UNDP Jobs - 26601- Local Consultant in Slovakia for Position Paper Su

Local Consultant in Slovakia for Position Paper Support

Location :

home based and local travel to Eastern Slovakia region, Bratislava, and other locations in Slovakia as required, SLOVAK REPUBLIC

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

18-Nov-11 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

estimated November – December 2011

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

approximately 15 working days, (minimum 5 days in the field)

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. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The assignment is a replication of experience gained within the GEF- Mid-Size Project “Integrating multiple benefits of wetlands and floodplains into improved transboundary management for the Tisza River Basin”. The assignment is implemented within the UNDP pilot and demonstration component aimed at development, implementation and evaluation of transboundary community-led projects that promote sustainable development through integrated land and water management (ILWM) practices at the community level in Tisza countries: Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Ukraine.

The Slovak demonstration project focused on mitigation of consequences of floods through achieving consistent and holistic management of flood risk in Bodrog river basin countries, Ukraine, Slovakia and Hungary. Project activities considered the maintenance and/or restoration of floodplains by creating “space” for water during flood events, as well as measures to prevent and reduce damage to human health, the environment, cultural heritage and economic activity. The involvement of municipalities, river basin organizations, NGOs, farmers, spatial and urban planning authorities was crucial. The project demonstrated that even using relatively small amount of resources, still significant improvement could be achieved by finding effective measures. In the course of the project it became clear that enormous legal, structural and financial barriers as well as deficiencies in the awareness of stakeholders prevent fruitful conclusion of such efforts.

The Slovak government decided to take an alternative approach to the water management issues focusing on decreasing the rainwater drainage, which will flatten flood waves from the flood source area in the landscape. The current situation still provides the need to assess the geographic and physical potential to the implementation of a non-structural, diverse and multilateral approach to the land use and water management issues in the Bodrog river basin, with the intention to practical implementation of such an approach at a local site.

The rural development strategy beyond 2013 is under preparation. This long term strategy opens up the possibility for reviewing the potential of integrating the land use development concept into the rural development objectives. Improved knowledge on the ffloodplain restoration potential of the riverine landscape could provide supporting arguments to political decision makers on the viability of such approach.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of, and reporting to the project manager in UNDP, the consultant will support the development of the position paper outlining mainly:

The potential for an integrated land and water development approach in the Bodrog River Basin
Floodplain restoration potential and related flood retention potential of wetlands/floodplains based on the implementation of such an approach
Methodology for a comprehensive functional analysis of the riverine landscape
The potential for inclusion of the integrated land and water development approach into the current rural development strategy of the Slovak government
The potential for inclusion of the integrated land and water development approach into the current spatial plans of municipalities

The consultant will facilitate the discussion of the position paper with the different stakeholder groups including ministerial decision makers, water management authorities, land use authorities, development agencies and municipalities. Specific tasks of the service provider include:

identification of stakeholders,
circulation and the presentation of the draft paper to stakeholders
facilitating the acceptance of the position paper among all stakeholders groups.

Deliverables:

The key products expected from this assignment are the following:

Active participation in the development of the position paper in English and Slovak, especially elaborating the proposal on inclusion of the integrated land and water development approach into the current spatial plans of municipalities,
Active participation in the development of the legislative proposal to decision makers
A Final Report in English that summarizes the work accomplished by the consultant.

Duration:

The total time frame for the carrying out of this assignment is maximum 1 month starting in ministry November 2011. The Final Report shall be submitted by 16 December 2011 latest. Estimated number of working days is 15. The contract will be paid as lump sum, including costs of occasional in-country travel.

Approach:

The consultant is expected to follow a participatory and consultative approach ensuring close engagement with UNDP Regional Centre in Bratislava, the government counterparts, national and regional partners, and key stakeholders.

Although the Consultant should feel free to discuss with the authorities concerned, all matters relevant to its assignment, s/he is not authorized to make any commitment or statement on behalf of UNDP.

Terms of Payment:

Lump sum payable upon satisfactory completion and approval by UNDP of all deliverables, including the Final report

The costs of in-country mission(s) of the Consultant are to be included in the lump sum

Competencies

Strong interpersonal skills, communication and diplomatic skills,
Ability to plan and organize his/her work, efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results
Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback
Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations
Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities

Required Skills and Experience

Possess a Masters degree in the appropriate development field (agriculture, water engineering, geography or rural development) (Criteria A)
Be a recognized expert in the areas of rural development and wetland restoration, work experience in relevant areas for at least 5 years (Criteria B)
Have experience in working with government officials, civil servants and technical public administration agencies and authorities, municipalities (Criteria C)
Be familiar with policies and management structures in Slovakia in the area of spatial planning and regional development, incl. the agri-environmental program (Criteria D)
Excellent English and Slovak writing and communication skills (Criteria E)
Computer-literate (MS Word, Excel, Power Point, Internet and email) (Criteria F)

Evaluation of applicants:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal. The award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

b) having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Only the highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

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

Criteria A – max points: 5
Criteria B – max points: 15
Criteria C – max points: 15
Criteria D – max points: 25
Criteria E – max points: 5
Criteria F– max points: 5

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

Application procedures:

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website. The application should contain:
.

Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position and a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work (if applicable). Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application.
Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees, please upload the P11 instead of your CV. (blank form can be downloaded from http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc );
Financial Proposal* - specifying a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this announcement. The financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (indicating the number of anticipated working days – separately in the home office and on mission, daily fee rate, travel – international and/or local, per diems and any other possible costs),
Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials

Please note that 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, vaccination, office costs and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...). All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel.

Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.

Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org
General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://europeandcis.undp.org/home/jobs

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.

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.