Antecedentes

The Leave No One Behind (LNB) Project builds upon the vast experience of the UN and UNDP in addressing social inclusion and the needs of vulnerable groups. It will support the implementation of the newly shaped vision of the social sector in Albania, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the country’s aspirations towards EU integration. LNB avails of technical expertise and know-how of UN agencies aiming at allowing for greater impact and outreach by focusing on the municipal level and its linkage to the national level. The objective of this four-year programme (2017 – 2021) is to empower vulnerable persons and groups to have equal access to public services and opportunities, to have a voice in public decision-making affecting their lives and hold the duty bearers accountable.

Since service delivery is realized mostly at local level, the project’s intervention focuses primarily at this level. Two of the three outcomes reflect this thrust – by empowering the beneficiaries in need of measures for their social protection to access and to contribute themselves to their social inclusion (outcome 1), and by capacitating municipalities the service providers to provide services and to promote social inclusion (outcome 2). The third outcome reflects the project’s concern with anchoring its interventions at system level, i.e. to contribute to the further development and implementation of policies relevant for social inclusion, including its funding.

The project’s implementation is the responsibility of the four UN agencies UNDP, UNICEF, UN Women and UNFPA, and funded by Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC).

Scope of the assignment

Infrastructure is critical to social functioning with direct impact on social wellbeing, earnings, education and health. When infrastructure is inaccessible to any social group, that group is at risk of social exclusion, unable to participate in and contribute to society. Public environments without a universally accessible public system will exclude people with disabilities, marginalising them and breaching their human rights.

Thus, UNDP seeks to contract an architect/ expert in accessibility of infrastructure and facilities for people with disabilities (PWD) to support the LNB team with advice on disability considerations for infrastructure projects and with recommendations on how to improve accessibility of the built environment, specifically of the public institutions to help reduce the barriers faced by Persons with Disability (PWDs). In addition, the expert will support the development of technical designs for at least five infrastructure projects of the ‘Leave No One Behind’ (LNB) Project focusing on services for persons with disabilities. 

Deberes y responsabilidades

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the LNB Programme Coordinator and Disability Analyst, the expert/architect will:

• Provide technical advice and recommendations to LNB team on how to improve accessibility of the built environment, specifically of the public institutions to help reduce the barriers faced by Persons with Disability (PWDs).
• Assist LNB team with advice on disability considerations for infrastructure projects focusing on services for persons with disabilities.
• Provide guidance on the adaptation of the facilities to be transformed into community centers, and propose the refurbishment works if needed. Prepare and finalize the architectural designs of at least 5 community centers to be established and/or rehabilitated
• Assist with designing the furniture and other equipment arrangements for at least five community centers to be established and/or rehabilitated

Expected Outputs and Deliverables:

• The recommendations to LNB team on how to improve accessibility of the built environment, specifically of the public institutions in selected municipalities.
• Project designs’ proposals for services for persons with disabilities
• The technical designs and related bill of quantities, technical reports and specifications for new centers for services for children with disabilities in five municipalities 
• Proposal on the adaptation, as well as detailed design, bill of quantities and specifications for the furnishing works for the potential facility to serve as a community centers
• Needs assessment and proposals for refurbishment works
• Detailed design, bill of quantities and specifications for the furniture and other equipment arrangements for community centers to be established and/or rehabilitated

Duration of the Work

The duration of this assignment is for a maximum of 60 person-days over the period of 12 months from contract signature.

Competencias

Corporate:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards
• Commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values; 
• Sensitivity to cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age differences;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism

Functional Competencies:

• Ability to work collaboratively with other LNB professionals;
• Excellent understanding of physical accessibility requirements for persons with disabilities;
• Creativity;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to pose questions, listen, evaluate and capture opinions, suggestions and comments;
• Capacity to deliver as per the deadlines.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Required Skills and Experience

Academic qualifications:

• Master University Degree in Architecture

• Professional license of category 2/b, 2/c, 2/ç, (business and/or socio-cultural facilities, and exterior and interior design).

Relevant Experience:

• Minimum ten years work experience in architectural design;
• Proven experience in exterior and interior design of premises meeting the various needs of persons with disabilities for physical accessibility;
• Similar work experience with UNDP or other national and international organizations is much appreciated

Language

• Fluency in written and spoken Albanian and English.

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: Professional experience in architectural design for business or socio-cultural buildings – max points: 20

Criteria B: Educational background – max points: 15

Criteria C: Evidence of experience in exterior and interior design of premises accessible for people with disabilities – max points: 25

Criteria D: Similar experience with UNDP or local and international organizations – max points: 10

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

Candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% (49 points) of the maximum obtainable points for the technical criteria (70 points) shall be considered for the financial evaluation.

Application procedures

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-please fill in the attached form...  www.un.org.al/sites/default/files/IC_Offerors%20Letter%20to%20UNDP%20Confirming%20Interest%20and%20Availability.docx
• Latest personal CV, including past experience from similar projects or completed and signed UN Personal History Form (P11) for Service Contracts (SC) and Individual Contracts (IC) – Blank form Download here.
• Financial Proposal in ALL - specifying a total lump sum in Albanian Lek
  http://www.un.org.al/doc/Financial%20Offer%20template.doc 
  (The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable -qualitative and quantitative- deliverables . Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR.  In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount-including travel, per diems, and number of anticipated working days).- Please note that with regard to travel component you may provide an average estimated travel cost for one circuit with and without accommodation.
• Copy of Diplomas and copy of Passport. 

PLEASE NOTE THAT INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR FURTHER EVALUATION 

How to Submit the Application:

To submit your application online, please follow the steps below:

• Merge your CV or P11, 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.

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.

Due to a large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process