Consultant: Introducing Climate Change in the Environmental Strategy for the Protection for the Black Sea Project Development

Duty station: mostly home-based; The consultant will be expected to make at least one visit to the BSTIP office in Athens, Greece. Other travel to the Regional Centre in Bratislava or BSEC Headquarters in Istanbul may be necessary.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 2007 established in Athens, Greece a Programme Management Office (PMO) in charge of implementing the Black Sea Trade and Investment Promotion Programme (BSTIP). The Programme aims at promoting the regional economic integration process among the member states of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) organization.

In order to build sustainable business, BSTIP also interested in environmental and climate change issues. BSTIP received grant money from the Government of Austria and BSEC to undertake a project entitled Introducing Climate Change in the Environmental Strategy for the Protection for the Black Sea. An initial concept and project document (plan) was created. Because of programme management changes and a need for clarification on the programme’s substance, work has not commenced on this project.

BSTIP seeks to begin work on the project as soon as possible. Prior to commencement, a revalidation of the concept, finalization of the project plan, creation of ToRs for consultants, and obtaining of consensus among the donors and implementers is necessary.

The project development consultant is tasked with the inception and planning of the project. His/her duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Develop a plan to complete the Climate Change project
• Gather consensus for the plan among the parties responsible for implementing the plan.
• Provide amendments to the Project Document to incorporate the new objectives and outputs
• Gain agreement from the project donors. Prepare any documentation required by the donors.
• Create Terms of Reference for consultants to implement the plans

Outputs/Deliverables

• A specific strategy with operational plan to implement the Climate Change project
• Amendments to the Project Document to incorporate the new activity
• Terms of Reference documents for consultants

• Knowledge of environmental and climate change issues;
• Project/programme development and planning and skills;
• Familiarity with UNDP and its project planning processes;
• Some knowledge of trade and investment issues is desirable;
• Ability to network, to partner and actively interface with internal and external clients and partners to meet work objectives;
• Excellent drafting and presentation skills;
• Ability to negotiate project requirements among donors and implementers.

Academic Qualifications/Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Law, Economics, Public Administration, Business Administration, Environmental Studies or any other related subject

Experience:

• At least two years experience working on projects related to environmental sustainability and climate change.
• Developing, planning and/or managing projects for UNDP and/or in Eastern Europe, the Balkans or the Black Sea region is desirable.

Language skills:

• Fluent written and spoken English is required.
• Knowledge of one of the regional languages is an advantage especially Russian, Greek or Turkish.
• Knowledge of German is an asset.

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. 35 points:

• Criteria A - Experience with and knowledge of environmental and climate change projects : 10 points
• Criteria B – Programme development and management skills: 10 points
• Criteria C – Knowledge of UNDP project processes: 5 points
• Criteria D – Experience in Eastern Europe, Black Sea region, Balkans: 5
• Criteria E – Language skills: 5

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 15points

 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.  Experience and skills related to climate change and environmental sustainability as well as project development should be clearly indicated.
• Financial Proposal* - specifying a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this announcement inclusive of all expenses with the exception of travel expenses. Travel expenses will be paid by UNDP in accordance 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...). 

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.