TERMS OF REFERENCE
Position:
National expert on baseline scenario development of climate in
Kazakhstan: precipitation
Project number and name:
#74995 “Assistance to the Republic of Kazakhstan in preparation of Third
National Communication under the UN Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC)”
#69220 “Promoting Integrated Water Resources Management and
Fostering Transboundary Dialogue in the Ili-Balkhash Basin”
Type of contract:
IC
Duty Station:
home-based, Kazakhstan
Duration:
from the date of signing the contract until October 2012
Occupation:
part-time
Background:
The Republic of Kazakhstan has committed to implementing targets and integrating the principles of
global UN Conventions (Rio-de-Janeiro, 1992) and the declaration of the Millennium Summit (New York,
2000) and the World Summit on Sustainable Development (Johannesburg, 2002). Kazakhstan ratified the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in May 1995 and the Kyoto
Protocol to the Framework Convention (hereinafter – ‘Kyoto Protocol’ or ‘KP’) in March 2009. On
September 17, 2009 Kazakhstan became an official Party to the KP.
One of country’s commitments under the UNFCCC is a preparation and submission of National
Communications of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the UNFCCC Conference Parties. In 1998 and 2009,
Kazakhstan prepared two national communications (NC), without being an Annex I country. According to
the recommendations of the Secretariat of the Convention, the Republic of Kazakhstan should prepare
and submit its Third National Communication (TNC) in accordance with the requirements for Annex 1
countries. The TNC assistance aims to facilitate achievement of national environmental targets in the
following areas: strengthening the capacity of Kazakhstan’s to enable active participation in addressing
the global climate change threat; capacity building in research and analysis of climate change-related
issues, which promote efficient environmental policies and provide important environmental information
for Kazakhstan’s sustainable development, while going beyond climate change problems; obtaining better
information; and analysis of policies in key sectors such as energy, agriculture and water resources.
“Promoting Integrated Water Resources Management and Fostering Transboundary Dialogue in Central
Asia” is a joint project implemented by the UN Development Programme and European Union, and aimed
at supporting mutually beneficial water relations between the countries in the region. The project is
supposed to facilitate a transboundary dialogue and sustainable water resources management in Central
Asia by means of interventions (1) at a national level (including predominantly the Kirghiz Republic and
Tajikistan) and (2) at an intergovernmental level (including the Republic of Kazakhstan and People’s
Republic of China).
In Kazakhstan, the project “Promoting Integrated Water Resources Management and Fostering
Transboundary Dialogue in Central Asia” funded by UNDP, European Union, and the government of
Finland, will mainly focus on the Ile-Balkhash River Basin. The national component is aimed at fostering a
transboundary dialogue and strengthening collaboration between the Republic of Kazakhstan and
People’s Republic of China in the field of water relations. The project’s objective is to improve the
management system of the common river basin and its resources.
The national component is composed of four various groups of activities: a political and institutional
analysis; support of bilateral cooperation and joint activities; support of the working process of a bilateral
commission and entering into agreements; coordination of activities aimed at managing the water
resources of the river basin, and involving the stakeholders.
An anticipated result of Output 4.1 is the management of monitoring system development and launch,
and evaluation of all the priority activities related to integrated water resources management. The basin
data will be collected and analyzed. The information exchange tool will be discussed and approved. The
monitoring activities will be supported with relevant recommendations, approved, and coordinated by
different parties. This information and dialogue platform will ensure a better transparency and confidence
throughout the basin, and via this support, will foster transboundary collaboration between Kazakhstan
and China.
Scope of work:
For preparation of TNC chapter “Updated assessment of Climate Change, vulnerability to CC, and
activities to adapt to CC; strengthening the capacity of data collection on ongoing basis for inclusion in the
next NCs”, in particular, developing a baseline scenario of climate change, there is a need in monitoring
and processing of data on climatic parameters. The purpose of the expert’s work is to provide data on
precipitation for inclusion in TNC chapter on climate scenarios, and prepare information for inclusion in
climate profile.
In addition, the expert will assist in collecting, processing and alignment climate change parameters
(precipitation) for database development of Ili-Balkhash Basin for the project “Climate risk management”,
as well as making recommendations on climate change monitoring. This work will be carried out in close
collaboration with project “Promoting Integrated Water Resources Management and Fostering
Transboundary Dialogue in the Ili-Balkhash Basin” and will increase the capacity of the parties in terms of
climate change system monitoring
Expected results and payments:
No
Tasks
1.
To analyze the trends of precipitation characteristics and its
variability over a single available observational period - a month,
a season, a year. This analysis should be conducted both
individually for each region and entirely for Kazakhstan territory.
Timing
Amount
May
50%
Result: technical-analytical report with table data
2.
To calculate indices of climate change (precipitation) based on
the data provided by representative stations over a single
available observational period. This calculation should be done
both individually for each region and entirely for Kazakhstan
territory;
To develop and approve the tables with key data and
precipitation parameters in preparation of information for the
database of Ili-Balkhash Basin;
To cooperate with a specialist on database and GIZ
technologies, to participate in development of a single database
on water resources and climate change in Ili-Balkhash Basin.
May - June
Result: technical report on precipitation research results,
including graphics and tables. Tables and data on Ili-Balkhash
Basin
3.
To prepare a technical report on precipitation research results,
including graphics and tables. To prepare analytical material on
precipitation for the climate profile of Kazakhstan. To prepare a
draft of TNC chapter ”Baseline climate scenario, precipitation”.
To make recommendations on climate change monitoring in
terms of precipitation.
Result:
TNC
draft
recommendations
chapter,
analytical
report
June-September
50%
with
Responsibility:
The National expert should:

Report to Project Managers, is coordinated by a Team Leader on P&M and adaptation and
vulnerability, and work in cooperation with experts on Ili-Balkhash database preparation;

Ensure timely and quality execution of the Terms of Reference;

Ensure unconditional carrying out of requirements of the Contract;

Payments will be made on the basis of approval by project administration and Kazhydromet on
results performed.
Knowledge and skills:
 Higher education in natural-geographical, environmental or other related area;
 At least 5 years of research experience in the relevant field;
 Knowledge of WMO recommendations and WMO programmes of precipitation analysis, including
extremes analysis, climate change indices calculations, and UNFCCC Secretariat Guideline for
preparation of National Communications, 2003;
 Ability to work in a team
 Excellent knowledge of computer programmes, including Word, PowerPoint, RClimDex, Serfer and
other software applications necessary to perform the work;
 Knowledge of English is preferable.
COA
Project
ID
74995
69220
Total:
Activity
Account
Amount
Fund
3
111
71310
71310
KZT
KZT
62000
3000
Dept
ID
55205
55205
JOB DESCRIPTION AUTHORISATION
Supervisor
Saltanat Zhakenova/Project Manager
Name/Title
Signature
Supervisor
Amirkhan Kenshimov/Project Manager
Name/Title
Signature
Programme officer
Irina Goryunova/Programme Analyst
Name/Title
Signature
Programme officer
Emilia Wahlstrom/Programme Analyst
Name/Title
Signature
Impl
Agency
000936
001981
Donor
10003
00110