Job: Consultant for Development of a Discussion Paper on Guidelines for Wastewater Re-Use in Agriculture

Location: Home-based work
Deadline: Thursday, 31 October 2013

Natural Resources, Water

Overview Applications procedure Related Files Contact

• POSITION:

  Consultant Contract

  REFERENCE NO.:

  2013/UNU/FLORES/CTC/CST/WRA/70

  LOCATION:

  Home-based work

  CLOSING DATE:

  2013

  • 10
  • 31
    Organizational Unit: UNU Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources (UNU-FLORES)
    United Nations University objectives
    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.
    UNU 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, and 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, the 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 state-of-the-art review of policy priorities on the subject of wastewater re-use,
    • inform the development of methodologies and strategies for preparation and implementation of Water Safety Plans (WSAs) focused on addressing water quality and public health concerns, and
    • 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: [i] justification for wastewater re-use in agriculture, [ii] impact of water quality on public health and economy, [iii] standards for water quality/wastewater re-use, [iv] wastewater re-use standards under different cropping systems, and [v] 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 objective of the position is to develop a discussion paper that will provide a state-of-the-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: [i] an executive summary (2 pages), [ii] an introduction (2 pages), [iii] a review of the evolution of wastewater re-use guidelines and consultation at national and provincial levels (2 pages), [iv] identification of knowledge/information gaps, and 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), [v] annexes documenting key discussion points emerging from national-level consultation (6 pages), and [vi] a bibliography (1 page).
    We plan to begin the assignment in November 2013 (draft report due by 9 December 2013, 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 a 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 (WSAs) 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 annexes, and supporting bibliography (covering points v, vi and vii outlined above);
    • Review the overall quality of the discussion paper, and 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 (mandatory);
    • Ability to work within agreed timelines and a good team player;
    • Familiarity of working in a 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 (WSAs).
    Remuneration
    Remuneration will commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate.
    Duration of contract
    The successful candidate shall work remotely under a Consultant Contract (CTC) for a fixed period of three (3) months. (Note that 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.
    
    
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