Re-Advertise - Climate change, water security and WASH in Timor-Leste - WaterAid Timor-Leste

 

 

Terms of Reference: Climate change, water security and WASH in Timor-Leste

WaterAid Timor-Leste

 

Services:

WaterAid Australia is seeking experienced climate change and water security expert/s to complete a 25-day consultancy including a desk review of issues related to climate change, water security and WASH in Timor-Leste and assessment of current issues, policy, trends, and practice in Timor-Leste.  This opportunity is open to national and international consultants, individuals and teams.

Background:

Climatic hazards such as droughts, floods and heavy rains are already affecting communities across Timor-Leste. Over 80% of Timor-Leste’s rural population depends on rain-fed agriculture, and the majority of domestic water supplies are fed by mountain spring sources from high altitude vulnerable shallow aquifers. The mountainous topography and prevalence of slash-and-burn farming practices mean that topsoil is regularly washed away, there are many landslides and significant rates of deforestation. Timor-Leste is exposed to significant changes in weather patterns associated with the El Niño and La Niña effects, while climate change is expected to increase the intensity of these events. Salinity of ground water sources in coastal areas is increasing, limiting options for sourcing reliable water supply that meets community needs.  The increasing population, growing at the second highest rate in the region, will also exert significant pressure on the quality and quantity of water resources. Supply is not meeting demand.  For the poorest and marginalised to be resilient to the challenges and uncertainties that climate change brings, access to a climate resilient, inclusive, strong WASH is essential.

 

WaterAid Australia Timor-Leste Country Strategy identifies climate change an increasingly critical priority affecting WASH programming and financing across the country and across sectors beyond water and sanitation. WaterAid Timor-Leste therefore seeks to engage a consultant to complete a scoping study on WASH and climate change to inform future decisions around program piloting, research, partnerships, and continuing to shape how WaterAid can most effectively contribute to mitigation, adaptation, and resilience to climate change impacts in Timor-Leste.

 

Objectives

1. Identify current local, national, and regional climate data sources available, and relevant gaps. Profile current and projected climate hazards across the country.
2. Outline key actors in Timor-Leste and they’re contribution towards climate resilience.
3. National Policy analysis to identify opportunities to increase prioritisation of WASH in climate relevant decisions and processes across departments
4. Considering the hazards, vulnerabilities, and threats impacting WASH access in Timor-Leste, identify potential solutions and programming approaches, including nature-based solutions;
5. Identify and outline significant issues or threat/s to WASH resilience that require multi-sectoral agreement and collaboration to resolve
6. Identify potential areas where WaterAid can play a strategic or programming-based role in securing climate resilient WASH in Timor-Leste

Outputs

1. A desk-based review of existing literature, data sources, and information available on the climate and environment context in Timor-Leste
2. Key informant interviews with government, donors, relevant climate & environment agencies, civil society, rights groups, private sector, academic and community stakeholders 
3. Location visit (if required and possible within COVID-19 safe requirements) to locations where there are examples of climate change challenges representing different contexts where possible 
4. Final report on current context for climate and WASH in Timor-Leste and recommendations for WaterAid (satisfying consultancy objectives)  
5. Workshop with the WaterAid Timor-Leste team to share findings

 

Activities

1. Detailed methodology (1.5 days) - The consultant will develop a detailed methodology for the desk review and assessment of current situation across relevant sectors in Timor-Leste
2. Desk based review (5 days) – the desk review has two main purposes:

i.    Understand the current climate and environment contexts across the country including the reliability and relevance of available data, identification and projection of major hazards for each zone/context.

ii.    Identifying factors and actors contributing to or mitigating climate risk in Timor-Leste

3. Detailed methodology for interviews and field visits to verify or extend insights achieved through the desk review (1.5 days)

4. Completion of interviews and field visits – (12 days)

5. Workshop to present findings and refine recommendations with WATL Team (1 day)

6. Final Report (4 days) – submitted by Mid of March 2022

 

Essential
Education	1. Post-graduate qualification in relevant field
Experience	2. At least 10 years’ experience and demonstrated knowledge on current trends related to climate change, DRR and environment in Timor-Leste 3. Experience in conducting political economy analysis 4. Experience in designing and producing high quality scoping and research studies
Knowledge and skills	5. Understanding of climate modelling and experience with balancing various climate and data sources with local observation and population experience 6. Extensive knowledge of the political, policy, and civil-society environment relating to climate change and environment in Timor-Leste 7. Highly collaborative and an ability to work effectively with a range of people and organisations at all levels 8. Sound knowledge of, and proven commitment to achieving outcomes with a focus on equality, inclusion and rights. 9. Excellent written and spoken communication skills, strong track record of high quality analytical and research reports.
Personal qualities	10. A commitment to gender transformative, inclusive and rights-based approaches. 11. A commitment to child safeguarding. 12. A commitment to WaterAid’s values and approach.

WaterAid is a child safe organisation. We recognise that we must meet community expectations and the trust placed in our personnel to maintain the highest standards of conduct with children. Therefore, all positions within WaterAid are required to comply with our Child Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct.

WaterAid is committed to protection from sexual exploitation and abuse in everything we do. The values and standards we uphold are highlighted in our Global Code of Conduct. The consultant will be required to comply with our Global Code of Conduct.

To Apply:

Please submit an application with subject: Climate change & WASH Scoping to timorlestejobs@wateraid.org.au  by Friday, 21 January 2022.

Applications for this position must include a resume (2 pages), a cover letter (2 pages maximum) addressing the above Qualification, Skills and Selection Criteria and proposed budget.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Further Information

For further information please contact angelo.ximenes@wateraid.org.au