Consultant to Assist Gap Analysis, Assessment Tender - 24702187

Procurement Summary

Country: Albania

Summary: Consultant to Assist Gap Analysis, Assessment and Designation of the Potential Albanian Marine Protected Areas

Deadline: 16 Jul 2018

Posting Date: 06 Jul 2018

Other Information

Notice Type: Tender

TOT Ref.No.: 24702187

Document Ref. No.:

Competition: ICB

Financier: United Nations Secretariat

Purchaser Ownership: -

Tender Value: Refer Document

CPV Classification

72240000 - Systems analysis and programming services

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Tender Details

Tenders are invited for Consultant to Assist Gap Analysis, Assessment and Designation of the Potential Albanian Marine Protected Areas.
Background
UNDP has supported the Albanian Government to improve the coverage and management effectiveness of Albania-s network of marine and coastal protected areas (MCPAs) as an essential complement to its network of terrestrial protected areas and contribute to Albania-s obligations under different UN Conventions and the EU accession process. Significant achievements were made in the Vlora region by catalyzing the involvement of stakeholders and by supporting the establishment of a clear institutional and legal framework for MCPA designation and management. However, multiple stages of development are needed before an Albanian ecologically representative MCPA network is fully realized and can provide coastal communities with sustained benefits from the marine and coastal environment.
UNDP, jointly with the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, has experienced successful efforts in performing Marine Protected Areas gap analysis, which followed with the establishment of the first National Marine Park of Sazan-Karaburuni (April 2010). In order to strengthen this experience, using such momentum of efforts and insights achieved into marine habitats and ecosystems assessments, the Albanian Government intends to expand the system of protected areas in Albania, by increasing it at 6 % of the coastal and marine areas coverage by 2020 (which is still less than 10 % of Aichi targets, but however, indicated target and MPA approach, represent a proven methodology for the conservation of marine habitats and populations), ensuring better biogeographically representation, as well as higher management effectiveness, and diversification of revenue sources.
In view of these, under Output 3, the project will provide support for the establishment of the MCPA network by replicating the K-S MPA model and experiences gain so far. Therefore, UNDP is commencing a process for MPA assessment, providing a more in-depth insight as per Strategic Plan for MCPAs recommendations (developed under project phase I), for additional sensitive marine and coastal areas, based on sound scientific knowledge. Expanding of MPAs and no-take zones is beneficial for fisheries management, making them sustainable in the long term, benefit the ecotourism development and local economy in the short & long-run, increase scientific understanding and enhance non-extractive human activities related to tourism and recreation; with this assignment, general principle in designating and establishing a new MPA, will be applied, guide the process of analyzing the gaps in existing information, and assessing of information and relevance of new proposed locations throughout the marine sites of Albania, MCPAs networking and priority areas for protection, likewise for the engagement of key coastal community representatives (stakeholders) in the MCPA network establishment process.
The international consultant will joining the national team of experts A team-up of national experts are also hired, to provide and validate inputs on issues related to marine biology, MPA management legal and regulatory frame, socioeconomics, GIS, and contribute jointly for the accomplishment of respective tasks.
Since that latest process of assessment and designation of K-S MP (2009-2010) there have been several developments from the institutional and legal perspective in the country, which provide stronger grounds for accomplishing a throughout MPA assessment and stakeholders participatory for the tentative MPA, ensuring solid bases for the MCPA network (see Annex below).
Duties and Responsibilities
Scope of the work
To ensure a well-designed and results-based network of MCPAs, the location, size, distribution and management of the sites based on sound biophysical and socioeconomic data by carrying out a gap analysis based on the existing information, and on the basis of the outputs feed a dedicated database with specific baseline data (both desk top and field collection as needed) from key locations throughout the marine and coastal areas of Albania (e.g. territorial waters, coastal lagoons).
Duties and responsibilities
The international expert will work under the supervision of the Project Manager, and collaborate closely with the local team of experts; the consultant will provide insights and guidance in analyses and assessment of specific information on main marine habitats, species, socio-economic data, climate change risk data and relevant zoning /demarcation of sensitive areas.
More specifically, the consultant will have to:
Task 1 - Analyze the situation of marine biodiversity in the proposed Strategic Plan for the MCPAs as potential sites for MPAs in Albania, based on the data and information obtained, and will capture the following subtasks and duties
- Gap analysis of the information obtained from variety of sources and local team of experts including assistance on baselining with specific data from key locations, throughout the marine and coastal areas of Albania (habitat viability, living marine species abundance and distribution, critical areas for habitat protection, uses and the socioeconomic values, ecological and environmental state for the most important and sensitive species and biocenosis in the targeted areas)
- Provide insights on marine ecology, climate change risk data, zoning and demarcation of sensitive areas.
Task 2 Validate the most potential areas as the most suitable for being designated as MPA; selection of sites will be informed by the objectives established for the network of MCPAs; the main duties under this task include:
- Assess the feasibility of establishing additional MPA separately or as add-ons to the existing coastal PAs, supporting the establishment of a network of MCPAs for Albania. This process will involve all interested partners and stakeholders through a transparent and science-based process.
- Propose the vision of the MCPA network by referring to synergies organised by the project with relevant government and non-government stakeholders, emphasising planning process, geographic units involved (whole coastline or sub-regions), overall budget requirements, technical support, data needs and timelines,
- Propose the overall objectives for the MCPA network and the communication activities that will be implemented in support of the planning process
Task 3 - Propose priority areas for protection for the MCPA network based on identified objectives manly through characterizing and assessing the identified priority areas including location, size and distribution of sites based on species life history factors and habitat types (this will be further ground-trothed and verified by local knowledge of stakeholders).
- Contribute in the preparation of habitat mapping and cartography of the MPA targeted areas, including an outline for the proposed MPA (borders, draft zoning within the MPA, description of allowed and prohibited activities in each zone.
- Identify and evaluate the specific threats to the targeted area in general and for the key species in particular.
Duration and deliverables:
The assignment will be 30 days from August 2018 - July 2019.
- 3 months after the contract signature, the first draft report/ outlining main tasks.
- 6 months after signing the contract, the interim report.
- At the end of the assignment the final report will be delivered.
The reports must be submitted in English language.
Competencies
Corporate and Core Competencies:
· Demonstrates integrity by modelling 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
· Communication - Facilitate and encourage open communication and strive for effective communication.
· Planning & Organizing - Develops clear goals in line with agreed strategies, identifies priorities, foresees risks and makes allowances accordingly.
· Organizational Awareness - Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment.
· Teamwork - Demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
· Accountability - Takes ownership of all responsibilities and delivers outputs in accordance with agreed time, cost and quality standards.
Functional Competencies
· Excellent inter-personal and teamwork skills, networking attitude;
· Capacity to deliver as per deadlines;
· Strong expertise in communication issues.
· Familiarity with the International Conventions and EU Regulations
· Ability to pick up new terminology and concepts easily
Required Skills and Experience
Education
· Advanced University Degree in marine biology, environmental management or related fields
Experience
· At least 10 years of experience on research with a special focus on marine benthos
· Minimum of 10 years of working experience in the habitat conservation and MPAs programs
· Excellent knowledge with zoning (and habitat when available) of Marine and Coastal PAs.
· Working experience in similar MPA assignments that have included social-economics, capacity building, institutional setup and issues of available resources vs MPA conservation needs;
· Diving capabilities and marine habitat exploration experience would be an advantage
· Ability to work in a team and to motivate other team members and counterparts
Languages
· Excellent Englis

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