Vacancy #: 7028 Unit: ESARO - Water Programme Organisation: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Location: Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office, Nairobi, Kenya Reporting to: Senior Programme Officer, Water and Wetlands, Kenya Work percentage: 100% Grade: P1 Expected start date: 01 December 2024 Type of contract: Fixed-term (24 months) Closing date: 10 December 2024 BACKGROUND THIS IS A LOCAL POSITION
BACKGROUND
Established in 1948, The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a membership Union composed of both government and civil society organizations. It harnesses the experience, resources and reach of its more than 1,300 Member organizations and the input of more than 10,000 experts. IUCN is the global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it.
IUCN Kenya Programme through its nature-base solutions (NbS) framework is supporting the Government of Kenya to implement the water sector strategy with a focus on: i) integrated water resources management initiatives including catchment management and restoration, built infrastructure and livelihood diversification; ii) strengthening the governance of water resources and development (plans, policies, legal, institution processes) at county, national and transboundary levels and, iii) integration of climate change, capacity building and gender mainstreaming in water resources management and development.
IUCN in collaboration with DAI (Development Alternative International) and targeted County Governments have received funding from USAID-EA to implement a 5-year programme (May 2023 to April 2028) – “Sustainable, Transformational and Accessible Water Interventions (STAWI)” – The Project. The main goal of STAWI is to improve water security in areas of recurrent crises by improving the ability of counties and communities to safeguard sustainable access to adequate quantities and quality of water for sustaining livelihoods, human well-being, and socio-economic development. IUCN will support DAI and its partners to address water resource management, enhance governance and, implement basin management plans through nature-based solutions. STAWI activities will be implemented in ASAL counties of Turkana, Marsabit, Samburu, Isiolo, Wajir and Garissa. In these arid zones, the investments will be to build resilience to shocks and reduce humanitarian assistance caseloads. In the semi-arid counties: Kitui, Makueni and Taita Taveta, where investments will aim to strengthen resilience.
IUCN therefore seeks to recruit a Project Officer, Integrated Water Resource Management to lead the implementation of the IUCN component of the integrated water resources management for STAWI Project. This will be a local recruited position and the staff will be based in the project landscapes. JOB DESCRIPTION MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
Reporting to the Technical Advisor, IWRM, IUCN STAWI, the Project Officer, Integrated Water Resources Management will work with relevant STAWI project team, TWENDE project staff, county government staff, service providers, local communities, Water Resources Authority (WRA), DAI partners/staff and IUCN staff from the regional and Kenya country offices as an IUCN technical staff for water management and development interventions both planning and technical delivery.
The Project Officer, Integrated Water Resources Management will be responsible for technical and operational delivery of key objectives of the IUCN component of the STAWI project.
SPECIFIC DUTIES;
Under the direction of the Technical Advisor, IWRM, IUCN STAWI, the specific responsibilities of the Project Officer, Integrated Water Resources Management are to:
Project Management;
Facilitate the preparation of detailed work plans, budgets and schedules for project activities implementation in collaboration with partners and stakeholders;
Assist in processes related to inception, contracting and start-up of activities including establishment of indicators, benchmarks, work plans and inception workshops;
Coordinate and monitor the administration of project budgets and work plans according to approved external contracts and internal agreements, work plans, internal procedures and policies, and donor requirements;
Lead the organization’s field level workshops and similar events;
Technical Direction and Capacity building;
Support the development of evidence-based water allocation plans through synthesis of data to develop water balances for target counties;
Assess the potential for nature-based solutions that will increase water supply for drinking and productive uses;
Design specific watershed restoration interventions;
Generate potential financing options for watershed protection measures;
Support the capacity building for WRA and Counties to implement the water allocation plans and the sub-catchment management plans (SCMPs);
Develop policy-relevant materials to communicate the relevant information arising from STAWI to stakeholders;
Monitoring, Evaluation, Communications and Knowledge Management;
In coordination with M&E Officer, develop and apply the projects monitoring instruments and systems;
Contribute development and timely submission of all required IUCN reports;
Undertake regular visits to project sites, evaluate programmatic outputs, and impacts both quantitatively and in terms of quality implementation;
Document case studies, best practices and lessons learned and develop communication materials for dissemination to target audiences.
Fundraising and project development;
Support the identification of new funding opportunities to scale-out project activities in the water sector
Support networking with key development partners, national institutions and NGOs to support project implementation.
Keep abreast of development needs and Programme opportunities in the landscape including those in line with IUCN’s sectoral priorities and programmatic principles.
Representation;
Network and liaise with all the partners and potential partners, developing and maintaining partnerships and strong relationships across all sectors (including the private sector).
Maintain good working relationships with MDAs, non-state actors, private sector, community leadership and visiting donor teams
Represent IUCN on issues at strategic, political and technical meetings, seminars and other events and processes as may be required from time to time.
Perform any other duties as assigned by the Programme Managers REQUIREMENTS • POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
Education;
Masters in a relevant field preferably, Water Resources Management, Environmental Studies, Hydrology, Natural resources management.
Knowledge on issues related to sustainable agriculture, climate change, will be an added advantage.
Solid knowledge and understanding of the water sector in Kenya and related topics such as biodiversity conservation, forest landscape restoration, natural resources management, climate change/REDD+, governance, or in sustainable development.
Practical knowledge in the implementation of field projects, with linkages to national policy processes and programmes.
Knowledge in fundraising and resource mobilization.
Understanding of Multi-Stakeholder Processes, Creation and Facilitation Dialogues, Partnerships and Synergies;
Work Experience;
At least 7 years of technical experience in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM);
Demonstrated experience in adaptive management, as applied to climate change adaptation projects and ecosystems management;
Work experience in the Kenya water sector is preferable;
Demonstrable experience in working in ASALs of Kenya;
Demonstrable experience in political, advisory and facilitation skills;
Demonstrable experience in engaging with governmental institutions at county and national levels especially in the water, natural resources and environment sector;
Experience in working with or engaging with the private sector is an asset;
Excellent technical leadership and understanding of surface water, catchment planning, ground water, water legislation and regulations;
Maintaining active networks on IWRM and related topics with donors, government and other stakeholders at national/county level;
Demonstrated affinity with the social, political, gender aspects of catchment-level IWRM;
Experience in working for an international organization is an added advantage
Computer literacy in relation to office applications (word processing, spreadsheets, PowerPoint) use of internet and online communication tools
Language Requirements;
Fluency in English and Kiswahili (both written and verbal).
Core Competencies;
Transparency: Able to build trust and contribute to informed and responsible decision making by carrying out the work of IUCN in a transparent manner; provides clear guidance to ensure that objectives and desired measurable results are understood by members of the team.
Inclusiveness: Understands and accepts cultural diversity, and provide a tolerant, positive and supportive working environment that fosters respect for diversity, demonstrates ability to work in a multicultural, multi ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds.
Professionalism: Promote the organization’s interests, objectives and values in a diligent and professional manner.
Accountability: Takes responsibility of individual and collective actions, promotes the IUCN One Programme approach.
Functional Competencies;
Adheres to IUCN ESARO core values of Transparency, Inclusiveness, Professionalism and Accountability;
Excellent report writing skill;
A strong delivery-oriented work ethic with the ability to meet competing demands and challenging timelines;
Computer literacy in relation to office applications (word processing, spreadsheets, power point) use of internet and online communication tools;
Demonstrates strong leadership and people -management experience including supervision of staff, consultants and coordination of programme/projects teams in a multi-disciplinary environment and effective management of virtual team settings;
Must be strategic thinker, highly motivated, results driven and able to energize and motivate teams;
Excellent interpersonal skills to support building networks and partnerships;
Must be a strong team player with proven communication and diplomacy skills and ability to work effectively with multicultural environment displaying sensitivity and respect for diversity;
Committed to continuous learning, proactive and mature attitude towards self-development;
Willing to travel and work in the vast ASALs of Kenya; APPLICATIONS
Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the \"Apply\" button.
Applicants will be asked to create an account and submit their profile information. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. The vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during Daylight Saving Time, DST). Please note that only selected applicants will be personally contacted for interviews.
Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: https://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/
About IUCN
IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together.
Created in 1948, IUCN is now the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,400 Member organisations and around 16,000 experts. It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments and analysis. Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools and international standards.
IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous peoples organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.
Working with many partners and supporters, IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve people’s well-being.
www.iucn.org
https://twitter.com/IUCN