Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS)

Position: Consultant - Transboundary Water Policy and Governance

About BCAS: Established in 1986, the Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS) is a leading research and policy institute in the non-government sector of Bangladesh. It is independent, non-profit and specializes in policy analysis, action research and project implementation for sustainable development at local, national, regional and global levels. The overall aim of BCAS is to provide guidance and practical solutions to promote sustainable development, eradicate poverty, improve access of the poor to resources and ensure social justice. BCAS tests dynamic ideas, develops models and gives practical solutions to problems in all areas that fall under the broad themes. These ideas have been replicated by NGOs, government departments, private sectors and UN agencies.

Background: BCAS is a consortium member of the regional research initiative titled “Himalayan Adaptation, Water and Resilience (HI-AWARE) Research on Glacier and Snowpack Dependent River Basins for Improving Livelihoods”. HI-AWARE is one of the four consortia of the Collaborative Adaptation Research Initiative in Africa and Asia (CARIAA). It conducts research and pilot interventions, capacity building and policy engagement on climate resilience and adaptation in the mountains and floodplains of the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra river basins. Its overall goal is to contribute to increasing the climate resilience and adaptive capacities of the poor and vulnerable women, men, and children living in these river basins, by using the findings from research and pilot intervention outcomes to influence policy and practice that will improve their livelihoods. The HI-AWARE Consortium is led by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Nepal. The other members are the Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) - India, the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) - Pakistan; and Alterra-Wageningen University and Research Centre (Alterra-WUR) – the Netherlands. HI-AWARE is focusing its activities in twelve sites, representing a range of climates, hydro-meteorological conditions, altitudes, rural-urban continuum, and socioeconomic contexts, in four study basins: the Indus, Upper Ganga, Gandaki and Teesta. It will undertake research and experimentation in these study basins. In Bangladesh, HI-AWARE is implementing research in the Teesta Floodplain of north-western Bangladesh.

The Consultant - Transboundary Water Policy and Governance will contribute to the HI-AWARE project with his/her expertise in transboundary water policy and governance issues, problems and probable solutions with policy recommendations. She/he will show trans-boundary water policy and governance situation in Teesta sub-basin based on possibly some primary data, literature review, available secondary data and information. The detail job activities should address following Transboundary Water Policy and Governance issues:

  • Assessment of the multi-level transboundary governance structure and mechanisms for regional cooperation
  • Identifying and analyzing the climate change adaptation practices at transboundary basin level
  • Contributing to sustainable adaptation pathways: (a) barriers and opportunities for successful adaptation up-scaling at the transboundary level; (b) prioritize promising adaptation practices and policies at transboundary level; and (c) determining pathways for adaptation at transboundary level
  • Facilitating dialogs at regional level on Teesta transboundary river basin
  • Key basin level issues: show key topographic/geological features of Brahmaputra basin and Teesta sub-basin describing trans-boundary facts and figures on historical water flow regime.
  • Assess basin level flow received by Teesta in Bangladesh including details on seasonal issues.
  • Link these to ecosystems and livelihood issues of Teesta transboundary river basin
  • Link to agricultural production and income in the region.
  • Trans-boundary data sharing issues that influence planning on Teesta transboundary river basin.
  • Surface water/well interactions: show hydraulic connections between aquifers and water producing zones in wells and nearby surface water.
  • How climate change would impact the aquifers and their livelihoods?

Minimum Qualifications and Requirements:

  • PhD in physical or social sciences, e.g., environmental science, geography, sociology, political geography, political ecology, economic geography, ecological economics, or other related field of social sciences;
  • At least 10 years working experience in water reverence policy;
  • Proven record of research and publication in peer reviewed reputed journals of physical or social sciences related to policy issues.

Skills and Competencies:

  • Knowledge: Up to date knowledge and background information on international and national policies in regard to Climate Change Adaption and Mitigation, Basin Level Water Management and Governance;
  • Research: Sound knowledge and experience in qualitative and quantitative physical, social and/or  policy research and experience working in interdisciplinary teams;;
  • Team work: Demonstrated capacity to work in teams with colleagues and collaborators of different disciplines, organizations, and sociocultural backgrounds;
  • Networking/stakeholder management: Ability to develop and maintain a network with relevant institutes and professionals;
  • Flexibility/innovation: Interest and ability to stay abreast with changing context of research methods and designs; and to find ways to introduce innovative approaches; encourage others to come up with new ideas; actively support the development of a continuous learning culture; and
  • Report writing: Excellent analytical and writing skills and proven record of publication in reputed peer reviewed science journals.

Duration:
The initial contract will be for one year from till 31st March 2017 which may be further extended upon satisfactory progress till the completion of the project.

Remuneration:
Consultant will get satisfactory salary based on his/her practical skills and experience according to the policy of HI-AWARE.

Gender and Equity Policy:
Qualified and eligible women candidates and those from disadvantaged backgrounds are highly encouraged to apply. HI-AWARE implements a gender equity policy and is supportive of working women.

Submission of application:
Only individuals meeting the above requirements are requested to send their application along with one copy of “CV” to info@bcas.net with copy to abu.syed@bcas.net mentioning the position applied on the subject line by February 10, 2016. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.