Scientist (Greek Speaking)

United Nations Development Program (UNDP) works to support the ongoing peace and confidence building process by promoting initiatives that encourage dialogue and cooperation between the communities of Cyprus.

With funding from the EU and implementation by UNDP the “Support Facility to the Bi-Communal Technical Committees” provides financial, conceptual, and operational support in the preparation and realization of small, ad-hoc activities as well as more substantive projects and interventions. 

Technical Committee on Health is now implementing a bi-communal project for identification and distribution of vectors of medical importance in Cyprus. As part of the project, a surveillance network will be established with the aim to:

• Identify mosquito vectors both native and invasive species at an island level focusing in regions at higher risk for disease transmission
• Map mosquito distribution to prioritize regions for which enhanced measures should be taken to control the mosquito population to promote public health
• Enhance capacity building of local communities to identify mosquitoes of medical significance and to perform surveillance programs
• To increase public awareness on protection measures against mosquito bites

Within this context, UNDP is seeking a Scientist to work as part of the technical team, composed of Scientists and Technicians on a part time basis to support the Technical Committee with the establishment of the surveillance network in Cyprus.

Under the overall guidance of the Programme & Communications Analyst and in collaboration with the Co- Chairs of the Technical Committee on Health, the Scientist will be responsible for:

• Delivery of capacity building trainings for the technicians to be hired for the implementation of the project, and other health professionals in the local communities;
• In collaboration with the International Expert, development of management plans including standardized protocols for mosquito surveillance, data collection, analysis and management;
• Ensuring the traps are assembled and samples are collected in line with standardized protocol;
• Transferring knowledge to health professionals with regards to mosquito surveillance to enhance sustainability of the project after its lifespan;
• Morphological and genetical analysis identification;
• In collaboration with the International Expert, development of a Layman’s Report with mosquito species and abundance distribution maps;
• Development of content for a leaflet for public awareness;
• Development of content / scripts for videography;
• Ensuring all laboratory equipment required for the purpose of this assignment is available and can be accessed with scientist’s own means.

Consultant and the supervisor will mutually agree on the timeframe for each deliverable / output at the initial phase of the project.

Deliverables / Outputs

• Deliverable /output 1: design of study
• Deliverable /output 2: completion of data analysis
• Deliverable /output 3: development of surveillance report
• Deliverable /output 4: preparation of final report
• Deliverable /output 5: preparation of Layman’s Report
• Deliverable /output 6: development of content for visibility materials

Professionalism

• Shows pride in work and in achievements.
• Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter.
• Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.
• Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns.
• Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.

Communication

• Speaks and writes clearly and effectively.
• Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately.
• Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication.
• Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Planning & Organizing

• Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required.
• Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work.
• Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning.
• Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary.
• Uses time efficiently

Education:

• Master’s Degree in Biology, Entomology or Molecular Biology
• PhD Degree in one of the subjects above will be considered as an asset

Experience:

• Minimum 1 year of experience in morphological and genetical identification
• Demonstration of good knowledge of GC and/or TC local environments will be considered an advantave
• Work experience in Cyprus will be considered as an advantage
• Experience in working in bi-communal projects in Cyprus will be considered an advantage

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English and Greek

Other Requirements:

• Access to required laboratory equipment
• Ability and willingness to travel island wide
• Valid driving license

Application:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

• CV or Personal History (P11): Applicants are required to submit CV or a P11 Form. The UNDP P11 Form can be downloaded from:    http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/corporate/Careers/P11_Personal_history_form.doc
• Reference; Contact details of 3 references
• Financial Proposal: Applicants are requested to submit financial proposal in euro for the group of outputs listed below which should be detailed as follows:
  • Outputs 1 as per this ToR
  • Output 2 as per this ToR
  • Output 3 as per this ToR
  • Output(s) 4,  5 and 6 as per this ToR

The financial proposal shall cover all expenditures including fees, health insurance, vaccination, international (all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel) or local travel (place of residence to office and office to place of residence), cost of living and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services. Leave benefits (annual, sick, paternity, maternity) are not applicable to Individual Contractors and absent days including weekends and office holidays are not payable.  Cost of transportation to and from the field (location of traps) should be excluded while considering the financial proposal for the outputs

Logistics of the Assignment:

Consultants will need to provide their own laptop and other relevant equipment for working purposes.

Evaluation / Selection Process

All applicants will be screened against qualifications) set above. Candidates fully meeting the requirements will be further evaluated based on the criteria below.

Technical Criteria (CV review and interview/desk review) – 70% of total evaluation– max. 70 points

CV review: 20 points:

• Educational qualification as defined in the ToR (10 points)
• Experience as defined in the ToR (10 points)

Only candidates who obtained at least 70% of points from the CV review (who will score at least 14 points) will be eligible to be invited for an interview/desk review.

Interview/Desk review: 50 points

• Experience in morphological and genetical identification (25 pts)                                                        
•  PhD Degree Biology, Entomology or Molecular Biology  (10 pts)                                                         
• Demonstration of good knowledge of GC and/or TC local environments (5 pts)                                                        
• Work experience in Cyprus  (5 pts)                                                        
• Experience in working in bi-communal projects (5 pts)                                                         

Only those individual consultants who obtained at least 70% of points from Interview/desk review (35 out of 50) will be considered for financial proposal evaluation.

Financial Criteria – 30% of total evaluation – max. 30 points.

Financial scores will be calculated using the formula [lowest offer / financial offer of the candidate x 30].

UNDP applies the “Best value for money approach” – the final selection will be based on the combination of the applicants’ qualification and financial proposal.

Payment Term:

Payments shall be made in four instalments upon the submission of the certification of payment form and the completion and approval of the following sets of outputs by UNDP:

• Deliverables 1
• Deliverable 2
• Deliverable 3
• Deliverables 4, 5 and 6