Antecedentes

UNDP is implementing an Adaptation Fund-funded project “Integrated climate-resilient transboundary flood risk management in the Drin River basin in the Western Balkans (Albania, Montenegro and North Macedonia)” (hereinafter Drin FRM Project). The project aims to assist the riparian countries in the implementation of an integrated climate-resilient river basin flood risk management approach in order to improve their existing capacity to manage flood risk at regional, national and local levels and to enhance resilience of vulnerable communities in the Drin River Basin (DRB) to climate-induced floods. The following results shall be achieved: (i) Improved climate and risk informed decision-making, availability and use of climate risk information; (ii) Improved institutional arrangements, legislative and policy framework for climate-resilient flood risk management (FRM), and development of climate change adaptation (CCA) and FRM strategy and plans at the basin, sub-basin, national and sub-national levels; (iii) Strengthened community resilience through improved flood management, through implementation of structural and non-structural measures and enhanced local capacity for CCA and FRM.

Outcome 1 of the project is aimed at achieving an improved climate and risk informed decision-making, availability and use of climate risk information. Key to the strategic management of climate-induced flood risk is to have appropriate density and frequency of monitoring of important hydrometeorological variables. Given the importance of accurate historical hydrometeorological records in the assessment of flood risk, it would be important to ensure that the hydrometric network is spatially optimized and centrally managed, and that data is made available to all flood management practitioners.

Outcome 2 is aiming at improved institutional arrangements, legislative and policy framework for FRM, and development of climate change adaptation and flood risk management strategy and plans at the basin, sub-basin, national and sub-national levels. The Adaptation Fund (AF) project will consolidate and extend current flood risk management efforts by DRB countries through the establishment of a dedicated coordination mechanism on flood risk management with the necessary political support and resourcing from the riparian countries to comprehensively address missing formalized and effective cooperation on FRM.

Outcome 3 of the project will secure strengthened resilience of local communities through improved flood forecasting and early warning, implementation of structural and non-structural measures and the strengthened capacity for CCA and FRM at the local level.

Deberes y responsabilidades

Objective of the assignment

The International Lead Socio-Economist is recruited to support riparian countries with development of socio-economic risk models, the introduction of socio-economic survey, methods and tools and with the development of basin risk transfer mechanisms. The International Lead Socio-Economist (the Consultant) will work under the direct supervision of the Regional Project Manager and with the guidance from the International Chief Technical Advisor.

1. Duties and responsibilities

Under close supervision of Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) and Project Manager (PM), the Lead Socio-Economist will provide technical assistance for the development of socio-economic risk models, the introduction of socio-economic survey methods and tools and to guide the development basin risk transfer mechanisms under Output 1.3 and 2.1. The expert will also oversee the introduction of appraisal-led cost-benefit appraisal (CBA) and multi-criteria analysis (MCA) method in prioritization of FRM intervention measures and in the design of FRM intervention strategies and measures under 2.3 and 3.1.

Key tasks will include:

• Develop and codify methods and tools for undertaking socio-economic surveys to collect necessary information to fully map the socio-economic conditions of communities within the DRB for long-term socio-economic risk, vulnerability and damage and loss assessment and modeling;
• Develop GIS-based risk modeling tools to integrate various spatial socio-economic data with the flood hazard maps, perform vulnerability assessment, produce vulnerability maps which will include damages and loss of life estimates and for the use in CBA, MCA and flood management options appraisal;
• Assist in the establishment of DesInventar and associated data collection tools for D&L accounting in all riparian countries;
• Develop harmonized methods, guidelines and procedures in line with Sendai Framework, for recording flood events, undertaking post-event surveys and assessing vulnerability to flooding as well as assessing the effectiveness of flood mitigation measures in reducing vulnerability and damages;
• Provide technical assistance on and guide the development basin risk transfer mechanisms under Output 2.1 to include: 1) Development of risk financing and risk transfer mechanisms strategy to include private sector engagement strategy for long-term implementation of risk financing and risk transfer mechanisms for national-level flood risk financing and resilience strategy; 2) Identification or public-sector risk financing mechanisms for flood risk management; 3) Risk financing and transfer mechanisms products and tools identification (if existing); 4) Development based on detailed socio-economic risk, damage and loss assessment (to be undertaken in Output 1.3); 5) Oversee feasibility studies of all identified and shortlisted risk financing mechanisms, development of a basin flood insurance model for the assessment of premiums and payouts of flood events for various return periods; 6) Oversee the development of basin flood insurance scheme.
• Undertake socio-economic risk modelling into CBA and MCA to support the development of long-listing and shortlisting of structural and non-structural measures, option modeling and appraisal; the identification of the preferred options; and the outline, feasibility and detailed design of preferred options in the development of the basin FRM strategy (Output 2.3);
• Undertake socio-economic risk modeling into CBA and MCA to support the detailed engineering design of structural measures – Feasibility, outline and detailed design studies for each preferred option/flood alleviation scheme to be implemented under Output 3.1.

Timing and travel: The Consultant will be engaged under the Individual Contract. The engagement will be up to 100 working days.

At least six missions are envisaged under this assignment (up to 25 days), including min. of two missions to each of the beneficiary countries of Albania (Tirana), Montenegro (Podgorica), North Macedonia (Skopje). As necessary, any local travel to project sites outside of the capitals will be arranged by the hosting country offices and covered separately.

In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and International Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed. In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources. Approval of the IRH CDT Team Leader is required prior to planning of the trips and relevant logistics.

Reporting and delivery of outputs

The International Lead Socio-Economist should provide the following reports according to the UNDP format:

1. Completed time sheets and his/her mission reports;
2. Methodology for the assignment, including the scope of work, workplan and a timeframe;
3. Progress reports after every mission;
4. Report/recommendations on methods and tools for undertaking socio-economic surveys to fully map the socio-economic conditions of communities within the DRB;
5. Report on the delivery of the GIS-based risk modelling tool;
6. Report on the establishment of DesInventar and associated data collection tools for D&L accounting in all riparian countries;
7. Harmonized methods, guidelines and procedures in line with Sendai Framework, for recording flood events, undertaking post-event surveys and assessing vulnerability to flooding;
8. Report on technical assistance delivered on the development of basin risk transfer mechanisms under Output 2.1;
9. Socio-economic risk model into CBA and MCA to support the development of long-listing and shortlisting of structural and non-structural measures, options modeling and appraisal; the identification of the preferred options; and the outline, feasibility and detailed design of preferred options in the development of the basin FRM strategy (Output 2.3);
10. Socio-economic risk model into CBA and MCA to support the detailed engineering design of structural measures – Feasibility, outline and detailed design studies for each preferred option/flood alleviation scheme to be implemented under Output 3.1;
11. Final compiled report, consolidating all technical outputs, which incorporates the comments.

Reporting language:

Deliverables will be delivered in English. 

Competencias

Corporate Competencies

• 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;
• Demonstrates ability to manage complexities and work under pressure, as well as conflict resolution skills.

Functional Competencies:

• Strong interpersonal skills;
• Ability to work independently and in teams;
• Ability to provide quality assurance and attention to detail;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Economics, Finance or related fields; PhD in same fields will be considered as advantage;

Experience:

• At least 7 years of relevant work experience, with proven record of the works in economic analysis, economic modeling, cost-benefit analysis, multi-criteria analysis, CBA for structural and non-structural measures, financial analysis, risk transfer;
• Experience in similar projects addressing climate resilient flood risk management or water management in last 7 years is an advantage;
• Former work with UN/UNDP will be considered as advantage.

Language skills:

• fluent English writing and speaking skills.

EVALUATION OF APPLICANTS

Only those applications which are responsive and compliant will be evaluated.

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on Combined Scoring method taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.

Applicants obtaining 49 points or more of the total technical points will be considered for financial evaluation.

Combined weighted scoring:  Technical (70%); Financial (30%).

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

• Criteria A – Advanced university degree in the fields related to Economics, Finance or related field – up to 10 points;

• Criteria B – Experience, with proven record of the works in economic analysis, economic modeling, cost-benefit analysis, multi-criteria analysis, CBA for structural and non-structural measures, financial analysis, risk transfer – up to 30 points;
• Criteria C – Experience with supporting water management, flood risk management or climate change adaptation projects in ECIS countries and/or EU – up to 25 points;

• Criteria D – Fluency in English: up to 5 points.

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

Application procedure:

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.
• Latest personal Curriculum Vitae (CV) including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees, 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.
• 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
• Financial Proposal in USD - specifying a total lump sum in USD
  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. 

* Kindly note that Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability and Financial Proposal are two separate documents and should both be part of your application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

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.