WWF-Azerbaijan is looking for a national consultant for Study on Compliance of the Legal Frameworks Governing Freshwater Ecosystems Conservation and Use of Water Resources in Azerbaijan with the relevant EU Environmental Legislation
Please consult the attached Terms of Reference for more detailed information and required qualification for the consultant.
All Interested candidates should submit their CV to WWF Azerbaijan through the following e-mail: [email protected].
The deadline is February 17, 2015.
Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.
Terms of Reference
For
National Consultant
Study on Compliance of the Legal Frameworks Governing Freshwater Ecosystem Conservation and Use of Water Resources in Azerbaijan with the relevant EU Environmental Legislation
Work Commence Date (date when the selected candidate is expected to start the work) |
16 February 2015 |
Work Completion Date (date when the selected candidate is expected to complete the work and provide final deliverables) |
31 October 2015 |
Additional Language Required |
English |
Location / Work Area |
Mainly Home-Office Work |
Reporting to |
WWF Azerbaijan & WWF Caucasus Programme Office |
I. BACKGROUND
1. Thematic Introduction
Freshwater ecosystems cover about 8.5 percent of the Caucasus Ecoregion. They are crucial freshwater reservoir and vitally important for spawning of endangered fish species and for breading and migration of birds. A freshwater network of more than 43,000 rivers lies between the Black and the Caspian Sea with a high number of freshwater lakes. Seven wetlands of the South Caucasus were identified and declared as sites of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
Like in many other parts of the world, freshwater ecosystems are also some of the most threatened habitats in the South Caucasus. Factors like environmental pollution and runoff from human settlements, factories and farmlands as well as overusing of limited resources through irrigation, overfishing and increasing construction of hydro-power plants have a devastating impact on the local freshwater ecosystems. This is further exacerbated due to gaps and contractions that exist within the existing legal framework as well as competitive beneficiary interests from the public and private sector. Analysis of the relevant laws, regulations and conventions as well as identification of the contradictions and flaws within the legal framework is needed in the light of existing or newly arising threats of the freshwater ecosystem in the South Caucasus.
2. Project Background
The study on compliance of the legal framework governing freshwater ecosystem conservation and use of water resources in the South Caucasus countries with the relevant EU environmental legislation will be implemented in the frame of the regional project – ’’Advise to Governments in the development of strategies to protect freshwater ecosystems in the South Caucasus’’. The project is financially supported by German Federal Environmental Agency (UBA), led by WWF Germany and implemented by WWF-Network in the South Caucasus.
The regional project aims to (i) review the existing national legal frameworks governing freshwater conservation and use in the South Caucasus; (ii) analyze their compliance with relevant EU environmental legislation; and (iii) elaborate recommendations for further harmonization of analyzed national legal frameworks with relevant EU environmental legislation. The project will also focus on strengthening of regional cooperation for the protection of trans-boundary freshwater ecosystems in the South Caucasus.
II. MAIN TASKS OF NATIONAL CONSULTANT
Main tasks are (i) to review and analyze the existing national legal frameworks and regulatory mechanisms in the field of freshwater conservation and use in Azerbaijan with regard to relevant EU environmental legislation; and (ii) to identify gaps and elaborate a set of recommendations to support harmonization of analyzed national legal frameworks with relevant EU environmental legislation.
III. MAIN ACTIVITIES AND DELIVERABLES
Main activities and deliverables under the responsibility of a national consultant will be defined and agreed further at the initial stage of the study as part of the study scope. This next defining and agreement step will be coordinated by WWF Office and an international consultant to be hired for overall support and facilitation of the study process at regional level.
IV. WORK SCHEDULE
Detailed time-frame for main activities to be planned will be finally discussed and agreed with the selected national consultant and will be included in the Contract between WWF Office and the consultant.
V. PAYMENT MODALITY
Consultancy payment is based on assigned tasks. The consultancy fee shall be finally discussed and agreed with the selected national consultant.
The detailed payment schedule and conditions will be defined by the Contract to be concluded between WWF Office and the national consultant.
In addition to the consultancy fee, WWF will cover all costs related to Consultant’s travel if and as the study requires.
VI. REPORTING
The national consultant, in close cooperation and coordination with the international consultant, will report in written form to Conservation Director of WWF Caucasus Programme Office, Director of WWF Azerbaijan, Project Regional Manager on the status and results of the assigned tasks.
VII. REQUIRED SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES
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