International Consultant (Marine Monitoring Systems for Strategic Development Plan) (SSA)

Background:
The Kazakh Scientific and Research Institute of the Caspian Sea (KSRICS) of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources (MENR) located in Aktau created by a Presidential Decree on January 25, 2024, with a mandate to co-ordinate national actions and regional engagement to address the multiple, diverse challenges to the Caspian Sea and its resources. KSRICS is expected to be the country’s leading scientific institution dedicated to the study, monitoring, and sustainable management of the Caspian Sea. The Caspian region is undergoing rapid environmental changes, including declining sea levels, increased salinity, biodiversity loss, coastal degradation, and pollution pressures linked to industrial activity and climate change. These challenges require a coordinated, science-based response supported by modern analytical laboratories, robust data systems, and strong regional and international partnerships. To ensure that KSRICS becomes a modern, internationally recognised centre of excellence, a Strategic Development Plan (SDP) for the period 2028–2038 is required. Central to the SDP is the design and operationalisation of a Comprehensive Continuous Marine Monitoring System (CCMMS). This plan will define the KSRICS’s long-term vision, scientific priorities, laboratory development roadmap, governance model, and partnership strategy. Initial steps, such as internal consultations, preliminary assessments of environmental research needs, and reviews of existing Caspian-related initiatives, have already been undertaken. This consultancy will consolidate these efforts into a forward-looking institutional strategy aligned with Kazakhstan’s national environmental priorities and regional commitments under the Caspian Sea Convention and related frameworks.

Objective of Assignment: 
The overall objective of this consultancy assignment is to develop the architecture of the Comprehensive Continuous Marine Monitoring System (CCMMS) for the Kazakhstani sector of the Caspian Sea. 

The system shall be: 

• technically feasible, 

• grounded in real field experience, 

• adapted to Caspian Sea conditions (ice regime, level variability, pollution, biodiversity), 

• integrated with (KSRICS) systems and national data platforms.

Duration of Assignment:
5 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:

1. Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the existing environmental monitoring infrastructure and monitoring systems operating in the Kazakhstani sector of the Caspian Sea.
2. Review the technical condition, coverage, operational capabilities, and limitations of existing monitoring stations and related infrastructure.
3. Analyse available environmental and hydrological datasets and assess their suitability for integration into a real-time monitoring and management system.
4. Identify monitoring gaps, including geographic coverage deficiencies, seasonal limitations, insufficient measurement frequency, and gaps in pollution and biodiversity monitoring.
5. Develop recommendations for the optimal architecture of a monitoring network, including the number, type, and placement of monitoring stations.
6. Determine and justify the geographic locations and coordinates of monitoring stations based on hydrodynamic conditions, ecological sensitivity, biodiversity considerations, pollution sources, river inflows, shipping routes, and operational constraints.
7. Design a comprehensive monitoring system incorporating offshore monitoring buoys, coastal automated stations, estuarine and delta monitoring stations, mobile measurement systems, and laboratory infrastructure.
8. Develop technical specifications for monitoring equipment and sensors required for the measurement of physical, chemical, biological, and meteorological parameters.
9. Recommend monitoring technologies and instrumentation suitable for long-term operation under Caspian Sea environmental conditions, including ice exposure, corrosion risks, and remote operation requirements.
10. Propose cost-effective and sustainable technical solutions aimed at minimizing maintenance requirements, ensuring operational resilience, and facilitating equipment servicing and sensor replacement.
11. Design a real-time data transmission and communication architecture utilizing terrestrial and satellite communication technologies where appropriate.
12. Develop specifications for a centralized data management and processing platform, including data acquisition, storage, visualization, quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC), and reporting functions.
13. Develop an early warning and notification framework for environmental anomalies, pollution incidents, and other monitoring-related events.
14. Ensure that the proposed monitoring system enables interoperability and potential integration with relevant international observation and monitoring networks.
15. Define maintenance, calibration, inspection, and equipment replacement procedures, including schedules and operational protocols adapted to seasonal and ice-period conditions.
16. Develop recommendations for maintenance logistics, equipment servicing arrangements, and metrological calibration requirements.
17. Ensure that proposed equipment and technical solutions are supported by available supply chains, maintenance services, and authorized service providers within Kazakhstan and the region.
18. Participate in technical consultations, working meetings, and coordination activities with KSRICS experts, government institutions, and other relevant stakeholders.
19. Undertake at least one field mission to Aktau to support technical assessment and system design activities.
20. Contribute to the joint development and validation of the CCMMS system concept and technical design.
21. Present preliminary findings, recommendations, and technical solutions to project stakeholders and, if requested, at regional events and expert meetings.
22. Prepare technical reports, design documentation, recommendations, and other deliverables required for the successful completion of the assignment.

Deliverables:
For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, please see: https://astana.osce.org/

Necessary Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in oceanography, marine science, environmental remote sensing, or ocean engineering (Master's minimum; PhD preferred);

• At least 8 years working on ocean or environmental observing systems; track record in system design or institutional management, not only research;

• Experience across at least three observing platform types: buoys, vessel-based sensors, coastal monitoring stations, or satellite remote sensing;

• Knowledge of operational data management, including real-time alert systems and OCC-type environments; experience in spill trajectory modelling is an advantage;

• Experience in ice or cold marine environments;

• Proven ability to lead strategic planning processes for scientific or environmental institutions, including M&E frameworks and resource mobilisation;

• High proficiency in technical writing in English; knowledge of Russian is an advantage;

• No conflicts of interest with oil and gas companies operating in the Caspian; Intellectual Property to be assigned to the Government of Kazakhstan;

• 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.

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.