National Information Technology/ Systems Integration Expert (SSA) - Roster Call

Background:
The Kyrgyz Republic, as the “water tower” of Central Asia, holds nearly 8,000 glaciers and thousands of high-altitude moraine-dammed lakes whose breaches can generate catastrophic debris flows. Since 1952, more than 60 dangerous lake outbursts have been recorded in the country. Ongoing glacier retreat and permafrost degradation accelerate the emergence and expansion of such lakes, increasing the probability of sudden breaches under extreme precipitation or thermal stress.
The Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic (MoES) operates an AI-driven GLOF monitoring system based on optical satellite data; it successfully forecast the outbursts of Lakes Zyndan-Western (2024) and Takyr-Tor (2025). However, the system does not yet incorporate localized climate scenarios, geomorphological breach-probability indicators or spatially explicit inundation hazard mapping.
The OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek (POiB), in close cooperation with MoES, is implementing the project “Assessment of Glacial Lake Outburst Flood Risks in Priority Mountain Areas of Kyrgyzstan” (June 2026 – December 2027). The project is structured in two phases: Phase 1 (2026) — technical enhancement of the existing MoES monitoring system, aerial surveys, hazard mapping and pilot early warning frameworks; Phase 2 (2027) — field validation at 10 pilot lakes, procurement and installation of automated monitoring equipment, and operationalization of community early warning systems.
To deliver the project, POiB will contract national consultants on a Special Service Agreement (SSA) modality. The present Terms of Reference (ToR) define the duties, deliverables and time schedule of the consultant.
 

Objective of Assignment: 
To integrate real-time data feeds from automated water-level monitoring stations installed at ≥5 high-risk glacial lakes into the enhanced MoES GLOF monitoring system, configure automated alert mechanisms, build national capacity in system administration and maintenance, and ensure sustainable handover of the IT infrastructure to MoES.

Tasks and Responsibilities:
 

1. Inception with POiB, HMFD MoES IT/GIS Unit and contractors; review of the MoES GLOF monitoring system architecture; assessment of telemetry, communication and IT infrastructure requirements for integrating real-time sensor data from ≥5 installed monitoring stations (Activity 2.4); preparation of the IT integration plan.
2. Configuration of telemetry endpoints, data ingestion pipelines and database schemas for real-time water-level and ancillary sensor data; integration of the data feed into the MoES monitoring interface (Activity 2.4 commissioning); definition of redundancy and backup protocols.
3. Configuration of automated alert thresholds derived from modelling and field validation (jointly with the Modelling Expert and DRR Expert) for ≥5 lakes; implementation of multi-channel alert dispatching (SMS, email, dashboard); user acceptance testing with HMFD duty officers (Activity 2.5).
4. On-the-job training of 10 HMFD MoES technical staff in equipment maintenance, data interpretation and basic system administration of the enhanced monitoring interface; development of administrator and user manuals in Russian; preparation of incident response and recovery procedures.
5. Final commissioning of the integrated real-time monitoring and alert system; documentation of as-built configuration, system architecture and credentials; formal handover to the MoES IT/GIS Unit; participation in the project closure meeting.
    

Deliverables:
 

1. IT inception note (EN/RU); integration plan.
2. Operational data ingestion pipeline; configured monitoring interface.
3. Automated alert configuration; UAT report.
4. Training delivery records; admin/user manuals (RU).
5. Final IT technical report (EN/RU); complete handover package.
    

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, please see: OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek

Necessary Qualifications:

• University degree (Bachelor’s or higher) in information technology, computer science, software engineering, telecommunications or a closely related discipline;
• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in IT system integration, with demonstrated experience in real-time data acquisition systems (SCADA / IoT / telemetry);
• Demonstrated experience with database systems (PostgreSQL/PostGIS or comparable), data ingestion APIs and dashboarding solutions;
• Working knowledge of multi-channel alert dispatching technologies (SMS gateways, email, web dashboards);
• Experience working with environmental or hydrometeorological monitoring networks is a strong asset;
• Experience in Disaster Risk Reduction is an asset;
• Familiarity with cybersecurity best practices, backup / redundancy and disaster recovery;
• Proven training and capacity-building experience;
• Professional fluency in the Russian and Kyrgyz, both oral and written;
• 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.