Background:
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) with 57 participating States is the world’s largest regional security organization. Please refer to http://www.osce.org for additional information.
The OSCE in close co-operation with UNDP will initiate the implementation of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded Project Preparatory Grant (PPG) for project “Advancing transboundary co-operation and Integrated Water Resources Management in the Dniester River Basin through implementation of the Strategic Action Programme (SAP)”. In this regard, the OSCE seeks the services of a series of consultants who are (a) acquainted with the development process of Project Documents for Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded projects, and (b) possess in-depth knowledge in the field of transboundary water management.
Objective of Assignment:
The support of the consultants is expected throughout the development of the Project Document process, which includes, but not limited to desktop research and analysis, stakeholder identification and participation in stakeholders consultations, feedback gathering and updating of the project documentation, accordingly. Furthermore, the consultants are expected to support the OSCE throughout the review process of the GEF’s Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP) and address related comments, as well as to respond to UNDP, GEF Secretariat and GEF Council review comments, as required in the PPG process. Moreover, the consultants are expected to work with the Office of Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA), the department in charge of implementing the project within the OSCE, to ensure that risk assessments and other action points mentioned at the PIF stage (“pre-screening”) are fully captured and implemented during the PPG phase.
The selected consultants will be primarily home-based with the required consultations with various stakeholders taking place by email, by phone, and/or online, as well as during occasional in-person visits on the premises of the OSCE Secretariat if/as necessary. The consultancies are scheduled to take place during the period of September – December 2023. Start date is as soon as possible (September 2023)
Duration of Assignment:
September – December 2023
Tasks and Responsibilities:
Under the overall supervision of the Environmental Programme Officer, in close collaboration with the OCEEA Senior Management and UNDP project focal points, consultants will perform various parts of the following duties: I. Support the OCEEA in drafting and finalizing the Project Document for the above mentioned project, as well as the related annexes, as per the templates and requirements of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), as follows:
- Drafting the Project Document based on the associated template for projects financed by the various GEF Trust Funds, in compliance with the GEF policies and recommendations and as needed for the GEF Council’s approval;
- Developing the GEF Budget Template, reflecting accurately the activities included in the Project Document;
- Providing input to the GEF execution support letter;
- Developing or updating, as necessary, the project map and geospatial coordinates of project sites;
- Developing the multi-year work plan;
- Developing the Theory of Change;
- Developing the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Plan;
- Providing necessary input for the UNDP Social and Environmental Screening Procedure (SESP);
- Providing input to the UNDP Risk Register;
- Preparing the template related to job description of the Project Staff and Technical Consultancies;
- Developing the Stakeholder Engagement Plan;
- Developing the Gender Analysis and Gender Action Plan for the project;
- Developing the Environmental Social Management Framework (ESMF) and of other SES framework/ plans, if and as required;
- Providing input to the GEF core indicators and taxonomy;
- Providing input to the GEF Request for Endorsement;
- Preparing a comprehensive conflict risk / conflict sensitive analysis to show the multi-dimensional risks of declining water availability in the river basin;
- Reaching out to other international actors in the riparian countries and securing the necessary in-kind contribution, as required by the project donor;
- Ensuring that all concerns of the GEF’s Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP) are addressed, as received and respond to GEF Secretariat and GEF Council review comments, as required in the PPG process;
- Working with the OCEEA, to ensure that risk assessments and other action points mentioned at the PIF stage (“pre-screening”) are fully captured and implemented during the PPG phase.
II. Support the OCEEA with providing the necessary technical information, as needed for the drafting and finalization of the above mentioned templates and annexes in the various areas of work; this includes:
- Providing necessary technical expertise in the area of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), both in the Republic of Moldova as well as in Ukraine; this implies, but not limited to, providing tailored overviews and/ or reports on the national legislation in this area, identifying synergies with countries commitments taken at international level, identifying needs for capacity building at local, national and transboundary level, etc.
- Providing necessary technical expertise on river basin management planning, especially in relation to the Dniester River basin;
- Providing necessary technical expertise on hydrology, and climate change especially in relation to the development of potential future water demands and climate change modelling for the Dniester River basin, as well in relation to a comprehensive analysis on the main anthropogenic loads in the River;
- Providing necessary technical expertise on disaster risk reduction and early warning and response systems for floods;
- Providing necessary expertise in the area of technical storage facilities and on the operational peculiarities of the industrial waste storage facilities in the riparian countries;
- Providing necessary technical expertise on biodiversity and ecosystem services in the Dniester River basin;
- Providing necessary technical expertise on Environmental and Water-Use Aspects of Operation Rules of Hydropower Plants;
- Providing necessary technical expertise on investment, in particular in relation to the development of methodological guidelines and facilitated investment opportunities to improve the ecological status in the Dniester River basin;
Deliverables:
Development of the Project Document template, as per the donor’s requirements, including all above-mentioned annexes (Project Budget; GEF execution support letter; the project map and geospatial coordinates of project sites; the multi-year work plan; the UNDP Social and Environmental Screening Procedure (SESP); the UNDP Risk Register; the Project Staff and Technical Consultancies; the Stakeholder Engagement Plan; the Gender Strategy for the project; the Environmental Social Management Framework (ESMF) and of other SES framework/ plans, if and as required) for the submission to the GEF Council.
Necessary Qualifications:
- First-level university degree in environmental sciences, natural sciences, geography, chemistry, or adjacent field
- Minimum 5 years of professional experience, including formal qualifications in environmental sciences and policies, with a focus on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), particularly in a transboundary context; river basin management planning; biodiversity and ecosystem restoration; climate change; disaster risk reduction and early warning; technical storage facilities; conflict analysis and resolution, mediation, etc.; experience in dealing with awareness raising and outreach activities on environmental issues, especially among the youth community in the basin is considered an asset;
- Experience with Global Environment Facility funded projects, including Project Document development, implementation and/ or associated activities;
- Excellent knowledge of English and/or of the national languages of the two project countries, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, including excellent communication and drafting skills;
- Experience in facilitating transboundary water cooperation, particularly in Eastern Europe (the Dniester River basin), as well as previous experience with international organizations is considered an asset;
- Professional fluency in English with excellent communication (both oral and written) skills; professional fluency in Russian would be an asset;
- Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities; Ability and willingness to work as a member of team, with people of different cultural, and religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
- Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications.
Remuneration Package:
Remuneration will be based on the selected consultant’s/expert’s qualifications, experience, the tasks and deliverables for this position and in accordance with the OSCE established rates.
If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE’s online application link found under https://vacancies.osce.org/.
The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise/re-post the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment or to offer an appointment with a modified job description or for a different duration.
Only those candidates who are selected to participate in the subsequent stages of recruitment will be contacted.
The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all religious, ethnic and social backgrounds to apply to become a part of the Organization.
Candidates should be aware that OSCE officials shall conduct themselves at all times in a manner befitting the status of an international civil servant. This includes avoiding any action which may adversely reflect on the integrity, independence and impartiality of their position and function as officials of the OSCE. The OSCE is committed to applying the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mandate. For more information on the values set out in OSCE Competency Model, please see https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/our-competency-model.
Please be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.
Additional Information
- Issued by: OSCE Secretariat
- Requisition ID: SEC000302
- Contract Type: Special Service Agreement (SSA) / Consultant
- Grade: No grade
- Job Level: Professional
- Job Type: Consultant
- Number of posts: Multiple positions
- Location: SEC – OSCE Secretariat, Vienna
- Issue Date: Sep 5, 2023
- Closing Date: Sep 12, 2023
- Employee Status: Short-Term
- Schedule: Full-time
- Education Level: Bachelor’s Degree (First-level university degree or equivalent)
- Job Field: Economic & Environmental Affairs
- Target Start Date: As soon as possible
