Tajikistan International Project Economist

N.B. This position is dependent on the selection of ACTED as the executing agency for the ADB Project Preparatory Technical Assistance.

Position: International Project Economist Contract duration: 2 months

ACTED is looking for an International Project Economist who will be part of a consultancy team for a Project Preparatory Technical Assistance (PPTA) mission. This project will carry out technical, economic and social due diligence for a future ADB funded project entitled Building Climate Resilience in the Pyanj River Basin. The outcome of the PPTA will be a full project design, including implementation arrangements, and total project readiness for the future sub-projects under the aforementioned project. This will include detailed engineering design and preparation of bidding documents, endorsed by the Government of Tajikistan and ADB.

Project summary:

The PPTA will identify the most vulnerable communities in the Pyanj River Basin, and for each sub-district select and design physical and non-physical adaptation measures to reduce the adverse effects of climate change on water resources. Potential adaptation measures in the Pyanj river basin have already been identified in a climate change risk assessment carried out under the Pilot Program for Climate Resilience with ADB support and extensive consultations with line ministries, international organizations, civil society, local governments, sub-districts and community-based organizations in the Pyanj River Basin. Infrastructure needs included rehabilitation or construction of climate-proofed infrastructure for: (i) small scale irrigation systems and drainage, including water storage and discharge and other drought management measures; (ii) supply of drinking water; and (iii) flood and mudflows management, including small-scale riverine embankments, soil stabilization and reforestation. Other measures identified include: (i) early warning systems for floods and droughts; (ii) micro-finance to support the introduction of adaptation measures at the farm and household level, especially for women; (iv) index-based micro-insurance as a climate change risk transfer mechanism and (v) advisory services to provide and disseminate information on climate change risks management practice and adaptation technologies.

Overview of position: The International Project Economist will be part of a team of 6 international consultants and 18 national consultants covering a number of sectors including water infrastructure and management, climate change, gender elements, and international and national procurement issues. The international project economist will work alongside a National Project Economist who will have extensive experience working as an agricultural and water sector development economist in Tajikistan.

Requirements of the Specialist:

• The international will be responsible for the following outputs: o (i) preparation of the financial and economic analyses for the Project as a whole and the four representative subprojects in compliance with ADB’s relevant guidelines; o (ii) preparation of cost estimates, financing plan, procurement plans for investment components; o (iii) preparation of financial management assessment (FMA) relevant agencies; o (iv) designing the funds flow and disbursement mechanism based on such assessment; o (v) identification of further capacity building (financial management and ADB’s disbursement procedures) that will be necessary for the project.

Background:

• The International Project Economist should have at least 15 years of experience working as an economist in development projects and financial specialist in developing countries with solid understanding of climate change economics. Experience in Central Asia is highly desirable.
• Excellent English (Knowledge of Russian is preferred)
• Previous experience managing international and national team of consultants
• Previous experience of working under ADB projects is preferable
• Strong communication skills
• Previous experience in project design and implementation
• Flexible operating in challenging work environments

How to apply:

Submission of CVs should be made to tenders@acted.org Deadline for application: 7th December 2011