International/National Consultant: Study on landslide risk management

Background

During May, 2014 heavy rains fell over Bosnia and Herzegovina, causing massive flooding in northern, eastern and central parts of the country bordering Croatia and Serbia. The floods are the worst in 120 years and have brought enormous destruction in a country that is still recovering from the consequences of the 92-95 war and where significant groups of the population suffer from chronic poverty and unemployment. The floods had multiple adverse effects on people’s lives including landslides.

Landslides are a continuous and well know hazard for Bosnia and Herzegovina, and represent a complex and ever-increasing problem for authorities at all levels, as well as for affected communities. The Risk Assessment for Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted by the Council of Ministers in 2012 registers more than 1,800 active landslides in the country. The 1992-1995 war in the country caused massive migration of people, linked with illegal construction of houses in sloping living areas, or alongside riverbeds. Furthermore, lack of spatial planning documentation based on geological analysis leads to unsustainable territorial development and infrastructure investments, which in the long-term also causes landslide hazards. Human activities relating to expansion on unsafe locations, unscientific mining, haphazard construction of roads, dams and ignoring natural features also contributed to increased intensity of landslides.

Apart from the massive recovery efforts, UNDP is implementing interventions related to strengthening of resilience in particular floods and landslides risk reduction. As a part of the project Landslide Disaster Risk Management in Bosnia and Herzegovina one of the outputs is to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the existing legal, institutional, policy framework and practices related to landslide risk management in Bosnia and Herzegovina that will serve as a basis for future capacity building for landslides disaster risk management in the country.

Duties and Responsibilities

The landslide risk management study must provide answers to the question of how to create strategy for improvement of landslide risk management in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The study must include all the information needed to give decision-makers and other stakeholders, basis for improvements in the area of landslides risk management. Therefor the consultant will be entrusted with the following tasks:

Development of detailed methodology for the study. Final methodology will be approved by UNDP. Methodology will, among other, include:

1. Detailed list of all relevant domestic and international documents that will be reviewed (regulations, law, policies, studies) including best practices and international standards related to landslides management.
2. List of interviews that will be conducted including interview questions
3. List of planned field visits
4. List and description of other research methods and tools that will be used
5. Structure and content of the Study on landslide risk management in BiH
6. Detailed work plan

Development of the comprehensive Study on landslide risk management in BiH, based on approved methodology, that will contain:

1. Information on history and main causes of landslides in Bosnia and Herzegovina, identification of most landslide-prone locations and impact of landslides on lives and livelihood of population of BiH and development.
2. Analysis of current status and recommendations for the improvements of the legal and institutional framework relevant for landslides risk management based on best practices and international standards. This will include all aspects of landslides management.
3. Analysis of current status and recommendations on improvement of management of landslides relevant information based on best practices and international standards (cadasters and registers on landslide relevant data, GIS databases, historical and geological information, early warning systems, landslides monitoring, information sharing, awareness of general population)
4. Analysis of current status and recommendations on improvement of landslides risk management based on best practices and international standards (classification and identification of landslides, risk assessment including hazards, vulnerability and capacities, risk management)

Draft and final version of the Study will be approved by UNDP.

The consultant is expected to provide the following deliverables and services:

• Draft methodology for review submitted - 30th August
• Report on progress - 20th September
• Delivery of the draft of the Study on landslide risk management in BiH - 15th October
• Final version of the Study on landslide risk management in BiH incorporating comments made on draft - 25th October

Competencies

Corporate Responsibility and Teamwork:

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Plans, prioritizes and delivers tasks on time;
• Strives for and promotes excellence in performance continually;
• Participates effectively in a team-based, information-sharing environment, collaborating and cooperating with others;

People Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with persons of different national and cultural backgrounds;
• Recognizes and responds appropriately to the ideas, interests, and concerns of others;
• Builds trust and engenders morale by displaying open, transparent and credible behavior;
• Respects individual/cultural differences; utilizes diversity to foster teamwork;
• Ensures others’ understanding of, involvement in, and adaptation to a change process.

Partnering and Networking:

• Communicates sensitively and effectively across different constituencies;
• Ability to work as a member of a team as well as work autonomously.

Results-Orientation:

Plans and procedures quality results to meet established goals.

Communication:

• Technical writing skills, formulates written information clearly and persuasively;
• Strong communication skills;
• Presents information in a clear and articulate manner.

Job Knowledge and Expertise:

• Strong analytical skills;
• Knowledge and experience on landslides risk management;
• Demonstrates substantive and technical knowledge to meet responsibilities and post requirements;
• Initiative and sound judgment

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in engineering, geology, environment or development related field.
• A first-level university degree in combination with at least 2 additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Professional licensure or registration is desired.

Experience:

• At least 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in landslides risk management;
• At least two projects in the field of landslides risk management;
• Proven experience on preparation of written reports and studies in an accurate and concise manner;
• Excellent knowledge of best practice and international standards related to landslides risk management

Language Requirements:

Fluency in written and spoken English language is required for this assignment.

Other desirable skills

Proficiency in computer applications such as MS Word, Excel etc., CAD, GIS.

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.