UNDP Jobs - 73192- EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) and River Basin

EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) and River Basin Management Expert

Location :

Home-based with missions to Baku, Azerbaijan and Tbilisi, Georgia

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

28-Jul-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Estimated 1 August 2017 – 28 February 2018

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Approximately 40 days

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 Global Environment Facility (GEF)
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) (www.thegef.org) unites 183 member governments—in partnership with international institutions, non-governmental organizations and the private sector—to address global environment issues. An independently operating financial organization, the GEF provides grants for projects related to biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, the ozone layer and persistent organic pollutants. Since 1991, the GEF has provided US$12.5 billion in grants and leveraged US$58 billion in co-financing for 3,690 projects in 165 developing countries. Through its Small Grants Programme (SGP) the GEF has made more than 20,000 grants totaling about US$1 billion to civil society and community-based organizations.

The GEF International Waters (IW) focal area targets transboundary water systems, such as shared river basins, lakes, groundwater and large marine ecosystems. The IW portfolio comprises 242 projects to date and some US$1.4 billion of GEF grants invested in 149 different countries. This investment has leveraged about US$8.4 billion in co-financing.

UNDP GEF Kura Project “Advancing Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) across the Kura river basin through implementation of the transboundary agreed actions and national plans” will be implementing the Strategic Action Program for the Kura River Basin in partnership with the Governments of Georgia and Azerbaijan. The SAP is framed around four agreed Ecosystem Quality Objectives (EQO) which are:

To achieve sustainable utilization of water resources to ensure access to water and preserve ecosystem services;
To achieve water quality such that it would ensure access to clean water for present and future generations and sustain ecosystem functions in the Kura river basin;
To achieve and maintain ecosystem status whereby they provide essential environmental and socio-economic services in a sustainable manner in the Kura River Basin; and,
To achieve mitigation of adverse impacts of flooding and climate change on infrastructures, riparian ecosystems and communities.

The GEF will support priority activities towards these objectives. The GEF funded SAP implementation Project has the objective “to integrate water resources management in the Kura river basin to address water-energy-food-ecosystem security nexus through the implementation of agreed actions in the SAP”.
There will be five components to support the countries to achieve this objective. These are:

Project Component 1: Establishment of effective cross sectoral IWRM governance protocols at the local, national and transboundary levels in the Kura Basin;
Project Component 2: Strengthening national capacities to implement multi-sectoral IWRM in the Kura basin;
Project Component 3: Stress reduction in critical areas and pre-feasibility studies to identify investment opportunities for improving river system health;
Project Component 4: Targeted education and involvement projects to empower stakeholders in implementing local / national / regional actions in support of SAP implementation;
Project Component 5: Enhancing science for governance by strengthening monitoring, information management and data analysis systems for IWRM.

Duties and Responsibilities

Management of water resources according to hydrographic/basin borders is one of the core
principles of the IWRM. While both Azerbaijan and Georgia embrace the IWRM principles, basin management has not yet been applied in either of them. Although Georgia developed a new water law that includes the institutional set up to switch from administrative to basin principle in water resources management, there are many challenges facing the implementation of this new management principal.
There were several efforts made to support the two countries in improving the current water management scheme to be in line with the EUWFD through the development of river basin management plans for certain sub-basins. However, most of these efforts ended by formulating basin management plans that do not have the institutional set up or the national capacities that support its implementation. Currently there is a lack of well trained staff in the concerned ministries, who can take the responsibility of implementing these basin management plans, increase the risks of the successful implementation of these RBMPs.

Therefore, building the capacity of the concerned ministries in the two countries on the institutional setup of the River Basin Management Organizations (RBMOs) in line with the EU WFD will pave the road in the two countries to reach proper establishment of these RBMOs and train their staff on this new management concepts. It will also raise the awareness of all other stakeholders on the regional level and the NGOs on this new management concept.)

The services of a qualified and highly competent consultant will be required to assist the Project Management unit in supporting the two countries in the institutional reforms to encourage and enable formation of River Basin Management Organization (RBMOs), Develop 3-tears training program on River Basin Management principals, River Basin Management Planning, and stakeholders’ involvement.

Scope of Work
The EUWFD and River Basin Management expert will work closely with Both Ministry of Ecology in Azerbaijan and Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources protection in Georgia to assess the current legal and institutional set up and provide recommendations on harmonization of approaches for application of the EU WFD between the two countries. The International Consultant will develop EU WFD implementation guidance materials including a common and shared set of guidance materials to support information exchange between RBMOs within and between Azerbaijan and Georgia.

The consultant, in collaboration and close coordination with the Project Management Unit and the two National Focal Points, shall carry out the following activities:

Desk review for the current legal and institutional capacities in the water resources management planning and operation;
Assess the current efforts in both countries in the harmonization with the EUWFD and the implementation of the RBM principals including geographical coverage, institutional structure, mandates and responsibilities
Review the current water quality standards in both countries and provide recommendations for amendment these standards to be in line with the EUWFD;
Meet with the concerned stakeholders in both countries to discuss the best institutional set up for the RBMOs and its organization structure.
Develop a draft report for the assessment of the current Legal and Institutional capacities and the needed actions for harmonization with the EUWFD to establish RBMOs in both countries
Organize a national workshop in each country to discuss the draft report
Develop Capacity building plan for each country for the harmonization with the EUWFD and the establishment of the RBM principals
Develop 3-tier training program for the concerned stakeholders on harmonization with the EUWFD and introducing the river basin management planning concept, the roles and responsibilities of concerned stakeholders, and the development of a river basin management plan.

Timeframe for Deliverables and payment schedule:

Submit detailed work plan for implementation of activities
Start date: 1st Aug. 2017
End date: 15 Aug. 2017
Payment due: 10% of the total lumpsum on delivery and approval by the CTA

Two national level baseline studies of EU WFD Harmonization Process and the implementation of the RBMOs principals
Start date: 15 Aug. 2017
End date: 15 Sep. 2017
Payment due: 15% of the total lumpsum on delivery and approval by the CTA

Technical report on the harmonization of the water quality standards in both countries with the EUWFD
Start date: 15 Aug. 2017
End date: 30 Sep. 2017
Payment due: 15% of the total lumpsum on delivery and approval by the CTA

National level plans with methodologies for the harmonization with the EU WFD and the implementation of RBMOs principals
Start date: 1st Oct. 2017
End date: 31 Oct. 2017
Payment due: 20% of the total lumpsum on delivery and approval by the CTA

Two sets of guidance materials provide capacity building steps for concerned stakeholders on implementing the RBM principals including institutional set up, legal framework, and information exchange
Start date: 1st Nov. 2017
End date: 30 Nov. 2017
Payment due: 20% of the total lumpsum on delivery and approval by the CTA

Conduct 3 tiered training modules (2 days per training per country for each tier) on the principals of River Basin Management Planning principles and the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholders on the implementation of that principal
Start date: 1st Dec. 2017
End date: 28 Feb. 2018
Payment due: 20% of the total lumpsum on delivery and approval by the CTA

Information on Working Arrangements:

The international EUWFD and River Basin Management Expert will report to the Project Chief Technical Advisor / Regional Project Coordinator (CTA/RPC). Deliverables will be reviewed and approved by the CTA/RPC.

Competencies

Functional competencies

Strong communication and management skills and demonstrable capacity to work with a multi-national team and to work with government institutions;
Demonstrated ability in developing Harmonization plans with the EUWFD and providing the institutional and legal capacity building of RBMOs.
Ability to conduct needs assessment studies and develop capacity needs plans for harmonization with EUWFD and the implementation of the RBMO principals;
Excellent Knowledge on the EUWFD with focus on RBM Planning;
Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations;
Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities.

Corporate competencies

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
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.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Masters degree in Water Resources Management, or related fields required; Masters degree focusing on Harmonization with EUWFD and the implementation of the RBM planning and organization principals will be an asset. (Criteria A - Max. 10 Pts)

Experience

At least 5 years of demonstrated experience in the EUWFD and providing technical support to the RBMOs. (Criteria B – 10 Pts)
Proven experience in providing trainings for capacity building for EU Neighbor states on River Basin Management Planning and Organization structure. (Criteria C – 10 Pts)
Proven knowledge and experience in developing work plans for the harmonization of the current legal and management structure in line with the EUWFD and the RBM Principals; (Criteria D – 10 Pts)
Proven experience in assessing and providing technical trainings for the concerned stakeholders on RBM planning and Organization structure; (Criteria E – 15 Pts)
Experience in working with UNDP and GEF through multiple sectors/ministries or work experience in GEF International Waters, experience in former Soviet States, and with water management in line with EU WFD methodologies is an asset (Criteria F - Max. 5 Pts);

Language:

English is the working language for this assignment, therefore excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required. Ability to communicate in Russian is an advantage (Criteria G - Max. 10 Pts);

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 should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical P11 desk reviews and interviews and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Only candidates who will get min. 70% of points in the desk review will be invited for an interview.-

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

Criteria A – Academic qualification / education – max points 10;
Criteria B – Experience – max points 10;
Criteria C – Experience– max points 10;
Criteria D – Experience– max points 10;
Criteria E – Experience – max points 15;
Criteria F – Experience – max points 5;
Criteria G – Interview (communication and technical skills) – max points 10

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

Time Frame

The expected time frame for the Consultant to complete these activities is 7 months starting from August 1st, 2017. The expected level of effort during this period is approximately 40 days (20 days home based plus 4 field missions to the region countries with 5 working days per each mission (each mission will include 3 days in Azerbaijan + 2 days in Georgia)).

Financial Arrangements

Payments as percentage of lump sum will be made monthly on the following based on approval and timely completion of above all deliverables described above.
Any delay of deliverable must be approved by the CTA in writing.

Procedures for Applying
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. 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 (blank form can be downloaded from http://www.eurasia.undp.org/content/dam/rbec/docs/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc); please upload the P11 instead of your CV.
A detailed proposal for the workplan indicating the work to be done for achieving the task, main points to be discussed with the countries and to also be addressed in your report, plan for visiting countries, the structure of your final report.
Financial Proposal in USD* - specifying a) total amount for the tasks specified in this announcement and b) mission related costs (i) travel costs and ii) per diem) for four field missions to the region with 5 days per mission (each mission will include 3 days in Azerbaijan + 2 days in Georgia)

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, personal security needs and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...). All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal.

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://on.undp.org/t7fJs.

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.