International Consultant under the Second National Communication Project

In accordance with GEF Operational Procedures for the Expedited Financing of National Communications from Non-Annex I Parties (GEF/C.22/Inf.16), the Government of Albania after the completion and submission to the Cop of the UNFCCC its first National Communication has requested US$ 420,000 from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to prepare the Second National Communication to the CoP of the UNFCCC.

• an inventory of greenhouse gases for the year 2000 and time series 1994-2000;
• an update of analysis of potential measures to abate the increase in greenhouse gas emissions in Albania;
• an assessment of potential impacts of climate change in a selected area of Albania and adaptation measures;
• preparation of the Second National Communication of Albania and submission to the CoP.

In addition, public awareness activities and stakeholder consultations will be cross-cutting along the overall course of this exercise therefore, the preparation of the Second National Communication is expected to enhance general awareness and knowledge on climate change-related issues in Albania, and help into highly taking them into account in the process of national planning and policy.

The project team has already drafted the chapters of the Albania’s SNC, respectively:

• National Circumstances,
• GHG inventory;
• GHG mitigation;
• vulnerability and adaptation;
• Public awareness, training and education and
• Cross-cutting issues.

The main technical chapters such as GHG inventory, GHG mitigation and Vulnerability and Adaptation have undergone the peer-review process enabled through the assistance provided from the National Communication Support Program. 

The international consultant will be hired to assist the project team to put together the above draft chapters in one document, namely Albania’ Second National Communication to the UNFCCC which would be ready for printing and publishing. 

• Get familiar with thedocument of the project: “Enabling Albania to prepare its Second National Communication to the CoP of the UNFCCC”; including objectives, outcomes, outputs and activities.
• Get familiar with the relevant decision of the Conference of the Parties and latest guidance of the UNFCCC on the National Communications from Non-Annex 1 Parties: http://www.unfccc.int
• Review and get familiar with the already submitted Second National Communications from Non-Annex 1 Parties such as Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Macedonia, etc.  
• Based on the UNFCCC guidance on the required content of the Albania’s SNC and the outline of the chapters discuss with the team and the project manager the final outline for the Albania’s Second National Communication;
• Write-up the whole report in English language on the basis of the draft chapters provided in a clear and comprehensive language as per the outline agreed above;
• Edit the report, especially from the English language point of view;
• Design the report layout and after consulting with the project manager and getting her approval deliver the final version of the report;
• Circulate the report with the project team for the very final comments;
• Compile the executive summary of the report and attach it to the whole document;
• Submit the report in an electronic version, ready for the printing process;

•  Final outline of the Albania’s SNC – one week after the signature of the contract
• A first draft of the Albania’s SNC report – four weeks after the signature of the contract
• An edited version with a proper lay out for the last comments – six weeks after the signature of the contract
• Final report in electronic version and one colored printed copy – eight weeks after the signature of the contract.

• Good knowledge on and extensive working experience on climate change issues.
• Experience on national communication preparation process;
• Previous expertise in writing up similar reports, preferably national communications and other climate change related publications.

• Advanced university degree in natural ecosystem management, coastal management, land use planning or related fields;
• Very good writing skills in English language;
• Very good computer skills, specially in layout design;
• Good facilitation skills

The total duration of assignment will be up to 24 working days for the period: 15 April – 15 June 2009. The assignment may also involve at least one mission to Albania, including but not limited to any consultation with the project team after the preparation of the first draft of the report.  Throughout the assignment the rest of the work will be performed at home basis as per the above mentioned tasks. The consultant will report on his work to the Climate Change Program Manager.