General ObjectivesThe objective of this assignment is to contribute to preparing an Environmental Protection, Climate Change, and Disaster Risk Reduction (EPCC-DRR) Strategy and Action Plan for the Connectivity for Central Asia Action (C4CA) during its inception phase until August 2025. This will ensure the integration of environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and disaster preparedness throughout all components of the Action. The expert will establish a baseline reference on climate and environmental issues in Central Asia and analyze the Action’s objectives, outputs, and activities to propose both theoretical and practical recommendations for enhanced sustainability and risk reduction. This Action will mainstream environmental protection and climate action whenever possible throughout its implementation, using one of three different approaches: ·       Environmental protection will be taken into consideration when developing digital policies (SO1), supporting investments in digital infrastructure, and promoting access to connectivity (SO2). An initial context analysis will raise awareness of the digital and climate dynamic in Central Asia, supporting the planning of activities in line with environmental policies and contributing to the sustainable use of digital connectivity. ·       Particular attention will be paid to the impact of tech solutions developed throughout the project (SO3), with the aim to promote the use of “greener” technologies and materials whenever possible. ·       Specific tech challenges, hackathons, and events will be organised (SO3) to design and prototype tech solutions tackling specific climate challenges, identified and tested with local communities. Specific Objectives and Main DutiesIn preparation for the inception report for the Action, the specific responsibilities and main duties of the expert under this assignment are: a) Develop the C4CA EPCC-DRR Strategy ·       Develop a comprehensive EPCC-DRR Strategy aligned with C4CA’s objectives and EU regulations, in coordination with the consortium partners of the action. This will include stakeholder consultations with representatives of the 5 consortium partners, Project Management Unit, environmental specialists, disaster risk reduction experts, local civil society representatives, and government authorities. ·       The strategy will include: ·       Clearly identified environmental, climate change, and disaster risk reduction goals and objectives aligned with international frameworks such as the Paris Agreement, Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). ·       Measures to integrate environmental protection, climate resilience, and disaster preparedness throughout all Action components, activities, outputs, and indicators. ·       Recommendations to minimize the environmental footprint of digital connectivity expansion and promote eco-friendly technologies. ·       Identified potential environmental and climate-related risks that the Action might unintentionally exacerbate and proposed strategies to mitigate these risks. ·       Proposed strategies for raising awareness on climate resilience, disaster preparedness, and environmental sustainability. ·       Proposed strategies to ensure the long-term sustainability and continuity of EPCC-DRR efforts. ·       Defined metrics and methods to measure the effectiveness of the strategy. b) Develop the C4CA EPCC-DRR Action Plan ·       Develop an Action Plan outlining specific activities, tasks, timelines, and responsible parties required to implement the strategy in consultation with the Action team. ·       The Action Plan will include: ·       Review of activities and indicators to be included in the workplans and logical framework to ensure full integration of climate and environmental considerations. ·       A list of specific tasks and activities necessary for executing the strategy. ·       Proposed mechanisms for structured collaboration within the Action team on environmental, climate, and disaster risk reduction issues (assigning responsible individuals or teams, conducting needs assessments throughout the Action duration). ·       Key performance indicators and recommendations for data collection methods to track progress on environmental sustainability and disaster preparedness. Methodology The methodology will include, at a minimum: ·       A literature review on environmental and climate change issues in Central Asia, including policy documents, research papers, and climate risk assessments. ·       Baseline analysis, including climate vulnerability assessments, disaster risk mapping, and environmental sustainability considerations. ·       Interviews with implementing partners, government authorities, and key informants to gather qualitative insights. ·       Analysis and review of the Action’s logical framework to ensure environmental and climate considerations are integrated from the inception phase. ·       Field surveys, if necessary, to collect primary data. ·       Workshops for the co-construction of the EPCC-DRR Action Plan (virtual or in-person, as confirmed with the Expertise France Action team). ·       Regular meetings with Expertise France and consortium partners, including an inception phase mid-term workshop and additional meetings if needed. ·       A detailed methodology description justifying methodological choices and allocation of time for field activities. Expected deliverablesDeliverables Format Timeframe 1.     Revised methodology including stakeholders consultations agenda 10 pages max T0 + 20 days 2.     C4CA EPCC-DRR Strategy draft TBD with EF teamIncluding analysis and review of Action logical framework   T0 + 60 days 3.     C4CA EPCC-DRR Strategy revised version (including coordination and stakeholders comments) TBD with EF teamIncluding analysis and review of Action logical framework   T0 + 80 days 4.     C4CA EPCC-DRR Action Plan draft version TBD with EF teamIncluding minutes of co-construction workshops  T0 + 100 days 5.     C4CA EPCC-DRR Action Plan including revisions TBD with EF TeamIncluding all Annexes   T0 + 120 days   All reports must be submitted in English. Expertise France is the French public international cooperation agency. It designs and implements projects which aim to contribute to the balanced development of partner countries, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda and the priorities of France’s external action. The Connectivity for Central Asia Action (C4CA) is part of the wider Team Europe Initiavite on Digital Connectivity in Central Asia, funded by the European Union (DG INTPA) for a period of 4 years. The TEI additionally includes Hard Pillar focused on connectivity infrastructure; both actions shall together provide the conditions for safe and inclusive deployment of satellite connectivity across the region. The C4AC Action is implemented by a consortium of leading European development agencies, including CFLA (Latvia), CPVA (Lithuania), e-Governance Academy (Estonia), Expertise France, and HAUS Institute (Finland). Expertise France is leading the consortium. The Action aims to bridge the digital connectivity divide in Central Asia, through the development of an enabling, safe and inclusive environment for satellite connectivity use, with the overall objective of increasing equal access to basic public services and socio-economic inclusion. The Action activities will be implemented with a regional approach and cover Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. C4CA will be implemented in four main components: 1.       Policies and regulations: support in the development of enabling policy and regulatory environments for digital reforms including digitalization, connectivity and personal data protection; 2.       Connectivity: improve access to public and private connectivity services and strengthen users’ capabilities to benefit from digital public services, with a specific focus on rural areas, gender equality and inclusion; 3.       Digital innovation: foster the creation of a dynamic regional innovation ecosystem and support the development of local digital innovations, in particular satellite-based, to tackle local challenges. 4.       Cybersecurity: support the development of harmonized cybersecurity frameworks and strengthen capacities of the industry stakeholders, as well civil society across the region. Qualifications and Experience·       Master’s degree in Environmental Science, Climate Change, Disaster Risk Reduction, Sustainable Development, or a related field. ·       Proven experience (4+ years) in environmental protection, climate resilience, and disaster risk reduction, preferably in international projects/donors/organizations, development projects, ·       Experience in designing Strategy and Action plans with multiple stakeholders   Professional skills: ·       Strong knowledge of Central Asian environmental policies, climate risks, and disaster resilience strategies. ·       Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills. ·       Excellent coordination and teamwork skills. ·       Excellent written and spoken command of English (good writing, synthesis and analytical skills…). ·       Proficiency in Russian would be considered favorably. Coordination arrangementsThe expert will work under the supervision of the Program Coordinator for the entire assignment. He/she will also be in regular contact with the project team, based in Astana, Kazakhstan and the Expertise France head office in Paris. To carry out the assignment, he/she will have the following technical collaboration tools: Teams access. Working ConditionsAs part of this assignment, the project will cover the following expenses: per diem including accommodation, and transport during any missions outside of the expert’s place of residence, visa fees if necessary. Additional expenses, such as accommodation and transport to their place of residence, will be the responsibility of the expert. The working language will be English and Russian. Location and Length of AssignmentThe total contract amount is 39,999€ (excl. VAT). Desired start date: April/May 2025 Maximum length of assignment: 5 months The assignment will take place remotely, with field visits to Central Asia partners ‘countries when required. A preference will be given to experts based in the region. Application ProcessCandidates interested in this opportunity are invited to submit their application as soon as possible : A technical proposal, including: ·       A curriculum vitae highlighting skills and experience relevant to the required qualifications (maximum 5 pages); ·       3 references; ·       A memo outlining an understanding of the context and challenges of the mission (2 to 5 pages); ·       A detailed work plan. A financial proposal, including the number of expert-days per activity and the daily fees. Expertise France reserves the right to pre-select candidates before the deadline for applications. If you do not receive a reply from us within 4 weeks after the deadline, please consider that your application has been unsuccessful. The selection process will take place in two stages:      1.         Firstly, a shortlist will be drawn up by Expertise France.      2.         Secondly, the shortlisted candidates will be invited to a videoconference interview.   Application deadline: 13/04/2025 à 23.59 (Paris CET Time)