VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT Vacancy Code: PJE-IPA-NAT2000 Date of publication: June 11, 2017 Title/Position: Junior Expert Natura 2000 Project: Strengthening capacity in National Nature Protection - preparation for Natura 2000 network under coordination of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation Donor: European Commission, Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance program (IPA 2013) Contracting Authority: Italian Embassy in Tirana for the Directorate General for the Development Cooperation of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAECI/DGCS) Duty Station: Albania - Tirana, Project office Date of entry on duty: Immediately upon completion of the selection and the award procedures Duration of appointment: 10 months Deadline for applications: July 5, 2017 Type of contract: Consultancy Service 1. BACKGROUND The Project "Strengthening capacity in National Nature Protection - preparation for Natura 2000 network" aims to halt the loss of biodiversity in Albania through improved Management of Protected Areas of the Country. To this aim, it has the dual purpose of: i) implement at least five Management Plans of the many existing protected areas, and ii) prepare a preliminary list of Natura 2000 sites, in view of their future submission to European Commission by the competent Albanian authorities, contributing to the alignment process of the country and of the local regulatory framework with the EU environmental acquis. The project is funded by the European Commission, relying on the Instrument for Preaccession Assistance program (IPA 2013). The initiative, assigned to the Directorate General for the Development Cooperation of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAECI/DGCS) based on an agreement concluded between the Italian Embassy in Tirana and the European Union Delegation in Albania, has a duration of 40 months. Technical partners of the initiative are the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Italian Botanical Society (Società Botanica Italiana - SBI). The National counterpart and beneficiary is the Albanian Ministry of Environment and the National Agency for Protected Areas. The project, with national coverage, requires close coordination, to central and peripheral levels, with the Albanian authorities involved in various ways, and in synergy with the current actions of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) in Albania as well as with other international and national organization and institution involved in environmental actions and present in the Country. Under the two broad objectives of the Project, three specific results have been identified as inherent to this vacancy. The results focus on the preparation of tabular and spatial databases of conservation values, species and habitat for the elaboration, based on Emerald results, of the preliminary list of Natura 2000 sites for Albania (result 1), the preparation of the standard Natura 2000 files in view of their submission to the EC (result 2), and communication channels to publicize the Natura 2000 network and rising awareness to encourage its effective implementation (result 3).
2. DUTIES of the JUNIOR EXPERT NATURA 2000 The Project, which is now entering the third year of activity, needs the support of a Junior Expert to coordinate with the team of National Expert, Ministry of Environment (MoE) and National Agency of Protected Areas (NAPA) for the identification of the potential Natura 2000 network in Albania. 2.1. General tasks The Junior Expert Natura 2000, under the supervision of the Team Leader for the IPA 2013 - NATURA 2000 project, is responsible to complete the Natura 2000 files (SDFs) and ensure a smooth handing over to Albanian authorities, as well as assist in the implementation of visibility actions and public campaign on the Natura 2000 network and Protected Areas in Albania. 2.2 Specific tasks In coordination and in support to the Project Management Unit and the team of external experts, the Junior Expert Natura 2000 will: Support the National Experts, NAPA and Ministry of Environment officers in filling Natura 2000 Standard Data Forms. Submit to the authorities a technical document with general description of the Natura 2000 network and a description of the sites identified in Albania. Contribute to the realization of public campaigns related to Natura 2000 network including one event with involvement of international participants. 3. DELIVERABLES The Junior Expert Natura 2000 has to: 1. Ensure that at least 25 Standard Data Form are completed by December 2017 in coordination with the National Experts, NAPA and MoE personnel, for each Natura 2000 site identified. Specifically it implies at least 10 days of work in Albania plus remote contacts to implement the following: Coordination actions with the National Experts, NAPA and MoE officers, ensuring the organization and standardization of the data collected and the definition of an updated list of Albanian Habitats and species, included in the Annexes of Habitats and Birds Directives. Workshop 1 by July 2017: Introduction to Natura 2000 SDF on the structure of the form and the methodologies to be applied in filling the SDF. The National Experts, and a selection of NAPA and MoE personnel, will be continuing the work of filling the forms for the available set of data under advisory contact in remote for the completion of the work. Workshop 2 by October 2017 on overall revision of the filled forms analysing the identified critical aspects and constraints encountered during the process and set up of the procedures to be delivered to NAPA and MoE for continuing the identification of other Natura 2000 sites.
2. Provide technical recommendation to the Project Communication and Visibility Unit to realize the Natura 2000 communication tool kit. Specifically it implies at least 10 days work in Albania and remote contacts between October and December 2017. The technical recommendation will contribute to realize: 5 Short local campaigns covering the Primary Protected Areas to explain Natura 2000 principles to the schools (secondary level) and general public. 1 Presentation of the proposed Natura 2000 network in Albania in two days conference (to be carried out in Tirana) implying the participation of international Research Institutes and Universities and the involvement of Albanian Research Institutes, Universities and national NGOs. 1 Presentation of the proposed Natura 2000 network in Albania to be carried out in one event with the participation of local stakeholders, NGOs, LAGs, Civil Society involved in sustainable use of natural resources and related activities (e.g. sustainable tourism, rural development, agropastoral products, etc.). 3. Submit the technical guidelines for Natura 2000 network of Albania to the decision-making bodies at Central and Local Government level. This task shall be completed by May 2018 through coordination with the National Experts, NAPA and MoE officers. The production of the technical guidelines will include a general description of the Natura 2000 sites in Albania (e.g. main features, quality and importance, conservation level, documentation, site designation monitoring protocols etc.) according to the updated list of Albanian Habitats and species, included in the EU Directives as applicable for the Albanian case. 4. REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION 4.1 Essential Requirements: Not older than 65 years at the time of expiration of the notice on the assignment; Enjoyment of civil and political rights; Clean criminal record with no criminal convictions; Comply with the rules on military service; Not in destitution, revocation or termination from employment at the public administration; Physical fitness for the employment; At least second level (or equivalent) University Master degree in Natural Science, Biology, Environmental and Biodiversity Conservation or related area; Minimum three (3) years of relevant experience in the field of environment and applied research; Good command of English language (written and spoken) is mandatory (B1 level of the common European framework of reference for languages); Good knowledge of MS Office tools, Database and GIS software tools; Proven experience in projects or research activities concerning Nature 2000 Network minimum three (3) years; Knowledge on environmental issues in EU Members States and/or Candidate
Countries and with EU environmental Acquis; Only the candidates that own the essential qualifications and professional requirements will be shortlisted for the next evaluation phase. The evaluation of the CVs (Preferential Requirements) of the applicants will get a maximum score of 10 points as specified in paragraph 4.3 below. 4.3 Preferential Requirements: Academic specialization in the field of Environmental protection and safeguarding (2 point); Proven experience in using GIS software tools for vegetation and habitats mapping (2 point). Proven experience in data entry, database management (1 point). Proven experience in awareness and capacity building activities in the field of Nature Conservation minimum five (5) years (1 points). Proven experience of at least two (2) years in international projects in the field of environment conservation (1 point); Previous work experience in Albania or in the Balkan region in the field of Nature Conservation (1 point); Familiarity with the aid system, and understanding of donor and governmental requirements (1 point); Ability to communicate in Italian language (1 point). 5. SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION 5.1 In their application, written in the form of a self-declaration pursuant to art. 46 of 28.12.2000 No. 445 P.r.decree, the candidates must declare under their own responsibility: a) surname, first name, date and place of birth; c) the municipality in which voters are registered or the reasons for their noninclusion; d) absence of criminal convictions; e) not to be subject to an accounting or criminal proceedings for offences against the public administration; f) educational qualifications possessed with indicating the date and the institution at which they have been achieved; g) military obligations fulfilled or not; h) physical fitness for the assignment. Should subsequent checks reveal the non-validity of the content of the above mentioned self-declaration, the person concerned will incur the penalties provided for in art. 76 of D.P.R. N. 445/2000 and subsequent modifications, immediately declining from employment and any other benefit possibly obtained on the basis of the false statement. 5.2 The application must be accompanied by: i) copy of identity document; j) Curriculum vitae in English in European format (Europass and ESP European Skill Passport); k) motivation letter written in English.
Applicants must also indicate their address, telephone number, e-mail address and skype contact at which to address any necessary communication. Applicants must communicate any change in the provided information after filing their application. The application for participation in the selection, duly signed, and its annexes referred to in point 5.2 above must be submitted not later than 12:00pm (Tirana time) on July 2, 2017 at the following address: info@natura.al The email shall have as subject the vacancy code PJE-IPA-NAT2000 and the option "request a read receipt must be selected. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview. The interview will be carried out via skype. 6. EVALUATION OF APPLICATIONS The Italian Embassy in Tirana for the Directorate General for the Development Cooperation of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAECI/DGCS), with the support of the Italian Agency in Tirana, will verify the eligibility of the applications received on the basis of the above mentioned requirements and how they are submitted, as provided for in paragraph 5 above. The Evaluation Commission will draw up a merit list and invite the top 3 candidates to an interview, which will also be held via skype. The convocation to the interview will be sent by email to the address stated by the applicant at the time of application. Non-selected candidates will not receive any notification. The interview will be assigned a maximum score of 10 points. The interview, which will take place in English, will determine the level of knowledge about the Natura 2000 principles, the action of European Union in the field of natural environment /biodiversity conservation, and a general overview on the present status of environmental protection measures adopted by the Albania Government. 7. EXCLUSION FROM THE SELECTION PROCEDURE An application will be excluded from the selection procedure in one of the following cases: 1. application does not include all the requirements for admission mentioned in paragraph 5 above; 2. application is not duly signed; 3. application is not submitted in the format and terms specified in paragraph 5 above. 8. FINAL RANKING The ranking of the applications will be formulated by the Evaluation Commission immediately at the end of the interviews on the basis of the criteria indicated above and it shall be published on the website with a validity period of 12 months from the date of approval.
For a same score, the candidate having a younger age is preferred, as provided by law No. 127/97, as amended. The final ranking will be based on the combination of scores awarded by the Commission to the preferential requirements (max 10 points) and the oral interview (max 10 points). Suitable candidates will be considered those exceeding the total score of 16/20. 9. EMPLOYMENT TERMS The content of this announcement will be bound to comply with the applicable law and will inevitably provide for a safeguard clause concerning the possible interruption of the Program resulting from causes not attributable to the signatory of the contract and the consequent unilateral withdrawal from it, subject to the recognition of every and all of the terms of the contract at that date. 10. PERSONAL DATA The submission of application to participate in the selection procedure implies a consent of the applicant to the processing of his/her personal data, including sensitive data, by the staff assigned to the custody and the retention of the applications and their use for the competition procedures. 11. SAFEGUARD CLAUSE The Italian Agency in Tirana reserves the right to cancel this notice for discretionally assessed reasons.