Local Consultant – Expert Hydrologist for the Preparation of the Upper Dniester Wetlands Demonstration Project (SSA)

Background:

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) with 57 participating States is the world’s largest regional security organization. All 57 participating States enjoy equal status, and decisions are taken by consensus on a politically, but not legally binding basis.

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the Secretariat, please see: http://www.osce.org/secretariat

Since 2004, the OSCE has been engaged in supporting a long-term and comprehensive process to strengthen transboundary water co-operation and sustainable development in the Dniester River basin between Moldova and Ukraine. The evolving co-operation resulted in a number of milestone achievements including the signing and ratifying by Moldova and Ukraine of the bilateral Treaty on Co-operation on the Conservation and Sustainable Development of the Dniester River Basin (Dniester Treaty); the development of the Strategic Framework for Adaptation to Climate Change in the Dniester River Basin and its associated Implementation Plan; the establishment of the Commission on Sustainable Use and Protection of the Dniester River Basin (the Dniester Commission) as well as, more recently, the development and endorsement of the Strategic Action Programme for the Dniester River Basin for the period 2021- 2035.

Following this, the OSCE in close co-operation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) initiated the development of a 4-year Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded project “Advancing transboundary co-operation and Integrated Water Resources Management in the Dniester River Basin through implementation of the Strategic Action Programme (SAP)”.

The project is tasked with advancing Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in the Dniester River basin through supporting the implementation of the SAP priority actions.

The key project components are:

• Strengthening Moldovan-Ukrainian cooperation in the field of water resources management;

• Strengthening the regulatory framework and national capacities to implement the SAP, country commitments under the UN Water Convention and the EU Water Framework Directive (EU WFD) in the Dniester River basin;

• Reducing anthropogenic impact to improve ecological status in the Dniester River basin as defined in the SAP;

• Adaptation to climate change and increasing preparedness for and resilience to natural disasters;

• Public awareness and involvement projects to empower and raise the capacity of stakeholders, project communications and outreach;

• Enhancing research for governance in the Dniester River basin as identified in the SAP.

Within the framework of two project components – Component 3: Reducing anthropogenic impact to improve ecological status in the Dniester River basin as defined in the SAP (Output 3.1.2: Demonstration projects to improve the ecological status of the Dniester River basin) and Component 4: Adaptation to climate change and increasing preparedness for and resilience to naturally induced disasters (Output 4.1.2: Maps, hydrological models, early warning and response systems for flood) 

Activities will focus on advancing the preparation of the Demonstration Project on Upper Dniester Wetlands Rehabilitation and improving Flood Early Warning Systems across three areas of Ukraine in the Dniester Basin.

Demonstration Project on the Upper Dniester Wetlands Rehabilitation:

Historically, sections of the Dniester riverbed were straightened and diked, leading to degradation of oxbow wetlands, siltation, overgrowth of reeds and cattails, and loss of ecological, recreational, and socio-economic values. The proposed restoration will apply nature-based solutions (NBS) to re-water and revitalize oxbow arms near Halych National Nature Park and the Dubovets community.

The assignment is expected to result in:

• Restoration of oxbow wetlands of the Dniester River to a state close to natural conditions;

• Improved water retention and accumulation in oxbow systems;

• Enhanced ecosystem services for biodiversity and local communities;

• Increased recreational and environmental value of the restored wetlands;

• Contribution to the implementation of the Dniester River Basin Management Plan (RBMP);

• Improving Flood Early Warning Systems across three areas of Ukraine

The project supports climate change adaptation, flood resilience, and transboundary water management in the Dniester River Basin. Within the previous GEF/ UNDP/ OSCE project implemented with the support of UNECE, a draft Dniester Flood Risk Management Plan (FRMP) was prepared and subsequently used as a basis for the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 895-r (8 October 2022) approving Flood Risk Management Plans for certain river basin territories.

However, the approved FRMPs currently include only preliminary flood risk assessments and identification of areas with potentially significant flood risks. Flood hazard maps and flood risk maps are still lacking for most territories in the Ukrainian part of the Dniester Basin, where 103 areas with potentially significant flood risks have been identified.

Activity 4.1.2.1 of the project is to develop FRMPs for the following locations:

• Opir River (Lviv oblast) - settlements on the Opir River from the village of Oporets to the confluence with the Stryi River near the village of Verkhne Syniovydne;

*Two additional locations to be selected from:

• the Bystrytsia-Solotvynska River (Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast);

• the Bystrytsia-Nadvirna river (Ivano-Frankivsk oblast);

• Bystrytsia River (Ivano-Frankivsk region);

• Kuchurhan River (Odesa region);

• the Dniester River delta (Odesa region) from the state border to the mouth (along the Turunchuk River).

Activity 4.1.2.2 supports the modernization of flood forecasting and early warning systems in the Dniester River basin by improving forecasting software, expanding hydro-meteorological monitoring networks, integrating with AIMS Prykarpattia, and strengthening accessible, gender-sensitive public warning and evacuation systems using appropriate communication channels.

Activity 4.1.2.3 focuses on flood hazard and risk mapping and modelling for additional high-risk settlements in the Dniester basin, ensuring that updated Flood Risk Management Plans—under CMU Order No. 895-r and aligned with Directive 2007/60/EC—are integrated into the River Basin Management Plan, prevent environmental deterioration, and reduce risks to people, the environment, cultural heritage, and economic activities.

This Consultancy is needed to undertake preparatory works to implement all of the above-mentioned activities. The Consultant will first, design the full cycle of analytical, consultative, and implementation activities required for the restoration of oxbow wetlands to their natural conditions in the area of the Dubovets community, Ivano-Frankivsk oblast.

Secondly, the Consultant will conceptualize and design the activities to develop Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs), hydrological and hydrodynamic models, flood hazard and risk maps, and to support the improvement of Flood Early Warning Systems for the selected high-risk areas in the Ukrainian part of the Dniester River Basin.

* These areas are under consideration at the present by the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture and selection will be finalized in due course

Objective of Assignment:

To conceptualize the activities in support of both project outputs, including the design of both activities, preparation of terms of reference, undertaking of feasibility studies, collection and review of maps and data, identification of required models/maps, identification of risks and liaison with all relevant stakeholders at the national and local levels.

Duration of Assignment:

180 working days within a calendar year

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the overall supervision of Environmental Programme Officer, the successful candidate(s) will be tasked with the following duties:

1. Upper Dniester Wetlands Rehabilitation: Feasibility Study Through Desk Analysis and Field Research;

2. Upper Dniester Wetlands Rehabilitation: Stakeholder Engagement;

3. Upper Dniester Wetlands Rehabilitation: Development of Rehabilitation Plan;

4. Flood Risk Management Plans for selected sites : Review of Available Information;

5. Flood Risk Management Plans for selected sites:Stakeholder Engagement;

6. Flood Risk Management Plans for selected sites:Development of 3 FRMPs;

7. Flood Early Warning Systems: Assess Improvements Needed;

8. Flood Early Warning Systems: Development of flood hazard and risk mapping and modelling for additional high-risk; settlements in the Dniester basin.

Deliverables:

Deliverable 1: Inception report and feasibility study

Deliverable 2: Summary of outcomes of public consultations and suggestions of how the input gathered is reflected into the rehabilitation plan, to be developed in the next step.

Deliverable 3: Detailed implementation plan and presentation

Deliverable 4: Inception report (for project output 4.1.2, activity 4.1.2.1)

Deliverable 5: Summary of outcomes of public consultations and suggestions of how the input gathered is reflected into the flood risk management plans

Deliverable 6:  3 Flood Risk Management Plans for the selected areas

Deliverable 7: Report summarizing the inventory and assessment of existing flood early warning systems in the three target areas, providing recommendations for improving system performance

Deliverable 8: Technical report, flood risk/hazard maps and technical note

Necessary Qualifications:

Education:

Second-level university degree (or higher) in hydrology, hydraulics, water resources management, or other relevant area;

Experience and knowledge/skills:

• Minimum 7 years of professional experience in river basin management, hydrology, eco-hydrology, hydromorphology, flood-risk management or related area;

• Knowledge and expertise in environmental issues, including in the area of water management and transboundary water co-operation is considered a strong asset,;

• Experience in river and wetland restoration an asset, as well as experience with wetland ecosystems;

• Knowledge of the EU Water Framework Directive, EU Floods Directive and its implementing documents;

• Demonstrated experience in GIS, flood mapping, and modelling tools;

• Experience working in Eastern Europe or transboundary river basins is an asset;

• Experience with early warning systems and disaster risk reduction projects is highly desirable;

• Proven expertise in similar assignments at national or international level;

• Excellent knowledge of Ukrainian, including excellent communication and drafting skills;

• Professional fluency in English language, both oral and written is considered an asset;

• Digital literacy and proficient use of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint), internet

• Excellent analytical skills;

• Ability to organize, analyze, interpret, and utilize studies and program performance data;

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, demonstrated by previous assignments;

• Ability to work under pressure, and to meet tight deadlines.

Remuneration Package:

The suitability of candidates shall be determined taking into account their qualifications, expertise, experience, and the value for money of their services. Therefore, applicants are requested to indicate their proposed daily/monthly rate (or) total lump-sum fee for the foreseen services, in the pre-screening section at the end of the application phase.

OSCE reserves the right for final remuneration decision. The remuneration will be based on the applicable fee scale that applies to the delivery of consultancy services by individual contractors, and shall depend on the complexity of the tasks and deliverables and the degree of technical expertise required.

If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's online application link found under https://vacancies.osce.org/.

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Only those candidates who are selected to participate in the subsequent stages of recruitment will be contacted.

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