ThaiNGO

Date: 25 June 2015

1. Programme              Climate Change and Adaptation Initiative (CCAI)

2. Title:                         National consultant for socio-economic assessment of basin-wide climate change impacts on water and water resources and related sectors in the Lower Mekong Basin (LMB)

3. Duty station             Home base and Office of the MRC Secretariat in Vientiane (OSV), Lao PDR with possible travels to other MRC Member Countries

4. Duration                  35 working days for the duration of July 2015 to February 2016

5. Background

5.1. Context

The Mekong River Commission (MRC) was established by the 1995 Agreement on Cooperation for the Sustainable Development of the Mekong River Basin, between the governments of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam. In accordance with this Agreement, the Mission of the MRC is: “To promote and coordinate sustainable management and development of water and related resources for the countries’ mutual benefit and the people’s well-being by implementing strategic programmes and activities and providing scientific information and policy advice.”

The MRC Climate Change and Adaptation Initiative (CCAI) is a collaborative regional effort to support the processes of adapting to the new challenges posed by climate change in the Lower Mekong Basin (LMB). The CCAI focuses on: (i) climate change impact and vulnerability assessment, adaptation planning and implementation in priority locations within the LMB; (ii) building knowledge and capacity at different levels (institutional, technical and managerial capacity); (iii) regional adaptation strategy supporting national frameworks; (iv) regional partnerships and collaboration.

Of CCAI work plan 2014-2015, the CCAI is conducting a basin-wide assessment of climate change impacts on water and water related resources and sectors in the LMB. The main objective of the CCAI basin-wide assessment is to provide information on the impacts of potential future climate change on water resources and water related resources and sectors of the LMB which supports decision making on climate change adaptation and measures at regional and national levels in the MRC member countries. Specifically, the results of CCAI basin-wide assessment will be mainly used for preparation of the Mekong Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan (MASAP). In addition, the assessment will also provide complementary input to the MRC Council Study on Sustainable Management and Development of the Mekong River including impacts by mainstream hydropower projects.

The basin-wide assessment of climate change impacts on water and water related resources and sectors in the LMB will focus on seven components including assessment of climate change on (1) flow, (2) flood, (3) drought, (4) hydropower, (5) ecosystems and biodiversity, (6) food security, and (7) socio-economics. The socio-economic assessment of climate change impact is a cross-cutting component of the earlier six components. While the assessment of the six components will be carried out by other respective teams of CCAI and other MRC programmes, the socio-economic assesment will be carried out by the socio-economic assessment team (SEAT) consisting of CCAI team, international and national consultants. The national consultant for socio-economic assessment will provide technical assistance to SEAT to collect secondary data at national level, carry out data analysis, contribution in socio-economic vulnerability assessment and identification and prioritization of adaptation options at basin scale, participation in workshops, and reviewing draft reports.

5.2. Methodology

Each of the above mentioned components of the CCAI basin-wide assessment will be carried out based on the following framework.

Figure: Overall approach of basin-wide assessment of climate change impacts

This framework approach of basin-wide assessment of climate change impacts includes three steps: (1) scoping of assessment, (2) vulnerability assessment, and (3) identification and prioritization of adaptation measures. Step 2 includes two main stages (2a) baseline assessment under historical climate variations and (2b) scenario assessment under future climate projections.

As part of the assignment, the national consultant for socio-economic assessment will assist in collecting required socio-economic data including time series data for past, current, and projected future conditions based on a list of indicators, conduct data analysis and draft data analysis report on socio-economic conditions, and contribution in carrying out socio-economic vulnerability assessment, identification and prioritization of adaptation options at basin scale. Gender will be considered as a cross cutting issue of the assessment.

6. Purpose and Objective

The assignment will aim at providing technical assistance to SEAT to collect secondary data at national level, conduct data analysis, contribution in socio-economoic vulnerability assessment and identification and prioritization of adaptation options at basin scale, participation and facilitation of workshops, and reviewing draft reports.

7. Outputs/ deliverables

Technical inputs to improve methods and tools, where appropriate, for socio-economic vulnerability assessment, as well as identification and prioritization of adaptation options.

Secondary data including time series data for past, current, and projected future socio-economic conditions based on a draft list of indicators presented in Annex 1, and other required data.

Data analysis report on socio-economic conditions at present and projected future.

Contribution in socio-economic vulnerability assessment, identification and prioritization of adaptation options at basin scale.

8. Responsibilities and Tasks

The national consultant for socio-economic assessment of basin-wide climate change impacts on water and water resources and related sectors in the LMB will be responsible for the following tasks:

Provide technical inputs to improve methods and tools, where appropriate for socio-economic vulnerability assessment, as well as identification and prioritization of adaptation options,

Collect secondary data including time series data for past, current, and projected future socio-economic conditions based on a draft list of indicators presented in Annex 1, and other required data,

Carry out data analysis and draft data analysis report on socio-economic conditions at present and projected future,

Contribution in socio-economic vulnerability assessment, identification and prioritization of adaptation options at basin scale including reviewing and commenting on the draft regional report, participation in regional consultation workshop, and helping finalize the regional report.

Working principles

The national consultant for socio-economic assessment of basin-wide climate change impacts on water and water resources and related sectors in the LMB will work under supervision of the CCAI Programme Coordinator and in close collaboration with relevant Programme Officers and concerned CCAI international experts. Furthermore, national activities undertaken in-country should be reported to CCAI National Coordinator and National Mekong Committee.

Activity schedule (tentative)

Qualification

Master degree or higher in social science, development economics, development studies or other relevant fields;

At least 7 years experiences in socio-economic assessment of climate change impacts, socio-economic analysis, and vulnerability and adaptation assessment;

Experience in basin-wide assessment of climate change impacts on water and water related resources;

Knowledge and working experience in the Mekong Region, Mekong River Commission and National Mekong Committee activities will be an advantage;

Experience in formulating strategy and planning will be an advantage;

Excellent skills in communication; and

Fluency in written and spoken English.

Condition of payment

An initial payment corresponding to 7 working days (approx. 20% of contract value) will be paid upon signing of the contract. Remaining payment will be made in two stages based on milestones listed below with satisfactorily results approved by CCAI.

Travel and subsistence costs will be reimbursed following submission of receipts/boarding passes etc. and subsistence paid based on normal MRC rules. A record of time utilized (timesheet) is to be submitted with each invoice.

Annex 1

A draft list of indicators for socio-economic vulnerability assessment

Size of the flood-prone population (require GIS population data to overlay with flood-prone area)

Size of the drought-prone population (require GIS population data to overlay with drought-prone area)

Rain-fed and irrigated agriculture

Population

Population density

Age structure of population

Poverty

Income

Economic structure/occupation rate by sectors

Education

Share of hydropower to GDP

Energy security/ Share of hydropower to total energy source

Population dependent/ occupation on fisheries (fish and OAA)

population dependent on eco-tourism/ occupation rate on eco-tourism

population rate who used medicinal plants

Economic value of agriculture (crop, fisheries, and livestock)/Share of agriculture to GDP

Value/or share of GDP on export and import of foods (rice, maize, cassava, fish, livestock.)

Others to be determined