CONSULTANT (HOME BASED) For Development of a Discussion Paper on Guidelines for Wastewater Re-Use in Agriculture (Consultant)

Job Experience

5 to 8 years

Job Location

Germany

Expiration Date

31 Oct 2013

Organizational Unit : United Nations University Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources (UNU-FLORES)

Reference Number : 2013/UNU/FLORES/CTC/CST/WRA/70

Applications to : hrflores@unu.edu

Closing Date : 31 October 2013

United Nations University Objectives:

The UNU is an international community of scholars engaged in research, postgraduate training and the dissemination of knowledge in furtherance of the purposes and principles of the United Nations, its Peoples and Member States. The University functions as a think tank for the United Nations system, contributes to capacity building, particularly in developing countries, and serves as a platform for new and innovative ideas and dialogue.

For more information please visit http://unu.edu.

United Nations University Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources (UNU-FLORES):

The mission of UNU-FLORES is to contribute to the development of integrated and sustainable management strategies for the use of water, soil and waste resources in particular in developing and emerging countries in scientific, educational, managerial, technological and institutional terms. Potential issues of focus include: urban water management, nutrient cycles and budgets, methods for reclamation and rehabilitation of degraded sites, site-specific river-basin scale water management; interaction of land use management and water inventory under differing climate conditions, efficient site-adapted waste management strategies, among others. The Institute will develop innovative concepts for target- and region-specific knowledge transfer as well as appropriate methodologies and approaches for postgraduate and professional education. The Institute is located in Dresden, Federal Republic of Germany. For more information please visit http://flores.unu.edu.
 
Discussion Paper on Guidelines for Wastewater Re-use in Agriculture:

The Bonn conference of November 2011 that advanced the nexus approach for management of environmental resources acknowledged a number of knowledge gaps. One specific knowledge gap relates to a lack of consistent and agreed upon water quality standards for different crop and production systems. This knowledge gap constrains the development of standardized policy guidelines that could facilitate wastewater re-use. As a consequence scope for increasing water use efficiency in agriculture is minimized. In Brazil draft guidelines on the subject of wastewater re-use are presently under discussion at both provincial and national levels. The proposed discussion paper will serve to provide: [a] a state of the art review of policy priorities on the subject of wastewater re-use, [b] inform the development of methodologies and strategies for preparation and implementation of Water Safety Plans (WSA’s) focused on addressing water quality and public health concerns and [c] serve to identify capacity building opportunities that could help support design, implementation and monitoring of pilot projects on wastewater re-use in agriculture.

In keeping with the mandate of UNU-FLORES the report would outline: [a] justification for wastewater re-use in agriculture, [b] impact of water quality on public health and economy, [c] standards for water quality/wastewater re-use, [d] wastewater re-use standards under different cropping systems, [e] key conclusions and recommendations on policy guidelines and project pilots on wastewater re-use in agriculture. The primary audience for the report is policy/decision makers in South America and UN agencies.

Responsibilities:

The main objectives of the position is to develop a discussion paper that will provide a state of art review of policy priorities, inform development of methodologies for Water Safety Plans and help identify capacity building opportunities for project pilots on wastewater re-use in agriculture. The consultant will submit the discussion paper to UNU-FLORES which will consist of: [a] executive summary (2 pages), [b] introduction (2 pages), [c] review of evolution of wastewater re-use guidelines and consultation at national and provincial levels (2 pages), [d] identification of knowledge/information gaps, discussion of methodologies/strategies with potential to involve local governments, federal departments/agencies and universities in building capacity for pilot projects on wastewater re-use under different cropping systems (12 pages), [e] annexures documenting key discussion points emerging from national level consultation (6 pages), [f] bibliography (1 page). We plan to begin the assignment in November, 2013 (draft report due by 9 December 2013) and final revisions due by 15 February 2014.

Under the authority of the Director of UNU-FLORES and direct supervision of the Academic Officer - Capacity Development and Governance, the successful candidate shall carry out the following tasks:

• Review policy documents, project reports and literature on the subject of wastewater re-use standards and policy guidelines;
• Develop discussion paper outline detailing structure, main topics to be covered, information and data sources;
• Develop a draft organizational chart of concerned stakeholders;
• Develop a map of existing interventions;
• Prepare a state of the art review of policy priorities on the subject of wastewater re-use;
• Contribute towards consultation on methodologies and strategies for preparation and implementation of Water Safety Plans (WSA’s) focused on addressing water quality and public health concerns;
• Identify capacity building opportunities that could help support design, implementation and monitoring of pilot projects on wastewater re-use in agriculture;
• Compile a discussion paper including executive summary, background, results, recommendations and annexures and supporting bibliography (covering points 5, 6 and 7 outlined above);
• Review the overall quality of the discussion paper. Suggest changes if deemed essential;
• Respond to reviewers comments and incorporate necessary revisions to the draft document;
• Perform other tasks assigned by the supervisor.
Required Qualifications and Experience:

• Master’s degree in in a field related to agricultural water management, water quality standards and/or wastewater re-use;
• Minimum five (5) years of work experience in water and agricultural programmes and projects in developing countries;
• Demonstrated writing skills as reflected in the field of agricultural water management and/or water quality standards;
• Familiarity of concepts and approaches related to wastewater re-use;
• Strong practical experience in project implementation gained through engagement with government agencies and departments in South America;
• Fluency in oral and written English is mandatory;
• Ability to work within agreed timelines and a good team player;
• Familiarity of working in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment; and
• Willingness to collaborate with São Paulo State Health Secretariat, Brazil on consultation on methodologies and strategies for preparation of Water Safety Plans (WSA’s).

Remuneration:

Remuneration will commensurate with qualification and experience of the successful candidate.

Duration of Contract:

The successful candidate shall work remotely under the Consultant Contract (CTC) for a fixed period of three (3) months. No consultant shall provide services for more than twenty-four (24) months in a thirty-six (36) –month period.

The successful candidate will not hold international civil servant status nor be a “staff member” as defined in the United Nations Staff Rules and Regulations. UNU does not sponsor a working visa for this position.

Applications from suitably qualified woman candidates and those from developing countries are particularly encouraged.

Starting Date: As soon as possible.

Application Procedure:

Interested applicants should submit their applications by email (to hrflores@unu.edu), and must include the following:

• a cover letter setting out how the qualifications and experience match the requirements of the position;
• a curriculum vitae and a completed and signed UNU Personal History (P.11) form downloadable from United Nations University website at http://unu.edu/about/hr. Please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organizations;
• full contact information of three (3) referees; and
• The Email subject must comply with the format: Last Name_2013/UNU/FLORES/CTC/CST/WRA/70.