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 co-operation and sustainable development with a particular focus on the Dniester River basin between Moldova and Ukraine. In collaboration with UNDP and UNECE, the OSCE has supported a series of projects in the areas of flood management, protection of biodiversity, including fish diversity, transboundary monitoring, information and data sharing and public awareness raising. 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; and, more recently, 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.

A large-scale GEF/ UNDP/ OSCE project “Advancing Transboundary Co-operation and Integrated Water Resources Management in the Dniester River Basin through Implementation of the Strategic Action Programme (SAP)” is currently being implemented in the region. The project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) serving as the implementing agency, the OSCE as the executing agency, and support from the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

Building on the results of previous initiatives, most notably the GEF/ UNDP/ OSCE/ UNECE project “Enabling Transboundary Cooperation and Integrated Water Resources Management in the Dniester River Basin” (2017 – 2021), the current project aims to advance Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in the Dniester River Basin and contribute to sustainable development by supporting the implementation of priority actions under the Strategic Action Programme, as agreed upon by the two riparian countries.

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.

In this context, the OSCE, through the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA), aims at enlarging its pool of experts to support the implementation of the above-mentioned project. Particularly sought are consultants with specific skills and capacities both in the area of GEF/ UNDP project management and/ or the below mentioned technical fields.

Objective of Assignment:

To be further defined within each individual contract, at the time of contract conclusion, in line with the necessities of the above-mentioned project.

Duration of Assignment:

To be further defined within each individual contract, at the time of contract conclusion, in line with the necessities of the above-mentioned project.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

The consultant(s) would be expected to provide project management, scientific, engineering, analytical, technical and/ or policy support in (either one of) the following areas:

1. Life science disciplines related to water resources (e.g., hydrobiology, hydromorphology, hydrochemistry, etc.) and hydrometeorology (e.g., meteorology, hydrology, climatology) and living resources (biology, ecology);
2. Environmental science disciplines (e.g., chemistry, ecology, environmental protection, environmental management, environmental engineering, with a focus on water engineering, environmental modelling, sustainable development, conservation, agroecology);
3. Water Resources Management: River basin management planning; Drought management planning; river restoration;
4. Interdisciplinary and applied disciplines (e.g., management of natural and living resources, water resource management, environmental management, environmental monitoring, data analysis and management, waste management (including tailing storage facilities management and risk assessment), emergency preparedness and response, etc.);
5. Environmental Law/ Legal issues: legal and policy frameworks in the water field; legal acts;
6. Interlinkage between of water, disaster risk reduction and climate change;
7. Social and political sciences and Multilateral Environmental Agreements (e.g., international water law, environmental policy and law, environmental governance, capacity building, with a deep understanding of governance framework and institutions, national law enforcement and international law approximation mechanisms (i.e., EU Water Framework Directive, Nitrate Directive, Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Floods Directive, Ramsar Convention, UN Water Convention, Bucharest Convention, Extractive Waste Directive, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, etc.);
8. Screening Procedures: Environmental Social Management Framework (ESMF) and other Social and Environmental Standards (SES) frameworks/plans, in particular as relevant for the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context and the Protocol on Strategic Environmental Assessment to the Espoo Convention;
9. Research and development, in particular as relevant for the above-mentioned project components;
10. Gender Mainstreaming in Environmental and Water-Related Issues;
11. Project Management expertise with Global Environment Facility (GEF)/ UNDP projects, throughout all programme and project cycle phases, including knowledge of the associated GEF and UNDP policies, processes and procedures in this area;
12. Geographic Information Systems (GIS): data integration and harmonization (geospatial, hydrological, ecological, and socio-economic data); platform development; and capacity building for institutions and stakeholders on GIS use, data sharing, and collaborative planning;
13. Information Technology and Data Systems: including expertise in database management, data visualization, digital platforms, and website development, maintenance, and content management;
14. Science and research in the water field;
15. Communications and Outreach: covering communication strategy, visibility, stakeholder engagement, outreach materials, website content management (including IT-specialists), and social media support;
16. National Co-ordination: supporting the management of national project activities, ensuring cooperation with authorities and stakeholders, aligning with other basin initiatives, supporting reporting, and monitoring national developments in water and environmental management;
17. Project Assistance support, either in the area of GEF/ UNDP project implementation and/ or in relation to OSCE project implementation, processes and procedures.

Deliverables:

To be further defined within each individual contract, at the time of contract conclusion, in line with the necessities of the above-mentioned project.

Necessary Qualifications:

• First-level or second-level (MSc) university degree in relevant life science, environmental science, social and political science, interdisciplinary and applied disciplines or other relevant fields. Doctorate degree is not essential but will be considered an asset;
• Minimum 2 years of relevant public and private sector, or academic experience in one or more of the above-mentioned areas of expertise, including with international/intergovernmental organizations and multilateral financial institutions;
• Technical skills, such as modelling, data analysis and ability to design robust research plans or project management skills will be required depending on the nature of specific assignments in relevant disciplines;
• Experience and political understanding of environmental and socio-political challenges in the Dniester River Basin is considered an asset;
• Ability to participate in professional meetings (including stakeholder meetings and networking events), contribute to the organization of project events, with a focus on providing substantive input, on the topics listed above will be considered a strong asset;
• GEF/ UNDP project management experience, specifically in water projects, is considered a strong asset, especially for consultants that will be considered for positions targeting national coordination or project assistance; knowledge of OSCE rules and procedures is, as well, considered an asset;
• Professional fluency in at least one of the following languages is required: English, Romanian, and Ukrainian, including excellent communication and drafting skills;
• Excellent analytical and writing skills and proficient use of Microsoft Office;

• Strong communication skills and ability to adapt to different audiences are essential for relevant assignments (e.g., related to communication, stakeholder engagement, capacity building) and an asset for the remaining fields;

• 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 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.

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.