Antecedentes

The project objective is to improve resilience of highly exposed regions of Georgia to hydro-meteorological threats that are increasing in frequency and intensity as a result of climate change. The project will help the governments and the population of the target region of Rioni Basin to develop adaptive capacity and embark on climate resilient economic development. The project is comprised of three main components:
  1. Floodplain development policy introduced to incentivize long term resilience to flood / flash flood risks;
  2. Climate resilient practices of flood management developed and implemented to reduce vulnerability of highly exposed communities;
  3. Early warning system in place to improve preparedness and adaptive capacity of population. 
The project aims to develop resilience of highly vulnerable communities and regions to climate related hazards, such as floods, and flash floods. Activities have been prioritised through consultation with local communities including heads of municipalities, NEA (National Environment Agency at the Ministry of Environment Protection) local staff responsible for management of the hydrometric network and national NEA and Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure (MRDI) staff responsible for the assessment of need (NEA) and implementation of flood protection measures in the catchment (MRDI). The project takes an integrated and comprehensive approach by addressing critical gaps in land use policy and regulatory framework, fundamental to climate resilient flood management. The project will implement the Georgian Government’s priorities for effective and long term measures for flood prevention and management by direct involvement of local municipalities and populations residing in the highly exposed locations. The project will enhance the capacity of all appropriate national agencies to timely and effectively deliver early warning. A balanced combination of policy, early warning and concrete adaptation actions will support Georgia to take steps towards long term resilience of the most vulnerable communities residing in the Rioni river basin region.
 
The main partners for project activities are the Ministry of Environment Protection through its National Environmental Agency (NEA), Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure (MRDI), Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), Municipalities of six target districts (Lentekhi, Oni, Ambrolauri, Tskaltubo, Samtredia and Tsageri).

Deberes y responsabilidades

The overall objective of the consultancy is to provide leadership for hydrological analyses to be carried out in the project. The project aims at reducing disaster risk factors in Rioni basin, focusing on sustainable environmental and natural resource management. The consultancy will cover collection of datasets for hydrological modeling, selection of the appropriate modeling software, development, calibration and validation of catchment hydrological model, design event modeling, provide training to local and regional staff, undertake hydrological studies etc.
 
The selected expert will be accountable to the UNDP/AF Project Manager and perform the following duties:
  • Provide technical leadership for all hydrological analyses to be carried out in the project;
  • Responsible for the research, collection and analysis of all datasets relevant to hydrological modeling;
  • Input to the scope for limited channel surveys for Rioni basin;
  • Contribute to guidance for undertaking field surveys for river topographic surveys, river flow surveys;
  • Advise on and select the appropriate hydrological modeling software to be used, based on the available data;
  • Responsible for the conceptualisation and development of catchment hydrological models. Oversee the hydrological modelling studies;
  • Work closely with local hydrologists to undertake the hydrological modeling;
  • Work closely with the lead hydraulic modeller and input to the hydrodynamic model calibration and sensitivity analysis;
  • Responsible for design event hydrological modelling (2, 5, 20, 50, 75, 100, 500, 1000 year return period flow events);
  • Provide input to consultation on flood zone designations;
  • Provide training to national and regional staff in advance climate risk management planning and flood prevention measures (covering hydrology);
  • Produce flood risk modelling and mapping guidance document (covering catchment hydrological modelling topics of the guidance);
  • Contribute to the development and implementation of a methodology (such as the EU NaRAS methodology or similar) to undertake the multi-hazard risk assessment for Rioni Basin;
  • In collaboration with other technical experts, undertake multi-hazard risk assessment for Rioni basin;
  • Work with the flood forecasting specialist to undertake hydrological studies in support of the design and implementation of flood forecasting model(s) for Rioni basin (using appropriate industry-standard software or bespoke software).

For more information, please, refer the IC Procurement Notice and ToR available at:

http://undp.org.g/index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=27&info_id=11665

Competencias

  • Proven strong analytical abilities;
  • Ability to work under pressure with several tasks and various deadlines;
  • Actively generates creative, practical approaches and solutions to overcome challenging situations;
  • Excellent writing, presentation/public speaking skills;
  • A pro-active approach to problem-solving.
 

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education:
  • A post graduate academic degree preferably PhD. in hydrology, flood management, or river basin management.
Experience:
  • Minimum eight years of professional experience in hydrology, specifically flood hydrology and flood forecasting;
  • Minimum three years of experience in hydrological modeling; 
  • Experience of hydrological Modeling software;
  • Good understanding of developments in international flood hydrology and flood risk management;
  • The specialist should have good knowledge of climate modelling and downscaling. He/she should have good knowledge in hydrological modelling;
  • He/she should have good knowledge of hydrological and water resources information systems, and should be familiar with conventional and modern equipment and techniques for hydrological data collection, including up-to-date knowledge on remote sensing and data transmission technology;
  • IT literacy.
Language Requirements:
  • Fluency in the English language.