International Consultants

Background:
In the frame of its water co-operation activities, more specifically the project “Women, Water Management and Conflict Prevention - Phase III”, the OSCE is organizing the “Drops of the Future” Youth Workshop Series on the Water-Food-Energy Nexus. The workshop series across all Central Asia countries, together with a cross-regional event addresses climate change-induced risks within the Water-Energy-Food Nexus, emphasizing the management of trade-offs and challenges related to reduced water availability variability. This cross-sectoral systemic approach takes a forward-looking perspective, combining both conceptual-visionary frameworks and solution-oriented strategies to enhance young professionals' understanding of risks and their ability to manage trade-offs, particularly within and between the water, energy, and food sectors.

The primary objectives of the workshops, the concluding event and the further planned activities are to:

- Build capacity for young - particularly female - professionals in the water, energy and food sectors in Central Asia to better manage trade-offs in the context of water security based on a systemic, cross-sectoral and intergenerational approach, embedded in a jointly developed, unifying vision for a sustainable future related to the water-energy-food nexus;
- Increased understanding of technical / technological, organizational and conceptual future-oriented solutions at different scale and their role in working for the realization of the future-oriented vision across Central Asia;
- Enhance the integration of Central Asia youth perspectives in regional and international fora addressing water, food, energy, and climate issues;
- The project engagements build on existing co-operation and co-ordination within the OSCE and with other international and regional organizations;
All activities are implemented in close collaboration with the OSCE Field Operations and international partners, such as the UNESCO’s International Centre for Water Cooperation hosted by Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC), the Central Asia Youth for Water Network (CAY4W), as well as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), Geneva Water Hub, The Economist Impact, Turkish Water Institute and the International Secreteriat for Water.

In this context, the OSCE, through the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA), is aiming at enlarging its pool of experts in the area of water, food and energy nexus that will contribute to supporting the implementation of the project, with specific skills and capacities both in the area of strategic orientation as well as in 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 implementation support, strategic, analytical, and/or policy support in (either one of) the following areas:

- Interdisciplinary and applied disciplines (e.g., management of natural and living resources, water resource management, environmental management, data analysis and -management, etc.);
- Environmental science disciplines (e.g., environmental protection, environmental management, environmental engineering, with a focus on water, food or energy, sustainable development, agroecology);
- Interlinkage between water, food and energy in a climate change perspective;
- Social and political sciences and Multilateral Agreements (e.g., communication and awareness raising, capacity building with a deep understanding of governance framework and institutions);
- Solution-oriented co-creation and design-thinking in a systems-related context;
- Project Management expertise throughout all program and project cycle phases.

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 or second-level university degree (MSc) in relevant life science, environmental science, social and political science, interdisciplinary and applied disciplines or other relevant fields. Third level degree is not essential but will be considered an asset;
- Minimum 2 years of relevant public, private or non-governmental sector, or academic experience in one or more of the above-mentioned areas of expertise, including with international/intergovernmental organizations;
- Technical skills, such as organising workshops, will be required depending on the nature of specific assignments in relevant discipline;
- Ability to participate in professional mee