National lead expert on Water programme in Kazakhstan

UNDP helps Kazakhstan honor its Paris Agreement commitments by supporting the expansion of the "green economy" to tap into new opportunities for jobs and businesses. It partners with other United Nations agencies to provide technical expertise to translate strategies into action, establish a monitoring framework for climate change adaptation and mitigation, and develop plans for transition to green energy, water and land management, climate-proof agriculture, biodiversity, reforestation, disaster risk reduction, and waste management. By catalyzing SDG and Paris aligned investments (public and private), UNDP delivers client-focused solutionsthat respond to immediate, mid and long-term recovery and socioeconomic development priorities, and; by leveraging on-the-ground presence and networks, we unlock bottom-up solutions towards lasting impacts at the country level, benefitting most disadvantaged and leaving no one behind. Given the increasing challenges posed by climate change and changes in precipitation patterns, water has become a burning issue in Kazakhstan. These changes are exacerbating existing water-related challenges and threatening water security, agriculture, and ecosystems. Addressing these challenges proactively is essential to ensure sustainable water management and build resilience to the impacts of climate change. Meanwhile, the President of Kazakhstan has declared the sustainable water management a matter of national security and has instructed the new minister to consolidate the government's position on this critical issue, including the development of a new Water Code, Water Sector Development Concept, Water Saving Concept, and more. Seizing this momentum, various donors are interested in supporting the government in sustaining the water sector in Kazakhstan and Central Asia as a whole. In this context, the government has expressed interest in UNDP's support through strategic advisory services to the Minister of Water, as well as assistance with coordinating and systematizing donors' support to contribute to the ministry's crystallized priorities and funding goals. This support will be consolidated under the UNDP umbrella Water Programme, providing a framework for donors' contributions to the ministry's goals in a systemic manner. Consequently, UNDP is expanding the water dimension of its Energy and Environment Unit portfolio (EEU) and seeking to integrate independent strategic thinking into the water sector.

Duties and Responsibilities

The national lead expert will be providing strategic guidance and technical expertise that will include the following:

• Lead the process of the development of a roadmap for digitalization of the water sector in Kazakhstan.

• Lead the conceptualization of the strategy forthe digitalization of the water management systems.

• Lead the drafting of the UNDP Water Programme.

• Coordinate the consultation sessions with the national partners and donors.

• Contribute to the strategic planning and organization of the One Water Summit by providing expert recommendations on best practices in water resource management.

• Coordinate engagements with the national partners and donors on promotion of the water management programme.

Required Skills and Experience

• Education: University degree in technicalsciences, engineering, water resources management, hydrology, environmental sciences, environmental engineering, or a related field.

• At least 5 years of working experience in nature resource management, including water sector or water resources management.

• At least 5 years of demonstrated experience in providing policy advice and technical support to government agencies or international organizations in Kazakhstan.

• Work experience in the UN system is an advantage.

• Resource mobilization experience is required (includes proposal writing, engagement with donors, etc.)

• Fluency in English and Russian. Knowledge of Kazakh is an advantage

​​​​​Application instructions

Should you be interested and decide to submit an offer for this assignment, kindly submit directly in the online supplier portal Quantum no later than the deadline indicated in the system.

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If any discrepancy between deadline in the system and in deadline indicated elsewhere, deadline in the system prevails.