Desk Study on Ecosystem Services provided by Freshwater Networks
- WWF-Azerbaijan
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Elanın qoyulma tarixi: 26.10.2013Vakansiyaya müraciət tarixi bitmişdir.
İşin təsviri
WWF Azerbaijan is announcing open positions for national consultants in the frame of the regional project – “Promoting Sustainable Dam Development at River-Basin-Scale in the Southern Caucasus” financially supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway.
Please consult the attached Terms of References for more detailed information about the opened positions.
All Interested candidates should submit their applications to WWF Azerbaijan through the following e-mail:
The application should include CV and maximum 1-page cover/interest letter.
The Deadline for the application submission is 8 November, 2013.
While sending the application, please, indicate a study title you are applying for. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.
WWF is an equal opportunity employer and committed to having a diverse workforce.
Terms of Reference
For
National Consultant in Azerbaijan
Desk Study on Ecosystem Services provided by Freshwater Networks in the Kura-Aras River Basin in Azerbaijan
Work Commence Date (date when the selectedcandidate is expected to start the work) 20 November 2013
Work Completion Date (date when the selected candidate is expected to complete the work and provide final deliverables) 31 March 2014
Language Required Native and English
Location / Work Area Azerbaijan
Reporting to WWF Azerbaijan
I. BACKGROUND
1. Thematic Introduction
Freshwater ecosystems, representing highly important areas for biodiversity conservation, play a vital role in humans` life providing key ecosystem services and benefits. Freshwater ecosystems contain some of the most threatened habitats in the Caucasus Ecoregion due to anthropogenic pressures mainly stemming from unsustainable urban water use, industry and infrastructure development projects, agriculture and increasingly developing hydropower sector. Unsustainable development of dams (hydropower, water security, irrigation) is disrupting environmental flows at river-basin-scale.
Key negative impacts on freshwater ecosystems ultimately lead to decreasing the landscape integrity and biodiversity as well as to degrading key ecosystem services and benefits to people.
2. Project Background
The Desk Study on ecosystem services in the Kura-Aras River Basin in Azerbaijan is planned to implement in the frame of the regional project- “Promoting Sustainable Dam Development at River-Basin-Scale in the Southern Caucasus” financially supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway and led by WWF Network in the Southern Caucasus. The regional project aims (i) to demonstrate biodiversity and ecosystem services of freshwater networks in two targeted basins; (ii) to introduce a Sustainable Dams Assessment and Planning Methodology; and (iii) to mobilize key stakeholders, secure their support and launch the Caucasus Sustainable Dam Initiative. The project
stresses that joint-effort of key stakeholders and players at the river-basin-scale can promote sustainable dam development in the Southern Caucasus and thereby significantly mitigate cumulative negative impacts of dams on environmental flows, biodiversity and ecosystem services of the targeted
river basins.
II. DUTIES AND TASKS
Main Duty is identification and analysis of ecosystem services provided by freshwater networks in the Kura-Aras River Basin in Azerbaijan.
The main duty of the national consultant shall be performed under the guidance of the international consultant1 who will develop a detailed Terms of Reference for the study and national consultant`s work.
In addition to the detailed Terms of Reference to be provided at the earliest stage of the nationallevel work, the main duties of the national consultant shall be performed through the following tasks2:
1. Establish close cooperation with the international consultant, agree on ways and schedule for effective coordination, and provide support throughout the duration of the study.
2. Establish cooperation with a national consultant working on biodiversity desk-study3 for the same targeted basin in order to ensure consistency and complementariness between these two studies ongoing in parallel.
3. Follow guidance of the international consultant in gathering, review and analyzing all relevant data and documented materials required for the study.
4. Coordinate the study and ensure consistency with other ongoing corresponding efforts that contribute to integrated resource management and river basin management in the targeted basin.
5. Review the relevant data and materials (reports, analysis, research, case-studies etc.) about targeted basin, their ecosystems and biodiversity, dam analysis, hydropower sector analysis, TEEB reports, and other related material available in Azerbaijan.
6. Identify, classify and analyze ecosystems services, provided by the targeted basin in Azerbaijan that are critical to maintain existing benefit to people, sustain productivity and economic growth, and improve equity.
7. Demonstrate the importance of identified key ecosystem services and where possible define their value. Also, where possible, highlight areas of special value regarding freshwater ecosystem services in relation to dam/hydropower-plant development.
8. Provide products of conducted study and analysis to WWF Azerbaijan and the international consultant as required and agreed through the detailed Terms of Reference.
9. Develop the first draft report of the study.
10. Present the first draft report at a national experts` workshop4 to be held in Azerbaijan in March 2014 and obtain agreement from key stakeholders.
11. Develop the final report5 of the study through considering and incorporating received comments and feedbacks from the national experts` workshop.
1 The international consultant is being hired to guide, lead and support the desk-study on ecosystem-services of the Kura-Aras River Basin in the Southern Caucasus.
2 All envisaged tasks shall be implemented in close cooperation with WWF Azerbaijan.
3 In parallel of the ecosystem services desk-study, a complementary desk-study on biodiversity of the targeted basin will be implemented in the frame of the same project.
4 A national experts` workshop will be organized by WWF Azerbaijan in close cooperation with the national consultant to review and complement the obtained data and to derive a common understanding of the importance of identified ecosystem services within targeted area.
5 The final report should also address existing information/data gaps, if any, that need to be filled for more thorough further research and analysis.
III. MAJOR DELIVERABLES
1. Products of conducted study and analysis on ecosystem services of the Kura-Aras River Basin in Azerbaijan.
2. The first draft report of the study.
3. The final report of the study.
4. A presentation about overall study results delivered at the national experts` workshop.
IV. WORK SCHEDULE
The planned activities shall meet the following time-frame:
Activities 1 & 2 – by November 2013
Activities 3 through 9 – by February 2014
Activities 10 & 11 – by March 2014
V. PAYMENT MODALITY
Consultancy payment is based on assigned tasks. The consultancy fee shall be finally discussed and agreed with the selected national consultant. The detailed payment schedule and conditions will be defined by the Contract to be concluded between WWF Azerbaijan and the national consultant.
VI. REPORTING
The national consultant will report in written form to Konul Ahmadova, Project Coordinator at WWF Azerbaijan
and the international consultant on the status and results of the assigned tasks. Details on a reporting time-line will be defined by the Contract to be concluded between WWF Azerbaijan and the Consultant.
VII. REQUIRED SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES
Minimum Master’s or equivalent degree in environmental science, environmental resource management, environmental economics or a related discipline.
Minimum five years of working experience in environmental resource management, environmental economics or a related discipline.
Demonstrated practical experience related to (i) identification and valuation of ecosystem services; and (ii) ecosystem services provided by freshwater are in plus.
Publications in the relevant fields are in plus.
Ability to work constructively with different stakeholders in a complex environment and under strictly defined time-line.
Strong and proven research and analytical skills.
Fluency in English, both spoken and written.
