National Data Analyst

Background

The Government of Albania launched its national adaptation plan (NAP) process in February 2015, with the support of GIZ and UNDP, through consultations with national stakeholders and a stocktaking exercise. The NAP process is framed within the National Adaptation Framework Document and a multi-sectorial coordinating mechanism (the Inter-Ministerial Working Group on Climate Change, or IMWGCC) headed by high-level authorities.

The analytical exercises carried out so far highlighted the existing weaknesses and demonstrated the prevailing barriers to climate change adaptation (CCA) planning in Albania. The results confirmed that to adequately address climate change vulnerabilities, Albania must overcome information gaps, vulnerability assessments and strengthen capacity development for implementation of a NAP, mainstreaming of CCA, raising awareness and institutional capacity to address climate change risks – both at the national and subnational levels. In addition, climate change is not integrated into existing environmental and development policies, or their associated budget priorities, and financing appropriations for funding CCA are absent.

This project is designed to help the Government of Albania to build and strengthen capacities for mainstreaming CCA, produce actionable climate risks and vulnerability assessments, and implement effective methods, tools, and information systems to better inform decision-making on climate risks and catalyse and direct climate investments. It will also support the formulation of financing strategies and mechanisms for scaling up adaptation in the mid- to long-term.

The main beneficiaries in this first cycle of NAP development are the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, the National Environment Protection Agency, and the Albania Institute of Geosciences, Energy, Water and Environment (IGEWE). Indirect or secondary beneficiaries include other ministries and local governments receiving capacity development support (within the priority sectors listed above), as well as all other entities associated with CCA in Albania such as academia, NGOs, civil society organizations, and private companies.

Reducing Albania’s vulnerabilities to climate change requires greater investments in data management and capacity building, and greater integration of CCA and disaster risk reduction (DRR) into on-going development programs, and therefore this project will result in a variety of deliverables including an improved hydrometeorological database, a NAP Strategy document, and curricula and tools to improve capacity for climate adaptation planning, budgeting, and gender mainstreaming within the CCA.

To address these issues, the Government of Albania took strides to start to coordinate climate adaptation efforts at the national level by establishing in 2014 an Inter-Ministerial Working Group on Climate Change with the mandate to draft policies related to climate change, promote institutional coordination across ministries, and contribute to UNFCCC processes on behalf of Albania.

The IMWGCC, which is chaired by the Deputy Minister of Environment and includes representations from 12 ministries, needs to be restructured to fit within the structure of the new government under territorial reform.

Ensuring availability of capacity and technical skills to address the challenge of climate related analysis and interventions is a key component of ensuring that the NAP process is successful. UNDP is seeking for a Data Analyst Expert to compile and analyse climate information to support improved climate scenarios in national and local level.

Duties and Responsibilities

The National Data Analyst will work in close cooperation with the International Climate Scientist and other team’s members under the direct supervision of NAP Project Coordinator and in close coordination with UNDP Programme Officer for Environment and Climate Change to perform the following duties:

General duties of the Consultant

Collect, compile, and synthesize available climate data and climate-related risks and vulnerability assessments information at sectorial, national, and regional level for the generation of improved climate scenarios and impact assessment.
Collect, compile, and analyse the sectorial activity data (raw and/or processed data) to feed the modelling of impact assessment
Support capacity development and training.

More specifically the Consultant will:

Task 1: Conduct initial desk-based consultations and research

Complete an initial review of available information regarding climate, including relevant studies and data sources.
Collect, clean, de-duplicate, and/or format data collected, Store and catalogue data.
Develop a recommendation for analyses to be undertaken including specific methodologies and modelling where necessary.
Conduct follow up consultations with key stakeholders regarding finding of information review, proposed recommendation and methodology and agree on scope of analyses (mapping outputs, scale, and resolution etc.).

Task 2: Identify and acquire data sources

In consultation with IGEWE and key stakeholders and working with governmental specialists, identify and obtain datasets and other studies on climate (such as IPCC, National Communications, and other domestic climate risk data) that will be needed to improve climate scenarios.

Task 3: Develop the database for CC scenarios and sector vulnerability assessment, including climate risks and mapping. This effort will include a review of available climate data, which serves as the basis for all climate- related initiatives. The data will provide an understanding of the baseline situation, as well as the evidence base for future projections and justification for climate change adaptation interventions. A thorough review of the available information and existing climate adaptation goals within relevant ministries, and the priority sectors of agriculture, transport, energy, tourism, and urban development issues, is necessary as the existing data and analyses are incomplete. This effort will result in a report detailing available data and data gaps and identifying areas for deeper study as needed, according to the strategic priorities (priority sectors) of this NAP process. In close collaboration with International Climate Scientist:

Describe changes in a sufficient number of variables on a spatial and temporal scale that allows for impact assessment.
Organize the data and calculations in the appropriate formats including GIS format that makes it possible for users to see how all the results were derived and to visualize the results.
Synthesize findings and draft assessment report and finalize databases and maps.

Task 4: Present findings and recommendations to key stakeholders. As a complement to the Regional Climate Change Scenario Report prepare a presentation that delivers the findings in a simplified manner and with an eye toward actionable decision making.

Task 5: Support capacity development and training. Present at key training events, workshops, and appropriate consultations, and that the required analytical work to enhance the technical capacity and knowledge base for climate risk management and long-term adaptation planning.

Other tasks will include:

Get familiar with the project document including objectives, outcomes, outputs, and activities including project work plan and monitoring and evaluation plan.

Get familiarize with the data requirements for the V&A analysis in the areas of socio-economic development, hydro resources, biodiversity, health, population, forestry, agriculture, energy, soil, disaster risk management, etc. and prepare an interim report including a description of the approach in data collection, review of data sources, gaps in data availability, etc.
Collect the relevant statistical data from the identified sources (socio-economic development, hydro resources, biodiversity, health, population, forestry, agriculture, energy, soil, land use, disaster risk management, etc.)
Prepare the final report including a description of the data and information collected referenced with official sources or estimation methods used, identification of any existing gaps in data availability, surveys implemented with data extracted.

3 – Deliverables

The National Data Analyst shall deliver the following:

An Inception Report which includes a summary of the context, the scope of the analyses and detailed methodology to be used as agreed by the initial scoping with key sector stakeholders and based on initial review of data.
A Regional Climate Change Scenario Report compiled from existing sources (such as IPCC, National Communications, and other domestic climate risk data, and containing findings from analyses and assessments including maps, graphs and other means that help visualize the climate risks and impacts.
Develop the national database for CC scenarios and sector vulnerability assessment, including climate risks modelling and mapping.
A Training Report summarising key training provided including objectives, participants, topics, and outcomes.

Payment Schedule

Consultant shall quote an all-inclusive Daily Fee for the contract period. The term “all-inclusive” implies that all costs (professional fees, communications, consumables, etc.) that could be incurred in completing the assignment are already factored into the daily fee submitted in the proposal.

Payments shall be done monthly based on actual days worked, upon verification of completion of deliverables and approval of a Time Sheet indicating the days worked in the period upon the approval of the NAP Project Coordinator and the UNDP Programme Officer for Environment and Climate Change.

Competencies

Corporate competencies and values:

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
Treats all people fairly without favouritism

Functional Competencies:

An interest in understanding and addressing international, regional, national, and sub-national challenges to climate change adaptation.
Demonstrates strong numerical and analytical skills.
Experience in technical assistance and advisory support to government and/or private institutions.
Experienced in delivering training and other needed capacity/ institutional building support to a wide range of stakeholders including central and local institutions.
Excellent ability to liaise with institutions and interact with people of any level.
Identifies and communicates relevant information for a variety of audiences for advocating UNDP’s mandate.
Possesses basic knowledge of CCA policies and procedures related.
Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments.
A well-developed sense for teamwork and ability to interact with a diverse array of people

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Master’s Degree in Climate Science, physical sciences, Mathematical Engineering and Informatics, Development Economics, Environmental Economics, Environment resources management or a closely related field.

Experience

At least five years of relevant work experience in a quantitative discipline with applied scientific software development and data analysis experience.
Sound understanding of the CCA goals and their implications to the local governance.
Proficiency with scientific computing in an interpreted language for data analysis such as Python (preferred), R, or MATLAB
Advanced understanding of climate change science and knowledge of statistical methods
Demonstrated programming skills with knowledge common programming approaches (separation of concerns, object-oriented programming, design patterns, etc.).
Demonstrated Experience in working in collaborative coding environments with multiple team members
Good knowledge in UNDP capacity development framework, climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Language requirements:

Fluency in written and spoken English,

Merits

A background in energy systems, mitigation, climate science, or economics is an asset.
Previous experience with UN/UNDP and other development partners is desirable.

Evaluation of Applicants

Applicants will be assessed on relevant expertise and competencies, as reflected in the CVs, and explored during an interview.

Applicants will be evaluated based on a Combined Scoring system taking into consideration different criteria, which will total to 70 points. Applicants scoring 49 points or more of the technical points will be considered for financial evaluation.

Applications will be evaluated based on the cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of their qualifications and financial proposal. A two-stage procedure is utilized in evaluating the applications, with evaluation of the CVs being completed prior to any financial proposal being compared. The award is made to the individuals whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

Responsive/compliant/acceptable
Having received the highest score out of the pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specified to the vacancy announcement

Technical Evaluation Criteria

Relevant experience in participating to projects aimed at developing climate scenarios (25 points).
Sound experience and knowledge of developing national institutions (15 points);
Previous experience in implementing key training events, workshops and appropriate train to trainers’ methods (10 points).
Previous experience with the required analytical work experience in compiling climate data (15 points).
Previous professional experience with development agencies and the United Nations (5 points).