Historique

The Black Sea Basin environment is of paramount importance both in terms of regional development and of quality of life for its inhabitants. The Black Sea ecosystem is known to be rich and diverse but is also considered to be vulnerable as it experiences notably significant pressure from land-based pollution. The seriousness of environmental issues has been recognised by the countries of the region and they have responded with national and regional strategies and actions to tackle these issues. The Convention on the Protection of the Black Sea against Pollution (Bucharest Convention) addresses these problems through enhanced cooperation among its signatories. Further coordination in policies and legislation is a common interest to all the Black Sea countries. This is particularly true for the riparian Member States of the European Union: being Contracting Parties to the Bucharest Convention and members of the Black Sea Commission (BSC), they also value such coordination as a factor that influences their own ability to comply with the EU legislation, notably the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD).

The present project is built on the results and conclusions of previous and current projects in the Black Sea and will ensure complementarities and synergy with activities under relevant actions in the region. The overall objective of the project is to help improve protection of the Black Sea environment. This objective will be pursued through further technical assistance focused on marine data collection and local small-scale actions targeted at public awareness raising and education. The key involved actors are research / scientific and educational institutions and civil society organizations community.

The specific objectives are: i) Improve availability and sharing of marine environmental data from the national and joint regional monitoring programmes aligned with the MSFD and WFD principles and the Black Sea Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme (BSIMAP); ii) Support joint actions to reduce river and marine litter in the Black Sea basin; iii) Raise awareness on the key environmental issues and increase public involvement in the protection of the Black Sea.
A number of activities will be implemented in the following components of EMBLAS-Plus project:

• Implementation of National and joint regional monitoring programmes;
• Joint monitoring and reduction of marine litter;
• 3: Conducting Environmental public awareness and educational campaigns;
• Management and coordination of the project.

The project will be implemented in the context of the ENI Regional East Strategy Paper (2014-2020) (1); Regional East Multiannual Indicative Programme (2017-2020) (2) and the Joint Operational Programme for the Black Sea Basin 2014-2020 (3). The project is part of the ENI East Regional Action Programme 2017, Part 2: Support to the Implementation of the Eastern Partnership Multilateral Dimension and the Implementation of the Northern Dimension and the Black Sea Synergy. The Black Sea Synergy offers a forum for tackling common problems while enabling political and economic reform. An important goal is to bring added value to the citizens of the region while ensuring environmental sustainability.

The project will have to be closely coordinated with on-going initiatives, particularly under the EU's Cross-Border Cooperation Programme. The cooperation agenda established with the EU's Joint Research Centre and the European Environment Agency will be pursued as part of implementation. 

Location: 

Home based, with travels in the Black Sea region for the project meetings. 
The beneficiary countries to be covered are the members of the Black Sea Synergy (4), with a primary focus on the Black Sea coast countries Georgia, the Russian Federation (5) and Ukraine.

There are several envisaged missions with duration of 3 days (Georgia – 2 missions to Tbilisi and 2 missions to Batumi, Russian Federation – 1 mission to Moscow and 1 mission to Sochi, Ukraine – 2 missions to Odessa and 2 mission to Kyiv). Three missions to Istanbul and one mission to Brussels are foreseen, for duration of 3 days each. 

Notes:

(1) http://eeas.europa.eu/archives/docs/enp/pdf/financing-the-enp/regional_east_strategy_paper_2014_2020_and_multiannual_indicative_programme_2014_2017_en_.pdf 
(2) http://eeas.europa.eu/archives/docs/enp/pdf/financing-the-enp/regional_east_summary_of_the_strategy_paper_2014_2020_and_multiannual_indicative_programme_2014_2017_en.pdf 
(3) http://blacksea-cbc.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/ENI-CBC-Black-Sea-Basin-JOP-final.docx 
(4) Countries participating in the Black Sea Synergy: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, the
Republic of Moldova, Turkey, Ukraine, Romania and the Russian Federation
(5) As recognised by international law.

Devoirs et responsabilités

The Project Management Advisor will provide advisory services related to development of monitoring programmes, methodologies and pilots data management tools (including data quality control), testing of indicators and methodologies, assessments preparation and dissemination of knowledge/capacity building. He/she will work under the direct supervision of the UNDP Regional Technical Advisor for International Waters, who has have the overall supervision role on the project from the UNDP side.  

The Expert will provide recommendations on monitoring programs, methodologies, data management, etc. to the other international, national experts and partner organizations working on the project as well as consult technical specifications of the project with Project Assistant and Water Programme Analyst from UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub.

The key tasks of the PMA are the following:

• Provide advisory services to countries to fulfil their obligations under the Bucharest convention and other relevant Conventions and agreements (in particular EU legislation and practices) and contribute to the tasks related with Project's governance structure and communication (liaise directly with the representatives appointed by the ministries in the Project Steering Committee (PSC) and national focal points);
• Provide technical details and inputs related to project activities for quarterly progress reports and annual progress reports, according to the donor requirements, containing technical description of progress, including problem encountered, planned activities, as well as provide inputs for all reports required within UNDP project monitoring scheme.
• Provide management advice on the work of Project Implementation Office and whole team of project experts, timely and quality planning and implementation of all project activities, including quality control of all produced outputs, including studies, surveys and pilot projects; 
• Upon request from UNDP RTA, present the project at various events, facilitate cooperation with other relevant projects, initiatives, EU (in particular the Joint Research Centre) and international institutions, EU Member States and other stakeholder.
• Provide substantive inputs into all technical reports to be prepared and carry out various activities arising during the project implementation.

The consultant will prepare several deliverables in cooperation with the other recruited short-term project experts (e.g. experts on chemistry, biology, etc.), UNDP team, as well as the experts from the national project partners, within the following time frame and payment schedule:

February 2019 (25% of payment)

• Technical specifications and inputs for ToR for the project procurement, e.g. related to chemical / biological analyses to be performed for the Black Sea Surveys 2019;
• Public summary on the results from the Surveys 2017 (based on the Scientific Reports 2017)
• Draft Program of the Joint Black Sea Survey – part for the open sea cruise, specifying the survey methodology, monitored parameters, locations and other relevant details.   
• Provide inputs for the technical chapters of the Draft Inception Report, including the work-plan and time frame of the planned activities, (draft document to be available for Project Steering Committee meeting)

September 2019 (30 % of payment)

• Specification of technical details on scientific work (inputs for ToRs) of short-term experts (chemistry, biology, etc.)
• Review, provision of comments, technical verification and quality control for the revised version of the NMP Manuals for Ukraine, Georgia and Russian Federation prepared by partner organizations;
• Coordination of the NPMS and JOSS (planned in July/August 2019) and guiding preparation of relevant Technical Reports (including communication with involved project partners and service providers (research vessel and analyses), and all other involved institutions);
• Develop relevant technical chapters on the progress of the project activities and key achievements for the donor Annual Progress Report, covering period March 2018-August 2019

May 2020 (30% of payment)

• Scientific Report from the Joint Black Sea Surveys 2019;
• Public summary on the results from the Surveys 2019

September 2020 (15% of payment)

• Technical inputs and description of activities on the project key achievements for the donor Project Final Report;
• Technical recommendations for Project Exit Strategy including sustainability of the project results, replicability of actions and future activities in the region;
• Preparation of the documents for the Final Project Steering Committee – Agenda of the SC meeting, technical chapters on the key project achievements and their sustainability, to be included in the Project Summary Report, presentation on the key results of the project. 

The assignment will require travel in the region, as specified above (section: Location). Any additional travels requested by UNDP will be covered separately as per UNDP rules and regulations. The consultant is expected to work closely with UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub, with the staff, responsible for the project implementation. 

Compétences

Functional competencies:

• Excellent communication and management skills and demonstrable capacity to lead a multi-national team and to work with governmental institutions;
• Demonstrated ability to develop strategies and work plans to accomplish objectives, empower others to translate visions and efforts into results, identify strategic issues, opportunities and risks and devise timely and effective responses;
• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
• Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations;
• Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities.

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards; 
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP; 
• Respects and promotes international law, including with regard to territorial integrity;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability; 
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
• Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Qualifications et expériences requises

Academic Qualifications/Education: 

• Preferably PhD, or minimum Master Degree in chemistry, chemical oceanography, hydrobiology, environmental/natural sciences or environmental engineering.

Experience: 

• At least 8 years of demonstrable experience and a proven track record is required in the field of transposition and implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) or the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and other EU Directives;
• Experience with facilitating of networking and cooperation with EU institutions (including in the relevant Member States) is an asset;
• At least 5 years of management experience in projects of similar size and complexity with multidisciplinary teams related to water environment or integrated water resources management (IWRM), having team-leader position.
• Working experience in international projects related to research and development in the area of water quality monitoring, at least in one of the following: in chemical or biological monitoring or  monitoring programmes development, related data collection and data management - database development, Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QAQC) processes, monitoring methodologies and guidelines preparation, monitoring surveys; 
• Relevant experience with similar projects or activities in the beneficiary countries of the Black Sea is a strong asset and experience of working in other regional seas relevant in the EU context is an asset. 

Language skills

• Excellent writing, editing and oral communication skills in English; 
• Working knowledge of Russian will be an asset. 

Evaluation of Applicants
Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.
The award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: responsive/compliant/acceptable; and having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical (P11/CV desk reviews and interviews) and financial criteria specific to the solicitation. 

Only candidates who will get at least 70% of points in desk review (Criteria A-F) will be invited for interviews. Only candidates who will receive will get at least 70% of points in technical evaluation (Criteria A-G) will be considered for financial evaluation.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 70 points:

• Criteria A – academic qualification / education – max points: 5;
• Criteria B – general professional experience in EU environmental acquis (WFD and MSFD) - max points: 10 ;
• Criteria C – experience in projects of similar size and complexity with multidisciplinary teams related to water environment or integrated water resources management (IWRM), in particular WFD or MSFD, having team-leader position – max points: 15;
•  Criteria D – experience in international projects related to research and development in the areas of water quality monitoring: in chemical or biological monitoring or monitoring programmes development, related data collection and data management - database development, Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QAQC) processes, monitoring methodologies and guidelines preparation, monitoring surveys – max points: 15;
• Criteria E – relevant experience in the Black Sea region or other regional seas relevant in the EU context – max points: 5;
• Criteria F – language, writing skills (publications) max points: 10;
• Criteria G – interview (technical and communication skills) – max points: 7.
• Criteria H – interview (experience with facilitating networking with EU institutions) – max points: 3.

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

Application procedures

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website. The application should contain:

• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for this assignment.  Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application. 
• Filled P11 form or CV including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from http://www.eurasia.undp.org/content/dam/rbec/docs/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc) 
• Samples of publications in relevant areas produced by the candidate, as author or co-author
• Offeror’s Letter (blank template can be downloaded from https://bit.ly/2KO1okS).
• Financial Proposal* - specifying: a) total lump sum amount in USD for the tasks specified in this ToR and  b) travel costs (including i) airticket and ii) living allowances for 3 days in each location) for the missions to:
  - Georgia - 2 missions to Tbilisi and 2 missions to Batumi; 
  - Russian Federation - 1 mission to Moscow and 1 mission to Sochi;
  - Ukraine - 2 missions to Odessa and 2 missions to Kyiv; 
  - Turkey - 3 missions to Istanbul; Belgium - 1 mission to Brussels. 

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials

*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, personal security needs and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...). All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal.  Any other unforeseen travel costs will be covered separately as per UNDP rules and regulations. 

Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner. 

Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org
General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://on.undp.org/t7fJs

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.
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.