into the National Risk Assessment Document for Albania.

Compétences

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.

Qualifications et expériences requises

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 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 an asset;
• Experience in working with academia, government agencies, development partners and or UN agencies would be an added value.

Language Requirements:

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

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 & Financial Proposal Form - 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 USD* - Specify Lump Sum in the United States Dollar for each of the tasks and at the bottom the Total Lump Sum for the Entire Job specified in this announcement. 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.