Background

On 22 December 2016 the UNGA at its 71st session adopted the resolution A/RES/71/222 initiated by the Republic of Tajikistan. In accordance with the resolution, the period 2018-2028 was declared as the “International Decade for Action, “Water for Sustainable Development”. The main objectives of the Decade are the sustainable development and integrated management of water resources for the achievement of social, economic and environmental goals, implementation and promotion of related programmes and projects, furtherance of cooperation and partnership at all levels in order to help to achieve internationally agreed water-related goals and targets, including those contained in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In addition, the resolution highlights the importance of promoting efficient water usage at all levels, taking into account the water, food, energy and environment nexus.

These commitments also include the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. Other important objectives of the Decade are improving knowledge generation and dissemination, facilitating access to knowledge and exchange of good practices, generating new information relevant to the water-related Sustainable Development Goals, pursuing advocacy, networking and promoting partnership and action by different actors to implement the water-related goals and targets, strengthening communication actions at various levels for the implementation of water-related goals.

The Government of the Republic of Tajikistan being the initiator of the Decade is taking a number of measures at national, regional and global levels for its implementation. With this view, the Government of Tajikistan, in cooperation with the UN and other international organizations, organized the following important international water events:

  • International Conference on Regional Cooperation in Trans-Boundary River Basins on 30 May  – 1 June, 2005, Dushanbe;
  • International Conference on Water Related Disasters Reduction on 27-29 June 2008, Dushanbe;
  • High-Level International Conference on midterm comprehensive review of the implementation of the International Decade for Action “Water for Life”, 2005-2015 on 8-10 June 2010, Dushanbe;
  • High-Level International Conference on Water Cooperation on 27-29 August 2013, Dushanbe;
  • High-Level International Conference on the implementation of the International Decade for Action “Water for Life”, 2005-2015;
  • High-Level Symposium on SDG 6 and Targets: “Ensuring that no one is left behind in Access to Water and Sanitation”.

Since the year 2018 marks the beginning of the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development”, proposing and discussing the activities to be carried out during this period, identifying the opportunities and challenges in the implementation of the Decade objectives, as well as planning of the further activities to coordinate with other relevant processes are of crucial importance.     

 

To that end, a high-level event "Towards the Implementation of the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018-2028", was held in New York on 19 September 2017 in the framework of the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly. The formal launch of the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018-2028, will be held New York on 22 March 2018. In this occasion, the Action Plan for the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018-2028, prepared by the United Nations Secretary-General will be presented.

The High-Level International Conference to launch the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018-2028, is an important step to proceed with the rapid implementation of the Action Plan.

To implement the activities under the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018-2028, an Organizing Committee was established under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan.

In order to develop a comprehensive Programme of the Conference with the participation of all categories of water users and decision-makers, an International Steering Committee was established from among the representatives of the partner countries, international and regional institutions, river basin organizations, NGOs, the private sector and other stakeholders.

The overall objective of this assignment is to support organization and facilitate activities related to the "High-Level International Conference to launch the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018-2028". The primary goal of the Conference is a comprehensive discussion of the issues of implementation of the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018-2028, with bringing its activities to the notice of wider international community. This conference also provides a platform to discuss the opportunities and challenges for the implementation of the International Decade and on this basis there will be elaborated recommendations for further action, including contribution to the achievement of water-related Sustainable Development Goals.

It is expected that the conference participants will elaborate recommendations and proposals aimed at further strengthening of measures taken at national, regional and international levels to achieve the internationally agreed water-related goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals based on the implementation of the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018-2028. The Conference will promote the awareness of the international community about major trends in the water sector and mobilizing efforts of the governments, UN institutions, international and non-governmental organizations, as well as other parties at all levels involved in the solution of water problems. The outcomes of the Conference will be submitted at the 73rd session of the UNGA in 2018.

In achieving the project objectives, the underlying strategic implementation approach is to ensure that the country follows up towards the water-related initiatives in the framework of the “International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018-2028” as declared in the Resolution A/RES/71/222 of the UN General Assembly (GA). To fully benefit from the momentum built by the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development” and represent its national vision at the adequate level, Tajikistan as the initiator of the UN GA resolution and in cooperation with the UN institutions, particularly the UN-Water and other partners and UN Member States, has implemented a comprehensive plan of activities since 2017. In this context, Tajikistan is expected to hold the High-Level International Conference to launch the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018-2028, planned on 20-21 June 2018, in Dushanbe, as one of the commitments of the country to celebrate the launching of the Decade for Action.

The United Nations Development Programme in Tajikistan, based on the request of the Government of Tajikistan, agreed to provide assistance in preparation to and conducting of the International Conference, in particular, development of the agenda, preparation of the list of participants, invitations and discussion papers, organization of the International Steering Committee and interaction with global networks, like UN-Water, as well as bilateral and multilateral donor agencies.

Thus, the key actions envisaged under related component of the project are:

  1. Support to hold the International Conference in the framework of the "International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018-2028" in Dushanbe;
  2. Development and publication of handouts and preparatory materials for the events and the Conference, which will ensure the informational coverage of the participants and improved access of the general public to reference and resource materials.

Duties and Responsibilities

Goals and objectives:

Under the overall guidance of UNDP Senior Management in Tajikistan, in coordination with related Country Office specialists, and in partnership with UN contributing partners, the International Consultant is expected to work closely with the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan. The International Consultant will play a facilitative role among the many partners in Tajikistan dealing organization of the International Conference in the framework of the “International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018-2028” in Dushanbe. .

Duties and responsibilities:

Specifically, the Consultant will perform the following tasks:

  • Provide assistance in Tajikistan’s follow-up towards the water-related initiatives in the framework of the "International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018-2028" that was declared in accordance with the Resolution A/RES/71/222 of the UN General Assembly (GA);
  • Taking advantage of the High-Level International Conference to launch the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018-2028 to provide technical assistance to the Government of Tajikistan to articulate its national vision at the adequate level;
  • Assist and facilitate the Government of Tajikistan, the initiator of the UN GA resolution, in implementing a comprehensive plan of activities towards holding the High-Level International Conference to launch the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development”, planned on 20-21 June 2018 in Dushanbe, as one of the commitments of the country to celebrate the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development”. This is to be performed in cooperation with the UN institutions, particularly UN-Water, and other partners and UN Member States. In particular:
    • Development of the agenda, preparation of the list of participants, invitations and discussion papers, organization of sub-groups and sessions, and interaction with global networks, like UN-Water and bilateral and multilateral donor agencies, including within three meetings of International Steering Committee;
    • Preparation of background (analysis) reports on the global affairs with consideration of international best experience around water cooperation issues;
    • Development of the agenda, structure of the conference programs, order of conducting opening and closing ceremonies of the conference, pre-conference events, exhibition, etc,;
    • Preparation of Terms of Reference for each plenary and thematic sessions and organization of support towards their convening;
    • Support to inviting of highly qualified professionals, chairmen and moderators, as well as speakers for respective sessions, events, as well as the plenary;
    • Support to inviting of competent representatives of international and non-government organizations to the work of the Conference;
    • Development of concept notes and programs for UNDP events in the framework of the International Conference on different aspects of the water issues relevant to UNDP activities in Tajikistan and provide support to organization of such events, including support to development related publications, brochures and other visibility materials;
    • Preparation of the draft background document for the conference by March 2018, its subsquent posting on the Conference Website, further improvement as a result of e-consultations, the International Steering Committee as well as the conference proceedings;
    • Development and publication of handouts and preparatory materials for the events and the Conference, which will ensure the informational coverage of the participants and improved access of general public to reference and resource materials.
  • Develop and submit systemic project reports as well as other agreed upon documentation to UNDP;
  • Maintain good relationships with project partners and keep abreast of developments trends in the field of water cooperation (at global, regional and national level);
  • Ensure due communication within and beyond the project;
  • Keep good track of lessons learnt and ensure their consideration in project interventions planning;
  • Perform other related functions, as deemed necessary.

For detailed information, please refer to annex 1- Terms of Reference of the below link.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

  • Professionalism;
  • Communication;
  • Teamwork;
  • Accountability.

Corporate Competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity by modelling 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 favouritism;
  • Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment. 

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in Water Management or other relevant discipline.

Experience:

  • At least 5 years of extensive experience in organization and facilitation of international water cooperation events at regional and global levels;
  • Experience with organization and delivery of high level thematic conferences on water or other related themes;
  • Previous experience with UNDP and familiarity with UNDP community development programs is an asset;
  • Demonstrated experience in capacity development initiatives, notably at the systemic and institutional levels, preferably at the global and international levels;
  • Previous work experience in Central Asia and especially in Tajikistan is an important asset.

Language:Excellent knowledge of English is required; Working knowledge of Russian and Tajik would be an advantage.

Application Procedure:

Please follow the link to the Individual Consultant Procurement Notice: http://www.undp.tj/va/upload/va/ICPN_International%20Consultant%20to%20facilitate%20water%20conference.docx

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.