Environment Forestry And Agriculture Jobs at Nile Basin Initiative Secretariat


Deadline of this Job: 
05 January 2023

JOB DETAILS:
Background
The Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) is a cooperative arrangement initiated and led by the Nile riparian countries to promote joint development, protection and management of the common Nile Basin water resources. NBI has a Shared Vision objective, namely: ‘to achieve sustainable socioeconomic development through the equitable utilization and, benefit from, the common Nile Basin water resources. A wide range of programs and projects are currently under varying stages of identification, preparation and implementation under NBI designed to contribute towards the realization of the NBI Shared Vision.

The Nile-SEC has embarked on its five-year Basin Wide Program (2022 – 2027 (BWP II) implementation with substantial component on transboundary water resources management. The BWP II covers strategic goals of water security, agricultural water management, environmental sustainability, climate change and transboundary water governance.

One of the key result areas NBI Secretariat implemented Basin Wide Program focuses on hydrometeorological supporting countries to improve. With the financial support of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), the NBI has established a transboundary hydrological and meteorological monitoring system (in short, the Hydromet System). The system comprises of hydrological, water quality and meteorological stations designed to meet the transboundary requirements for planning and management of the Nile River Basin water resources.

The data and information collected from the system will support analysis and planning for sustainable management and development and management of the Nile Basin. The hydrological monitoring system include hydrological monitoring stations, data transmission, storage, and basic processing systems.

Following the establishment of the transboundary hydrological monitoring network, NBI intends to support the follow up activities which include the operation and maintenance of the stations, data management including collection, storage, retrieval, transmission, and analysis at regional and national data centers.

The Nile-SEC intends to employ the services of a regional hydrological monitoring expert who shall provide the operational management of the hydromet system in the Nile Basin countries. The regional hydrological monitoring expert will be stationed at the Nile-SEC in Entebbe, Uganda but will be required to travel frequently to Nile Basin riparian countries visiting the stations and data centers as required.

Key responsibilities
The Regional Hydrological Coordination Expert will be responsible for:
• Support the countries in operation and maintenance of the transboundary hydrological network including maintenance of the stations
• Facilitate transition to regular operation of the system, including conducting status checks and reports on operation and maintenance of the monitoring stations, data transmission and quality, follow up with countries on maintenance, trouble-shooting
• Together with the countries, collaboratively carry out hydrometeorological data analysis
• Generate and disseminate the agreed regular information products generated through the system such as the website, hydological bulletin and hydrological yearbook
• Develop adjustment to operational procedures as well as operation & maintenance models based on systematic assessment of lessons learnt.
• Conduct regular Regional Expert Working Group (REWG) meetings for steering, dialogue, capacity building and peer-to-peer exchange
• Support groups of countries to use hydrological data generated by the monitoring system for specific water resources management purposes (includes technical design studies, agreement on procedures, consultations, training, collaborative information assessments).
• Develop application cases for the use of hydrological information together with countries and implement these – especially also related to application of monitoring data for flow forecast for various purposes.

Academic /Professional Qualifications & Experience
1. At least M.Sc in water resources engineering, hydraulic engineering, hydrology, civil engineering (with specialization in hydrology or water resources) or closely related fields;
2. Hands-on experience in hydrological monitoring, data management, and analysis
3. Knowledge with World Meteorological Organization (WMO) standards for hydrological and meteorological monitoring/practices is a significant advantage.
4. At least 5 years of relevant experience (after MSc) in river basin management, water resources management,
5. At least 6 years of hands-on experience with the design and implementation and management of hydro-meteorological systems.
6. Demonstrated experience in on-site implementation, configuration, and operationalization of comparable hydrological monitoring equipment.
7. Hands-on experience in remote sensing and GIS is advantage.
8. Hands-on experience in using hydrological data for flow forecast applications is an advantage.
9. Fluency in the English language is required; working knowledge of French is an added advantage.
10. Knowledge of the Nile Basin is an added advantage; and
11. Excellent inter-personal and communication skills is a requirement.
12. Implementation setup

The Regional Hydrological Coordination Expert shall be contracted by Nile-SEC and will work closely with NBI centers and LVBC under the overall supervision of the DED-HBWP/WRM of the Nile-SEC. The Regional Hydrological Coordination Expert reports to the DED-HBWP/WRM or his designate.

Duration

The duration of the employment shall initially be 2.5 years (with a six months’ probation period) renewed annually based on satisfactory performance.



Deadline of this Job: 05 January 2023

JOB DETAILS:
Background
The Nile-SEC has embarked on its five-year Basin Wide Program (2022 – 2027 (BWP II) implementation with substantial component on transboundary water resources management. The BWP II covers strategic goals of water security, agricultural water management, environmental sustainability, climate change and transboundary water governance.

With funding from the BMZ Project “Support to transboundary water cooperation in the Nile Basin”, the Nile-SEC is interested to hire the service of senior level water resources management specialist (Senior Water Resources Management Specialist).

The Senior Water Resources Management Specialist will be stationed at the Nile-SEC and travel throughout the Nile Basin riparian countries and outside the Nile Basin as required.

The Senior Water Resources Management Specialist shall assist the Deputy Executive Director/Head of Basin-Wide Program (DED/ HBWP) in the implementation of the work streams of the NBI Basin Wide Programme, with focus on water security, agricultural water management, environment and climate change. S/He shall also assist in the supervision of the works of the water resources team. He/she shall provide technical and operational oversight to the water resources planning, analytic work, knowledge and policy functions, basin monitoring and associated staff comprising a range of technical and professional specialists, and the technical systems that underpin the department’s capabilities.

In particular, the Senior Water Resources Management Specialist shall be responsible for the implementation of BMZ Project “Support to transboundary water cooperation in the Nile Basin” within the team and have responsibility for the strategic water resources analysis process and the coordinated dam and reservoir operations processes.

Key responsibilities
a) Support the strategic water resources analysis process and the coordinated dam and reservoir operations process
1. Assist the DED/ HBWP in the planning, implementation, and day to day management of the third phase of the strategic water resources analysis.
2. Assist the DED/ HBWP in the planning, implementation, and day to day management of the coordinated operation of dams and reservoir in the LV basin region.
3. Liaise with NBI member countries to solicit data, information, and feedbacks as part of the strategic analysis and the dam operations process.
4. Provide technical expertise in water resources scenario analysis and planning.
5. Support the generation, analysis, and evaluation of strategic options as part of the strategic water resources analysis and dam operations process.
6. Support the organization of workshops, trainings and experience exchange events planned as part of the strategic analysis and dam operation process.

b) Support in basin water resources management planning and basin-wide investment programming
1. Provide technical oversight and operations level management on specific hydrology and water resources studies, as well as climate change studies as required in supporting development of sustainable water resources planning and management in the NBI countries and across the Nile Basin.
2. Support the conceptualization, planning and preparation of the basin water resources plans and a derived investment program.
3. Support translation and packaging of strategic water resources options into water resources management and infrastructure investment building blocks.
4. Based on the identified water resources management building blocks, support the implementation of the Nile River basin water resources management plan.
5. Provide technical expertise and technical support in implementation of the Basin investment program.
6. Support implementation of the Nile Basin Basin-Wide Program
7. Provide programmatic oversight and guidance to the water resources team
8. Plan, organize and implement activities of the water resources related work streams, including identification of strategic as well as operational priorities, preparation of concept notes and proposals, development of work plan and budget, and day to day supervision of implementation the program.
9. Ensure that water resources team is well-informed and oversight their personal development plans. Ensure timely finalization of staff development plan as per the guidance from the DED-HBWP.
10. Develop and keep under continuous review work plans and budgets in alignment with the Nile-SEC budgeting cycle.
11. Under the guidance of the DED-HBWP, prepare WRM-related programs and projects for mobilization of funds in line with the NBI 10-year strategy and the five-year Basin-wide program.
12. Provide the necessary expertise and leadership to ensure the smooth operation of the Nile-DSS at the Nile-SEC, SAPs and NBI countries.
13. Support member country capacity development

c) Assess the capacity gap and needs of NBI member countries and plan their support.
1. Promote the use of knowledge and tools available at the Nile Sec and in the regional centers
2. Liaise with Universities and Research Institutions in the region in view to introduce the use of the various Nile Basin analytical tools, e.g., the Nile Basin Decision Support System (NB DSS), in their curriculum or practical works.
3. Carry out other tasks as per the request from the DED/HBWP.

Academic /Professional Qualifications & Experience
At least M.Sc. (Ph.D. is added advantage) in water resources engineering, water resources planning and management, hydrology, civil engineering (with specialization in hydrology or water resources) or closely related fields.

Experience Required
1. At least ten (10) years (after MSc degree) relevant experience in water resources planning, including significant high-level experience in leading and managing integrated water resources management and basin planning processes; particularly in a shared river-basin management context.
2. Demonstrated experience in leading multi-disciplinary professional teams (for at least 5 years) for water resources planning, management, and development from a river basin perspective.
3. Excellent understanding and proven ability in water resources assessments for both policy development and operational purposes.
4. Demonstrated experience in resource mobilization including project conceptualization, proposal writing, and engagement of funding agencies
5. Demonstrated capacity to communicate the water resources planning outcomes in ways that are relevant to management and stakeholder decision-making.
6. Demonstrated experience with application of modern trans-boundary water management principles and associated national/international water law principles,
7. A proven capacity to take an innovative and strategic approach to the formulation of water policy at a national or regional level.
8. Proven experience in developing basin/water resources investment plans and engaging with the relevant ministries in a cross –sectoral approach (water, agriculture, energy, environment, finance, and planning)
9. A demonstrated understanding of international and trans-boundary aspects of the management of shared river basins and the ability to apply this understanding to policy and strategy development in a shared river-basin context.
10. Proven capacity to operate in a constructive and highly consultative manner in a complex political environment, particularly where conflicting interests are involved.
11. Experience in leading team processes of professional staff in an organization is a requirement.
12. Proven ability to operate in a multi-cultural environment and to interact positively with a wide range of stakeholders within an international and multi-government context.
13. Proven ability to exercise high-level inter-personal skills in all situations, in particular, in engaging with a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team.
14. Excellent written and spoken communication, including high-level fluency in the English language and an ability to transmit ideas and information in a clear, accurate and effective manner. Knowledge of French is an advantage.

Implementation setup

The Senior Water Resources Management Specialist shall be stationed at the Nile-SEC, Entebbe during the contract period, and work closely with water resources team under the overall supervision of the DED/HBWP of the Nile-SEC.

Duration

The duration of the employment shall initially be 2.5 years (with a six months’ probation period) renewed annually based on satisfactory performance.