National Disaster Risk Reduction and Early Warning Expert (SSA) - Roster Call

Background:
The Kyrgyz Republic, as the “water tower” of Central Asia, holds nearly 8,000 glaciers and thousands of high-altitude moraine-dammed lakes whose breaches can generate catastrophic debris flows. Since 1952, more than 60 dangerous lake outbursts have been recorded in the country. Ongoing glacier retreat and permafrost degradation accelerate the emergence and expansion of such lakes, increasing the probability of sudden breaches under extreme precipitation or thermal stress.
The Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic (MoES) operates an AI-driven GLOF monitoring system based on optical satellite data; it successfully forecast the outbursts of Lakes Zyndan-Western (2024) and Takyr-Tor (2025). However, the system does not yet incorporate localized climate scenarios, geomorphological breach-probability indicators or spatially explicit inundation hazard mapping.
The OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek (POiB), in close cooperation with MoES, is implementing the project “Assessment of Glacial Lake Outburst Flood Risks in Priority Mountain Areas of Kyrgyzstan” (June 2026 – December 2027). The project is structured in two phases: Phase 1 (2026) — technical enhancement of the existing MoES monitoring system, aerial surveys, hazard mapping and pilot early warning frameworks; Phase 2 (2027) — field validation at 10 pilot lakes, procurement and installation of automated monitoring equipment, and operationalization of community early warning systems.
To deliver the project, POiB will contract national consultants on a Special Service Agreement (SSA) modality. The present Terms of Reference (ToR) define the duties, deliverables and time schedule of the consultant.

Objective of Assignment: 
To operationalize the translation of enhanced GLOF hazard information into actionable community-level early warning mechanisms in the Chu and Issyk-Kul regions; to build national capacity in geomorphology, integrated system operation and standard operating procedures (SOPs); and to ensure sustainable handover of the early warning system to MoES and pilot communities. The position consolidates the DRR and Early Warning Specialist functions identified in the project proposal.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

1. Inception with POiB and HMFD MoES Civil Protection Department; mapping of existing civil-protection mechanisms in the Chu and Issyk-Kul regions; preparation of a stakeholder engagement plan covering MoES, ayil okmotu and pilot communities; participation in selection of pilot communities together with HMFD MoES.
2. Coordination of participatory validation of draft hazard maps in pilot communities (Activity 1.3); collection of local historical knowledge of past GLOF events; integration of community feedback into the Modelling Expert / GIS Specialist outputs; participation in field verification missions of the geomorphological classification.
3. Development and delivery of two training modules: Module 2 “Geomorphological Risk Assessment and Aerial Survey Methods” and Module 4 “Integrated System Operation and Early Warning SOPs”, for up to 20 HMFD MoES technical staff; coordination of the Training-of-Trainers component; convening of the Technical Working Group meeting (Activity 2.1).
4. Establishment of pilot early warning mechanisms in two selected communities (Activity 2.2): community consultations, derivation of model-based trigger thresholds (with the Modelling Expert), drafting and adoption of SOPs with MoES, awareness campaigns and practical early warning drills.
5. Joint planning with the Hydrological Modelling Expert and HMFD MoES of field studies at 10 pilot lakes (Activity 2.3): expedition routes, equipment lists, safety protocols, access permissions; preparation of technical specifications for water-level sensors and ancillary equipment (data loggers, solar power, telemetry) under Activity 2.4.
6. Technical oversight of field campaigns (bathymetric surveys, dam-stability assessments, GPS surveying) at 10 pilot lakes; participation in selected campaigns; technical supervision of equipment installation at ≥5 high-risk lakes (Activity 2.4) jointly with contractors and HMFD MoES; integration of revised trigger thresholds into SOPs.
7. Operationalization of the early warning system (Activity 2.5): integration of real-time sensor data feeds with HMFD duty-officer procedures; expansion of community early warning to additional high-risk communities; community drills and awareness campaigns; SMS / dashboard / email alert configuration.
8. Sustainability handover: final training on equipment maintenance for HMFD; transfer of as-built drawings, maintenance schedules, calibration records, spare-parts lists and community contact directories; participation in the formal project closure meeting with MoES.
   
    

Deliverables:

1. Stakeholder engagement plan (EN/RU); pilot community pre-selection note.
2. Community validation workshop reports; integrated feedback note.
3. Modules 2 & 4 training packages (EN/RU); training delivery and ToT report; working group meeting minutes.
4. Approved SOPs for 2 pilot communities; community action plans; awareness materials and drill reports.
5. Field campaign plan; equipment technical specifications package.
6. Field campaign reports (10 lakes); installation supervision records; revised SOPs.
7. Operational early warning protocol; ≥2 additional community packages; alert configuration documentation.
8. Final DRR/EW report (EN/RU); complete sustainability handover package.
   
    

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, please see: OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek.

Necessary Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or PhD) in disaster risk management, civil protection, geography, environmental science, civil engineering or a closely related discipline;
• Minimum 7 years of professional experience in disaster risk reduction and/or early warning systems, preferably with a focus on hydrometeorological or mountain hazards in Central Asia;
• Proven experience working with national emergency management agencies; familiarity with the structure and procedures of MoES of the Kyrgyz Republic and HMFD is a strong asset;
• Demonstrated experience designing and operationalizing community-based early warning systems and developing SOPs;
• Experience leading community consultations, awareness campaigns and emergency drills;
• Working knowledge of technical specifications for hydrometeorological monitoring equipment (water-level sensors, dataloggers, telemetry);
• Proven training and capacity-building experience with national authorities;
• Professional fluency in the Russian and Kyrgyz, both oral and written;

• 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/.

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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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