This project will help address the critical issue of forest and wild fire risks exaggerated under the climate change, by supporting national partners building necessary technical capacity and establishing sustainable practices of monitoring, prevention and coordination of roles and responsibilities during suppression of forest fires. The project thus will contribute to the application of sustainable forest management practices enhancing carbon sink, as well as conservation of carbon in agriculture lands and protection of forest ecosystems’ rich biodiversity.

The stated objectives can be ensured through provision of assistance for improvement and enforcement of the relevant policy and regulatory framework, strengthening forest fire early warning and monitoring systems, establishment of clear roles and responsibilities of corresponding national structures, and developing their technical capacity to execute their mandates. The project will provide for contemporary equipment, technologies, and other capacities to consolidate the efforts of respective stakeholders at regional and national levels.

The project will involve forest neighboring communities in all project activities as key stakeholder and steward for sustainable management of forest resources, including assistance in transfer and application of climate change mitigation innovative technological solutions, e.g. production of pellets and bricks; energy efficient stoves, involving them in agroforestry system through cooperation with technology accelerator, thus generating income, and jobs.

The project builds on a number of past and current UNDP activities in the area of sustainable management of natural resources and disaster risk reduction. The project foresees significant cooperation with the Russian Federation, both through technical and advisory support and in terms of technology transfer.

Under the overall coordination of UNDP Sustainable Growth and Resilience Programme Analyst and direct supervision of “Addressing climate change impact through enhanced capacity for wildfires management in Armenia” Project Technical Task Leader, the International Consultant will be recruited to serve as the resource person to support UNDP CO and the Government of Armenia  in: (i) revision of the existing national forest fire danger classes of Armenia, (ii) analysis of existing hazard information and early warning systems of Armenia with particular focus on wildfires and provision of respective recommendations for its improvement, and (iii) ensuring improved understanding of these by respective stakeholders.

The Consultant will work closely with local expert(s) as coordinated by UNDP and will perform the following duties:

• Revision of Armenia’s existing national forest fire danger classes (5 classes) to reflect the status of forest ecosystems, verification of these based on new internationally accepted and mostly quantitative characteristics based on temperature, humidity and wind.
• Designing of network of continuously monitored forest and wildfire fuel sampling plots for planning of preventive measures.
• Development of recommendations on improvement of national forest and wildfire information system based on improved system of forest and wildfire statistical data acquisition, collection, analysis and exchange in national, regional and international contexts, and improved integration of the system in national crisis management system.
• Revision of existing early warning system and development of recommendations on its improvement, based on application of well-developed geo-information technologies using remote sensing, drones and ground-based components, including:    Identification of specifications and quantities of necessary equipment; Identification of best possible sources of remote-sensing data.
• Provision of recommendations on integration of remote and ground-based data on the unified GIS-based platform to facilitate prompt analysis to reflect the situation and act as a reliable source for decision-making.
• Training of respective officials on interpretation of acquired remote sensing data.
• Participate in consultations, seminars and meetings organized by the project.
• Perform other duties as required.                             

Deliverables

1. Draft report on (i) revised national forest fire danger classes (5 classes) of Armenia, (ii) design for network of continuously monitored forest and wildfire fuel sampling plots for planning of preventive measures, and (iii) recommendations on improved national forest and wildfire information system.
2. Final report on (i) design for modern early warning system, including draft specifications and quantities of necessary equipment, and recommendations on best possible sources of remote-sensing data, and (ii) recommendations on integration of remote and ground-based data on the unified GIS-based platform to facilitate prompt analysis to reflect the situation and act as a reliable source for decision-making.
3. Training of respective officials on interpretation of acquired remote sensing data.

 Terms and Conditions for provision of services

• The assignment will be a combination of in country mission and a desk study. Two country visits tentatively for five days each are envisaged to conduct interviews, gather the first-hand information and provide inputs into discussions around subject;
• The consultant will report to UNDP CO Armenia. The Consultant will liaise closely with the national expert(s), UNDP Wildfire Management project and other partners that will support the work.

  Payment Conditions

Lump sum payments (including travel cost) will be applied in the following installments upon completion of the tasks under each output and approval of deliverables by UNDP CO:   

• Deliverable 1 - 50 % of total amount   
• Deliverables 2 and 3 - 50 % of total amount

Evaluation of outcomes is the responsibility of the UNDP Project Technical Task Leader.

UNDP reserves a right to terminate the contract at any phase if the requirements as per the TOR are not met?

• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with people of different social and cultural backgrounds;
• Strong track record with producing high quality research;
• Proven knowledge of communication tools, excellent writing skills;
• Excellent coordination and collaboration skills, with ability to work under time pressure and handle multiple activities and projects concurrently;
• Ability to work independently and to participate effectively in a team-based information sharing;
• Good computer literacy, knowledge of MS office software and web-based applications.

Education

• Advanced University degree (MSc, MA, or PhD) in forestry, GIS or other relevant disciplines.

Experience

• At least 10 years of proven experience at national or international level in the relevant field, particularly in countries with ecosystems and terrain, similar to Armenia;
• Experience and good knowledge of the context of wildfire, climate change risks in Armenia or Caucasus will an advantage;
• Experience in cooperation with local and international organizations.

 Languages

•   Proficiency in the English language is required 

NDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS WILL BE EVALUATED BASED ON THE FOLLOWING METHODOLOGY:

Candidates will be evaluated using a cumulative analysis method taking into consideration the combination of the applicants' technical qualifications,  experience and financial proposal. The contract will be awarded to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as technically responsive/compliant/acceptable to the requirements of the ToR and received the highest cumulative (technical and financial) score out of below defined technical and financial criteria.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points in the technical evaluation would be considered for financial evaluation.

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

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

Note:   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, travel related expenses and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services). The candidate will be requested to provide a lump sum price proposal (in USD), including professional fees and travel related expenses with breakdown of the costs supporting the final all-inclusive price. 

DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE APPLICATION.

• UNDP Personal History form (P11): http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/corporate/Careers/P11_Personal_history_form.doc.
• Financial Proposal and Availability form : OFFEROR’S LETTER TO UNDP
• General Conditions of Contract is available here: http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/documents/procurement/documents/IC%20-%20General%20Conditions.pdf.

Note: Please note you can upload only one document to this application (scan all documents in one single PDF file to attach).