Consultant - Modelling in Adaptation Planning for Lower Mekong Basin

The role of MRC is to promote and coordinate sustainable management and development of water and related resources for the countries’ mutual benefit and the people’s well-being

 

MRC Secretariat is now recruiting highly qualified consultants for the following consultancy 

International/Riparian Consultant (Individual)

For Review On The Approaches Used For Climate Change Scenarios And Modelling  In Adaptation Planning For The Lower Mekong Basin

37 working days during December 2012 to February 2013, Home based and at the MRC Secretariat in Vientiane, Lao PDR with the possibility of travel to other MRC Member Countries

The Objectives

The objectives of the assignment are:

(i)     To review international best practices in selecting IPCC climate scenarios, GCMs and downscaling approaches for climate change analysis;

(ii)    To identify existing research and projects in the Mekong Basin which are related to the use of climate change scenarios, GCMs and downscaling approaches. The researches, projects and actions identified should cover both public and non-public sectors as well as national, regional and international levels for completed and where possible also for on-going projects;

(iii)   To review approaches used, criteria, and considerations (if available) in selecting the IPCC climate change scenarios, GCMs and downscaling approaches in those researches and projects;

(iv)    To summarize study results from those researches and projects in terms of changes in temperature, rainfall, evaporation, river flows and water levels (if available);

(v)    To review uncertainties in climate change modelling and reliability of projected climate change results;

(vi)   To provide recommendations on appropriate IPCC climate scenarios, GCMs, and downscaling approaches that should be considered for the LMB countries as well as recommendations on how to address uncertainties.

Outputs

The main outputs of the consultancy are:

1. A review report including above topics
2. A brief summary of the findings on previous studies that can be published as a stand- alone document
3. Supporting material for the CCAI team to facilitate national and/or regional workshops for discussion on selecting climate change scenarios, GCM/RCMs ensembles and downscaling approaches and their results

Responsibilities and Tasks

·         Interact with the CCAI team to agree on the scope of the review and analysis and the contents of the final report;

·         Conduct a literature review on international best practices in selecting IPCC climate scenarios, GCMs and downscaling approaches in climate change analysis at regional and national level;

·         Survey and come up with an extensive list of existing research, projects and country communications in the Mekong Basin which are related to climate change analysis and modelling and adaptation projects from around 1990 to date (existing MRC database to be provided and updated);

·         Analyse the approaches, criteria and considerations that the listed research, and projects have used in selecting the IPCC climate change scenarios, GCMs and downscaling approaches for their climate change impact analysis. Lessons learned of those selections if documented should be also mentioned.

·         Summarize results, particularly changes in climate and hydrological parameters of those studies if available.

·         Identify levels of uncertainties in the IPCC climate change scenarios, GCMs/RCMs and downscaling and reliability of the results at regional, national and subbasin scales.

·         Support the CCAI team to facilitate national and/or regional workshops for discussion on selecting the IPCC climate change scenarios, GCMs and downscaling approaches and their results

·         Recommend appropriate IPCC climate scenarios, GCMs/RCMs, and downscaling approaches that should best be considered for use in the LMB countries following international best practices for different scales of study or adaptation from basin transboundary considerations down to local adaptation initiatives.

·         Recommend suitable ways for CCAI to provide information on changing climate to different water related impact sectors e.g. agriculture, fisheries, fluvial & coastal flooding, ecosystems, health, socioeconomic impact modelling, planning etc

·         Prepare draft and final reports

Time frame

It is anticipated that the consultancy will be undertaken in the period of December 2012 to February 2013. Before application the consultant should review the timetable (which could be shortened if possible) and propose the required inputs for the study up to the maximum of 37 days.

Tasks		Deliverables	Indicative time (days)	Estimated timing
1.     Interact with the CCAI team to agree on the scope of the review and analysis and the contents of the final report	Detailed outline of the report		2	December 2012
2.     Conduct a literature review on international best practices in selecting IPCC climate scenarios, GCM/RCM results and downscaling approaches at regional and national level	Review report on international best practices in selecting climate change scenarios		10	December 2012 to January 2013
3.     Survey and come up with an extensive list of existing research and projects in/for the LMB which are related the use GCMs results and downscaling approaches from 1990 to date	Review report on existing researches and projects in/for the LMB related to the use of GCMs results and downscaling approaches		5	December 2012 to January 2013
4.     Analyse the approaches, criteria and considerations that the listed research, and projects have used in selecting (IPCC) climate scenarios, GCM/RCM results and downscaling approaches	Summary of approaches, criteria and considerations in selecting climate change scenarios		10	January to February 2013
5.     Recommend appropriate climate scenarios, GCMs results, and downscaling approaches that should be considered in future for the MRC and LMB countries following international best practices	Recommendations on appropriate IPCC scenarios, GCM/RCM results and downscaling approaches for the LMB		5
6.     Prepare a draft report	Draft report		3	February 2013
7.     Based on the comments and feedback from the CCAI team, finalize the report	Final report		2	February 2013

Required qualifications

·         MSc or PhD in relevant topics e.g. climate science, environmental science, water resources engineering, or equivalent;

·         Strong academic background in prediction of future climate, especially use of modeling-based GCM/RCM results;

·         At least ten years of experience in applying climate analysis and modelling results to project impacts of climate change;

·         Experience in climate and sea level rise related vulnerability & risk assessment and adaptation preferably in a multinational transboundary context;

·         Experience working with the Lower Mekong River Basin countries is an asset;

·         High Level of written and spoken English

 

The Term of Reference and other information can be obtained at MRC website       http://www.mrcmekong.org/working-with-mrc/employment. Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply. Only short-listed candidates will be notified.

 

Application procedures:

The application should include (i) a cover letter outlining clearly how the candidate meets therequirements of the position, (ii) a detailed CV, and (iii) MRC Personal History Form. The position title and division/section must be indicated in the cover letter.The application should be sent to:

 

Mekong River Commission
Office of the Secretariat in Vientiane (OSV)
P.O. Box 6101, 184 Fa NgoumRoad
Vientiane 01000, Lao PDR
Email: mrcs@mrcmekong.org

Closing date for applications: 15 November 2012