Watershed Biodiversity and Conservation Analyst

SCOPE OF WORK

USAID Karnali Water Activity

Description

Project Background

The USAID Karnali Water Activity will create healthy, resilient, and water secure communities at the watershed level through strengthened water and sanitation governance that improves water resource management (including water for more resilient and biodiverse ecosystems), enhances sustainable access to drinking water, improves agriculture water management, and reduces the fecal pathogen burden in the environment from poorly managed non-sewered sanitation through fecal sludge management.

Purpose

The Watershed Biodiversity and Conservation Analyst will support the Karnali Water Activity Research & Learning (R&L) Director in Kathmandu, Nepal, collaborating with the Karnali Water Activity Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, & Learning (MERL) team to 1) compile and review all available water source and biodiversity data and information; 2) identify gaps in current data sources that need to be addressed for the biodiversity baseline and 3) synthesize past information with new Karnali Water Activity data and produce a summary of biodiversity baseline report. This baseline will inform community and watershed intervention planning, monitoring, learning, and adapting, and will be key to incorporating cultural and environmental contexts into activity design. The Analyst will leverage their knowledge of biodiversity metrics, hydrological models, and data collection to bolster the assessment and ensure its comprehensiveness.

Tasks and Deliverables

Tasks

• Review available biodiversity and hydrological data including:
  • Paani’s seasonal biophysical surveys, watershed profiles, water quality / discharge inventory, and High Conservation Value River assessment
  • SERVIR’s Hindu Kush Himalaya hub
  • National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2014-2020
  • Rara National Park Conservation Plan
  • Bardiya National Park Conservation Plan
  • Nepal Irrigation Master Plan
  • Government of Nepal (GoN) hydro-met station data
  • Four SWAT models for Karnali River Basin watersheds (output and input data)
  • GoN Department of Forests and Soil Conservation data inventory and forest resource maps
• Identify gaps in available data and develop strategies to collect additional data as necessary with the MERL team, partners, DAI’s home office and Chief of Party
• Work with the DAI Data Scientist STTA to translate data into data visualization tools and maps to support an integrated spatial planning process
• Serve as the primary person responsible for the development of the water source and biodiversity baseline based on secondary literature review
• Collaborate with Biodiversity Conservation Specialist, WASH Governance Manager, and Watershed Advisors to identify intervention sites and activities to strengthen critical habitats and support ecosystems-based water resource management
• Assist in the development of institutional frameworks to develop and demonstrate Payment for Ecosystems Services

Deliverables

• Water Source and Biodiversity Baseline and Report
• Data visualization tools and maps

The Analyst may also complete other tasks as requested by program leadership.

Qualifications

• Experience in geo-spatial analysis, quantitative research, and familiarity with data visualization processes/tools;
• Ability to understand and interpret common climate and hydrological model outputs;
• Experience with the Soil & Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model and data requirements;
• Demonstrated expertise in biodiversity and climate change, especially in the context of watershed hydrology and management;
• Familiarity with common biodiversity indicators;
• Team oriented with strong communication and collaboration skills;
• Previous experience working in international development highly desirable (NGOs, development agencies, implementing partners, etc.);
• Experience or knowledge of Nepal and/or South Asia preferred;
• At least 7 years of experience in data analytics, watershed or biodiversity conservation, or natural resources management planning and monitoring with a Bachelors in Environmental Science, Engineering, GIS, Natural Resources Management, or other relevant field; or 5 years of experience in data analytics, watershed or biodiversity conservation, or natural resources management planning and monitoring and Master’s degree.

Location

The assignment will be a mix of in-country and remote support as described above.

To apply kindly follow the provided link below.

https://phf.tbe.taleo.net/phf04/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=DAINC&cws=1&rid=6643