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Consultant: Technical Advisor for EU/UNDP Black Sea Project: “Improving Environmental Monitoring in the Black Sea”

5:34:00 PM

Background

Location:  home based with travels in the Black Sea region as needed. The project will be implemented in Georgia, Russian Federation and Ukraine.
The Black Sea is one of the most vulnerable regional seas in the world given its limited exchange of water with the open oceans and the large area of continental Europe from which it receives the drainage. The four strongly interlinked priority trans-boundary problems of the Black Sea are eutrophication - nutrient enrichment, changes in marine living resources, chemical pollution (including oil), and biodiversity/habitat changes, including alien species introduction - as well as the underlying root causes like industrial activities, agriculture, domestic wastewater, sea transport (oil spills, ballast water), and coastal zone degradation (urbanisation, tourism). The Convention on the Protection of the Black Sea against Pollution (Bucharest Convention) addresses these problems through enhanced cooperation among its signatories. The development/improvement of a monitoring network and data collection to provide for ecosystem-based and knowledge-based decision-making is considered to be a management target of high priority. Further coordination in policies and legislation between the Black Sea countries is  of common interest in the region and specifically to the EU's partners countries – being also members of the Black Sea Commission (BSC) - in so far it influences their own ability to comply with EU legislation and policies, notably the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD).

The overall objective of this EC/UNDP project is to set up initiatives that will help improve the protection of the Black Sea environment. The project is addressing the overall need for support in protection and restoring the environmental quality and sustainability of the Black Sea. The specific objectives are as follows: i) Improve availability and quality of data on the chemical and biological status of the Black Sea, in line with expected MSFD and Black Sea Strategic Action Plan needs; ii) Improve partner countries' ability to perform marine environmental monitoring along MSFD principles, taking into account Black Sea Diagnostic Report.

The following activities will be carried out: i) Review of the national monitoring systems and tools for assessing data obtained from monitoring activities; ii) Support to implementation of countries obligations under the Bucharest and other related Conventions and Agreements; iii) Development of cost-effective and harmonised biological and chemical monitoring programmes in accordance with reporting obligations under multilateral environmental agreements, the WFD and the MSFD; iv) Assessment of needs regarding laboratory infrastructure, equipment, and training, promotion of the recommendations; v) Elaboration and implementation of the comprehensive training programme on monitoring methods and quality assurance aiming at adhering to ISO 17025 standard, promotion; vi) Prepare methodology for Joint Black Sea Surveys; vii) PA7: Development of the web-based Black Sea Water Quality Database prototype.

The project will strengthen capacities of the respective national authorities for biological and chemical monitoring of the Black Sea, taking into consideration the requirements of EU water related legislation (EU WFD and MSFD). Significant effort will be put into training and other capacity building activities. In order to promote ownership, engagement of local experts and organisations is foreseen. 

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant will be a key resource expert in the implementation of the project, dealing primarily with substantive part of the project and will provide technical support to the Project Manager. Under the overall supervision of the UNDP International Waters Regional Technical Advisor and in cooperation with the Project Manager the Consultant will provide technical expertise to the following activities:
  • Review of the national monitoring systems and of the methodological tools for assessing marine environmental data
  • Support to the Black Sea countries to implement obligations under the Bucharest and other related Conventions and Agreements
  • Development of cost-effective and harmonised biological and chemical monitoring programmes in accordance with reporting obligations under multilateral environmental agreements, the WFD and the MSFD
  • An assessment of needs regarding laboratory infrastructure, equipment, and training
  • Elaboration and implementation of a first training programme on monitoring methods and quality assurance adhering to ISO 17025 standard
  • Prepare the methodology for Joint Black Sea Surveys, contribute to joint surveys organized under other projects
  • Technically support the development of the web-based Black Sea Water Quality Database
  • Carry out various activities arising during the project implementation
The assignment will require travel in the region, upon request by UNDP (to be covered separately). The consultant is expected to work closely with UNDP Bratislava Regional Center water team, responsible for the project implementation. 
The consultant will closely cooperate with the national experts and project partners Institutions  involved in the project implementation. Based on their inputs, he/she will have an overall responsibility for the quality check of the key project reports and will provide the input to the following project deliverables:
  • Project Report (Diagnostic Report II, including cost-effectiveness assessment and proposals on options, economic instruments and funding mechanisms to sustain operational monitoring based on regional cooperation)
  • Project report on the revision of national and regional monitoring programmes (including operational monitoring)
  • Report on the needs assessment regarding the infrastructure, laboratory equipment and vessels (incl.terms of sharing) and recommendations on efficient capacities use
  • Program on monitoring methods and QA/QC (Quality Assurance / Quality Control) and “train the trainer” programme, evaluation of the participating laboratories performance in inter-calibrations
  • A set of Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs) and Quality Control/Assurance (QA/QC) Manuals
  • Joint Black Sea Survey Methodology
  • Inputs into all technical reports to be prepared, specific work-packages will be agreed as a result of annual work planning.
Deliverables:
  • Draft ToRs for the national project experts (estimated by Feb-Mar 2013)
  • Draft ToRs for the project partners (estimated by April 2013) 
Payment of 50% of the lump sum will be processed based on these deliverables.
  • Review on status of monitoring systems and assessment tools, gap analysis for each country and recommendations for the further development of monitoring systems and tools for each country (estimated by May-Oct 2013)
  • Recommendations for revision & extension of national monitoring programs, including new parameters specification, monitoring network sites (estimated by Oct 2013) 
Payment of 20% of the lump sum will be processed based on these deliverables.
  • Analysis report on available equipment and needs and training necessities (estimated by May-Oct2013)
Payment of 10% of the lump sum will be processed based on this deliverable.
  • Training programme & materials prepared, SOPs and QA/QC manuals (estimated by Oct-Dec2013)
Payment of 10% of lump sum will be processed based on this deliverable.
  • Methodology for Black Sea survey, including the list of parameters, sites, and an outline for cooperation with joint surveys planned under another EU projects Dec 2013)
Payment of 10% of lump sum will be processed based on this deliverable.

Competencies

    Functional Competencies:
    • Excellent communication and management skills and demonstrable capacity to work with government institutions.
    • 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:
      • University degree (PhD or equivalent) in chemistry, chemical oceanography, hydro-biology, environmental/natural sciences or environmental engineering (or equivalent);
      Experience:
      • Minimum 10 years overall experience relevant to the assignment;
      • Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in the beneficiary countries of the Black Sea;
      • Working experience in international projects related to integrated water management, water quality, monitoring programmes, data collection and management;
      • Experience demonstrating an understanding of transposition, implementation and/or enforcement of the EU environmental  legislation, particularly the Water Framework Directive, and of capacity building challenges faced by environment/water authorities in the beneficiary countries or EU Member States.
      • At least 10 years of demonstrable experience and a proven track record in facilitation of policy implementation similar to the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and other EU Directives related to marine and coastal environment;
      • Experience in international consultancy in the field of environment and specifically Black Sea-related research;
      Language skills:
      • Excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills in English and Russian
      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:
      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 – academic qualification / education  – max points: 10
      • Criteria B – general professional experience in EU environmental Acquis (WFD and MSFD)- max points: 15
      • Criteria C – specific professional experience from similar projects  – max points: 10
      • Criteria D – specific professional experience in the areas of project (IWRM, water quality monitoring – chemical & biological), particularly in the Black Sea region – max points: 15
      • Criteria E – specific professional experience in stakeholder involvement in IWRM process – max points: 10
      • Criteria F – language, writing and communication skills max points: 10
      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. 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://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc ); please upload the P11 instead of your CV.
      • 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 (number of anticipated working days and any other possible costs except of travel costs). Travel costs will be covered separately according to UNDP rules and regulations.
      • 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 and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...). Travel costs will be covered separately according to UNDP rules and regulations.
      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.
      Individual Consultants serve in their independent, individual capacity and not as representatives of UNDP. They are neither “staff members” nor “officials” under the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations. Individual Consultants are not given any form of representational, supervisory approving or signing authority for committing UNDP into any legal and/or financial obligations  
      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. 
      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.

      http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=35591

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