International Expert on Caspian Sea Level Decline

Country: Kazakhstan

Description of the Assignment: International Expert on Regional Cooperation and Scientific Coordination on Caspian Sea Level Decline

Period of assignment: 100 working days (tentatively July 2026 - April 2027)

Place of Work: Home-based

Contract type: Individual Contract 

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The Caspian Sea, the worlds largest enclosed water body, is experiencing a significant and accelerating decline in water levels driven by a combination of climate change impacts and anthropogenic pressures. Reduced river inflows, increased evaporation, changing hydrological regimes, and growing water demand across the basin are contributing to a negative water balance, creating substantial environmental, economic and social risks for the Caspian region. These trends threaten coastal ecosystems, biodiversity, fisheries, water resources, transport infrastructure and local livelihoods.

Kazakhstan is among the countries most affected by the decline of the Caspian Sea level, particularly in the Northern Caspian region. The degradation of coastal and delta ecosystems, including the Ural River Delta, poses increasing risks to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services and sustainable economic development.

Recognizing the transboundary nature of the challenge, the Government of Kazakhstan, with support from the Government of Japan and UNDP, is implementing the project “Enhancing Water Management Capacity for Responding to the Caspian Sea Level Decline.” The project aims to strengthen regional cooperation, enhance monitoring and analytical capacities, improve evidence-based decision-making, and support coordinated action among Caspian littoral states to address the root causes and consequences of declining water levels.

A key component of the project focuses on strengthening regional coordination and scientific cooperation among Caspian countries. While several regional cooperation frameworks and dialogue platforms exist, challenges remain in ensuring effective scientific collaboration, data sharing, joint analysis of drivers of water level decline, and coordinated policy responses. Strengthening cooperation among relevant institutions and experts is therefore essential to support evidence-based regional dialogue and improve understanding of the factors affecting the Caspian Sea.

To support implementation of this component, UNDP Kazakhstan seeks to engage an International Expert on Regional Cooperation and Scientific Coordination on Caspian Sea Level Decline. The expert will provide technical and strategic support to facilitate regional dialogue, strengthen cooperation among scientific institutions and stakeholders from Caspian littoral states, contribute to joint analytical work, and develop recommendations for enhancing long-term regional cooperation on monitoring, research and water governance related to the Caspian Sea.

Proposal should be submitted directly in the portal no later than indicated deadline.

Any request for clarification must be sent in writing via messaging functionality in the portal. UNDP will respond in writing including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry.