Soil And Watershed Expert

Job Description

The main objective of obtaining services from the Soil and Watershed Management Expert consultant is to assist the NRA to carry out Water Induced Disaster assessments in the 18 earthquake-affected districts. Input from the consultant would ensure the adoption of an acceptable level of risk for proposed settlements in earthquake-affected areas.

 The assessment will be undertaken in accordance with the NRA Multi-Hazard Risk Assessment methodology to ensure a consistent approach. Training on the methodology will be provided by the NRA prior to the commencement of the assessments.  The methodology focuses on four principle areas: potential earthquake hazards, landslides, river/ stream flooding and flash flooding.

 It is anticipated that the assessments will be undertaken in teams of three, comprising of a Geologist/Engineering Geologist, a Soil and Watershed Management expert and a Water Induced Disaster Management expert. The team will be led by the Geologist/Engineering Geologist who will be responsible for conducting and reporting the assessment. The NRA will be responsible for identifying which villages and settlements will be assessed by each team.

 The specific objectives of the assignment are to:

1. Attend a training course in the NRA Multi-Hazard Risk Assessment methodology.
2. Conduct slope stability study of the identified landslides area
3. Determine the soil and watershed vulnerabilities in specific locations of the earthquake- affected districts
4. Assess the previously studied earthquake-induced landslides affected villages with regard to the surface geological condition in present context
5. Conduct slope stability analysis of rock and soil in landslide prone areas
6. Provide a short report with appropriate recommendations and mitigation measures to be adopted for landslide stabilization.
7. Make any other recommendations (safer locations) that support the above objective that will help to create a safer living environment.

Application Submission Deadline: November 2, 2016, 5 pm.  Click Here for details of Terms of References and other information.

Candidates from disadvantaged communities, women and with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. HERD International reserves the right to accept and reject applications.

Job Description

The Consultant is expected to accomplish the following tasks as broadly indicated herein;

1. Conduct mapping of earthquake-induced and other landslides and cracked areas in the watersheds/sub-watersheds of the affected districts
2. Undertake desk study of locations to be assessed to gather the necessary background prior to undertaking the field work.
3. Undertake identification of landslide types, potential landslide damming sites, description of debris/sediment characteristics, estimation of debris volume and potentiality of debris transportation in downstream areas with respect to distance from current deposition areas
4. Undertake identification of mitigation measures in the short to medium term
5. Conduct landslide mapping with appropriate ranking and treatment options
6. Assess the availability of water sources and their dynamics (drying, shifting /underground movement of  water springs)
7. Complete the Hazard Assessment form approved by the DMG and the NRA.

The Consultant is expected to accomplish the following tasks as broadly indicated herein:

1. Attend a training course in the NRA Multi-Hazard Risk Assessment methodology.
2. Undertake a desk study of the locations to be assessed to gather the necessary background on the geology and other relevant information prior to undertaking the fieldwork. This will include a review of previously undertaken studies of earthquake-induced landslide-affected villages with similar geological/topographical conditions.
3. Travel to allocated locations to undertake assessment of geo-hazards (seismic (including liquefaction), landslides, flooding and flash flood potential) in relation to geology of the area giving due consideration to homes, schools, critical infrastructure and livelihoods to determine the exposure and vulnerability of the community.
4. Conduct interviews with local residents to understand their concerns and to obtain local information in the location and timing of landslides, tension cracking and floods that may no longer be visible on the ground.
5. Assess the correlations between the instabilities and geology (rock type, soil type), topography (slopes), land-use, hydrology (seepages, groundwater, rainfall) and determine the most significant factors responsible for causing the instabilities.
6. Complete the approved NRA Multi-Hazard Risk Assessment methodology for each site including all the appropriate checklists and forms.
7. Prepare a report including a plan showing the identified hazards in relation to the village/settlement and recommendations for intervention.
8. Complete a Risk Evaluation for each village/settlement to determine the risk and the appropriate response for each of the hazards identified to allow the NRA and other agencies to determine if the village/settlement can be reconstructed or moved to another location.
9. Make any other recommendations (safer locations) that support the above objective that will help to create a safer living environment.

This Job is expired. The Company is no longer accepting applications for this position.