Closing date: Sunday, 30 November 2014

CC VULNERABILITY AND ADAPTATION EXPERT - HYDROGEOLOGY

Location : BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Application Deadline : 30-Nov-14

Type of Contract : Individual Contract

Post Level : National Consultant

Languages Required : English

Background

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to strengthen national capacities to integrate environmental and energy concerns into development plans at all levels and systems for effective implementation of the sectoral priorities. This will be achieved through assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina in preparation and submission of its Third National Communication (TNC) to the CoP of the UNFCCC and enhancement of national capacities in field of climate change though the process. The TNC will be prepared and submitted to the UNFCCC in accordance with its commitments as a non-Annex 1 Party to the Convention (as mandated by Articles 4 and 12 of the UNFCCC). The project will also result in increased capacity to produce subsequent communications that meet all guidelines established by the CoP and that can serve as a source of information for national policies and measures in climate change and in key economic and social sectors.

Objective

The overall objective of this assignment is to provide an updated assessment of climate changes in BiH and its vulnerability to climate change. Modeling efforts will be strengthened compared to the SNC via development of an additional climate change scenario and local capacity in this area will be further enhanced through the use of new software, training, and institutional partnerships. The modelling will also be supported by the identification of appropriate indicators for monitoring climate change and the development of recommendations on a system for collecting data for these indicators. Flood and drought parameters, including hydrological draught will be specially addressed and obtained data will be incorporated into weather and disaster database. While the SNC provided only qualitative analysis to describe vulnerability to CC in the five key sectors, climate vulnerability assessment in TNC will be strengthened with assessment of economic impacts by sectors and pilot studies on CC impact in health and tourism sectors will be conducted. Based on the above analysis, potential adaptation measures in these areas will be identified and prioritized.

Background Information

Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) became a member of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on December 6, 2000, and the Kyoto Protocol was ratified on April 22, 2008. The Initial National Communication (INC) of BiH to the UNFCCC was submitted in 2010.

The SNC was completed in June 2013. The SNC has advanced the state of climate modeling, impacts assessment, and policy analysis in Bosnia and Herzegovina and it has also established a measurement baseline for public awareness and outlined key capacity needs. Furthermore, work on the SNC has enhanced the individual capacity of climate researchers in Bosnia and Herzegovina in government, academia, and NGOs, and it has strengthened the organizational capacity of the UNFCCC focal institution in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Ministry of Spatial Planning, Civil Engineering and Ecology of RS. Finally, the INC and the SNC have served as an important source of information for the country's Climate Change Adaptation and Low Emission Development Strategy.

This Project will not only support the country of Bosnia and Herzegovina in meeting its above specified obligations as a UNFCCC signatory but will also serve as a significant strategic document for sustainable development. The cross-cutting nature of the TNC process will foster relationships across entities and economic sectors, by establishing linkages between environment and other sectors.

Duties and Responsibilities

The expert should work in consultation with and under the guidance and supervision of the Project Manager (PM) and Vulnerability and Adaptation Team Leader. Specifically, hisher responsibilities are but not limited to the following:

• Prepares a detailed work-plan with the team leader, on the basis of the overall project work plan;
• Provide current overview of underground waters in BiH
• Assess impact of underground water on flooding
• Analyze and develop maps of specific water runoff, in line with hydro-meteorological parameters
• Analyze geological basis and their influence to water runoff
• Identifies and recommends adaptation measures in the respective sector;
• Provides and input to TNC Vulnerability and Adaptation chapter;
• Ensure the timely and effective management of the activities as scheduled.

The consultant is responsible for the following deliverables:

1. Relevant data for sectoral V&A assessments collected - 30 Jun 2015
2. Input to TNC V&A chapter submitted - 30 Sept 2015

Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modeling UN values and ethical standards
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Knowledge on BiH gender equality mainstreaming institutions, regulations and mechanisms
• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent analytical skills
• Strong oral and writing skills
• Extensive knowledge of computer applications
• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a fairly big team
• Ability to operate under strict time limits;

Required Skills and Experience

• Degree in natural/engineering sciences;
• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience;
• Knowledge of the environmental issues in BiH
• Knowledge and understanding of the UNFCCC and its relevance in BIH context
• Substantial involvement in the preparation of the Initial and/or Second National Communication and/or First Biennial Update Report is an asset
• Fluency in both written and spoken English and local languages is a must

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the Cumulative analysis. The award of the contract will 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 (70%) and financial (30%) criteria specific to the solicitation.

Applicants are required to submit the following documents:

• Completed and signed UNDP Personal History Form (downloadable from www.ba.undp.org/content/bosnia_and_herzegovina/en/home/operations/jobs.html) online through this website;
• Financial proposal indicating the breakdown of costs (including fee, travel expenses and all other applicable fees).

Please scan all above mentioned documents and upload as one attachment only online through this website.

Note:

• For an assignment requiring travel, consultants of 62 years or more require full medical examination and statement of fitness to work to engage in the consultancy.
• Due to large number of potential applicants, only competitively selected candidates will be contacted for remaining steps of the service procurement 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.

Application information: http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=51722