This consultancy role is established to assess and quantify (model) the impacts of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) and Ecosystem-Based Adaptation (EBA) intervention scenarios to estimate their economic value for the Lao PDR Green Climate Fund (GCF) project.
Key Responsibilities and Duties
1. Assess Flood Drivers and Hazards (Impact Indicators)
- Using the report “Hydrological and climate risk assessment and development of hydrological/hydraulic models to inform EBA solutions for flood reduction in Vientiane, Paksan, Savannakhet and Pakse” as a starting point, identify the main drivers of flooding and the flood hazards in Vientiane, Paksan, Pakse, and Kaysone.
- Hazards to be considered include direct risk to human life; damage to properties and infrastructure; disruption of traffic; health risk; disruption of business activities; environmental impact; and political considerations. This must include hazards related to erosion and sedimentation.
- Assess the level of dependence between flood mechanisms based on available data and knowledge of the hydrologic/hydraulic system. The assessment should consider the interaction of large-scale river flooding from the Mekong River, local fluvial flooding from tributaries, pluvial flooding, and flash floods.
- Map exposure of public and private assets, including residential buildings, industrial establishments, government buildings, infrastructure, and agriculture to flood impacts. Secondary impacts, such as loss of ecosystem services, must also be considered.
- Prepare a succinct Flood Drivers and Hazards Report, providing a summary of results (maps) and findings, and a narrative around flooding and its causes. The report must be aimed at a mainly technical but non-expert audience.
- Participate in a dissemination/verification meeting following submission of the draft report and incorporate necessary adaptations or amendments into the final draft.
2. Collaborate on Development of EBA Scenarios
- Review the draft EBA scenarios determined by UNEP staff and consultants in consultation with the project management unit (PMU) and provincial authorities.
- Participate in the consultation process under the budget constraints of the consultancy.
- Based on expert opinion and experience modelling river and drainage systems, propose adaptations or supplemental NBS and EBA measures.
3. Model Flood Mitigation Impacts of EBA Scenarios
- Model the potential flood mitigation impacts of proposed EBA implementation scenarios relative to a business-as-usual scenario.
- Ensure the modelling is applied to realistically represent variations in rainfall, topography, soil type, land use, and adequately simulate floods' genesis.
- The modelling may need to be extended to locations outside the urban areas to capture all relevant run-off.
- The model design should allow a straightforward representation of land-use changes and human interventions.
- The model schematization must evaluate a range of different types of measures including, but not limited to, additional storage areas, widening/deepening of tributaries, changes to land use, urban water management measures to reduce runoff, improvement of maintenance, pump capacity, canal widening/deepening, improvement of canal maintenance, green infrastructure or other nature-based interventions.
- Give particular attention to the impact of planned and unplanned urban development (e.g. changes in density and extent of urbanization, resulting in an increase in paved areas, informal settlements, and vulnerable populations).
- Prepare a draft and final Flood Impact Assessment Report, including an executive summary, maps, and a narrative around flood risk and its main contributing factors.
- The report shall consider risk indicators such as depth flooding, duration of flood, number of people affected, damage to assets, impacts to key sectors (e.g. agriculture, transport, commerce, supply chains), social impacts, and environmental and cultural damage.
- Prioritize risk mitigation measures based on their robustness, specifically their ability to deliver reduced flood losses under a range of future conditions (climate and socio-economic changes).
4. Estimate Implementation Costs of EBA Scenarios
- Enable the cost-benefit analysis by estimating the costs of EBA and NBS implementation, considering capital costs, operations & maintenance (O&M) costs over their functional lifespan, and other long-term budget needs.
- Detail any other implementation needs and constraints.
- Prepare sketches or conceptual drawings of the proposed shortlist options, where possible, with outline dimensions and materials.
5. Quantify Secondary Ecosystem Service Impacts
- Quantify expected secondary and indirect impacts of EBA scenarios (“Co-benefits”), such as erosion control, waste management, sedimentation, recreation, and improving overall quality of life (heat mitigation, air quality, attractive landscape, spiritual wellness).
- Conduct a high-level assessment of potential environment and social risks of the proposed investments for the highest ranked options for four cities.
Qualifications and Special Skills
- An advanced university degree in Applied Hydrology, Environmental Engineering, or a related field is required. A first university degree in related fields with a combination of two (2) years of professional and academic qualifications may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
- A minimum of five (5) years of professional working experience in the field of hydrological modeling, ecosystem services modeling, or ecosystem-based adaptation assessment in developing countries is required.
- A minimum of three (3) years of professional working experience on flood impact assessment is required.
- Experience in and understanding of the political economy of development planning in South East Asia is desired.
