Antecedentes

Albania, as part of the Mediterranean basin, is located in the most active seismic area of the European continent. Most of the earthquakes happen within three seismic bands: Adriatic-Ionian belt extending northwest-southeast, Peshkopi-Korça belt with north-south extension, and Lushnje-Elbasan-Diber belt with north-east extension.[1] Albania is characterized by intensive micro earthquake activity, small and medium scale earthquakes, and rarely by large scale earthquakes (M>7.0).

Throughout history, Albania has experienced several seismic activities that turned easily in disasters due to lack of suitable infrastructure in territory including buildings and roads, inappropriate land use, rapid urbanization especially in the coastal area, as well as limited capacities (in human resources and equipment) in risk reduction from the earthquake. The most recent one, dated on 26 November 2019, is described as the strongest earthquake to hit Albania in 30 years. This disaster affected 11 municipalities, 47,265 people directly, 155,028 people indirectly, and accounted for 51 fatalities and 913 injuries.[2]

According to the PDNA (2020), the estimated overall value of the damages and losses was 985.1 million EUR, and it represents 7.5% of the gross domestic product of Albania in 2019. This implies a heavy burden in the country’s economy, livelihoods, and human development indicators.

The absence of a detailed and comprehensive strategy on Civil Protection and Disaster Risk Reduction came into focus especially immediately after the 2019 earthquake. Therefore, the events that followed the earthquake showed that there is an urgent need to strengthen disaster preparedness, adopt adequate rescue and response systems and procedures, and improve the capacity of firefighting services. Such capacities must become functional across the government to save lives, livelihoods, and sustain development gains.

While UNDP Albania responded to the immediate recovery needs, it also started to prepare its engagement in the longer-term capacity building for the sector.

The designed assistance, under the 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 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 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 Seismic Risk Assessment and landslide are highly demanded contributing to the update of the Albania National Risk Assessment. 

[1] Sulstarova, Kociaj & Aliaj (1980): Rajonizimi Sizmi I RPS te Shqiperise

[2] Albania Post-Disaster Needs Assessment - Volume A (2020)

Deberes y responsabilidades

The International Consultant on Seismic Risk Assessment and Landslides will work in close cooperation with 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 seismic, rockfall and other massive movements, snow and avalanches and landslides assessment in the national level in close cooperation with the national expert and the interinstitutional working subgroup;
• In coordination with the national expert supports and build capacities of 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 the seismic, rockfall and other massive movements, snow and avalanches and landslides 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.
• Furnish technical assistance in organizing introductory meetings with partners from the interinstitutional working subgroup on seismic, rockfall and other massive movements, snow and avalanches and landslides risk assessment, and other relevant stakeholders to create a common platform for dialogue on capacity development
• Provides necessary assistance on the organization and management of overall assessment process based on existing studies and assessments including analysis of current seismic, rockfall and other massive movements, snow and avalanches and landslides risk assessment practices including quality and availability of input data to be provided by the national expert.
• Provides key findings and best practices on Seismic, rockfall and other massive movements, snow and avalanches and landslides risk assessment including methodology and lesson learned on related studies.
• Conduct workshop/s with representatives of the interinstitutional working subgroups, as well as other relevant stakeholders within the subgroups, to present and get feedback on the evaluation methodology and schedule of work;
• Provides expertise on the seismic, rockfall and other massive movements, snow and avalanches and landslides risks during the organized and facilitate workshops, meetings and training sessions to relevant stakeholders to develop their capacities on seismic, rockfall and other massive movements, snow and avalanches and landslides risk assessment
• Support and provide technical desk analysis of the situation (secondary data), as well as other relevant data to understand and provide analysis of seismic, rockfall and other massive movements, snow and avalanches and landslides events in the country;
• Review technical reports of the outcomes of seismic, rockfall and other massive movements, snow and avalanches and landslides hazard and risk assessment to verify if they are technically sound;
• Ensure support to the documentation of lessons learned and development of guideline on implementation of seismic, rockfall and other massive movements, snow and avalanches and landslides risk assessment process for future use;
• Revising and assuring technical support to the project office and national expert in preparing reports, presentations, brochures, guidance notes related to seismic and landslides risk assessment for meeting, seminars, forums, trainings, etc.;
• Provide technical assistance to explain the value and importance of seismic, rockfall and other massive movements, snow and avalanches and landslides hazard and risk assessments to relevant stakeholders, as well as the key steps and process, data requirements, challenges, implementation arrangements of the process, etc.,
• Provide technical guidance and support for supervision of the implementation of seismic, rockfall and other massive movements, snow and avalanches and landslides risk assessment;
• Review and validate the of the seismic, rockfall and other massive movements, snow and avalanches and landslides risk assessment report, assist endorsement with the working subgroups, and provide technical support to present it to the Government for adoption;
• Provide direct advise to project manager on seismic and landslides risk profiles;
• 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 Expert should directly contribute and be instrumental in ensuring the following deliverables are completed.

Deliverable 1 (D1)

1. Review and validate the Inception report outlining an initial assessment of local conditions, proposed approach, methodology, timelines.

Deliverable 2 (D2)

1. Consult, review and substantiate assessment and desk analysis of the existing situation and providing recommendation accordingly;
2. Technical presentation of the first results to the interinstitutional working subgroup;
3. Review of GIS datasets including seismic hotspots as well as spatial extent to its effects;
4. Training delivery on approved approach and assessment methodology on seismic risk and landslides;

Deliverable 3 (D3)

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

Competencias

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 seismic 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.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education

Advanced degree earthquake/civil engineering, seismology, geotechnical engineering, or other related discipline

Professional Experience

• At least 7 years of professional experience or equivalent combination of education and professional experience in seismic hazard and risk assessments including landslides
• Direct experiences working with seismic assessments including landslides
• 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 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.