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GIS Expert Mekong River Commission

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 consultancies
 
GIS Expert
(International/Riparian Consultant)
Initiative for Sustainable Hydropower (ISH), Planning Division
75 working days from March 2013- July 2014
Home based and at the MRC Secretariat in Vientiane, Lao PDR
 
Objectives
The GIS Expert will work closely with the Ecology Expert and the IWR/River Basin Management Expert and report to the Team Leader.
Main tasks
  • Thorough review of the existing geographical data in the basin relevant identified ecologically sensitive sub-basins.
  • Development of thematic GIS maps of the aspects outlined above and inclusion of maps into the pilot report.
  • Co-responsible to map and define a list of basic criteria to identify and determinate ecologically sensitive sub-basins including its tributaries as well as ecologically sensitive areas connected to the Mekong mainstream.
  • Assist in the development of the classification scheme maps and the data collection system.
  • Assist in the proposal on how gained information can be presented and applied to plan and manage future sustainable development in relation to existing as well as future LMB hydropower development.
  • Assist in the selection of a pilot basin and contribute to the pilot study report.
  • Assist in the proposal and report for a basin-wide up-scaling.
 
Deliverables, Timeframe, Payment Schedule
Main Deliverables
Timeframe
Percent of Payment
Component 1 – Study development and draft classification scheme
Work with the Team Leader and relevant parties to finalize:
1. Inception report including (after 1 month):
·         the regional/international literature review to develop the study, the classification scheme and overall approach (see Activities of Component 1),
·         the results of an initial round of MRC Programme consultations, and
·         a detailed road map for the execution of the study.
2. Interim report on Component 1 including (after 7 months):
  • Existing maps and other relevant GIS systems prepared for the presentation of example basins.
  • The maps to represent the classification scheme to identify ecologically sensitive sub-basins/areas
  • Maps and presentation including approaches to represent , findings and outcomes.
3. Contribute to reports on the national consultations
20 days
By month 7
 
 
 
 
 
27 %
Component 2 – Pilot basin testing
1. Contribute to the Pilot Basin Study including (after 14 months):
  • a description of the testing approach, the classification scheme and the work performed including all applied criteria;
  • a description of the related data collection process;
  • an outline of existing knowledge gaps;
  • ecologically sensitive areas in the pilot basin (respective mainstream and tributaries) and their ecological value;
  • location of existing and future hydropower development;
  • thematic GIS maps;
  • testing how gained information can be applied towards sustainable hydropower development considering the ecologically sensitive areas;
  • a proposal how to upscale the tested pilot approach to the basin-wide scale and a conclusion if the performance of Component 3 is feasible.
2. Contribute to reports on the national consultations
 
45 days
By month 14
 
 
60 %
Component 3 – Scoping of work for basin-wide up-scaling
1. Contribute to the report on basin-wide up-scaling including after 15 months)
  • a summary of all deliverables of the previous reports and including the scoping of work needed for basin-wide up-scaling of the tested classifications system to identify ecologically sensitive sub-basins as well as areas connected to the Mekong mainstream
2. Contribute to the Executive Summary (to be updated by month 17)
  • Readily translated language for non-experts
3. Contribute to the Reports on the national consultations (to be updated by month 17)
4. Contribute to the Summary of key outcomes, findings and adaptations
10 days
By month 17
 
 
13 %
 
Required qualifications
·         At least 7 years professional experience in geography and/or application of Geographical Information Systems;
·         High level knowledge and experience in relation to environmental mapping applying GIS;
·         Demonstrated ability to write technical reports which can be readily understood by decision makers and the general public;
·         Able to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing;
·         Excellent written and oral communication skills in English;
·         Familiarity with the LMB and Mekong River Commission but particularly in developing countries would be beneficial.
 
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 the requirements of the position, (ii) a detailed CV, and (iii) MRC Personal History Form. (iv) Five-page brief of the methodology planned to be used (v) 3 referees with the contact details (vi) Financial Proposal. The position title 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 Ngoum Road
Vientiane 01000, Lao PDR
Email: mrcs@mrcmekong.org
Closing date for applications: 14 January 2013