Terms of Reference (ToR) for the development of an integrated policy on
assessments for UNEP/MAP and its components
Request for:
Consultant
X
Individual contractor
Organizational Unit ________UNEP/MAP__________________________________
1. Purpose (justification for request)
1.1 Explain the requirement for a consultant
UNEP/MAP EcAp Programme of Work is ambitious with the view to implementing the
roadmap adopted by the Parties in 2008, through Decision IG 17/6 which in addition to
the vision and strategic goals, provide for undertaking of an assessment of marine and
coastal properties and pressures including a socio economic analysis, development of
ecological objectives, operational objectives and respective indicators, development of
good environmental status and targets, the monitoring programmes that takes into
account the agreed EA indicators, as appropriate and finally to undertake the necessary
management measures and programmes to achieve Good Environmental Status.
Moreover, the UNEP/MAP – Barcelona Convention 5 year Programme of Work adopted
at the Contracting Parties meeting in Marrakesh in 2009, considers EcAp as its overarching priority cutting across its six thematic areas.
The Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention have undertaken several sectorial
assessments based on which regional policies to guide the implementation of the
Convention and the Protocols have been developed and adopted. Such assessments
and policies are revised on a regular basis in order to take into account emerging issues
and progress achieved. Nevertheless, there is a need to improve the efficiency of their
implementation with more holistic approaches that avoid overlapping and harmonize the
assessment cycle, especially in light of the EcAp, which as stated above, was agreed by
the Conference of the Parties, as the over-arching priority. For this reason the 5 year
programme of work (2010-2015) has already identified the need for an integrated
policy of assessments for UNEP/MAP and its components (the Integrated MAP
Assessment Policy).
Following the First Integrated Assessment of the Mediterranean Ecosystem, which
was presented to COP 2012, this activity becomes even more relevant. The assessment
underlines the need to strengthen our ability to better understand and address
cumulative risks due to the increase of multiple conflictive uses of the Mediterranean
space. The Integrated Assessment of the Mediterranean Ecosystem completed in 2011
was a first undertaking that now needs to be standardized; the gaps it identified, in
relationship also to the Table of Contents1 need to be followed up.
Based on the above, it is key to establish an integrated policy on assessments for
all of UNEP/MAP including priority sectorial policies and Action Plans with a
common time frame and the synergies to be established between them in order to
assess ecological objectives and progress in the measures implemented to reach
them in a coherent and consistent manner. Such an integrated policy will need to
offer a more coherent view on the state status of the Mediterranean environment,
1
Meeting of Government Designated experts meeting, Athens July 2008
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with ensuring and efficient science-policy interference and possibility of
answering emerging issues.
The integrated policy development on assessments will need to comprise assessments
undertaken by all components of the UNEP MAP system, and particularly Blue
Plan/RAC, SPA/RAC and MEDPOL.
The integrated policy assessment will also be complemented by the ongoing work on the
socio-economic assessment of the Mediterranean, as consideration of social and
economic dimensions is important to elaboration the programs of measures aiming to
achieve or maintain the GES. It is of great importance that the integrated policy
assessment thus will fully take into account the outcomes of this parallel, relevant socioeconomic work.
In addition, ongoing work related to the EU MSFD implementation, as agreed by the
Contracting Parties to at COP17 (February 2012, Paris), will also be taken into account,
especially in relation to the future timeline of a periodic integrated assessment of
UNEP/MAP to be developed. Other sources of inspirations will be considered as results
of relevant OSPAR assessment, System of Environmental Economic Accounts, the UN
World Ocean Assessments (formerly Regular Process) and other relevant ongoing work.
Objective of the Assignment
The overall objective of this contract is to give technical support to UNEP/MAP to
implement the COP decisions regarding the application of ecosystem approach (EcAp)
in the Mediterranean region, and the development of an integrated policy on
assessments for all of UNEP/MAP priority sectoral policies, with a common time frame,
methodology and in full synergy and coherence with the implementation of the European
Union (EU) Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) and relevant UNEP MAP
Decisions, such as Decision IG 17/5 on Governance.
Key Major deliverables
An Integrated Policy of Assessments for all of UNEP/MAP priority sectorial
policies and Action Plans (the Integrated MAP Assessment Policy) with a common
time frame and the synergies to be established between them in order to
periodically assess the status of the Mediterranean environment, ensure efficient
science-policy interface and meet the relevant ecological objectives and progress
in their implementation in a coherent and consistent manner.
Specifically, the Integrated MAP Assessment Policy will include:
 formulation of a MAP policy regarding assessment;
 identification of needs for undertaking thematic assessments per
ecological objective and undertaking preparatory activities leading to
transform the UNEP/MAP State of the Environment Reports (SOER) into
Quality Status Reports.
Tasks
A. Formulation of a MAP policy regarding assessment, with the following main steps:
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




Stock-taking and analysis of ongoing assessment practices, policies in the
UNEP/MAP system;
Stock-taking of relevant parallel assessments, reporting obligations of the Parties
(OSPAR, EU, UN World Ocean Assessment, GEO5 and similar);
Summarize lessons learnt, best practices, with specific attention given to
synergies, gaps both on scope, methodology and timeline;
Identify key partners from scientific community, regional initiatives, NGOs/IGOs
etc.
Draw up and recommend based on the above an integrated MAP assessment.
B. Identification of needs for undertaking thematic assessments per ecological objective
and undertaking preparatory activities leading to transform the UNEP/MAP State of
the Environment Reports (SOER) into Quality Status Reports, with the following main
steps:
 Based on the integrated MAP assessment, relevant best practices (such as of
the EU/EEA, OSPAR, UN World Ocean Assessment, GEO5) and comments of
the Parties on it at the EcAp Focal Points meeting, summarize key challenges
and opportunities on transforming the SOER to a Quality Status Report;
 Give recommendations on the periodic scheduling, focus and methodology of
such a future Quality Status Report.
1.2 Qualifications / special skills or knowledge
University degree in environmental science and management and or in environmental
policy (in case of relevant experience, other university diplomas may be accepted);
 Highly experienced in data assessment, reporting;
 Experienced in writing environmental assessments;
 Knowledge of the Mediterranean marine and coastal environment and the UNEP
MAP system;
 Good substantive understanding of existing integrated environmental
assessment policies, such as of the EU;
 Fluency in oral and written English (good working knowledge of French and other
languages of the Mediterranean region is desirable).
1.3 Ultimate result of services
The draft Integrated MAP Assessment Policy will be presented to MAP Focal points in
September 2013, with the ultimate objective to have it endorsed at COP18 in Istanbul, in
December 2013.
1.4 Legislative authority reference
Decision IG 17/6 on the Implementation of the Ecosystem Approach, Decision IG 17/5
on Governance and Decision IG 20/16 on the Programme of work.
1.6 Duration
The duration of this contract is 60 man/days over 8 months, starting from the date of the
latest signature of the parties.
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2. Funding
2.1 Source of Funds
Regular Budget
Extra-budgetary
X
2.1 Allotment Account / Budget Line _______________________________________
2.3 Indicative level of remuneration
The Consultant will be paid at P3 level for the duration of 60 man/days
The fee will be distributed in 3 installments subject to the submission of satisfactory
reports in accordance with the Reporting timetable and requirements as described in
chapter 4.3:
3. Travel involved
a) The Consultant is not required to be stationed at the Coordinating Unit for the duration
of the contract.
Travel will be organized by
Substantive Office
Selected candidate
X
To be organized by selected candidate (two trips to Athens are foreseen, to consult with
Secretariat the draft Integrated Policy of Assessments. A total of 2000 EURO will be
allocated and added to the contractual amount.
Travel will be undertaken at the direction of UNEP/MAP as indicated below and upon
written approval (authorization) by UNEP/MAP. The consultant will follow the UNEP
travel guidelines for travel arrangements (where the cheapest economy class and most
direct option should be adopted). Approved Itineraries: (from/to Official place of
residence (base-country) to/from Authorized mission place (unless otherwise agreed as
need be)
Before each mission, the consultant needs to communicate the requested itinerary to
UNEP/MAP Administration:
-If the available itinerary diverts substantially from the indicative costs below, the
consultant shall provide minimum three itineraries to UNEP/MAP Administration well in
advance to demonstrate the alternatives from which the cheapest and most direct option
shall be selected. Otherwise, the consultant may proceed with the cheapest alternative
(in the framework of the indicative rates below).
-The per diem and relative entitlements, approved for the mission in reference, will be
communicated from UNEP/MAP Administration to the consultant before the mission
takes place.
-Upon conclusion of the respective mission in reference, the consultant shall submit a
travel claim report to UNEP/MAP Administration (within 2 weeks) indicating actual dates
spent during the mission, original boarding passes of the itinerary, the original invoice of
the ticket as well as the 3 options at the time of the purchase which will demonstrate that
the selected option was the cheapest (as per the UNEP rules and regulations on Travel)
at the time of the purchase. This report will be cleared from UNEP/MAP administration
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and the final amount approved will be communicated to the consultant (this will be offset
against the advanced travel amount) and will be kept in record during the contract’s
duration.
-Any balances from the Advanced Travel Amount will be offset against the final
contractual payment of the consultant’s fees.
-In the case that a mission occurs and which diverts from the travel plan below and in
the case that additional resources are needed to cover that travel, this will addressed
separately by UNEP/MAP Administration.
Indicative Travel
DSA and TRM
Ticket
Total
Athens
to
meet
with DSA: EUR 231* 2 * EUR 418 = EUR 2,000
UNEP/MAP, twice (4 days in 4= EUR 924
EUR 836
total)
TRM= EUR 240
TOTAL:
EUR 2,000
4. Workplan
4.1 Objectives, output expectations and performance indicators
Final result:
Integrated Policy of Assessments for all of UNEP/MAP priority sectorial policies and
Action Plans (the Integrated MAP Assessment Policy) with a common time frame and
the synergies to be established between them in order to take into account ecological
objectives and progress in their implementation in a coherent and consistent manner.
Intermadiate results: as described in the table under (outputs to be delivered to
Secretariat by email, unless otherwise indicated).
TABLE WORKPLAN MAY-DECEMBER
OUTPUT/TASKS per month
1
X
Stock-taking and analysis of ongoing assessment
practices, policies in the UNEP/MAP system
X
Stock-taking of relevant parallel assessments, reporting
obligations of the Parties (OSPAR, EU)
Summarize lessons learnt, best practices and synergies,
gaps both on scope, methodology and timeline and give
recommendations on the periodic scheduling, focus and
methodology of such a future Quality Status Report
Draw up and recommend an integrated policy of MAP
assessments
Revise the draft integrated policy of MAP assessments
(including summarizing key challenges and opportunities
on transforming the SOER to a Quality Status Report)
Revise the draft integrated policy of MAP assessments
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2
3
4
5
6
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
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In case necessary draw up further revisions
X
4.2 Specific tasks and responsibilities
There is a need to draw up the timeline/table of contents carefully, with close
cooperation of the EcAp project officer, to ensure that the ambitious timeline can be
kept, with the overall aim to adopt a MAP Policy regarding assessment at COP18 in
early December 2013.
4.3 Reporting lines
The consultant will work under the direct supervision of EcAp project officer and the
overall supervision of UNEP/MAP Programme Officer.
The following reports shall be submitted by the Consultant:
 A first progress report together with the stock-taking deliverables by 15
June 2013;
 A second progress report together with recommendations for an integrated
MAP Assessment by 15 July (Secretariat to send back comments by 20
July to be amended by 1 August);
 A final report including the consideration of comments from the Secretariat
together with recommendations on a periodic scheduling will be prepared
by 30 September; and,
 A follow-up report will be prepared based on the COP18 outcome by 20
December.
--------------------------------------To apply, please submit the following documents on or before 31 May 2013, by
email to sylvie.fortin@unepmap.gr with cc to nathalie.gomez@unepmap.gr:
1. CV in the United Nations standard form – Personal History Form - P11 (and
Employment Record Supplementary sheet, if needed),
2. academic certificates,
3. the completed "Fields of Expertise" form,
4. any other document which is relevant
All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.
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