Turkmenistan has the harshest climate in Central Asia with the highest air temperatures and lowest levels of precipitation. In recent years, a sustained rise in air temperatures has been observed. Maximum temperatures are increasing, while minimum temperatures are decreasing. Furthermore, the variability of monthly precipitation levels has been increasing. Overall, the climate is trending towards more drought-like conditions with increasing occurrences of shock events such as flash flood runoffs, mud flows, intense rainfall events and intense heat waves. 80% of Turkmenistan's surface is comprised of the flat Karakum Desert with the remaining 20% mostly consisting of mountainous zones. Summers are long, hot, and dry, and winters are mild and dry. Annual precipitation ranges from only 80 mm in the northwest to 300 mm in the Kopet-Dag mountain range along the border with Iran. Along the Caspian coast, elevations are at or below sea level for as much as 150 kilometers inland. The northern part of the country, located in the Siberian anticyclone area, is characterized by severe and long winters with continuous snow cover and average annual temperatures fluctuating between 13°C – 16°C. The southern part of the country is characterized by mild winters with occasional snow cover and average yearly temperatures ranging between 18°C – 22°C.
Over the last 60 years, increasing temperatures have been observed and documented in the desert country of Turkmenistan as occurring at a faster pace than in many other parts of the world. Already extremely hot and dry, the country is projected to experience an increase in average annual air temperature by 2.21°С by 2040. The increase in temperature add additional pressure on surface water availability which is a primary source of irrigation and drinking water. All water basins in Turkmenistan are transboundary and originate from outside of the country. Amudarya river, the biggest water source, starts in the Pamir mountains in Tajikistan, crosses northern Afghanistan and enters Turkmenistan. This illustrates that besides the growing water deficit concern, the country has limited control over the water volumes it receives through transboundary sources. Furthermore, Dashoguz province is part of the “Aral Sea Basin Crisis Area”, with highly salinized lands and poor-quality water. This subsequently impacts the socio-economic development of the area, in particular the agricultural activities and human health.
Increases in temperatures will contribute to increased evaporation rates of the Amu-Darya River, the nation’s main source of water. Furthermore, hydro-meteorological modeling suggests there will be a steady decline in precipitation nationwide. In the next 30 years, the amount of precipitation will slightly decrease, however by 2050 precipitation is expected to fall dramatically, reducing by as much as 22% by 2100 from current rates. Expected precipitation decrease in the central Asia region will contribute to a reduction of the flow of the Amu-Darya River by 10-15% by 2050. These two climate trends of reduced precipitation and increasing temperatures will be accompanied by an increase in the frequency and severity of disaster events caused by climate change (droughts, floods, and windstorms).
Project strategy
The overall objective of the project is to strengthen Turkmenistan’s adaptive and resiliency capacities by developing a national adaptation process (NAP). The objective will be achieved through the implementation of the following proposed outcomes and sub-outcomes.
Outcome 1: The institutional framework to implement the Paris Agreement is established.
Outcome 2: The evidence base for adaptation planning in the water sector strengthened.
Outcome 3: Capacity for adaptation planning strengthened.
The project will establish an institutional coordination mechanism capable of multi-sector adaptation planning. However, initially adaptation planning will focus on the water sector. The work of building the information base for adaptation planning is largely focused on hydrology and meteorology as well as adaptation themes and actions. Capacity building will take a similar approach in that it builds the capacity of those involved in national adaptation planning to do the work effectively regardless of sector. However, there will also be capacity training specific to the water sector for national and sectoral officials who are responsible for water resources.
Considerations of vulnerability and gender inequalities will be key principles of the NAP process. Specifically, representation of women and relevant gender focused entities will be ensured throughout the implementation of this proposal including workshops and seminars. A gender analysis in the formulation of activities will be a key focus area, while gender mainstreaming tools will be applied in the development of technical guidelines for the integration of climate change adaptation into planning processes.
Project Management Arrangements
The project will be implemented over a period of three years. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan (MAEP) is the Senior Beneficiary of the Project and Government Institution responsible for the implementation of the project. UNDP is the Executing Entity (EE) and Delivering Partner (DP) for the project. A Project Board (PB) will be established and serves as the project’s coordination and decision-making body. The Project Board is comprised of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment Protection, UNDP and other relevant ministry representatives. The Project Board is responsible for management decisions, approval of project work-plans, project revisions and addressing any project level grievances.
UNDP Programme Specialist of Resilience, Climate Change and Energy is assigned with the responsibility for the day-to-day quality assurance of the project implementation.
The day-to-day administration of the project is to be carried out by a Project Manager (PM), assisted by the Project Support Assistant (PSA) and UNDP Project Implementation Unit (PIU) when necessary. The PM is responsible for regular monitoring of project results and risks, including social and environmental risks. The PM will ensure that all project personnel maintain a high level of transparency, responsibility and accountability in M&E and reporting of project results. The Project Manager will inform the Project Board, the UNDP Country Office and the UNDP-GCF Regional Technical Advisor of any delays or difficulties as they arise during implementation so that appropriate support and corrective measures can be adopted. The Project Manager will also develop annual work plans to support the efficient implementation of the project.
Key tasks and responsibilities
Overall responsibilities: The Project Manager has the authority to run the project on a day-to-day basis on behalf of the Project Board within the constraints laid down by the Board. The Project Manager is responsible for day-to-day management and decision-making for the project. The Project Manager’s prime responsibility is to ensure that the project produces the results specified in the project document, to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost.
Working under the supervision of the UNDP Programme Specialist of Resilience, Climate Change and Energy to whom he/she will report, and in partnership with the project staff, the PM will be responsible for leading the Project Team in the day-to-day implementation of the Project and managing Project resources effectively and efficiently so as to achieve the Project Objective and Outcomes within the set timescale and available budget. More specifically, the PM will perform the following duties:
PM responsibilities would include:
Overall project management:
Running a project
Closing a Project
More specifically, PM will be in charge of the following:
A) Project personnel management
A.1) Assume responsibility for all professional staff directly, and for all support staff indirectly (project team); this includes all Consultants and Contractors;
A.2) Endeavour to create a strong team spirit, cohesive and mutually supportive; encourage collaboration between individuals, the sharing of experiences and the solving of problems as a group; organize regular (weekly or fortnightly) staff meetings for this purpose;
A.3) Mentor and guide project team to increase their understanding and capacities on project issues;
A.4) Assign specific duties and tasks to specific individuals according to their Job Descriptions or Terms of Reference; ensure their full understanding of what is expected through agreement on deliverables and timescales; and agree on the resources and support that will be provided by the Project;
A.5) Undertake individual performance assessments on an annual basis (or other period for Consultants/Contractors), acknowledging achievements and providing analysis and advice on problem aspects;
A.6) While giving all professional personnel the “space” to carry out their professional duties, ensure that guidance and support are available whenever needed;
A.7) Ensure that Project staff enjoy the conditions of employment as stipulated by UNDP, together with the responsibilities of their positions;
A.8) Require regular (as agreed), formal and informal reporting on progress with the achievement of assigned tasks.
B) Financial resources management
B.1) Act as financial manager and retain the ultimate responsibility for financial resources for accountability purposes;
B.2) Ensure total accuracy and the highest level of transparency in the management of the Project financial resources in accordance with UNDP and national regulations and procedures;
B.3) Work with the project team and PIU to prepare all necessary financial reports to accompany Project quarterly and annual work plans and reports;
C) Project outreach
C.1) Serve as the Project’s ambassador and advocate within the broader Central and Local Government systems and with local communities;
C.2) Create and foster a good working relationship with the media (print, radio and television);
C.3) Represent and promote the Project at national and international meetings;
C.4) Contribute to the production and publication of public information material;
C.5) Establish and maintain good working relationships and cooperation with peer project managers from other related projects within Turkmenistan and the Central Asia region.
D) Project planning and implementation
D.1) Lead the process of quarterly and annual planning of project activities, with the participation of all Project personnel; retain the ultimate responsibility for the finished plans and submit them to the UNDP for their concurrence;
D.2) As noted under A.6 above, professional staff should be given the “space” to carry out their assigned tasks; but be alert to needs for support and advice; require progress reporting and accountability for resources used;
D.3) In cooperation with relevant Project personnel build effective working relationships with the Project’s key partners at the local level (Local Government, village leaders, communities, locals NGOs, the private sector, etc.);
D.4) Work closely with co-funding partners to ensure that their activities/programmes are integrated and complementary with those of the GCF NAP project.
E) Monitoring and adaptive management
E.1) Lead the implementation of the Project M&E Plan;
E.2) Carry out monitoring visits to Project sites on a regular basis; survey (informally) the intended beneficiaries and other stakeholders;
E.3) Collate the results of monitoring, analyze them, and formulate proposals for adaptive management measures for consideration by the PB;
E.4) Implement the decisions and advice of the PB.
F) Reporting and accountability
F.1) Provide a report to each PB meeting noting progress and achievements, acknowledging difficulties and proposing possible solutions for consideration and guidance by the PB;
F.2) Assume the lead responsibility for the preparation and content of the annual Project Progress Report, with the full participation of relevant Project personnel;
F.3) Delegate to the Project Support Assistant and PIU the task of preparation of implementation reports for UNDP (such as Atlas reports) but retain a supportive role;
F.4) Jointly with the project team, prepare quarterly and annual project plans and reports and present them to the PB;
F.5) Respond to request for reports on Project management and performance from any key stakeholders, through the NDA;
F.6) Report to the NDA and the UNDP/GCF on any aspect of Project management whenever required.
Important applicant information
All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Scam warning
The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.
Contract Duration: 1 year with possible duration
This vacancy is archived.