UNDP Jobs - 73189- Water Supply and Demands Management Expert

Water Supply and Demands Management Expert

Location :

Home-based with missions to Baku, Azerbaijan and Tbilisi, Georgia

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

12-Aug-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Estimated 1st September 2017 – 28 February 2018

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Approximately 48 working days

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The Global Environment Facility (GEF)
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) (www.thegef.org) unites 183 member governments—in partnership with international institutions, non-governmental organizations and the private sector—to address global environment issues. An independently operating financial organization, the GEF provides grants for projects related to biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, the ozone layer and persistent organic pollutants. Since 1991, the GEF has provided US$12.5 billion in grants and leveraged US$58 billion in co-financing for 3,690 projects in 165 developing countries. Through its Small Grants Programme (SGP) the GEF has made more than 20,000 grants totaling about US$1 billion to civil society and community-based organizations.

The GEF International Waters (IW) focal area targets transboundary water systems, such as shared river basins, lakes, groundwater and large marine ecosystems. The IW portfolio comprises 242 projects to date and some US$1.4 billion of GEF grants invested in 149 different countries. This investment has leveraged about US$8.4 billion in co-financing.

UNDP GEF Kura Project “Advancing Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) across the Kura river basin through implementation of the transboundary agreed actions and national plans” will be implementing the Strategic Action Program for the Kura River Basin in partnership with the Governments of Georgia and Azerbaijan. The SAP is framed around four agreed Ecosystem Quality Objectives (EQO) which are:
To achieve sustainable utilization of water resources to ensure access to water and preserve ecosystem services;
To achieve water quality such that it would ensure access to clean water for present and future generations and sustain ecosystem functions in the Kura river basin;
To achieve and maintain ecosystem status whereby they provide essential environmental and socio-economic services in a sustainable manner in the Kura River Basin; and,
To achieve mitigation of adverse impacts of flooding and climate change on infrastructures, riparian ecosystems and communities.
The GEF will support priority activities towards these objectives. The GEF funded SAP implementation Project has the objective “to integrate water resources management in the Kura river basin to address water-energy-food-ecosystem security nexus through the implementation of agreed actions in the SAP”.
There will be five components to support the countries to achieve this objective. These are:

Project Component 1: Establishment of effective cross sectoral IWRM governance protocols at the local, national and transboundary levels in the Kura Basin;
Project Component 2: Strengthening national capacities to implement multi-sectoral IWRM in the Kura basin;
Project Component 3: Stress reduction in critical areas and pre-feasibility studies to identify investment opportunities for improving river system health;
Project Component 4: Targeted education and involvement projects to empower stakeholders in implementing local / national / regional actions in support of SAP implementation;
Project Component 5: Enhancing science for governance by strengthening monitoring, information management and data analysis systems for IWRM.

Duties and Responsibilities

Sustainable management of water resources in the Kura river basin will become increasingly complex in the future as climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of drought and water shortages. There is an increasing concern about the effective and efficient use of water for agriculture, and the volume of water losses in the municipal water supply networks. The promotion of effective water use and on-farm water management are identified as important aspect in the Strategic Action Program (SAP) and the UNDP-GEF Kura II project document.

The assessment of the geographic distribution of groundwater and surface water in the Kura river basin will lead to better planning for the future development projects in different sectors. A programme of measures must be developed which should wherever possible encourage incentives for the augmentation of the current water supply both at a local and a regional level.

The water–energy–food nexus is being promoted as a conceptual tool for achieving sustainable development. There is a high need for assessing the current demands for water and estimate the future demands for the different sectors based on the rate of development in each sector. The estimated future demands must consider the current modalities for water use and evaluate the water use efficiency and volume of losses in each sector. A set of recommendations for rational use of water resources should be introduced in both countries in order to improve the water use efficiency in the agriculture and municipal water supply sectors.

The services of a qualified and highly competent consultant will be required to assist the Project Coordination Unit in developing the above-mentioned tasks and prepare the needed technical reports.

Scope of Work
The water supply and demands management expert will work closely with the project advisory panel group in each country to assess the current regulatory protocols to encourage efficient water use and draft a report describing the gaps in the current regulations and recommendation to enhance these regulations to encourage more efficient use of water in different sectors.

He/She will also work closely with the national focal points and the concerned stakeholders in both countries to review and comment on the national assessment reports of physical water supply system for agricultural and municipal sectors and develop showcases for rational water use in these two sectors that can be implemented in pilot areas in the two countries.

The consultant will also develop a technical report on the assessment of available ground and surface water availability in river basin and prepare the 3-staged training curriculum on hydrogeological modeling software and use of GIS and remote sensing techniques for delineation of ground water aquifer. This training material will be reviewed and approved by the project PCU

The consultant, in collaboration and close coordination with the national experts, Project Coordination Unit and the National Focal Points, shall carry out the following activities:

For Rational water use:

Conduct national level review of existing and planned water efficiency regulations, practices and policies.
Conduct field visit to the region to meet with national level key sectoral stakeholders regarding water use efficiency efforts currently implemented and under development
Review national level enforcement mechanisms currently in place for water efficiency/rational use
Collect available reports on physical water supply system status in both agriculture and municipal sectors
Conduct National assessment reports of physical water supply system for agricultural and municipal sectors in each country with prioritized recommendations
Develop national level assessment reports of laws, regulations and enforcement on current and planned laws, regulations and enforcement mechanisms. Identify the gaps in these current regulations in relation to Rational water use.
Preparation of plans for enhanced efficiency for agricultural and municipal consumption, including gap filling plan in the current policies and regulations, with time and monitoring indicators for measurable success.

For improve assessment of ground & surface waters

Collect the available data and reports on GW and SW availability in each country
Make a summary report on the availability of GW and SW in each country
Consult with the S.W. and G.W. Management units in both countries
Prepare technical report on the assessment of G.W. and S.W. availability in the river basin
Survey the available hydrogeological modelling software and select the most suitable one for the basin
Prepare a list of the all needed data and maps to run that model
Develop the training materials for 3-level training course on the use of Hydrological models for water resources management

Timeframe for Key Deliverables and payment arrangements:

Submission and approval of detailed work plan for implementation of activities
Start date: 1st Sep. 2017
End date: 15 Sep. 2017
Payment due: 10% of the total lumpsum on delivery and approval by the CTA

Field visit to the region to meet with National level key sectoral stakeholders regarding water use efficiency efforts currently implemented and under development
Start date: 16 Sep. 2017
End date: 30 Sep. 2017

National assessment reports of physical water supply system for agricultural and municipal sectors in each country with prioritized recommendations
Start date: 1st Oct. 2017
End date: 31 Oct. 2017
Payment due: 15% of the total lumpsum on delivery and approval by the CTA

National level assessment reports on current and planned laws, regulations and enforcement mechanisms in the water sector. Identify the gaps in these current regulations in relation to Rational water use.
Start date: 1st Oct. 2017
End date: 15 Nov. 2017
Payment due: 15% of the total lumpsum on delivery and approval by the CTA

National plans for enhanced efficiency for agricultural and municipal consumption, including gap filling plan in the current policies and regulations, with time and monitoring indicators for measurable success.
Start date: 15 Nov. 2017
End date: 15 Dec. 2017
Payment due: 20% of the total lumpsum on delivery and approval by the CTA

Technical report on the assessment of G.W. and S.W. availability in the river basin
Start date: 15 Dec. 2017
End date: 31 Jan. 2018
Payment due: 20% of the total lumpsum on delivery and approval by the CTA

Training materials for 3-level training course on the use of Hydrological models for water resources management
Start date: 1st Feb. 2018
End date: 28 Feb. 2018
Payment due: 20% of the total lumpsum on delivery and approval by the CTA

Information on Working Arrangements:

The international water supply and demands management Expert will report to the Project Chief Technical Advisor / Regional Project Coordinator (CTA/RPC). Deliverables will be reviewed and approved by the CTA/RPC.

Competencies

Functional competencies

Strong communication and management skills and demonstrable capacity to work with a multi-national team and to work with government institutions;
Demonstrated ability on using hydrological mathematical models for groundwater and surface water management;
Ability to conduct needs assessment studies and conduct training courses;
Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations;
Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities.

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.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Masters degree in water resources management, or related fields required; Masters degree focusing on the use of hydrologic models in planning of groundwater and surface water conjunctive use a strong advantage. (Criteria A - Max. 10 Pts)

Experience

A is required; (Criteria B - Max. 10 Pts);
Proven experience in conducting assessment to the water distribution networks in the agriculture and municipal water sectors and develop plans on the rational water use and technologies for efficient use of water in these two sectors (Criteria C - Max. 15 Pts);
Proven experience in using hydrologic models in water resources planning and management. Experience with the use of GIS and remote sensing as inputs to the hydrological models for delineating groundwater aquifers. Showcases of the application of hydrologic models in water supply and demands management will be an asset (Criteria D - Max. 10 Pts)
Proven experience in developing and conducting training courses for multi-disciplinary trainees on hydrological models and its use in water resources planning (Criteria E – Max. 5 Pts)
Experience in working with UNDP and GEF through multiple sectors/ministries or work experience in GEF International Waters, and experience in former Soviet States is an asset (Criteria F - Max. 5 Pts);

Language:

English is the working language for this assignment, therefore excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required and ability to communicate in Russian is an advantage (Criteria G – Max 15 Pts.)

Evaluation of Applicants

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.
The award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical P11 desk reviews and interviews and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Only candidates who will receive min. 70% of points in desk review will be invited for an interview.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 70 points:

Criteria A – Academic qualification / education – max points 10;
Criteria B – Experience – max points 10;
Criteria C – Experience– max points 15;
Criteria D – Experience– max points 10;
Criteria E – Experience – max points 5;
Criteria F – Experience – max points 5;
Criteria G – Interview (communication abilities and technical skills) – max points 15

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

Time Frame

The expected time frame for the Consultant to complete these activities is 6 months starting from September 1, 2017 with approximately 48 working days during this period (40 days home base working plus 2 missions to the region with 4 working days per mission (each mission will include 2 days in Azerbaijan + 2 days in Georgia)).

Financial Arrangements

Payments as percentage of lump sum will be made monthly on the following based on approval and timely completion of above all deliverables described above.
Any delay of deliverable must be approved by the CTA in writing.

Application procedure:

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website. The application should contain:

Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position and a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application.
Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from http://www.eurasia.undp.org/content/dam/rbec/docs/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc); please upload the P11 instead of your CV.
A technical proposal indicating the work to be done for achieving the tasks, main points to be discussed with the countries and to also be addressed in your report, plan for visiting countries, the structure of your final report.
Financial Proposal in USD* - specifying a) total amount for the tasks specified in this announcement and b) mission related costs (i) travel costs and ii) per diem) for 2 missions to the region with 4 working days per mission (each mission will include 2 days in Azerbaijan + 2 days in Georgia)) and 2 field missions to the region to meet with different stakeholders and conduct trainings.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.

Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, vaccination, personal security needs and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...). All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal.

Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.

Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org
General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://on.undp.org/t7fJs.

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.
Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.