Climate Change and Water Resilience - Barbados

Climate Change and Water Resilience - Barbados Apply now Climate Change and Water Resilience - Barbados City:
Christ Church Company:
IDB Posting End Date:
05/27/2025

The IDB Group is a community of diverse, versatile, and passionate people who come together on a journey to improve lives in Latin America and the Caribbean. Our people find purpose and do what they love in an inclusive, collaborative, agile, and rewarding environment.

The Climate Change Division, under the Climate Change and Sustainability (CSD) sector of the IDB, is looking for an experienced and competent Climate Change and Water Resilience Products and External Services Consultant (PEC) to develop a comprehensive Climate Change Strategy (herein referred to as 'the Strategy') for the Barbados Water Authority (BWA). The aim of the Strategy is to ensure resilient water supply and wastewater service delivery, infrastructure and management in the face of climate change impacts, while reducing the utility' climate footprint.

The Climate Change and Sustainability Sector (CSD) advises IDB management and develops policies, strategies, programs and guidelines on matters relevant to the sector and its areas of incidence with the goal of strengthening subnational, national, and regional climate policy in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Develop a comprehensive Climate Change Strategy for the Barbados Water Authority (BWA), aligned with national and international climate goals. The consultancy includes drafting the strategy, stakeholder engagement, technical assessments, and capacity-building efforts.

1. Work Plan Development
A detailed work plan will outline activities, a proposed structure based on the ToRs, and a timeline to guide the Strategy's development.
2. Draft Strategy:
Foundational Analysis
The first draft will include:

• Review of relevant policies, regulations, and the 2022 Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment.
• Analysis of historical and projected climate data to assess impacts on water availability, wastewater treatment, and infrastructure viability.
• Comprehensive climate risk assessment for BWA infrastructure, operations, and water sources, including water reuse.
• Review and update of infrastructure design standards to incorporate climate resilience.
• Assessment of BWA's carbon footprint using IPCC methodologies, identifying emissions from water production, distribution, and wastewater treatment, with mitigation strategies aligned with the IDB Water and Sanitation Division's (WSA) carbon reduction goals.
3. Final Climate Change Strategy
The final Strategy will cover:

• A vision, strategic goals, and objectives.
• Summary of observed and projected climate impacts on the water and wastewater sector.
• Review of existing initiatives addressing climate risks.
• Climate-focused review of the Water and Wastewater Master Plan, prioritizing impactful investments.
• Definition of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to monitor progress, aligned with Barbados' Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the transparency project.
• An action plan with adaptation and mitigation measures, timelines, resource needs, and policy recommendations.
• Assessment of impacts on key sectors (agriculture, tourism, and the general population) and implications for BWA's development strategy through 2050.
4. Investment Planning and Training
• The final Strategy will include investment recommendations for the next 15 years. Three training sessions will be delivered to:

• Present the Strategy to BWA staff.
• Train technical staff on projections, emissions data, and integration of climate considerations.
• Guide mainstreaming of climate issues into all planning and investment processes.
5. Support to Related Initiatives
• Climate-resilience assessment of the forthcoming Sludge Management Plan, identifying vulnerabilities and adaptation measures.
• Technical input to the IDB CLIMA pilot project, including KPI development, climate mainstreaming in operations, and strengthening institutional capacity for monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV).
6. Stakeholder Engagement
Ongoing collaboration with BWA and stakeholders will ensure alignment with existing frameworks and build ownership of the Strategy.

Payments will be made upon delivery of the corresponding reports.

Planned date to submit

• Education:
Master's degree related to water resources engineering/management, environmental science/engineering or other fields relevant to the responsibilities of the role. Climate change PhD, diplomas or certificates are to be considered an asset

• Experience:
At least 5-10 years' experience in water resource management, including climate change mainstreaming, and experience working with water utilities. The consultant must have technical experience in water management projects in small island developing states (SIDS) such as Barbados and the consultant must master the capacity for climate change modelling of CMIP6 at the level of Barbados.

• Languages:
Proficiency in English

• Learn Continuously
• Collaborate and Share Knowledge
• Focus on Clients
• Communicate and Influence
• Innovate and Take Risks

• Citizenship:
You are either a citizen of Barbados or a citizen of one of our 48-member countries with residency or legal permit to work in Barbados.

• Consanguinity:
You have no family members (up to the fourth degree of consanguinity and second degree of affinity, including spouse) working at the IDB, IDB Invest, or IDB Lab.

• Type of contract:
  Products and External Services Consultant (PEC)
• Length of contract:
  9 months.
• Work Location:
  Remote.

At the IDB, we work so everyone brings their best and authentic selves to work while finding their purpose. Our people consistently strive for excellence, and we recognize and celebrate the impact of their contributions.

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