National Consultant on Wetland Carbon Assessment (SSA)

Please note that the vacancy is open for Kazakhstan nationals and permanent residents of Kazakhstan only.

Background:
Wetlands and peatlands are among the world's most valuable ecosystems, providing critical hydrological, ecological, and climate-regulation functions. They act as natural water retention systems by storing excess water during periods of heavy precipitation, reducing flood risks, supporting groundwater recharge, and maintaining water availability during droughts. At the same time, wetlands and peatlands are important carbon sinks, storing substantial amounts of carbon in soils and vegetation and contributing to climate change mitigation. Scientific evidence indicates that wetland degradation can significantly reduce these ecosystem services and may result in the release of stored greenhouse gases. Kazakhstan possesses extensive wetland ecosystems of national and international importance, including ten Ramsar-designated wetlands covering more than 3.1 million hectares. These ecosystems support biodiversity conservation, water regulation, fisheries, agriculture, and climate resilience. Major wetland complexes such as the Ili River Delta and South Lake Balkhash represent some of the largest inland wetland systems in Central Asia and provide critical ecosystem services for local communities and national environmental objectives. In recent years, increasing climate variability, water scarcity, land-use change, and anthropogenic pressures have highlighted the need for improved understanding and management of wetlands as nature-based solutions for climate adaptation and mitigation. The Government of Kazakhstan has identified climate resilience, sustainable water management, and greenhouse gas reduction as national priorities under its environmental and climate commitments. The proposed assessment will generate evidence to support informed decision-making, strengthen inter-institutional co-operation, and identify opportunities for investment in ecosystem-based approaches.

Objective of Assignment: 
Hire a national wetland and peatland carbon specialist to conduct field sampling, commission and interpret laboratory analyses, and assess the carbon sequestration capacity and current ecological condition of selected wetland and peatland ecosystems in Kazakhstan. The expert will develop an evidence-based recovery action plan and contribute technical findings on carbon stocks to the joint assessment led by the international expert.

Duration of Assignment:
20 working days

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. Support the identification and selection of wetland and peatland sites for field assessment in co-ordination with the international expert and relevant stakeholders.
2. Develop and implement a field sampling strategy, including the identification of representative sampling locations for soil, peat core, and water collection.
3. Establish and verify geographic coordinates and GIS-based mapping of selected sampling sites.
4. Prepare fieldwork methodologies, sampling protocols, and safety procedures for field assessments.
5. Conduct field missions and collect soil, peat, and water samples from selected wetland and peatland ecosystems.
6. Document field activities, including sample collection records, GPS coordinates, photographic documentation, and site descriptions.
7. Support the processing, organization, and management of field and laboratory data related to wetland and peatland assessments.
8. Assess and quantify soil organic carbon stocks and carbon storage capacity in selected ecosystems using internationally recognized methodologies, including relevant IPCC and Ramsar guidance.
9. Analyse and classify assessed sites according to carbon stock levels and associated uncertainty estimates.
10. Develop maps, datasets, and analytical products illustrating carbon storage distribution across assessed sites.
11. Apply statistical and geospatial methods to extrapolate site-level carbon stock estimates to the national scale, taking into account ecosystem types, land-cover data, and available inventory information.
12. Conduct uncertainty and sensitivity analyses related to carbon stock estimates and extrapolation methodologies.
13. Develop and apply carbon accounting approaches to estimate carbon stocks, sequestration potential, and greenhouse gas emissions associated with wetland and peatland ecosystems.
14. Contribute to modelling future carbon dynamics under different ecosystem management scenarios, including continued degradation and ecosystem restoration.
15. Assess the potential contribution of wetland and peatland restoration to climate change mitigation and national greenhouse gas reduction efforts.
16. Support the development of nature-based solutions and investment recommendations aimed at enhancing ecosystem resilience, carbon sequestration, and climate adaptation.
17. Contribute to the preparation of a wetland and peatland recovery action plan, including restoration priorities, implementation measures, monitoring indicators, and expected environmental benefits.
18. Develop evidence-based recommendations to support policy development, inter-institutional co-ordination, and sustainable management of wetland and peatland ecosystems.
19. Collaborate closely with the international expert in the preparation of technical assessments, analytical outputs, and final project deliverables.
20. Prepare technical reports, maps, datasets, and other documentation required under the assignment.
21. Contribute to the preparation of a comprehensive final technical report integrating field assessment results, carbon stock estimates, carbon accounting analyses, and policy recommendations.

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:

• Higher education (Bachelor's degree minimum; Master's or PhD preferred) in ecology, soil science, environmental chemistry, biogeochemistry, or a closely related field;

• At least 5 years of professional experience in wetland ecology, peatland science, soil carbon analysis, or environmental assessment in Kazakhstan;

• Demonstrated hands-on experience with field soil sampling, peat coring, and laboratory analysis of organic carbon content and carbon stock calculations;

• Knowledge of IPCC 2013 Wetlands Supplement methodology for greenhouse gas accounting in wetlands and peatlands;

• Familiarity with Kazakhstan's wetland and peatland ecosystems, including the regulatory framework, Ramsar Convention obligations, and nationally determined contributions (NDCs) relevant to land use and wetlands;

• Experience in water quality analysis (sampling, laboratory protocols, and interpretation of results) is an advantage;

• Ability to conduct and oversee fieldwork under varying environmental conditions and to manage coordination with accredited laboratory partners;

• Proficiency in data management and analytical tools (Excel, statistical software); GIS experience is desirable;

• Strong written and oral communication skills; fluency in Kazakh and/or Russian is required; knowledge of English is an advantage;

• Digital literacy and proficient use of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), Zoom, and the Internet;

• 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.

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. Payment will be transferred in local currency (tenge) to the bank account of the consultant.

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.