Post Title:Consultant on V&A Assessment in Central Asia and Capacity Building
Last Date of Application: June 6, 2008
Duration:15 working days for the period of June 1 – August 15

Background:
All Central Asian states signed the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and committed to regular report to its Secretariat on implementation of the Convention. Currently countries are engaged in development of Second National Reports that will include GHG emission and sinks inventory as well as assessment of vulnerability, adaptation and mitigation of climate change repercussions. One of the most vulnerable sectors of all Central Asian states is agriculture. Mainly this will result in decrease in water resources, losses in harvest, increase in land degradation and further desertification.

Objective:
Overall objective of the Consultancy is to conduct preliminary assessment of the impact of climate change on SLM and the environment of Central Asia, and to advice on the necessary steps towards developing a comprehensive climate change strategy. In addition, Consultant will act as a resource person for multilateral consultations combined with running a two-three days training to increase sub-regional capacity for better implementation of Regional Environment Action Plan (REAP) particular as it relates to sustainable land management taking into account the potential impact of climate change on Central Asian states.

Responsibilities:
The Vulnerability and Adaptation (V&A) Consultant will work under direct supervision of the Central Asia Interstate Sustainable Development Commission Climate Change Focal Point (CCFP) and his climate change team and in close collaboration with the UNEP Central Asia Programme Officer at the ROAP in Bangkok to provide technical and advisory support, training, information, and technical review of work related to V&A assessment and achieving SLM in Central Asia, and to provide recommendations on development of comprehensive proposal to address the climate change in the sub-region. In particular, the consultant will focus on enhancing technical capacity of the selected experts; on undertaking a preliminary V&A assessment in key sectors related to SLM (agriculture, water resource, forestry, human health, etc.) following the UNFCCC Guidelines.

The position includes technical functions as described below:
The Vulnerability and Adaptation (V&A) Consultant will work under direct supervision of the Central Asia Interstate Sustainable Development Commission Climate Change Focal Point (CCFP) and his climate change team and in close collaboration with the UNEP Central Asia Programme Officer at the ROAP in Bangkok to provide technical and advisory support, training, information, and technical review of work related to V&A assessment and achieving SLM in Central Asia, and to provide recommendations on development of comprehensive proposal to address the climate change in the sub-region.  In particular, the consultant will focus on enhancing technical capacity of the selected experts; on undertaking a preliminary V&A assessment in key sectors related to SLM (agriculture, water resource, forestry, human health, etc.) following the UNFCCC Guidelines.
The position includes technical functions as described below:  

Technical Functions
Phase 1 – "Getting the science right’’ - Review and Analysis (desk study)

• Conduct a literature review of the climate related reports and assessments produced in Central Asian countries with the view of V&A to climate change and its impact taking place in Central Asia, building on NAPA, Assessment Reports and other earlier studies
• In consultation with the CCFP draft appropriate training programme for V&A assessment as it relates to key sectors (e.g. agriculture, water resources, human health, etc.),
• Review available international methodologies for conducting the national and sub-regional V&A in Central Asia and advice on how to proceed towards developing the regional CC adaptation strategy and program., with specific focus on the SLM related sectors;

Phase 2 – Training - Seminar and Consultations

• Consult with the CCFP and relevant climate change sub-regional experts on expected goals and objectives of the training seminar;
• In consultation with the CCFP finalize training programme and short manual for V&A assessment as it relate to key sectors (e.g. agriculture, water resources, human health, etc.),
• Conduct training of the sub-regional experts on the use of available methods and tools for conducting V&A assessment in these sectors; best international practices in V&A assessment in countries with similar environmental issues and climatic conditions; application of V&A assessment in the sub-region;
• Act as a resource person during the regional workshop to discuss the results of V&A and identification of subregional climate change strategy goals;

Phase 3 – Recommendations towards a funding proposals to adapt to impacts of Climate Change in CAR

• Prepare detailed proposal on undertaking an assessment of future climate change impacts in key vulnerable sectors (agriculture, water resource, coastal zone, human health, etc.).
• Prepare a funding proposal to prepare the suggested Subregional Strategy on Climate Change Adaptation in CA;

Key results expected:
The V&A Consultant will work in close collaboration with the CCFP and his climate experts to ensure the successful production of the following expected outputs:

• Training materials on V&A assessment;
• Preliminary compilation report on climate change impacts and adaptation needs in Central Asia;
• Recommendations on further actions for improved regional cooperation on environment for sustainable development taking into account the climate change in Central Asia:
• Proposal for further V&A detailed assessments
• Proposal and outline of the subregional strategy and action plan on adaptation;

End-of-contract report:

• Improved sub-regional technical and institutional capacity for V&A assessment;
• Increased awareness of relevant stakeholders for the need to adapt to climate change, including government agencies, donor organisations and local communities;
• Increased stakeholder participation in vulnerability and adaptation assessment;
• Better understanding of vulnerability of key sectors to climate changes and of appropriate adaptation measures to climate change for these sectors.
• Proposal on justification and development of subregional strategy on climate change

ompetencies:

• Familiar with the UNFCCC Guidelines for the preparation of national communications from Parties not Included in Annex I to the Convention (Decision 17/CP.8);
• Familiar with the IPCC Technical Guidelines for Assessing Climate Change Impacts and Adaptations and key climate downscaling techniques and regional models;
• Good training, interpersonal, analytical and report writing skills;
• Strong commitment to team work and ability and willingness to transfer knowledge and skills to national staff;
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, including availability for part-time work over the proposed period;
• Good understanding of the local institutions and stakeholders.

Qualifications:

• An advanced university degree, preferably Ph.D., in the fields of environment, energy, natural resource management, or other fields relevant to the objective of the consultancy.
• At least 5 years of strong professional working experience in climate change related fields, in particular, in V&A assessment;
• Extensive experience in conducting trainings, in particular, on V&A for non-Annex I countries;
• Good record in working with national institutions/stakeholders, in particular, in the field of climate change vulnerability and adaptation assessment.
• General knowledge of Central Asia environmental issues as well as its socio and economic development;
• Fluency in English. Knowledge of Russian is an asset;
• Must be computer literate.

Duration and Modality: It is foreseen that the duration of the services of the Consultant will be 15 working days within the period of 1 June-15 August.  It is also expected that the Consultant will schedule his/her assignment according to the following:

• Phase 1 – Review and Analysis (home based desk study) – 5 days;
• Phase 2 – Training-Seminar and Consultations ( July in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan) – 5 days;
• Phase 3 – Recommendations and Comprehensive Proposal (home based) – 5 days

Payment and Contract: Depending on professional background and experience a competitive compensation is offered that will cover fee, per diem, and expenses related to the travel to Ashgabat. Contract will be concluded with the AIT / UNEP Regional Resource Center for Asia and the Pacific at the Asian Institute of Technology, Pathumthani, Thailand.

How to Apply: Interested candidates are requested to send detailed curriculum vitae and letter of intent to Ms. May Ann, Head Programme Support Unit, AIT/UNEP RRC.AP () with copy to Mr. Batyr Hadjiyev, Programme Officer, AIT/UNEP RRC.AP ()