Most of the territory of Turkmenistan, the second largest country of Central Asia stretching over 491,210 km2, is covered by Karakum desert. Turkmenistan is heavily impacted by climate change, the impact of which include: (i) steady increase in average temperature of 1.4⁰C; increasing occurrences of daily temperatures of over 40^oCoccasionally surpassing 50⁰C in Karakum desert and accentuation of differences between hottest and coldest temperatures (ii) variability in monthly precipitation has been growing and the amount of precipitation during recent years has slightly increased, particularly in spring months, with the lowest precipitation values being observed in summer (iii) an increase in the average regional evaporation rates of 48% by 2050 (iv) an increase in the frequency and intensity of drought and flood spells; (v) 10-15% reduction in flow rates for the Amu Darya river; and a 30% reduction in other rivers and tributaries’  discharge. Drought represents the biggest threat increasing the pace of desertification. During dry years, the pasture productivity and harvests  are reduced by 50-70 % , significantly affecting food security.

The drying up of the Aral Sea is one of the ecological disasters for the CA region. Most of the water basin has already evaporated, and intense wind erosion is occurring from the drying sea zone to the adjacent irrigated areas, thereby leading huge economic losses in agriculture, public health and environmental stability. The project area (Dashoguz velayat and Darganata etrap in Lebap velayat) is most affected by the negative effects of the Aral Sea, which has been devastated over the past few decades by poor water management and agricultural practices, and is currently one of the most degraded landscapes in the country. Truly addressing sustainable land and water management, conservation of biodiversity and high-value ecosystems across the Aral Sea basin landscape requires regional cooperation, effective coordination, and the cultivation of synergies among all stakeholders.

Project strategy

The overall objective of the proposed project is to promote land degradation neutrality, restore and improve the use of land and water resources in Turkmenistan’s Amudarya watershed in Lebap and Dashoguz provinces to enhance the sustainability and resilience of livelihoods and globally significant ecosystems. The project will attempt to achieve this objective through a multifocal strategy, that includes the following four interrelated outcomes:

• Outcome 1: Integrated land use planning that will contribute to the land degradation neutrality and improved integration of key biodiversity habitats into surrounding geographies, thus securing critical ecosystem services in Dashoguz and Lebap regions;
• Outcome 2: Addressed direct drivers of biodiversity degradation, to protect globally important biodiversity, habitats, and species, through PAs system expansion and targeted support in strengthening the management effectiveness of some of the key existing PAS in project regions;
• Outcome 3: Strengthened national capacity and better informed engagement of Turkmenistan in implementation of regional cooperation for improved management and restoration of Aral Sea Basin land and water resources; and
• Outcome 4: Project results properly monitored and evaluated

The long-term solution for sustainable development and conservation of high value ecosystems has multiple key goals, but revolves around the concept of Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) and around leveraging KBAs/IBAs within the wider landscape as the focal points for integrated land use management with biodiversity benefits from mainstreaming. These includes promotion of models of non-depleting farming, but at the same time effective conservation of critical ecosystem services. The experience will be shared and replicated beyond project boundaries through a serious of lesson sharing events.

The Knowledge Management Analyst is a key technical professional to provide technical support, prioritize and sequence the project activities, develop and update detailed implementation plans to achieve of the related outputs under the guidance of the Project Manager (PM) and International Technical Advisor. The incumbent is responsible for development and implementation of the Knowledge Management Plan with full consideration of possible climate risks, gender aspects, ecosystem conservations and interests of all stakeholders. The Knowledge Management Analyst in close collaboration with PM and other project specialists will contribute to implementation of project outcomes with the higher attention towards providing input and organizing consultancy work under Outcome 3.

More specifically, the Knowledge Management Analyst will perform the following duties:

• Provide technical inputs relating to project activity development and implementation, including preparation of ToRs and subcontract tender documents, assessment of quality of consultant/contractor outputs;
• Regularly meeting with project team, project partners to discuss progress on project activities and ensure that there is a common understanding of the direction of the project;
• Organize workshops on Water and Ecological diplomacy and discussion of project results with the participation of various technical experts and research institutes for knowledge exchange;
• Ensure, the technical aspects of the sustainable land and water management and biodiversity in Aral Sea Basin are translated into accessible and reader-friendly layman  formats;
• Facilitate sharing of quality technical information and knowledge products, showcasing the project’s good practices via radio and TV shows for farmers with a segment for women farmers;
• Work with other experts and review the institutional and legal recommendations to improve institutional arrangements for the implementation of various components of IFAS programmes in the country;
• Support the Project Manager and International Technical Advisor to develop the Scaling Up and Replication Strategy of the Project;
• Review all knowledge products and  peer-reviews analytical reports for systematizing the project generated knowledge;
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
• To promote the expansion of regional cooperation in Aral Sea Basin with related national and international organizations and further possibility of funding and partnership opportunities to expand project activities;
• Prepare relevant sections of Annual Work Plan and regular progress reports (including annual APR/PIRs and quarterly progress reports) on project results and outcomes related to his/her assigned Outputs and thematic area;
• Ensure quality-assurance of all technical deliverables, risk management and monitoring as per SES requirements;
• Support Project Manager and International Technical Advisor in updating the work plans and budget of the project component, as well as tracking the expenditures and delivery rate of the project.

Institutional Arrangement

The Knowledge Management Analyst will work in a team of 8 full-time members. The Knowledge Management Analyst will directly report to the Project Manager and will work in coordination with other the Knowledge Management Analyst and international and national consultants and national partners.