National Consultant to enhance database management and utilization for water resource management and disaster risk reduction

Background

This project for Enhancing Integrated Water Management and Climate Resilience in Vulnerable Urban Areas of the Mekong River Basin seeks to address the critical need for risk data to inform integrated water resources management and, in so doing, enable increased investment in risk reduction measures in Lao PDR and Cambodia. There is a strong connection between the upstream and downstream impacts associated with floods and water availability in the transboundary region. As such, the project seeks to address these problems faced while acknowledging the transboundary nature of the challenge and making adjustments as necessary to tailor for the variances of each country. Taking a barrier-removal approach, the project will address gaps in data collection, management, and analysis, enhance institutional and technical capacity at the subnational level for integrated climate and flood risk management, enhance the availability of resources for investment in water-related risk reduction, and aid the flow of risk knowledge and coordination across borders.

The project will also contribute towards improved hydrological and climate risk modelling and information systems, which will in turn inform flood management as well as adaptation planning and enhance the capacity of national and provincial decision-makers, as well as local stakeholders using the improved information system.

The project applies a human rights-based approach to address development challenges associated with disasters and enhance resilience to increasing climate risks through improved policy, strengthened capacity, and risk information. This approach fosters resilient and sustainable socio-economic development and contributes to the achievement of the SDGs. The number of direct beneficiaries of the project is approximately 106,481 (38,388 residents of Thakek and 68,093 residents of Pakse) and overall beneficiaries (direct + indirect) are over 1.6 million people of Khammouane and Champasack Provinces.

This project is implemented by UNDP, in close cooperation with the Department of Water Resources (DWR), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE). Asian Water Council (AWC) and K-Water will conduct some of the activities.

OBJECTIVE

The main objective of the project is to strengthen the climate and disaster resilience of people and communities in vulnerable regions of Lao PDR and Cambodia through improved risk and vulnerability assessment and advancing an integrated approach to water resources management. There are two outcomes intended at the country-level activity implementation: 1) Inclusive assessment of water-related climate risks completed in the priority river basins, 2) Enabling environment for gender-responsive climate risk-informed integrated water resources management developed.

UNDP Lao PDR is seeking an expert with knowledge and experience in database management and development to assess the currently available databases LaoWIS and LaoDi, explore the possibility of connecting the two databases for data exchange, and develop a training module for the officials at the national, provincial, and district levels, and conduct training of trainers (ToT) in Vientiane Capital.

Duties and Responsibilities

SCOPE OF WORK

The successful applicant will be expected to be responsible for the following:

Access LaoWIS and LaoDi and interview technical officiers responsible for management of the two databases to assess the current level of data availability, ease and efficiency of operation, and user interface.
Explore the possibility of connecting the two databases or other means of enhancing data exchange.
Conduct a consultation workshop with the relevant stakeholders in Vientiane Capital and propose possible areas for improvement.
Develop a training module for the officials at the national, provincial, and district levels for the areas of improvement identified and agreed in the consultation workshop.
Conduct one training of trainers (ToT) in Vientiane Capital for two days.

Competencies

Result oriented, patient, and hands-on with good teamwork skills
Excellent computer skills (word, excel, power-point, internet, and other related matters)
Mature personality with experience working in mixed cultural teams
Strong interpersonal skill and experience in relation building

Required Skills and Experience

A Bachelor’s degree in computer programming or a relevant field. A Master’s degree is preferred
At least 5 years of experience in development, management, operation, maintenance, and enhancement of databases.
At least 1 year of experience in training of government officials.
Experience in working with water or disaster related databases is an advantage.

LANGUAGE : Excellent verbal and written skills in English and Lao