International Advisor on Marine and Coastal Protected Areas

Albania has declared in 2010 its first marine protected area, as a result of an UNDP assisted project. In order to ensure the proper management of this area and to expand the marine protected areas, a new project has been designed and is currently under implementation in incipient stage.

The goal of the new project is to secure the long-term protection of Albania’s unique coastal and marine biodiversity. The immediate objective is to improve the coverage and management effectiveness of Albania’s network of marine and coastal protected areas as an essential complement to its network of terrestrial protected areas.

The project aims at removing existing systemic, regulatory and knowledge barriers.

The objective will be achieved through two outcomes:

• Improved bio-geographical representation of marine and coastal protected areas (MCPA), and
• Improved management arrangements for MCPAs, clarifying institutional settings and capacity building.

The project has already addressed some of the key drivers of the loss of marine and coastal biodiversity and ecosystem services such as coastal degradation, over-exploitation of marine and coastal resources, and pollution of coastal and marine waters, brought on by economic activities, degradation of coastal areas, uncontrolled harvest of coastal and marine resources, pollution of marine and coastal waters, climate change, etc.

Management Plan for Karaburun-Sazani MCPA has been developed throughout 2014, with the professional assistance and expertise from WWF MedPO. The plan addresses main descriptive elements of the area, followed by an evaluation of the protected area and assessment of institutional framework, more insight into the values, threats and current institutional framework, the vision of the MPA and then stating the management themes and management zones. Following this process, the project has developed the Business Plan for Karaburun-Sazani MCPA.

The scope of the assignment is to support the implementation of the MCPAs for the remaining period of the project; including the review the results achieved so far, recommendations for the remaining steps and drafting of a final report presenting the results and observations.  In addition, the consultant will support the project in finalizing the business plan process and conceptualization of a supporting financing scheme for the sustainable management of the MPA Karaburun-Sazani, in particular, the financial aspects. 

Specifically, the expected Tasks will include the follwing

• Conduct consultation meetings with relevant stakeholders such as government authorities, partners, communities, elaborating the current barriers and challenges in the management of the MCPAs coming up with a policy pathway with actions’ checklist for its implementation
• Review the overall progress and results of the project so far and provide recommendations for the eventually remaining tasks (including drafting ToRs as needed)
• Assess the appropriateness of the project-end results and development structures and make recommendations to replicate this project to other areas

• Develop a Strategic Concept Note on Marine and Coastal Protected Areas which should be in line the Strategy for Protected Areas and considers economic and environmental national priorities in the country.

• In consultation with the national experts and the project management, identify 3-5 pilot projects to be developed/implemented further as per the requirements of the EU; and

• Support other tasks, as agreed with the project management.

Deliverables

• Report on project results and recommendations for the future
• Development of a Strategic Concept Note on MCPAs
• Development of at 3-5 pilot projects

Albania has declared in 2010 its first marine protected area, as a result of an UNDP assisted project. In order to ensure the proper management of this area and to expand the marine protected areas, a new project has been designed and is currently under implementation in incipient stage.

The goal of the new project is to secure the long-term protection of Albania’s unique coastal and marine biodiversity. The immediate objective is to improve the coverage and management effectiveness of Albania’s network of marine and coastal protected areas as an essential complement to its network of terrestrial protected areas.

The project aims at removing existing systemic, regulatory and knowledge barriers.

The objective will be achieved through two outcomes:

• Improved bio-geographical representation of marine and coastal protected areas (MCPA), and
• Improved management arrangements for MCPAs, clarifying institutional settings and capacity building.

The project has already addressed some of the key drivers of the loss of marine and coastal biodiversity and ecosystem services such as coastal degradation, over-exploitation of marine and coastal resources, and pollution of coastal and marine waters, brought on by economic activities, degradation of coastal areas, uncontrolled harvest of coastal and marine resources, pollution of marine and coastal waters, climate change, etc.

Management Plan for Karaburun-Sazani MCPA has been developed throughout 2014, with the professional assistance and expertise from WWF MedPO. The plan addresses main descriptive elements of the area, followed by an evaluation of the protected area and assessment of institutional framework, more insight into the values, threats and current institutional framework, the vision of the MPA and then stating the management themes and management zones. Following this process, the project has developed the Business Plan for Karaburun-Sazani MCPA.

The scope of the assignment is to support the implementation of the MCPAs for the remaining period of the project; including the review the results achieved so far, recommendations for the remaining steps and drafting of a final report presenting the results and observations.  In addition, the consultant will support the project in finalizing the business plan process and conceptualization of a supporting financing scheme for the sustainable management of the MPA Karaburun-Sazani, in particular, the financial aspects. 

Specifically, the expected Tasks will include the follwing

• Conduct consultation meetings with relevant stakeholders such as government authorities, partners, communities, elaborating the current barriers and challenges in the management of the MCPAs coming up with a policy pathway with actions’ checklist for its implementation
• Review the overall progress and results of the project so far and provide recommendations for the eventually remaining tasks (including drafting ToRs as needed)
• Assess the appropriateness of the project-end results and development structures and make recommendations to replicate this project to other areas

• Develop a Strategic Concept Note on Marine and Coastal Protected Areas which should be in line the Strategy for Protected Areas and considers economic and environmental national priorities in the country.

• In consultation with the national experts and the project management, identify 3-5 pilot projects to be developed/implemented further as per the requirements of the EU; and

• Support other tasks, as agreed with the project management.

Deliverables

• Report on project results and recommendations for the future
• Development of a Strategic Concept Note on MCPAs
• Development of at 3-5 pilot projects