CONTEXT AND OVERVIEW OF THE CONSULTANCY

The assignment is framed within the Projects ‘Urgent provision of a protective roof for the Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa’ and ‘Heritage Emergency Fund and UNESCO/Japan Funds-in-Trust Project: Enhancing urgent protective measures and repairs for Odesa historic and cultural property’.

Scope of the assignment:

The repeated attacks to Odesa, have directly and indirectly damaged or put at risk a consistent part of the urban historic fabric of the city. Since July 2023 these threats intensified and are increasing the vulnerability of historic buildings.

In August-September 2023, the UNESCO International Expert Mission to Assess Damage to Cultural and Religious Sites in Odesa assessed 47 buildings damaged due to the repeated attacks since July 2023. Amont them, the Cathedral of Transfiguration, which represents a significant religious site of Odesa, legally protected as historical monument of local significance, was hit by a missile on 23 July 2023. The building is located on one of the city’s central squares, Soborna Square, and plays a compositional role in its urban planning scheme. The building was rebuilt (1999-2005) after its destruction (1936) in the neoclassical architectural style, in reference to its reconstruction in 1903.

The overall technical conditions of the building were assessed as not suitable for normal operation. The most dangerous area of the building is the southeastern part, where the roof is missing and the monolithic masonry has been breached. A large part (at least 1,874.4 sqm) of the total surface area (3,250 sqm) of the roof is at risk of collapsing, being missing, partially deformed, disconnected and/or displaced from its location. It is completely missing in the southwestern part.

Additional priority buildings for urgent interventions, structural reinforcement and stabilization/consolidation localized interventions will be further selected for this assignment, as progressively identified by UNESCO and local authorities based on the outcomes of the conducted assessment.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Description of duties:

Under the direct supervision of the UNESCO Liaison officer/Head of Ukraine Desk and in consultation with relevant units at the Kyiv Desk and the Cultural Sector in Headquarters, the Consultant shall perform the technical check of the project documentation and overall direct supervision of the work performed within the Projects, assist in the procurement procedures (bill of quantity, specifications, etc.), advice and oversight the daily works at the concerned fieldworks in Odesa. To this end, the consultant shall perform the following, but not limited to, tasks:

1. Transfiguration Cathedral:

1.1 Based on UNESCO Kyiv Desk instructions, regularly coordinate with the concerned National, regional and local authorities, and other partners of the Project.

1.2 Conduct consultations with various stakeholders in relevant sectors to align the work with relevant national standards.

1.3 Ensure that detailed conditions assessment is conducted and check design documentation for the most appropriate protective roofing of the Cathedral (narrative reports, drawings), including definition of the technical specifications and bills of quantities at the first emergency stage and for the subsequent restoration/reconstruction phase of the Cathedral. Verify whether the documentation is clear, complete and compliant with national legal requirements.

1.4 Assist in preparing the fieldwork to conduct urgent studies and works inside the Cathedral, and possibly to resume its religious liturgical functions.

1.5 Regularly visit the fieldwork and document the developments and workplan alignments, documenting the stage of the works and providing recommendations for improvements and solving eventual bottlenecks issues.

2. Additional priority buildings for urgent interventions, structural reinforcement and stabilization/consolidation localized interventions, as progressively identified with UNESCO and local authorities based on the outcomes of the conducted assessment:

2.1 Based on the visual and instrumental inspections, oversight the conduction of detailed conditions assessment, check the documentation for performing urgent interventions at the selected damaged cultural buildings in Odesa, and assist in defining the specifications and bill of quantity for their implementation.

2.2 Effectuate quality assurance and ensure monitoring/direct supervision of the work performance in line with the proposed timeframe and that fieldwork requirements in terms of safety and security are respected during the duration of the works.

2.3 Assist UNESCO Kyiv Desk and Headquarters in procurement procedures, developing technical specifications, bills of quantities, request for quotation and other relevant documents.

2.4 Conduct market surface mapping on market products availability and costs,

2.5 Additional relevant activities that may be required to ensure the success of the project.

2.6 Regularly visit the fieldwork and document the developments and workplan alignments, documenting the stage of the works and providing recommendations for improvements and solving eventual bottlenecks issues

2.7 Certify the completion of the works and assist the project manager who is responsible for the design of the project and follow-up of the works/ submission to the Ukrainian competent authorities the requested papers at completion of the works.

2.8 Document and warrant the accuracy of information, submit to UNESCO the produced documentation related to before, during and at completion of the works

Long Description

Main technical requirements for the provision of services: services shall be provided in accordance with applicable legal regulations.

Requirements for research and technical products to be provided to UNESCO upon completion of the work research and technical products shall comply with the requirements of the applicable norms and rules, shall be drawn up by the Contractor in the state language and submitted to UNESCO

Duration of the consultancy: 6 months, with the possibility of extension.

Long Description

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Education in the field of knowledge “Architecture and Construction”. Specialist’s or Master’s degree in Architecture, or Architecture and Urban Planning, or Restoration of Architectural and Urban Planning Monuments. An educational specialization in Conservation would be an asset.
• Certificate of a certified architect – Qualification certificate of the performer of certain works (services) related to the creation of architectural objects – Architectural volumetric design (Category CC3 buildings under the category of “buildings of the main museums, state archives, repositories of national historical and cultural values”).
• Confirmation of experience in the implementation of projects for the restoration of architectural monuments (projects for restoration, conservation, museumification, emergency works, urgent conservation works, restoration repairs) and their implementation.
• The candidate will also need to submit a list of performed projects (author or co-author).
• Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of Ukrainian (mandatory) and English (desired).