International Consultant on Wetland Ecology and Hydrology (SSA)

Background:
Wetlands and peatlands are among the world's most valuable ecosystems, providing critical hydrological, ecological, and climate-regulation functions. They act as natural water retention systems by storing excess water during periods of heavy precipitation, reducing flood risks, supporting groundwater recharge, and maintaining water availability during droughts. At the same time, wetlands and peatlands are important carbon sinks, storing substantial amounts of carbon in soils and vegetation and contributing to climate change mitigation. Scientific evidence indicates that wetland degradation can significantly reduce these ecosystem services and may result in the release of stored greenhouse gases. Kazakhstan possesses extensive wetland ecosystems of national and international importance, including ten Ramsar-designated wetlands covering more than 3.1 million hectares. These ecosystems support biodiversity conservation, water regulation, fisheries, agriculture, and climate resilience. Major wetland complexes such as the Ili River Delta and South Lake Balkhash represent some of the largest inland wetland systems in Central Asia and provide critical ecosystem services for local communities and national environmental objectives. In recent years, increasing climate variability, water scarcity, land-use change, and anthropogenic pressures have highlighted the need for improved understanding and management of wetlands as nature-based solutions for climate adaptation and mitigation. The Government of Kazakhstan has identified climate resilience, sustainable water management, and greenhouse gas reduction as national priorities under its environmental and climate commitments. The proposed assessment will generate evidence to support informed decision-making, strengthen inter-institutional co-operation, and identify opportunities for investment in ecosystem-based approaches.

Objective of Assignment: 
Hire an international wetland ecology and hydrology expert to lead a comprehensive assessment of selected wetland and peatland ecosystems in Kazakhstan, focusing on their natural water retention capacity and the full range of ecosystem services they provide. The expert will generate evidence-based, actionable recommendations to support inter-ministerial policy co-ordination and investments in nature-based solutions for climate resilience.

Duration of Assignment:
20 working days

Tasks and Responsibilities:
Under the overall supervision of the Senior Economic and Environmental Officer, the successful candidate will be tasked with the following duties:

1. Support the identification, mapping, prioritization, and selection of wetland and peatland sites for field assessment, based on scientific, ecological, hydrological, and climate-related criteria.
2. Collaborate with national experts and relevant stakeholders to define assessment priorities and ensure alignment with national environmental objectives.
3. Conduct field-based hydrological assessments of selected sites, including the evaluation of water balance components, water storage capacity, inflows and outflows, flood attenuation functions, groundwater recharge potential, and seasonal water availability dynamics.
4. Assess the natural water retention capacity of wetlands and peatlands and evaluate their contribution to climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction.
5. Carry out comprehensive ecosystem services assessments for selected sites, including the evaluation of water regulation functions, biodiversity support, climate regulation, carbon storage, water purification, drought mitigation, and other provisioning and regulating services.
6. Analyse and compare ecosystem service performance across assessed wetland and peatland sites.
7. Identify, document, and assess anthropogenic pressures affecting wetland and peatland ecosystems, including drainage, water abstraction, land-use change, pollution, infrastructure development, and other factors influencing ecosystem integrity and hydrological functioning.
8. Review existing management practices and assess their actual and potential impacts on ecosystem services, water retention capacity, and long-term ecological sustainability.
9. Validate laboratory findings and remote sensing products through field observations and ground-truthing activities.
10. Assess the accuracy and applicability of satellite-derived information on water extent, inundation dynamics, vegetation cover, and ecosystem condition.
11. Develop recommendations for improved monitoring methodologies and long-term observation systems for wetlands and peatlands.
12. Assess the carbon sequestration and carbon storage potential of selected wetland and peatland ecosystems using available data, field observations, and relevant scientific methodologies.
13. Develop site-specific recovery and restoration recommendations aimed at improving hydrological functioning, ecosystem resilience, biodiversity conservation, and carbon sequestration capacity.
14. Prepare a comprehensive Wetland and Peatland Recovery Action Plan, including proposed restoration measures, implementation timelines, responsible institutions, indicative costs, monitoring indicators, and expected environmental benefits.
15. Formulate evidence-based recommendations to support investments in nature-based solutions and integrated ecosystem management approaches.
16. Contribute to strengthening inter-institutional co-operation and policy dialogue on wetland and peatland conservation, restoration, and climate resilience.
17. Prepare technical reports, analytical assessments, and other deliverables required under the assignment.
18. Submit a comprehensive final technical report integrating assessment findings, ecosystem services analysis, carbon sequestration estimates, restoration recommendations, and policy recommendations for the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources and other relevant national authorities.

Deliverables:
For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, please see: https://astana.osce.org/

Necessary Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in wetland ecology, hydrology, environmental science, or a closely related field;

• Minimum 10 years of international professional experience in wetland and/or peatland assessment, ecosystem services evaluation, or related hydrological research;

• Demonstrated expertise in conducting hydrological field surveys, water balance analysis, and quantitative ecosystem services assessments;

• Proven experience working in Central Asia or comparable semi-arid and continental climate regions is a strong advantage;

• Familiarity with the Ramsar Convention framework, IPCC guidelines on wetlands, and international nature-based solutions policy instruments;

• Practical experience in remote sensing and GIS applications for wetland mapping and monitoring;

• Track record of producing policy-relevant technical reports and working in inter-ministerial or multi-stakeholder advisory processes;

• Excellent written and spoken English; knowledge of Russian is an advantage;

• Digital literacy and proficient use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and relevant GIS or analytical software;

• 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.

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.