TERMS OF REFERENCE International Consultancy – Coordination and implementation of the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) and development of a Strategic Action Programme (SAP) in the Prespa Lakes Basin Project:
“Integrated Ecosystem Management in the Prespa Lakes Basin of Albania, FYR of Macedonia and Greece”
Position/Level:
International consultancy (SSA)
Location:
Home-based with travel to the Prespa Region (Albania, FYR Macedonia and Greece).
Duration:
60 working days (September 8, 2008 – 31 August, 2009)
Deadline for application:
May 30, 2008 (1700hrs; GMT+1)
Background The Prespa region is situated in the Balkan Peninsula and is shared among the three neighbouring countries Albania, FYR Macedonia and Greece. The entire Prespa Region hosts unique habitats that are important from both European and global conservation perspective. However, unsustainable agricultural, fisheries, water and forest management practices as well as unsustainable use of non-timber forest products is causing stresses on the ecosystem health of the Prespa Basin. Amongst the decision makers and the general population, there is also a limited knowledge on contributions of ecosystems to human well being and therefore the need for integrated management approaches. The aim of the GEF Prespa Regional Project is to mainstream ecosystem management objectives and priorities into productive sector practices and policies. The project is designed to strengthen capacity for restoring ecosystem health and conserving biodiversity at the local, national and trans-boundary level in the three riparian countries in the Prespa region by piloting ecosystem-oriented approaches into spatial planning, water management, agriculture, forest, fisheries and protected area management. Ecosystem management and sustainable development interventions in the Prespa Lakes Basin is not at its infancy. In the year 2000, a joint tri-lateral Prime-ministerial declaration between the three States marked the birth of this first transboundary Park in the Balkans and the establishment of a Prespa Park Co-ordination Committee (PPCC). The preparation of the first Strategic Action Plan for the Prespa Park was completed in 2002 by a team of experts from all three countries and was adopted by the PPCC after extensive consultation. Though it does not prioritise the range of interventions proposed, this extensive document provides a solid direction for sustainable development in the Prespa Basin and the indicative financial implications. Hence, it was used as a basis for the development of this GEF Prespa Regional Project. Within the framework of this transboundary GEF project, the three States have committed to jointly developing a Strategic Action Programme (SAP) for the Prespa Lakes Basin. A trans-boundary diagnostic analysis (TDA) is an important tool/approach that GEF has adopted towards the development of a Strategic Action Programme. There have been numerous interventions in relation to ecosystem and water management in the Prespa Lakes Basin to date. There are also numerous targeted activities underway within the scope of the GEF project. The primary responsibility of the consultant is therefore to take stock of the various related interventions (completed and underway) and define the scope,