National Consultant on Water Resources Management

Background:

Please note that the vacancy is open for Kazakhstan nationals and permanent residents of Kazakhstan only.

Kazakhstan is confronted with a widespread water deficit, aggravated by several pressing issues such as the deteriorating technical condition of water management systems, substantial water loss within networks, and inadequate water accounting practices. These challenges are rooted in inefficient water management methods and a growing scarcity of skilled human resources within the sector.

A significant milestone in addressing these challenges is the recent enactment of the new Water Code, which envisions the introduction of a digital platform to collect, analyse and predict data on the water availability, which in its turn will be the base for the preparation of the Master plan and territorial Basin plans.

Objective of Assignment:
Hire a national water resource management expert to conduct an analysis of water consumption by economic sector, assess losses, and prepare analytical materials to improve water use efficiency during the preparation of the Master plan and Basin plans.

Duration of Assignment:
6 months

Tasks and Responsibilities:
Under the overall supervision of the Senior Economic and Environmental Officer, the successful candidate will be tasked with the following duties:

• Review and revise the water use reporting system, identifying gaps and proposing improvements to reporting formats and data collection processes;
• Analyse water consumption in the industrial sector, including development of structured datasets and identification of key trends and critical periods;
• Conduct water demand assessments, including analysis of unmet demand, deficits, and projected dynamics across basins and sectors;
• Develop water balance analyses and apply scenario modelling to support evidence-based decision-making and planning;
• Assess water quality and evaluate the impacts of wastewater discharges, including identification of pollution sources and areas exceeding permissible limits;
• Undertake basin visits and engage with water users and stakeholders to assess on-the-ground conditions, infrastructure, and operational challenges;
• Identify key problems and conduct risk assessments, including classification of issues and evaluation of their likelihood and potential impact;
• Develop and assess water conservation incentive mechanisms, including analysis of their applicability, target groups, and expected outcomes;
• Prepare recommendations, define priority measures and activities, and provide analytical justification for proposed water use limits and regulatory approaches.

Deliverables:
For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, please see: https://astana.osce.org

Necessary Qualifications:

• Higher education in hydrology, hydraulic engineering and land reclamation, water resources management, and/or related fields;

• At least 5 years of professional experience in water use and/or water resources management, consulting companies, and/or government agencies related to water management;

• Experience with water consumption data, water balances, and calculation models;

• Knowledge of current water resource issues in Kazakhstan, the regulatory framework for water use, and international standards (UNEP, FAO, OECD, etc.);

• Strong skills in working with analytical tables, databases, and reporting;

• Skills in writing analytical materials and conducting high-quality data analysis;

• Knowledge of Kazakh or Russian; knowledge of English is an advantage;

• Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications;

• 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.

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. It will be discussed during the interview. Payment will be transferred in local currency (tenge) to the bank account of the consultant.

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 be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.