Advisor in Transboundary Water Management, Nile River Basin

(Full Time Consultant Contract, maximum 1 year)

Project: The UNDP Shared Waters Partnership (SWP) program
Objective: To support riparian efforts on shared waters and strengthen commitment to regional processes that advance cooperation in regions where water could be a source of conflict.
Duty Station: Based in a capital within, or in the neighborhood of, the Nile River Basin.
Contract: Full-time Consultant Contract, maximum 1 year

Deadline for application: Friday 17 October, 2014

The Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) is recruiting an Advisor in hydropolitics/political economy and natural resource governance, specifically related to the Nile River Basin. The selected individual will be contracted as a Consultant (full time) and is to be based in a capital within, or in the neighborhood of, the Nile River Basin.

Areas of responsibility

• Transboundary Water Cooperation, specifically related to the goals and objectives of the UNDP Shared Waters Partnership program

The UNDP Shared Waters Partnership (SWP) program

The Shared Waters Partnership (SWP) was created in 2010 to strengthen cooperation on shared waters. The SWP is part of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), managed and implemented by the Water Governance Facility at the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI). SWP is designed to act quickly, through relatively modest investments that focus on creating the enabling environment (i.e., building the political will) for cooperation. The partnership deploys tailored approaches to basin-specific challenges, and allows for global reach, programmatic flexibility, deep technical assistance, and the ability to strategically coordinate operations within basins. Since 2010, SWP has been active in transboundary basins globally, initiating riparian dialogues, multi-stakeholder platforms and capacity-building activities.

The key objective of the Shared Water Partnership is to support riparian efforts on shared waters and strengthen commitment to regional processes that advance cooperation in regions where water could be a source of conflict.

Tasks

Under the overall guidance of the Director of Transboundary Water Management at SIWI, the Senior Expert will be responsible for advancing water cooperation (covering hydropolitical developments) specifically in the Nile River Basin. Other river basins in Sub-Saharan Africa can also be considered.
Tasks will include, but not limited to:

• Networking with key stakeholders at all levels
• Participating in key regional events, especially those related to transboundary waters
• Making regular regional and sub-regional political economy and power analyses (formal and informal) to the partners of the UNDP SWP program
• Finding opportunities to support riparian and development partners in target basins
• Providing substantial technical inputs to studies, reports and publications in the area of regional integration and sustainable investments which will benefit transboundary water management;
• Identifying, developing and managing strategic activities for SWP’s engagement in the region;
• Drafting proposals and terms of references;
• Maintaining relations with partners and clients;
• Overall responsibility for the management of specific projects;
• Keeping track of budgets, contracts and reporting;
• Organizing workshops and meetings;
• Delivering other project outputs as required;
• Assist in the implementation and facilitation of capacity building programs

Required knowledge

Education

An advanced university degree in a field relevant to transboundary water management.
Negotiation skills, experience of the field of water diplomacy or equivalent is considered a merit.

Previous experience

At least 10 years’ of total experience in a majority of following areas is required:

• Experience in conducting analytical assessments, primarily with a focus on governance, political economy, power analysis, and sustainable investments.
• Experience in working with institutions, processes and actors in a transboundary waters.
• In-depth field experience and extensive network in the Nile River Basin Region.
• In-field implementation of complex projects in developing countries.
• Experience in working with sectors related to transboundary water (e.g. trade, energy, agriculture).
• Experience working with various actors (governments, multilaterals, development banks, civil society, private sector) at different levels (local, national, multilateral).
• Experience in working with the concept of regional economic integration.
• Experience in the development and implementation of capacity building, training and education activities – preferably in a field related to transboundary water resources management.
• Experience working with the various groups and sectors operating in the field of water management for economic growth and environmental sustainability.
• Experience in development theory, financial flows and development aid.
• Experience working in an international context with multilateral and bilateral organisations and specifically working in the developing world.
• Experience in coordination with partner organizations.

Language and communication skills

• The applicant must have excellent spoken, written and presentation skills in English.
• The ability to speak French, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese or Arabic considered an added advantage.
• Well-developed presentation and public speaking skills.

Competences

• Diplomatic. High level of diplomatic skills used in complex and sensitive dialogue with riparians and development partners.
• Problem solving and analytical ability. Works well with complicated issues. Analyzes and breaks down problems into their constituent parts and solves complex problems.
• Creative. Often comes up with ideas and new approaches in work-related issues. Has a new approach that can be translated into action and deliver results.
• Leadership. Leads, motivates and provides others with the authorization needed to efficiently reach mutual targets. Coordinates groups and acts as a point of reference for others. Brings about commitment and participation. Is pro-active and has a good prioritization and decision making ability.
• Flexible. Adapts easily to changed circumstances. Is able to quickly change his/ her outlook and approach. Sees the potential in changed circumstances.
• Ability to cooperate. Works well with other people. Relates to other people in a responsive and flexible manner. Listens, communicates and solves conflicts in a constructive way.
• Cultural awareness. Values differences and understands how the background, culture and group identity affect oneself and others. Has the ability to take this into account when making decisions and selecting actions.
• Financial awareness. Understands and applies commercial principles. Focuses on costs, revenues and efficiency from an economic perspective.
• Stability. Responsive under stressful situations. Retains a realistic perspective on unexpected situations and able to focus on priorities. Structured, balanced, and achieves program objectives under less than ideal conditions.
• Relationship-building. Is outgoing and socially active in professional contexts. Generates contacts and maintains relationships.

Other Requirements

Must be able to travel approximately 50% of the work time.

Other Information

Duty Station: In a city with international access within or in the neighborhood of the Nile River Basin.

The position includes frequent (appr 4/year) travel to the SIWI Office, Stockholm.

Start Date: As soon as possible.

Contractual issue: The selected individual will be hired as a full time Consultant.

How to apply for the position

A Curriculum Vitae and cover letter should be sent to Ms. Adele Nerelius, via email at adele.nerelius@siwi.org

For more information, contact:
Ms. Adele Nerelius
Officer, HR and Finance
+46 8 12136024