UNDP Jobs - 71020- Rapid Shoreline and Sea Level Rise Assessment Cons

Rapid Shoreline and Sea Level Rise Assessment Consultant

Location :

Dili, Timor Leste

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

20-Mar-2017

Application Deadline :

15-Mar-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

25 Days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

25 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

Timor-Leste is a mountainous island state and characterized by rugged terrain and small narrow valleys. It is estimated that almost half (44%) of the country has a steep to very steep slope (greater than 40%) and slightly over half has a moderate slope (8% and 25%) (Barnett et al. 2007). Many of the mountains are above 2,000 m elevation, Mount Ramelau the highest at 2,963 m. The coastal population of Timor-Leste is particularly vulnerable to the threats of sea level rise and extreme weather events. Along Timor-Leste coastline (~747 kilometers in length), approximately 40% of the population (~560,000 people) reside in coastal and lowland areas (with an elevation up to 500m). They are not only susceptible to flash floods and landslides (originating from the upstream hill areas), but subject to increased incidents of sea surges and storms.

Despite the current and projected impact of climate change (and long-term implications of sea-level rise) on the coastal ecosystems of Timor-Leste – no formal, baseline, coastal vulnerability assessment (CVA) has been undertaken. As such, the impacts of climate change on the coastal ecosystems, assets and shoreline of Timor-Leste is unknown. The susceptibility of the coastline is varying from place to place according to the physical nature of the coastal landforms (Ramsey, 2011), and the modulation of wave, tidal and storm surge processes (and exposure to infrequent tsunami). Socio-economic impacts are likely to be exacerbated by the current high levels of population growth, food insecurity and high dependency on coastal resources, and also, limited human resources and capacity and weak institutional frameworks and coastal governance (Barnett et al., 2007).

While some disaster risk assessment has been done in Timor-Leste by NMD (esp. riverine flooding/inundation) – it has all been upstream – not coastal. As such, the very serious potential impacts of sea level rise (SLR) (together with storm surge) on coastal ecosystems, infrastructure and communities have never been assessed in Timor-Leste. SLR in Timor-Leste is currently estimated at 9mm/year (3 times the global average) – and hence, is arguably the single biggest climate change threat to mangroves, coastal ecosystems and communities in Timor-Leste.

A very preliminary desk review undertaken during the project design phase, however, indicated that there is no sea level and tidal measurement stations for Timor Leste given its critical importance for the country to enhance climate change adaptation and mitigation interventions as well as to sustain the development gains recorded so far.

Accordingly, this project intended to procure and install these relevant instruments and establish stations in order to support climate informed national development planning and strengthen the early warning system and preparedness to prevent potential disasters and risks. In line with this, UNDP is seeking to hire short term consultant to conduct rapid oceanographic assessment along the shoreline of Timor Leste and recommend relevant tidal and sea level measurement instruments and prepare detail specifications for the same.

Duties and Responsibilities

Conduct rapid assessment of oceanographic, hydrogeological and/or geomorphological characteristics of the shoreline of Timor Leste
Identify feasible sea level rise and tidal gauging instruments that fits to the situations of the costal/shoreline of Timor Leste and prepare specifications.
Present assessment findings and recommended type of instruments to key government and other relevant stakeholders
Finalize and submit detailed specification of the selected instruments both for tidal and sea level rise measurements

Competencies

Capacity to communicate fluently with different stakeholders (civil society, government authorities, local communities, project staff); and
Computer skills: GIS, Remote Sensing, other relevant software applications for the assignment, full command of Microsoft applications (word, excel, PowerPoint), and common internet applications will be required.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualification

PhD or advanced Master Degree from recognized university in Oceanography, Ocean Science, Hydrogeology, Geomorphology, and /or combination of relevant field of studies from recognized university

Professional Experience

Minimum of 10 years of experience in conducting comprehensive assessment on seal level rise, tidal/ wave measurement in the context of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and in the Asia and the Pacific region
Past recorded experience in undertaking coastal/shoreline assessment, sea level rise, geomorphological changes in small island states and dynamic coastal features
Remarkable expertise and experience in identifying, installing, training on and use of various sea level and tidal measurement instruments preferably in SIDS and the Pacific region.
Understanding of scope of work (SOW), detail methodology designed and timeframe/plan prepared to undertake the assignment

Language requirement:

Excellent knowledge of English language, including the ability to set out a coherent argument in presentations and group interactions;
Basic knowledge of the national language, Tetun is an advantage

TOR, P11 form and financial proposal template are accessible via this link http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=36126