National Consultant on Analysis of Study Programmes in Water Resources, Water Management, and Water Use

Background:

This position is open only for citizens and permanent residents of Kazakhstan.

Human capital development in water sector is one of the priority approaches in the concept of water resources management system development for 2024-2030. To enhance water management efficiency, and satisfy current labor market requirements, educational programmes require updating, taking measures to develop double-degree and joint educational programmes, and increasing involvement of enterprises in the education of specialists.

 Several higher education institutions in Kazakhstan offer education programmes in water resources and water management. Despite annual production of over 150 specialists in these fields, a significant shortage of qualified personnel persists, attributed in part to inadequate training and professional development within the water industry. Key challenges include outdated educational programmes and teaching methods, insufficient technical equipment of universities, a lack or absence of educational production facilities, weak interaction between universities and potential employers, and the absence of agreements on targeted training of specialists between beneficiaries and universities.

Looking ahead, the shortage of qualified personnel in the water sector, capable of making informed engineering and management decisions, poses a potential threat to the water sector and could hinder the socio-economic development of the country. In response to these challenges, the OSCE Programme Office in Astana (POiA) is undertaking the project "Development of recommendations for improvement of educational programmes in the area of water management." The aim is to develop measures to enhance the education system for water-related sector personnel in collaboration with the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of Kazakhstan and the International Water Assessment Centre. This initiative seeks to address the critical gaps in education, industry collaboration, and professional development, ensuring a sustainable and skilled workforce for the future of Kazakhstan's water sector.

Objective of Assignment: 

The Office will require the services of a national expert in the education sector to conduct a comprehensive analysis to explore the labor market and universities providing water resource study programmes in water resources, water management, and water use.

Duration of Assignment:
4 months 

Tasks and Responsibilities:
Under the overall supervision of the Senior Economic and Environmental Officer, the successful candidate will be tasked with the following duties:

Collaborate with the international expert to create a comprehensive work plan for conducting the assessment and adhere to the established work plan and timeline throughout the assessment period.

Gather and analyse information related to institutions of higher education (universities) involved in the education and education of specialists in the sphere of water resources, water management and water use.

Examine various aspects, such as programmes and training methods, technical equipment, educational and industrial practices, international collaborations with other universities.

Identify opportunities for enhancing the system of retraining and advanced training of specialists in water resources, water management and water use.
Collect and analyze information concerning the supply and demand dynamics within labour market for specialists in the field of water resources, water management and water use.

Prepare a comprehensive SWOT analysis highlighting strengths and, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats for the existing education system for specialists in water resources, water management and water use.

Formulate recommendations aimed at improving the education of specialists in this field of water resources, water management and water use, and actively participate in project meetings.

Prepare the preliminary consolidated assessment report with all the above-mentioned findings.

Address the comments provided by the POiA, Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of Kazakhstan, and the International Water Assessment Centre to the draft report.

Finalize the report, prepare the power point presentation, and present the findings.

Deliverables:

A detailed section in the project report, comprising a comprehensive analysis of a minimum of 3 universities in Kazakhstan involved in programmes on water resources, water management, and water use is completed and submitted, with a minimum of 80% coverage of all key metrics (programmes and methods of training of higher educational institutions, their technical equipment, conditions of conducting educational and industrial practices, relationship with foreign universities, number of students, etc.) A detailed summary of each identified institution is provided.

An analysis of programmes and training methods, including a summary of best practices and innovations is presented.

A comprehensive SWOT analysis covering all relevant aspects of the water education system is finalized.

Concrete recommendations are provided, addressing key areas for improvement in the education system.

A well-structured and clear preliminary consolidated assessment report is submitted within four months, including all identified findings, recommendations, and key insights from the research in collaboration with other experts.

All comments are addressed in the pre-final version of the assessment and cleared.

The final report and presentation that include detailed findings, recommendations, lessons learned, and good practices identified during the research is submitted.

Necessary Qualifications:

• University degree in hydrology, hydroengineering and melioration, water management, and/or related fields;
• At least 5 years of professional experience in the higher educational and/or water management sphere, consultancies, and/or state bodies related to water management or education;
• Knowledge of current challenges of Kazakhstan and its needs in the water-related area, particularly on hydrology;
• Excellent reporting and analytical skills;
• Professional fluency in Kazakh or Russian language, both oral and written, knowledge of English is an advantage;
• Experience and communication skills with high-level audiences.
• Teamwork and excellent communication skills.
• Digital literacy and proficient use of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), Zoom, and internet.
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Ability and willingness to work as a member of team, with people of different cultural, and religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications. 

Remuneration Package:

Remuneration will be based on the selected consultant's/expert's qualifications, experience, the tasks and deliverables for this position and in accordance with the OSCE established rates. Payment will be transferred in local currency (tenge) to the bank account of the consultant.

If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's online application link found under https://vacancies.osce.org/.

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise/re-post the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment or to offer an appointment with a modified job description or for a different duration.

Only those candidates who are selected to participate in the subsequent stages of recruitment will be contacted.

The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all religious, ethnic and social backgrounds to apply to become a part of the Organization. 

Candidates should be aware that OSCE officials shall conduct themselves at all times in a manner befitting the status of an international civil servant. This includes avoiding any action which may adversely reflect on the integrity, independence and impartiality of their position and function as officials of the OSCE. The OSCE is committed to applying the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mandate. For more information on the values set out in OSCE Competency Model, please see https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/our-competency-model.

Please be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.