Background

Albania’s primarily rural population is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, where extreme rain events frequently result in destructive flooding, while agricultural livelihoods and drinking water supplies are threatened during dry periods. As temperatures rise, climate scenarios predict increased severity and frequency of these extreme wet and dry conditions, along with decreasing total annual rainfall. These changes place Albania’s population at risk and pose a threat to the burgeoning hydropower and tourism industries.

To address these vulnerabilities, the Government of Albania launched its national adaptation plan (NAP) process in February 2015, with the support of GIZ and UNDP, through consultations with national stakeholders and a stocktaking exercise. The analytical exercises highlighted the existing weaknesses and demonstrated the prevailing barriers to climate change adaptation (CCA) planning in Albania. The results confirmed that in order to adequately address climate change vulnerabilities, Albania must overcome information gaps, vulnerability assessments and climate adaptation planning capacity weaknesses, and a lack of awareness of CCA – both at the national and subnational levels. In addition, climate change is not integrated into existing environmental and development policies, or their associated budget priorities, and financing appropriations for funding CCA are absent.

This project is therefore designed to help the Government of Albania to build and strengthen capacities for mainstreaming CCA, produce actionable climate risks and vulnerability assessments, and implement effective methods, tools and information systems to better inform decision-making on climate risks and catalyze and direct climate investments. It will also support the formulation of financing strategies and mechanisms for scaling up adaptation in the mid- to long-term.

Specifically, this funding request will support Albania to develop a national plan for CCA through:

o The strengthening of a national mandate, strategy and steering mechanism that focuses on assessing and addressing capacity gaps (particularly in the priority sectors of tourism, urban development, agriculture, transport, and energy) –  Outcome 1,

o The development of a NAP Strategy action plan document and its implementation plan –  Outcome 2, and

o The development of financing, monitoring and evaluation strategies to ensure that capacities and funding options are institutionalized for the long-term sustainability of adaptation planning beyond the life of the project –  Outcome 3.

Reducing Albania’s vulnerabilities to climate change requires greater investments in data management and capacity building, and greater integration of CCA and disaster risk reduction (DRR) into on-going development programs. To address these issues, the Government of Albania took strides to start to coordinate climate adaptation efforts at the national level.

Currently, the Inter-Ministerial Working Group on Climate Change (IMWGCC) is adopted by the  Council of Ministers decision no. 155 dated 25th of April 2014, but it will need to be restructured to fit within the structure of the new government under territorial reform. This body led the finalization of the Third National Communication to the UNFCCC. This body is chaired by the Deputy Minister of Environment and includes representations from 12 ministries. This body has the mandate to draft policies related to climate change, promote institutional coordination across ministries, and contribute to UNFCCC processes on behalf of Albania. The role of the IMWGCC was further reinforced through the official launch of the NAP process by the Deputy Minister of Environment on 19 February 2015, and the IMWGCC will lead this effort. Also under this project, training to enhance the technical capacity and knowledge base for climate risk management and long-term adaptation planning within the IGEWE in Albania will be completed.

UNDP is seeking for a Climate Change Policy Expert to provide technical assistance and guidance under the project National Adaptation Planning for the Republic of Albania to strengthen technical capacities, institutional and legal framework for Climate Change Adaptation (CCA).

Duties and Responsibilities

International Expert on Climate Change Policy will work in close cooperation with the national Expert on climate policy under the direct supervision of NAP Project Coordinator and in close coordination with UNDP Programme Officer for Environment and Climate Change to perform the following duties: 

General duties of the Consultant

• Provide technical support to IMWGCC on the review of their mandate and set up of Technical Working Group for Adaptation;
• Support strengthening the role and mandate related to climate change of the Albanian Institute of Geosciences, Energy, Water and Environment (IGEWE)
• Support analysis of climate information (via additional review of stocktaking information and drafting of revised stocktaking report)
• Support of the local climate policy expert working for the project to successfully implement the project activities, ensuring that they comply with the agreed benchmarks and success indicators of the project as well as international best practices and lessons learnt.
• Provide overall support to the local project management team in organizing the roll-out and implementation of the project's different sub-components at the inception phase, including support to the project manager in the preparation of the project Inception Workshop report and the annual output specific work plans;
• Drafting of Terms of Reference for the local and, as needed, additional international experts and subcontractors, contractual services – companies etc.

More specifically the Consultant will:

• Refine IMWGCC mission and mandate on adaptation related activities and articulate the governing processes and institutional arrangements for oversight and coordination. Currently the IMWGCC is adopted by the Order of the Prime  Minister (No. 155 from 2014, but it will need to be restructured to fit within the structure of the new government under territorial reform;
• Clarify and define the roles and responsibilities of sectorial representatives and other stakeholders listed in mandate outlined under a (representatives from 12 different ministries).
• Articulate the governing processes to allow for oversight and coordination of adaptation related issues;
• Establish a reporting framework by which all priority sectors (agriculture, tourism, urban development, transport, energy) will need to report regularly to the Ministry of Tourism and Environment(to be then shared with the IMWGCC) on implementation of UNFCCC agreements and progress on the NAP with a formalized reporting format and protocol.
• Advice on establishment of a formal NAP updating and reporting cycle within IMWGCC (to support Outcome 3)
• Support the process for conducting a IMWGCC workshop on revised mandates and the roles of the Technical Working Group for Adaptation
• Review and strengthen the role and mandate of Albania Institute of Geosciences, Energy, Water and Environment (IGEWE) as the central agency responsible for gender-disaggregated climate related data collection (i.e. hydromet data), its maintenance and dissemination. Mandate to be expanded to include climate vulnerability assessment, climate modeling, and integrated evaluation of adaptation options.
• In addition, as a result of this process, a high-level gaps analysis of IGEWE, reviewing necessary resources (personnel, capacity, funding, equipment, etc.) to accomplish additional mandate responsibilities will be developed, to be included in the funding strategy under output 3.2, and parts of which will be addressed under technical trainings under output 1.4.
• Support MoTE, IMWGCC and Project team to sensitize other ministry employees, parliamentarians, parliamentary working groups and parliamentary caucuses on climate change and its implications in Albania (including socio-economic and gender-specific issues), as well as its linkages to the NAP process and wider frameworks, such as EU Integration Process, Agenda 2030/SDGs and the Sendai Framework.
• Support analysis of climate information (via additional review of stocktaking information and drafting of revised stocktaking report)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
• Compile and synthesize available climate adaptation plans and climate-related risk data and vulnerability assessments at sectorial, national and regional level, starting with the results of the GIZ SNAP assessment. This will include reviewing existing IGEWE hydro-meteorological data and identifying any gaps (to inform 1.3.2 below), informed by the gap analysis underway under the Adaptation Fund transboundary Drini River basin project. Review existing stocktaking for opportunities for deeper assessment (as existing stocktaking was rapid in nature) to inform CCA prioritization. This review of stocktaking would be focused on assessing climate impacts on priority sectors first (agriculture, energy, transport, tourism and urban).
• Compile and synthesize available socio-economic information at sectorial, national and sub-national levels (for all regions, gender-disaggregated as available) for at least one priority sector (to be determined during the project initiation). Assess gaps with regards to information availability and existing processes in order to improve the ability to integrate climate and socio-economic modelling and more clearly identify the socio-economic risks of climate change. This analysis of climate change on socio-economic indicators will be completed for one priority sector, to be determined during the inception phase. As this analysis is completed, lessons-learned and the methodology for analysis will be captured in a report that can facilitate scaling up of this effort to other sectors in the future.

Other tasks on overall support will include:

1. Get familiar with the project document including objectives, outcomes, outputs and activities including project work plan and monitoring and evaluation plan;
2. Get familiar with the development programs and projects, infrastructure development and investment plans and relevant policies that are under way in the area in Albania;
3. Review and update accordingly the Project Document to report on changes in the project environment since the project was submitted;
   • Lead in the reviewing of the project results framework (setting up output indicators and revision of the logical framework) and the preparation of an Inception workshop report in close collaboration with the Project Coordinator:

• Support Project Coordinator in carrying out field work through field visits and meetings with all relevant stakeholders, to conduct meetings and interviews with the key stakeholders to revise the output baseline and set up the output/activity indicators;
  • Support the project team during the Inception workshop with (1) identification of the priority sector to be chosen for analysis of climate change on socio-economic indicators (2) selection of the ‘up to 8 municipalities’ utilizing a multi criteria analysis approach and the consideration of all priority sectors, consultations with experts, and review of the vulnerability assessments already completed as part of 3rd and 4rth National Communication. Drafting of the Project Inception Workshop Report.

1. Drafting of the Annual Work Plan divided in quarterly time - frames detailing the activities and progress indicators that will guide implementation during the first year of the project., as well as timeframes for meetings of the project's decision making structures. The Report will also include the detailed project budget for the first full year of implementation, prepared on the basis of the Annual Work Plan, and including any monitoring and evaluation requirements to effectively measure project performance during the targeted 12 months time-frame;
2. Support the team in the preparatory work on preparing  the annual workplan for the following year 2023;
3. Drafting of Terms of Reference and and work specifications for the national and, as needed, additional international experts and subcontractors, contractual services- companies etc., to provide specific consultancy services at least during the first year of the project;
4. Support Project Coordinator in monitoring the work of the contracted individual experts and companies.
5. Support the project team  in addition to the mandatory UNDP and GCF M&E requirements, to develop M&E plan activities as necessary to support project-level adaptive management; Support the project team on identifying how project M&E can support national monitoring of SDG indicators as relevant;
6. Support project team on drafting the GCF biannual reports.
7. Support the team in arranging co-operation with the current project partners and, as applicable, in establishing new, additional national and/or international partnerships to support the project goals and objectives;

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 a key instrument in ensuring the following deliverables are completed.

Deliverable 1 (D1)

1. Validate the Inception Workshop report outlining:
   1. revised project results framework, output indicators, means of verification and monitoring plan prepared with inputs during and after the inception workshop;
   2. findings on the priority sector for analysis of climate change on socio-economic indicators;
   3. selection of 8 selected municipalities, utilizing a multi criteria analysis approach and the consideration of all priority sectors, consultations with experts, and review of the vulnerability assessments already completed;
   4. Annual Work Plan for 2022 with detailed project budget, M&E plan activities for 2022 as necessary to support project-level adaptive management developed;
   5. Terms of Reference for at least 6 international experts; 7 national experts and 4 contractual services - companies prepared within November 2021-January 2022;
   6. Support the Project Manager in finalization of the Interim Progress Report under GCF reporting requirements.

Deliverable 2 (D2)

1. Order of the Prime  Minister (No. 155 from 2014),  revised and restructured to fit within the new government structure  presented  in the IMWGCC meeting, including; 
   1. A gap analyses on existing legislation on climate change related the IMWGCC;
   2. Operations manual for IMWGCC with clear roles and responsibilities of membership, as related to adaptation, adopted;
   3. A framework plan for reporting regularly to MoET on implementation of UNFCCC agreements and progress on the NAP priority sectors (agriculture, tourism, urban development, transport, energy); adopted by both MoET and IMWGCC;
   4. Gap analysis report on IGEWE . A proposal for reviewing the mandate for IGEWE strengthened to include climate change vulnerability assessment, climate modelling support, and integrated evaluation of adaptation options, utilizing collected hydromet data;

Deliverable 3 (D3)

1. Stocktaking report on climate vulnerabilities, CCA opportunities and development needs upgraded and vulnerability analyses updated. This report will provide:
   1. detailing available data and data gaps and identifying areas for deeper study as needed, according to the strategic priorities (priority sectors: agriculture, transport, energy, tourism, and urban/municipal issues ) of this NAP process;
   2. A thorough review of the available information and existing climate adaptation goals within relevant ministries dealing with financing and budgeting, and the priority sectors of agriculture, transport, energy, tourism, and urban/municipal issues
   3. compiling and synthesizing available climate risks and vulnerability assessments at sectorial, national and regional levels;
   4. assessing and filling gaps, analysing past and ongoing adaptation initiatives and
   5. Review existing stocktaking for opportunities for deeper assessment (as existing stocktaking was rapid in nature) to inform CCA prioritization and identifying future adaptation options.
2. Project inventory spreadsheet and feasibility justification, to be housed at Ministry of Tourism and Environment, that includes:
   1. an inventory of sectorial, territorial and international/regional adaptation projects, and of NGO driven adaptation activities;
   2.  analyses and lessons learned and successful implementation of adaptation experiences in order to identify options that can be feasibly replicated and/or scaled up in Albania.

Deliverable 4 (D4)

1. Report on climate and socio-economic data (compiled and analysed) for one priority sector(to be identified during the inception phase), including socio-economic indicator modelling covering:
   1. available socio-economic information at sectorial, national and sub-national levels (for all regions, gender-disaggregated as available) for at least one priority sector (to be determined during project initiation) compiled and synthesized;
   2. Gap assessed with regards to information availability and existing processes in order to improve the ability to integrate climate and socio-economic modelling and more clearly identify the socio-economic risks of climate change.
   3. Lessons-learned and the methodology for analysis will that can facilitate scaling up of this effort to other sectors in the future.
2. Reports with analysis of the critique of all individual/company reports contracted by the project.
3. Draft Annual Work Plan for 2023 prepared;

Payment Schedule

1. First payment - 30%

That is upon completion of deliverables D1+D2

1. Second payment - 40%

Upon completion of deliverables D3

1. Third payment - 30%

Upon completion of deliverables D4

Competencies

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:

• Strong interpersonal skills;
• Ability to work independently and in teams;
• Ability to provide quality assurance and attention to detail;
• Excellent analytical skills;
• Displays ability to synthesize research and reach empirically based conclusions on related subject;
• Strong writing skills;
• Proven capacity to produce reports;
• Displays capacity to provide experienced advice on best practices;
• Possesses knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
• Demonstrated technical skills and work experience on Climate change policies with a special focus on change adaptation;
• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Good communication, coordination and facilitation skills;
• Consistently ensures timeliness and quality of work;
• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• University degree in natural sciences, environmental management, environmental and climate law or other related fields;
• Proven expert knowledge of the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement.

Experience

• At least 7 years of relevant professional experience in environment and climate change related issues;
• Experience in Policy/Regulatory and Institutional assessments;
• Knowledge of climate related data and vulnerability assessments;
• Experience in working with wide range of stakeholders (private, governmental, etc.).
• Demonstrable experience in mobilizing personnel, goods and services, and training to initiative activities, including drafting terms of reference and work specifications and overseeing all contractors’ work;
• Proven experience and success in supporting similar projects (or its sub-components); (Experience with working in NAPs would be desirable but not essential)
• Good knowledge of international best practices in the project related fields, state of the art approaches in the specific areas the project and its subcomponents are dealing with;
• Previous experience with UN/UNDP and other development partners and development banks is desirable;

Language requirements:

• Fluent English with excellent drafting, writing and presentation skills is required.

1. 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:

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.