Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment of the Water Sector and Infrastructure Consultant

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy - Department of Water Affairs (DWA) is seeking the technical services of an International Consultant to conduct a Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment of the Water Sector and Infrastructure in Swaziland. The study will provide a comprehensive analysis of the impacts of climate change and climate variability in the water sector particularly in the Komati, uMbeluzi and Usuthu River Catchments. The assessment will further assist the inter-governmental sector (Swaziland, South Africa and Mozambique), communities, identify gaps and inform policy and programmatic gaps, plans and adaptation strategies in the water sector and relevant infrastructure.

The scope of the assessment will encompass capturing of information on existing and perceived climate change vulnerabilities for the water sector and its infrastructure. The investigation will inform national water sector frameworks such as the policy and climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies and measures, programmes and infrastructural needs. It will also inform and facilitate further incorporation of climate change issues into the transboundary negotiations. Technical methodologies will be employed and national stakeholders engaged to inform the process regarding the vulnerabilities of the water sector to climate change.

Working under the guidance of the Department of Water Affairs, Project Board and Project Technical Committee and with the Project Manager the International Consultant (IC) will have the responsibility for the timely production of the outputs and is expected to lead the team of consultants towards the achievement of deliverables. Specific tasks for the team will be, but not limited to the following:

• Desktop review and assessment of Climate Change and Climate Vulnerabilities for the country with particular considerations on the water sector and its infrastructure.
• Review of the national frameworks national policies, strategies and plans namely the Draft IWRM Master Plan and National Water Policy.
• Assess vulnerability of the water sector to climate change and climate variability in all the catchments of Swaziland.
• Undertake coordinated multi-stakeholder research on flooding and drought events under climate change scenarios and how these impact on socio-economic conditions and vulnerabilities e.g. irrigation and agricultural production, energy generation (hydro, water storage).
• Assess the vulnerability of national water resources due to transboundary effect exacerbated by new climate change impacts both surface and groundwater.
• Collate information on studies and initiatives that have been undertaken to deal with the impacts of climate change.
• Produce baseline information (data) on climate change effects and adaptation within the water sector (current status).
• Assess national capacity on national and transboundary water resources management and climate change adaptation and mitigation in the water sector.

The assessment should further interrogate cross-cutting themes such as gender, vulnerable groups, and capacity building through recognizing the following issues:

• Assessment and analysis of the existing water conflicts associated with gender roles and norms, and recommend mechanisms for sustainable integration.
• Women’s knowledge and roles in water resources management, socio-economic norms to reduce the impact of equal participation and decision-making in community structures (RBAs, RDTs) and organizations.

Recommend on the:

• National and institutional capacity on water resources management and climate change impacts mitigation and adaptation in the water sector.
• Mechanism on how to integrate and redress the climate change vulnerabilities in the Water Sector/Climate Change policies, strategies and plans.
• Community sites project activities, and
• Tripartite Permanent Technical Committee negotiations for a National Climate Change Policy/ Strategy, 2003 National Water Act, Draft IWRM Master Plan, sectoral frameworks.

Deliverables:

• An inception meeting and report (work plan) with inputs from all the team members clearly specifying how the assignment will be undertaken, with clear tasks assignment for each member of the team within one week after the inception meeting. It should not exceed five (5) pages.
• Quarterly progress reports for review by the Project Board/Project Technical Committee.
• The Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment Report containing the following:
• Climate Change vulnerability issues effecting water resources across the four regions of the country.
• Current and future impacts and vulnerability of water resources infrastructures due to climate change.
• Socio-economic situation (and cross-cutting issues) and related vulnerabilities influencing water resources management in light of climate change and climate variability.
• Barriers/gaps that prevent inclusion of climate change adaptation to policies and plans and to support decision making process (data, human resources and capacity, etc).
• Recommendations for national policies, strategies and plans. Specific recommendations should be for the transboundary agreement and negotiations fora, National Climate Change Policy/ Strategy, 2003 National Water Act, Draft IWRM Master Plan, and sectoral frameworks and the National Water Policy.

The IC will perform his/her duties from the home office through e-mail, telephone and fax correspondence combined with short, focused in-country missions (as approved in the work plan). The IC will under-take at most three focused in-country missions during the duration of the assessment which will include, attending at least two national stakeholder consultations, that is the inception meeting/consultation within four (4) weeks from when the IC is contracted and the final project validation meeting.

Frequent communication, and advisory services with the other team members is expected from the IC. The IC is encouraged to maintain a dialogue with the national counterpart, UNDP-CO and UNDP/GEF RTA as and when challenges emerge during the implementation of the planned activities.

• Excellent data management, analytical, communication and writing skills.
• Good communication skills.
• Ability to work as a team leader working with diverse experts.

• A Masters Degree or PhD in Water Resources Management, Climate  Change, Land Management or Disaster Risk Management.

• Minimum of 7 years working in water resources management with experience in climate change scenario modeling for predictions.
• Extensive knowledge of climate change adaptation issues in the water sector.  Additional knowledge of institutional and policy frameworks on Integrated Water Resource Management, land management, disaster risk management would be an advantage.
• Familiarity with global models of climate change impacts on water resources to Southern and Eastern Africa.
• Experience in water resources assessment, climate change and monitoring.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required.