TERMS OF REFERENCE

Position: Local expert on social inclusion and gender aspects related to Climate Vulnerability and support for Elaboration Mainstreaming Climate Change into the local policy documents based on climate change vulnerability assessment in communities from the Biosphere Reserve

Project: Enhancing climate resilience in the Biosphere Reserve "Prutul de Jos"

Project number: 8360-00/2019

Donor: Austrian Development Cooperation

Reporting to: EcoContact, Project Manager

Post type: Individual service contract

Estimated implementation period of assignment: November 2020 – October 2021

Workload: up to 25 working days

Working languages: English, Romanian / Russian

Organizational Context 

The project “Enhancing climate resilience in the Biosphere Reserve "Prutul de Jos" supported by the Austrian Development Cooperation, aims to support national and local authorities in implementing the Law on the establishment of the Biosphere Reserve "Prutul de Jos" no.132 of 13.07.2018 that entered into force on 24.08.2018. Within the project, the assistance will be provided to central authorities and particularly to local actors from 10 mayoralties with the purpose to enhance climate resilience; support the implementation of pilot measures on adaptation to climate change,  which will be identified in the course of the project; and to learn how to contribute to the preservation of the ecosystem. The project will be implemented in the Lower Prut area, which is located in the Southern part of the Republic of Moldova and includes the Prut River and naturally flooded lakes. A wetland that stretches along the Prut River covers a mosaic of water ecosystems, meadows, and forests. The territory (more than 14,771 ha) is part of the Cahul district and the communities of Brînza, Cîşliţa-Prut, Colibaşi, Crihana Veche, Giurgiuleşti, Manta, Slobozia Mare, Vadul lui Isac and Văleni.

The intended Impact of the project is: The Natural Protected Area Biosphere reserve “Prutul de Jos” is managed sustainably taking into account climate change impacts and delivers ecosystem services for local communities.

The project's expected outcome is: Climate resilience of the Natural Protected Area Biosphere reserve “Prutul de Jos” is enhanced and communities and local authorities have increased their capacities for climate change adaptation.

Expected Outputs of the project:

Output 1: Climate change risks identified, recommendations elaborated and priority adaptation measures implemented in a participatory manner within the Biosphere reserve “Prutul de Jos” area;

Output 2: The information and awareness about the value of the protected area and its ecosystem services as well as climate change impacts are increased;

Output 3: Capacities of local and national level actors (women and men) on climate resilience and effective management of the Natural Protected Area Biosphere reserve “Prutul de Jos” are strengthened;

Output 4: The institutional and regulatory framework for integrated management of the Biosphere reserve “Prutul de Jos” and the Sub-Basin Frumoasa - Crihana River is strengthened in a participatory manner.

The objective and tasks of the assignment:

For an effective approach with long-term prospects in addressing climate change impacts, the mainstreaming into development of local policy documents will be performed. According to the Governmental Decision on drafting rules and unified requirements for policy documents no. 33 from 11.01.2007, and Law on normative acts no. 100/2018 the policy documents are concepts, strategies, programs and plans that could be elaborated at national, regional and local level.

This activity will be performed based on the results of the Activity: “Conducting a climate vulnerability assessment of the Biosphere Reserve “Prutul de Jos”” and “Mapping the vulnerability hotspots and conflict areas”. Mainstreaming climate relevant information, policies and measures into ongoing development planning and decision-making will become a more sustainable, effective and efficient use of resources than de-signing and managing climate policies separately from ongoing activities. In this context, three experts in the field of climate change, policy and community mobilization will analyses available strategic and development documents at the local level and will mainstream the recommendations from the climate vulnerability assessment into these documents. The project partners consider that it is important to have the same approach in all policy documents that are in the implementation area, including the Management Plan of Bio-sphere Reserve “Prutul de Jos”.

The main goal of the assignment is the to elaborate the support the mainstreaming of measures that are identified in the climate vulnerability assessment into the local development documents. Following rural communities do enter into Bio-sphere Reserve “Prutul de Jos”: Brînza, Cîşliţa-Prut, Colibaşi, Crihana Veche, Giurgiuleşti, Manta, Slobozia Mare, Vadul lui Isac and Văleni. Cahul, being an urban community also is a part of the area.

Lead expert will be responsible for the overall coordination and management of experts’ team working for CVA and mainstreaming. The Lead expert will also provide support for EcoContact project manager in the process of formulation of ToR and selection of the sector specific experts.

Management arrangements

The expert will be working in close cooperation with EcoContact’s project manager, experts’ team that is developing Climate Vulnerability Assessment, social perception survey and others. All deliverables should be approved by EcoContact.

Deliverables and timeline for the implementation of the assignment

Payment will be done upon the successful implementation and approval of deliverables stated above.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or its equivalent in Social, Administration, Environmental Science & Policy, Environmental Economics, Environmental Law, or a related discipline.
• Strong understanding of local planning, climate change, risk, vulnerability and resilience, and experience with applying these concepts in previously implemented activities / projects.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in the area of local development,
• Experience in climate change (adaptation or mitigation), disaster risk reduction, livelihoods or a related field, in particular with vulnerable populations should present a strong advantage.
• Experience of implementing similar assignments.
• Ability to analyze, plan, communicate effectively orally and in writing, solve problems, adapt to different cultural, economic, political and social environments;
• Ability to lead a team of experts and to coordinate the work of the team.

How to apply:

Bidders must submit the following documents in English:

1. The CV of the expert: The CV of the expert should reflect the relevant experience in the area of assignment.

1. Financial offer for the implementation of the assignment that should include travels costs.
2. Proposed work plan for the assignment, that confirms availability and approach for the implementation of assignment.

Please send the documents with the indication of the position in the subject line before November 11, 2020 to the email address of procurari@ecocontact.md. All bidders will receive the confirmation of the registration via email message.

For detailed information, please contact Ecaterina Melnicenco, Project Manager, +373 22 996162. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted