International Expert/Advisor responsible for transfer of Czech experience in establishing and improving the EIONET network in accordance with the INSPIRE Directive into Montenegro’s legislative framework

Background

The European environment information and observation network (Eionet) aims to provide timely and quality-assured data, information and expertise for assessing both the state of the environment in Europe and the pressures and driving forces acting upon it. This enables policymakers to decide on appropriate measures for protecting the environment at national and European level and to monitor the effectiveness of existing policies and measures. Eionet is a partnership network of the European Environment Agency (EEA) and its member and cooperating countries. It consists of the EEA itself and six European Topic Centres (ETCs). The Eionet core data flows are a subset of existing key data flows reported by EEA member and cooperating countries using the Reportnet tools. The current set of core data flows has been agreed by the Management Board in November 2015. The reported data are used by the EEA for its main assessments, products and services. The objective of the data flow monitoring and evaluation is to encourage countries towards better performance through friendly competition concentrating on praise for achievements rather than blame for failures.As a cooperating country, Montenegro is already involved in the European network system (EIONET) through which member states and cooperating states report to the European Environment Agency about state of the environment. The Agency for Environmental and Nature Protection (EPA) is the institution competent for establishing and managing national environment information and observation network which is a part of EIONET (MNE EIONET), as well as for reporting. The system of national EIONET has not been set up yet. National Focal Point (NFP) was appointed, while EPA is responsible for reporting. However, according to the assessment of the European Environment Agency (EEA) the reporting for some segments is not satisfactory. Since national EIONET has not been set up yet at the EPA, it is still not legally regulated, nor has job classification been properly prepared for the necessary IT and other technical staff. The EPA is in charge to consolidate environmental data processes in the sector and to establish efficient reporting system. Currently Montenegro reports through EIONET as a cooperating country on the level of 48% of all reporting obligations. Since, improvement of reporting capabilities is directly in line with Acquis Chapter 27- Horizontal legislation of the Montenegrin EU accession it would be necessary to have expert support from EU member states that fulfill reporting obligations oh highest level in order to transfer knowledge, provide support in the development of the relevant legal act, share experiences and to advise NFP and relevant NRC-s how to improve and straighten up reporting.

Objective of the assignment: Within this context, UNDP needs to engage international expert to act as an overall advisor and technical resource person for defining recommendations for the establishment and improvement of the EIONET network in Montenegro in accordance with the INSPIRE Directive.

Duties and Responsibilities

The principle overall output of the engagement will be recommendations for the establishment and improvement of the EIONET network in Montenegro in accordance with the INSPIRE Directive.

Scope of work: Under the guidance of UNDP Project Manager and in close cooperation with the Czech-UNDP Trust fund programme specialist, the Consultant will act as an overall advisor and technical resource person during the implementation of project activities as listed below :

• Recommendation for content of appropriate legal act in order to establish national EIONET network / Draft Legal act; Sub regulation legislation that would govern fulfilment of the obligations arising from the Regulation (EC) 401/2009 (EEA and EIONET) on environmental monitoring and reporting has not been adopted yet in Montenegro. Directive 91/62/EEC (SRD) and Regulation (EC) 401/209 (EEA and EIONET), according to the Approximation strategy of Montenegro for Chapter 27 the foreseen adoption of legal act is two years after the adoption of the Law, that is 2018. Consultant will support experts from the country to develop content of adequate legal basis for appropriate implementation of Regulation (EC) 401/209 (EEA and EIONET)
•  Improved knowledge and recommendations on possibilities for more efficient EIONET reporting organisation in Montenegro based on Czech experience and practice; Discuss and introduce to Czech development and practice in EIONET reporting network on a joint 2 days’ workshop organized for NFP and relevant NRCs.
• Identified existing gaps in monitoring networks regarding relevant environmental segments in Montenegro in relation to the EIONET reporting requirements and obligations and recommendation for improvements; In close cooperation with NFP and relevant NRCs in Montenegro analyse existing level of reporting, monitoring and its infrastructure. At the same time develop set of recommendation on possibilities for improvement of existing monitoring networks, data gathering systems, data basis and reporting.

Time duration and travel:  The assignment will be carried out within 20 working days during the period: end of December 2017 till the end of May 2018. One visit is planned to Montenegro, in duration of 3 maximum working days by end of January 2018 in order to asses current state of affairs and in order to agree and prepare capacity building workshop. The second visit is envisaged to take place in April 2018 with a duration of maximum 3 working days.

Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UN/UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
• Demonstrates ability to manage complexities and work under pressure, as well as conflict resolution.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• University degree in economy or, environment or other related field;
• Advanced degree desirable;

Experience:

• Minimum seven (7) years of experience in working in the field of green economic development, climate change;
• Working experience in green economic development, climate change or other related fields from the Czech Republic;
• Specific experience with EIONET network / Draft Legal act design;
• Prior experience and knowledge of Western Balkan region;
• Practical experience in similar projects is preferred;

Language:

• Fluency in English with good writing, presentation and communication skills.

Criteria for selection

• Combined Scoring method will be used. When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the inidividual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: (i) responsive, compliant, acceptable, and (ii) having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.
• Technical criteria weight - 70% (Background and education 10%; Relevant previous experience 20%; Substantial knowledge/Required competencies 30%; Required language 10%);
• Financial criteria weight - 30%.
• Only offerors obtaining a minimum 490 points for technical criteria will be considered for the financial evaluation.
• For more information on procurement methodology for Individual Contractors, please refer to Procurement Notice.
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Application procedure:

• Interested applicants are requested to submit their applications by December 21st, 2017 by using the Apply now button. The application should contain a duly completed Personal History Form (P11) that can be downloaded from http://www.me.undp.org/content/montenegro/en/home/operations/jobs.html. Please note that UNDP jobsite system allows only one uploading of application document, so please make sure that you merge all your documents into a single file.
• Only the short-listed applicants will be contacted and requested to submit a letter of interest including a price quotation indicating the lump sum (in EUR) requested for the work envisaged in the section "Description of Responsibilities".