UNDP Jobs - 40895- National Consultant - National Climate Projections

National Consultant - National Climate Projections Downscaling Expert

Location :

Manila, PHILIPPINES

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

28-Oct-2013

Application Deadline :

21-Oct-13 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

9 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

9 months

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 Climate Change Commission (CCC) in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with funding assistance from the Government of New Zealand/New Zealand Aid Programme (NZAP) will be implementing the project entitled “Resilience Capacity Building for Cities and Municipalities to Reduce Disaster Risks from Climate Change and Natural Hazards, Phase 1” – Project ReBUILD. This project aims to assess the disaster vulnerabilities of the cities and municipalities within the Cagayan and Jalaur River Basins to selected natural hazards due to climate change. The results will provide the basis for priority mitigation actions like community based and managed early warning systems and integrated contingency planning and mobilization, among others.

There are five project components:

Climate/disaster risk vulnerabilities of the Cagayan River Basin (CRB) and the Jalaur River Basin (JRB), including cities and municipalities around these river basins assessed;
Priority climate/disaster risk mitigation actions for priority cities and municipalities around the Cagayan and Jalaur River Basins developed;
Climate/Disaster risk management mainstreamed into the planning and regulatory processes of cities/municipalities within and around the Cagayan and Jalaur River Basins;
Socio-economic resilience of the poor and most vulnerable in Cagayan and Jalaur River Basins developed; and
Local knowledge management (KM) systems for communities around the Cagayan and Jalaur River Basins established.

In order to establish the vulnerabilities/disaster risks of priority cities and municipalities within and surrounding the Cagayan and Jalaur River Basins in Region 2, CAR and 6 to natural hazards and climate change, a downscaled climate projections for the Cagayan and Jalaur River Basins must be generated.

Duties and Responsibilities

In 2011, the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-PAGASA) had published a report entitled “Climate Change in the Philippines” (Annex A), commissioned under the MDG-F1656: Joint Programme on Strengthening the Philippines’ Institutional Capacity to Adapt to Climate Change”. The Report showcased future changes in climate and how the changes will eventually affect the Philippines. It also provide climate information called climate change scenarios generated from climate simulations. It is intended to aid in planning for and implementing climate change adaptation where future climates such as, changes in temperatures, rainfall and frequency of extreme weather events, are necessary. In coming-up with the Report, PAGASA used the PRECIS (Providing Regional Climates for Impact Studies) model in two time frames; 2020 and 2050, a model developed by UK Met Hardley Centre to facilitate impact, vulnerability and adaptation assessments in developing countries.

Taking off from the DOST-PAGASA’s Report, Project ReBUILD sees the necessity to further downscale the two climate time frames (2020 and 2050) into a much higher resolution, with finer detail including more realistic local extreme events in its project areas.

To achieve this, the Project shall engage the services of a consultant who will generate a downscaled climate projection needed for flood modelling for pilot cities and municipalities surrounding the Cagayan River Basin in Region 2 and the Jalaur River Basin in Region 6.

The consultant will specifically:

Coordinate with and assist the project partners (i.e., CCC-CCO and PAGASA) for the generation of the following:

Downscaled regional climate models to come up with an 8mb by 8km resolution of climate projections; and
Rainfall intensity projections for 2020 and 2050 for both Cagayan and Jalaur River Basins;
Provide camera-ready (for publication) draft in hard and electronic copy of the reports on downscaled climate projections for CRB and JRB;
Act as resource person/lecturer in the orientation/capacity building workshop/s as may be needed by the Project.

Competencies

Corporate competencies:

Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

Functional and technical competencies:

Strong knowledge of the latest theories and concepts in urban development and sustainable cities in the Philippines and broader region;
Strong analytical and research skills;
Familiarity with current actors working on urban development challenges in the Philippines;
Strong communication skills and ability to communicate with different stakeholders;
Excellent in oral and written communication;
Have skills to write independent reports, documents, maintain systems and procedures in administering programs.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

The consultant must have a master's degree in any related environmental field.

Experience:

He/She must be an expert on meteorology or hydrology or climatology or other related discipline, with at least 5 years of experience in the field.

Language:

He/She must be able to communicate in English.