Background

Organizational Context:

Following a rapid social and economic transformation from a central planning state to one of the fastest growing economies in the world, Kazakhstan has reached a GDP per capita of USD 13,099 (2011) and a HDI of 0,754 (2012). High economic growth rates fuelled mainly by oil, gas and mining during the past decade have significantly reduced average poverty levels in Kazakhstan, but created at the same time inter-regional and significant intra-regional imbalances. Furthermore, the current non-sustainable development model is generating significant direct costs mostly impacting the poorer and more disadvantaged part of the society (e.g. in terms of environmental burden on health; consequences of resource degradation) and opportunity costs (e.g. increasing the green technology gap) which will further increase if no change in the country's development model is initiated.

At present the Government focuses on the implementation of the most recent long-term strategy Kazakhstan 2050, which includes a substantial chapter on the country's transition to a green economy model, triggering the development of a comprehensive Green Economy Strategy. While inspired by experience abroad, in particular from world leading economies, strategic policy decisions are fully developed and owned by the country's leadership and have, in the past, resulted in an impressive record of economic growth and poverty reduction.

The government's environmental management systems have made some progress in the past but remain short of meeting the sector's significant challenges. One of the recent positive moves has been a surge in interest by city administrations to sign up to the Covenant of Mayors – East, which will generate substantial synergies with the Project here presented. Kazakhstan also recently became a fully-fledged member of the International Renewable Energy Agency.

Aware of the significant existing and long-term direct and opportunity costs (including a huge environmental burden on health, resource use inefficiencies and resource degradation), and aware of the need to respond to the impact of climate change, Kazakhstan took a landmark decision to transition to a green economy model.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of the Assignment
The principal responsibility of the Expert is to support Output 4: Quick-win operational highly visible and replicable GE pilot actions with demonstrable effects at local (region/city/district) levels implemented activity 4.1. Demonstration projects in key sectors. The work will be conducted in coordination with the national consultants, under the overall guidance of the Project Manager and UNDP Kazakhstan, as well as of the Project Chief Technical Advisor.

Scope of Work:

  • To carry out broad consultations and needs assessments with the stakeholders on the central and local level in the targeted regions.
  • To developed  Pilot Projects Program along the following sections: (i) general requirements, (ii) funding criteria, (iii) application requirements, (iv) funding restrictions and eligible costs, and (v) operation and reporting requirements, based on the findings of the missions and discussions a detailed.
  • Develop ToRs for Pilot projects program 2016-2018, including identification of pilot sites, partners, implementation mechanisms, priority areas (Sustainable water use and management in agriculture, Municipal water management, Water use and renewable energy etc);
  • Identify best practices/cases worldwide to bench mark the experience;
  • Organize study tour (Agenda development, negotiation with the hosting partners, list of participants).  

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
  • Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Functional Competences:

  • Effective communication with staff at all levels of the organization and competence in handling external relations at all levels.
  • Excellent analytical skills;
  • Capability to work under deadline pressure and to take on a range of tasks;
  • Ability to work in a team, to motivate other team members and counterparts and to balance the inputs and work of team members;
  • Self-motivation and ability to recommend options for resolutions of issues;
  • Excellent computer skills, including full working knowledge of standard word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software packages.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • MSc in Engineering, Business Administration, Environment with substantive knowledge of water  and climate change issues;
  • Good knowledge and experience in water management and green economy concept in countries with economies in transition;
  • Good knowledge of advanced water management technologies and international standards and requirements in the area of water supply, lessons learned in other countries in promotion of sustainable water management projects.

Experience:

  • Experience in developing and implementation of EU funded pilot projects program;
  • Strong networking skills and demonstrated ability to liaise and involve partners including government officials, scientific institutions, NGOs and private sector;
  • Familiarity with EU, UNDP and UN system desirable;
  • Experience with international organizations/projects/programs.

Language:

  • Full working knowledge of spoken and written English.
  • Knowledge of Russian language is an advantage.

Important note:

Documents to be submitted: