National Consultant on Trekking Routes in Kyrgyzstan (SSA)

Within the framework of the Five Years of Action for the Development of Mountain Regions (2023–2027), the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek (POiB) will collaborate with Kyrgyzstan’s Federation of Mountaineering and Sport Climbing and the State Agency for Tourism Development to develop an atlas of the best alpinist and trekking routes in Kyrgyzstan. The POiB will provide expert support in collecting and processing data for 100 trekking routes, including both difficult and easy tracks. Routes will be assessed based on attractiveness, safety, difficulty, accessibility, logistical convenience, seasonality, and experiential value. The collected material will be published as an atlas and on the Nomad.kg tourism portal.

About the role

Under the "Enhancing environmental security and disaster risk management (ESDRR)" project, the selected experts will develop an atlas of the best trekking routes in Kyrgyzstan over a four-month period. The atlas will be submitted for approval to the Federation, the Agency, and POiB/EED management.

Responsibilities

• Draft a work plan with specific activities and deadlines, approved by the Federation’s President, including a list of tourist tracks for difficult and easy routes.
• Submit contents of the atlas for review and approval.
• Develop Monthly Progress Reports (MPR) in line with deliverables.
• Prepare materials on routes, including:
  • Identifying popular trekking destinations in Naryn (including Minkush), Talas, Chuy, Issyk-Kul, and Jalal-Abad (including Mailuu-Suu - Arslanbob) regions.
  • Drafting descriptions of regions, destination points, and routes.
  • Sections for each route: area description, historical background, logistics, highlights, route description, features (geology, weather, key areas), and a map with route distance and estimated completion time.
• Collect photo materials (color photos of summits, route lines, and key points) for each highlight, ensuring photographer approval for copyright.
• Submit the first draft of the atlas for review.
• Finalize the design and layout of the atlas.
• Submit a final report on activities carried out.

Deliverables

• Work plan agreed with POiB and approved by the Federation’s President (first month).
• Contents of the atlas approved by the Federation’s President and POiB/EED management.
• Monthly Progress Reports (MPR) with respective information.
• Draft information and related materials.
• Photo materials included in the MPR.
• Copies of the first draft atlas.
• Final report accepted/approved by the Federation’s President.

Requirements

• University degree in Environmental Studies, Journalism, Industrial Engineering, Tourism, or related fields.
• At least 5 years of experience in climate change, journalism, sustainable development, environmental protection, or tourism.
• Experience developing national standards, training programs, or brochures for mountain guides, climbing guides, off-piste skiing guides, or trekking guides in Kyrgyzstan.
• Working experience with international development partners or projects is an asset.
• Excellent writing skills.
• Professional fluency in Russian and Kyrgyz (oral and written).
• Professional fluency in English is an asset.
• Strong computer literacy, including Microsoft Office applications.
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, with the ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks.
• Ability and willingness to work in a team with diverse cultural, religious, and political backgrounds while maintaining impartiality and objectivity.

Remuneration

Remuneration will be based on the selected consultant’s/expert’s qualifications, experience, tasks, and deliverables, in accordance with OSCE established rates.