Antecedentes

In Albania, the wildfire hazard is classified as high, which means that there’s greater than a 50% chance of encountering weather that could support a significant wildfire that is likely to result in both life and property loss in any given year. The damages form wildfires can not only occur due to direct flame and radiation exposure but may also include ember storm and low-level surface fire. In extreme fire weather events, strong winds and wind born debris may weaken the integrity of infrastructure.

Modeled projections of future climate identify a likely increase in the frequency of fire weather occurrence in the country, including an increase in temperature and greater variance in rainfall. In areas already affected by wildfire hazard, the fire season is likely to increase in duration, and include a greater number of days with weather that could support fire spread because of longer periods without rain during fire seasons. Climate projections indicate that there could also be an increase in the severity of fire.

Albania, despite its very small territory (28.750 km2, is one of the European Country with rich vegetation, which is composed of endemic relic vegetation.  Climate extremes range from extreme cold winters in the northern, northeastern and southeastern areas to very hot and dry summer along the coasts. Months without rainfall can occur at any time of the year, as it is typical for the Mediterranean climate. Fire impacts are very large in conifer forests and less in coppice and shrubs. Considering territory characteristics in Albania the forest ecosystems are very sensitive from the fire. Also, this year within the period July-August 2021 Albania territory was affected by heat wave with temperature which reached up to 43 degrees in Kucove. Because of this high temperature and some manmade behaviors (shapers burning grass, people throwing flaming cigarettes while passing near forests, burning straw, etc.), fires spread in different areas of the country. According to the official data from the Civil Emergency Agency, the fires have spread from north to south, including forests, pastures and private property in 13 districts: Shkodra, Lezha, Puka, Elbasan, Fier, Skrapar, Durres, Tirane, Vlore, Gjirokaster, Permet and Sarande.

The occurrence of different types of natural hazards impacts the society, economy and environment in the country, deteriorating country risk profile. Increased vulnerability follows increased physical exposure of people and assets. Higher levels of exposure are a result of many factors including inadequate territorial and land use planning, a lack of integration of disaster risk criteria into development planning generally and at all levels, and a lack of compliance with existent safety norms and standards.

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 Wildfires Risk Assessment are highly demanded contributing to the update of the Albania National Risk Assessment. 

Deberes y responsabilidades

The International Expert on Wildfires Risk Assessment will work in close cooperation 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 fire hazard and risk assessments in the country in close cooperation with the national expert and the interinstitutional working subgroup
• In coordination with the national expert supports the interinstitutional working subgroup to undertake similar assessments in the future.
• Based on his/her experience and in line with international best practices provides specific recommendations on how to improve wildfires 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 (historical fires data, land use, type of vegetation, humidity, temperatures, topography, etc.)
• Provide key findings and best practices on wildfires 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 the wildfires risk assessment during the organized workshops, meetings and training sessions to relevant stakeholders and development of their capacities on wildfires risk assessment;
• Ensure support to the documentation of lessons learned and assist the development of guideline on implementation of wildfires 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 wildfires risk assessment for meeting, seminars, forums, trainings, etc.;
• Review and validate the wildfires risk assessment report, assist endorsement with the working subgroup, and providing technical support to present it to the Government for adoption.
• Provide direct advise to project manager on wildfires 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 Consultant should directly contribute and be instrumental in ensuring the following deliverables are completed.

Deliverable 1 (D1)

1. Review and validate Inception report outlining:
   1. information on past wildfires (including images, maps) to understand the mechanisms, causes and damages;
   2. data availability for wildfires risk mapping;
   3. proposed methodology for wildfires risk mapping;
   4. work plan, detailed timeline, milestones, site visits including proposed national and international staffing.

Deliverable 2 (D2)

1. Provide technical inputs and validate the Determination of the Wildfires Risk Profile of the country, working closely with national Expert and based on data collection and their analysis.
   1. Completion of data acquisition, quality checking and data storage for wildfires hazard mapping by collecting all relevant data, spatial information and finalizing a base map;
   2. Data processing work for wildfires hazard mapping;
   3. Assess wildfire vulnerability and the potential damage from wildfires;

Deliverable 3 (D3)

1. A well-structured documentation of the methodologies used throughout the wildfires risk assessment including regional and European references.
2. Technical assistance and workshop materials for training DRR decision-makers 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 wildfire 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 wildfires 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 on forest ecology, forest management, environment, or any other related relevant field of study.

Professional Experience

• A minimum of 7 years experience in the area Forestry and wildfire management;
• Experience and good knowledge of the context of wildfire, climate change risks in Albania;
• Demonstrated outstanding technical expertise as relevant for the respective assignments;
• Direct experiences working with wildfires 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.