Hydrologist

The UNDP Country Office in Tajikistan, together with Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan (CEP), launched a large-scale project “An integrated landscape approach to enhancing the climate resilience of small-scale farmers and pastoralists in Tajikistan” funded by Adaptation Fund.

The objective of the project is to enhance the livelihoods of the small-scale farmers and pastoralists living in the Kofirnighan River Basin (KRB) under future climate change conditions. Such conditions are expected to include increased frequencies and intensities of extreme climate events such as intense rainfall, rise in air temperatures, and accelerated glacial melting. As a result, hydrometeorological disasters such as droughts, floods, mudflows and landslides are more frequent and rates of soil erosion across the country are increasing. The socio-economic impacts of these changes are considerable: livelihoods, agricultural productivity, water availability and hydroelectricity production are all compromised. 

The overarching approach of the project is to employ integrated catchment management approaches within KRB. To this end, a climate-resilient catchment management strategy will be designed for the basin which will enable national rural development planners, local government and local communities to manage a wide range of climate risks. Three interrelated outcomes within the project will contribute to achieving this objective, namely: i) catchment management strategy to manage climate risks operationalized at rayon and jamoat levels in the KRB; ii) an integrated approach to building the climate resilience of agro-ecological landscapes operationalised at village level; and iii) existing knowledge management platforms supported for integrated catchment management and ecosystem-based adaptation.

The project is nationally implemented (NIM) by the Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan with support from the UNDP, in line with the Standard Basic Assistance Agreement (SBAA, 1993), the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023-2026, signed between the UN and the Government of Tajikistan, and the UNDP Country Programme Document 2023-2026 signed between UNDP and the Government of Tajikistan.

The Hydrologist will be based in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, and will provide technical oversight and expertise in hydrological assessments, water resource management, and climate adaptation strategies. The incumbent will work under the overall supervision and guidance of the Project Manager and in close coordination with the local farmers, Project staff, and stakeholders to implement and monitor effective agronomic and hydrologic interventions aligned with Project objectives.

Provide Technical Support and Hydrological Assessments:

• Conduct hydrological assessments in the KRB, evaluating water availability, recharge trends, and flow patterns;
• Provide technical guidance on the design and implementation of hydrological interventions;
• Support sustainable water extraction and usage rates and monitoring mechanisms;
• Support the implementation of ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) interventions in agricultural landscapes, considering the hydrological aspect, and document best practices for knowledge sharing;
• Conduct regular field visits to provide hands-on technical assistance and monitor the implementation of hydrological interventions;
• Develop plans and coordinate responses to water-related emergencies, such as droughts or infrastructure failures.

Facilitate Capacity Building and Training:

• Conduct regular training sessions and workshops for local farmers and extension service providers on advanced water management;
• Develop training materials and modules tailored to the needs of the target communities;
• Facilitate training activities to convert completed demonstration plots into best practices supported by practical demonstrations and knowledge transfer.

Ensure Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Assist in designing and implementing monitoring systems to track hydrological changes and the effectiveness of adaptation measures based on demand and availability of water resources;
• Collect and analyze data to inform adaptive management and continuous improvement of hydrological practices;
• Provide regular progress reports and recommendations for scaling up successful interventions;
• Assess progress of all sub-contractor activities against agreed deliverables and facilitate effective stakeholder communication to ensure the dissemination of findings;
• Ensure all water logistics operations under the project adhere to environmental regulations, safety standards, and legal requirements.

Ensure Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination:

• Work with local communities, government agencies, NGOs, and other stakeholders to promote sustainable water management practices/plans;
• Participate in project meetings, workshops, and field visits to ensure alignment and coordination of the activities.

Facilitate Knowledge Management and Dissemination:

• Document and share lessons learned, success stories, and case studies on effective hydrological practices;
• Contribute to the development of knowledge products, reports, and publications highlighting project achievements and impacts;
• Identify information to be used for communication purposes and disseminate success stories from the field.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office/Project and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The Hydrologist will report directly to the Project Manager and will work under the overall guidance of the UNDP Team Leader/Climate Change, Energy and Environment and Project Chief Technical Advisor. 
 

• Knowledge Generation:
  • Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. 
  • Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop   new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. 
  • Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.
• Results-based Management:
  • Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. 
  • Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.
• Project Management:
  • Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
• Event Planning and Execution:
  • Ability to plan, manage and execute of public and private events to ensure that they support and amplify individual communications and advocacy initiatives, as well as UNDP's overall brand and mandate.
• Sustainable Energy Hub:
  • Energy access.
• Climate:
  • Climate and Forests: Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation. 
  • Climate Change Adaptation: Fostering Food Security and resilient.
  • Agricultural systems.
• Nature:
  • Climate Change Adaptation: Cross-sectoral climate resilient livelihoods.