Consultant: Technical expert - Research and Systematic Observation

Guyana is extremely low lying and vulnerable to sea level rise. With approximately 90% of the population located within the coastal plain of Guyana, sea level rise could have devastating impacts, affecting human settlements and economic activities. Guyana is home to many rivers and other water courses and sea level rise will also affect the salinity
of these rivers and discharge rates into the Atlantic Ocean. Guyana is also very susceptible to extreme climatic events. In January and February 2005 Guyana experienced an extreme climatic rainfall event which caused significant flooding and considerable damage to all aspects of the economy of Guyana. In response to these threats, adaptation to climate change in Guyana is critical and improving the overall capacity to respond to extreme climatic weather events, is a priority.On July 10, 2007, the Ministry of Agriculture on behalf of the Government of Guyana and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed an agreement for the climate change enabling activity project called “Enabling Activity for the Preparation of Guyana’s Second National Communication (SNC) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)”. Guyana is a non-annex I and II party to the UNFCCC and is required to submit national communications on steps being taken to implement the convention. To date, Guyana has submitted its Initial National
Communication (INC) in 2002 and is among many developing countries that have received funding from the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) to prepare their SNC. The finalised document will be submitted to the Secretariat of the UNFCCC.  This component of the SNC will enable Guyana to fulfill its obligations under article 5 of the Convention which addresses research and systematic observation. Such observations will provide information to be better able to understand the climate system at the various levels and consequently strengthen capacity to monitor and address impacts. The expert will draw upon the other relevant studies/ assessments being done in the SNC project.

The R&SOS expert shall be responsible for the completion of activities and deliverables under this component of the project within the projected time frame, and the drafting of this chapter of the SNC document. Essentially, the expert shall,

• Provide advice and guidance on any adjustment, if needed, for the effective implementation of this component;
• Conduct a detail technology needs assessment of key sectors including adaptation and mitigation technologies for climate change;
• Conduct a detail assessment of research needs and systematic observation systems for understanding and addressing climate change;
• Work in close collaboration with experts/specialists /team leader/team members of the other components of the SNC;
• Compile a bibliography of all sources of information and data;
• Draft and finalize this chapter of the SNC.

SPECIFIC TASKS
The R&SOS expert shall perform the following functions, including but not limited to:

• Submit a work plan with detail schedule of deliverables and methodology within the first week of the commencement of this consultancy;
• Collect and analyze relevant data and information from various sources including the facilitation of a technology needs assessment workshop;
• Conduct a comprehensive technology needs assessment of key sectors including but not limited to, energy; renewable energy sources; transportation; industry; waste management; agriculture and forestry;
• Conduct a detail assessment of adaptation and mitigation technologies including endogenous capacities and technology;
• Conduct a detail assessment of access to and transfer of environmentally sound technologies;
• Conduct a detail assessment of technology and data collection needs to improve national capacity to monitor climate change and its impacts;
• Conduct an analysis of research and systematic observation systems for Guyana including identification of constraints and gaps (e.g. methodological, technical, institutional and financial);
• Assess the status of national projects/programmes /initiatives, undertaken or planned for meteorological, atmospheric and oceanographic research and observations. This should include information on specific research programmes
  being undertaken for mitigation, adaptation, development of emission factors and activity data, at the national or regional level;
• Identify /discuss needs and priorities for specific climate change research to supplement existing or planned projects/programmes at the national, regional and international levels for greenhouse gas inventory; adaptation and mitigation;
• Provide updated information on the distribution of responsibilities among sector institutions for technology transfer ; impact observation and climate related studies;
• Develop prioritization matrix for technological strengthening and; research and systematic monitoring of climate change. This should include short to long term activities; objectives; resource needs; responsible institutions;
  partnership/collaboration;
• Review and upgrade the information provided for this component in the Initial National Communication and the National Action Plan;
• Any other study in accordance with the UNFCCC requirements for this chapter of the SNC.

• Strong knowledge of climate change, environmental technologies for GHGs,mitigation and adaptation technology  
• Sound research and technical skills in data collection and analysis
• The candidate should be highly motivated and capable of working independently

• The R&SOS candidate should have at least a Masters Degree in Environmental Engineering/Climatology/Environmental Science or a closely related field and at least eight years experience in the area relevant to Climate Change and this consultancy.

Experience

• Demonstrable knowledge of technology assessment methodologies.
• Sound and broadly-recognized expertise on climate change research and environmentally friendly technology.
• Previous involvement in the preparation of the National Communications to the UNFCCC would be an asset.
• Familiarity with national & regional conditions and capacities for technology transfer and climate monitoring.
• Experience in technical report writing and presentation
• Previous experience in the preparation of technical reviews, national reports and national and international documentation.
• Experience in working with multi-stakeholder groups including, government and non-governmental organizations.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
• Excellent computer skills.