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Programme Coordinator , BRIDGE Africa
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BACKGROUND
THIS POSITION IS OPEN TO ZIMBABWEAN NATIONALS OR THOSE WITH THE RIGHT TO WORK IN ZIMBABWE ON LOCAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT.
Water resources will play a pivotal role in economic development in Africa. Currently, about half of the African continent faces water stress or water scarcity, with this situation predicted to become significantly worse by 2040, with water demand, resource depletion and climate change causing more countries to feel the impacts of water scarcity. Investments in major water infrastructure are hence set to expand rapidly as African nations seek to ensure water security for both their communities and economies. With 69% of Africans living without access to proper sanitation and 40% without access to safe drinking water, investment in water services is also a top priority. At the same time, Africa uses just 7% of its hydropower potential and only 20% of potential irrigation development has been exploited. Annual investment needs in the water sector have been assessed at $49 billion.
Good water governance is needed in order to put in place the agreements, policies, legal frameworks and institutions required to ensure sustainable development of water resources in Africa. In particular in view of the complexities that come with watercourses that cross international borders. About one-third of the world’s major international water basins are in Africa and approximately 64% of continental Africa is connected to a transboundary river basin, involving 93% of surface water waters. Another 7% of surface waters are held in transboundary lakes, such as Lake Chad, Lake Victoria, Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika. By increasing ‘water governance capacity’ nations can put in place more effective policies, laws, institutions and regulatory frameworks for water. ‘Water governance capacity’ creates the enabling environment needed for effective infrastructure investment and for managing the financial, equity and environmental risks of water infrastructure investment.
IUCN is therefore implementing a strategy for ‘Building River Dialogue and Governance in Africa’ (BRIDGE-Africa) that will build water governance capacities in African river and lake basins at multiple levels, spanning local, national and transboundary dimensions. BRIDGE-Africa is a programme that aims to improve water cooperation and increase water governance capacity from local to regional levels. The programme has already been implemented in Mesoamerica, South America and the Mekong region and a first phase for Africa is now initiated. In Eastern and Southern Africa, the targeted areas include Pungwe River Basin, Lake Malawi/Nyasa/Niassa (LMNN) as well as the Horn of Africa through collaborations with IGAD. BRIDGE will build on on-going initiatives and align with national and regional agendas. The following five elements make up the BRIDGE approach and will be applied in all the geographical areas:
1. Demonstration– using demonstration and testing of how to make cooperation operational in a basin as the ground for confidence and trust building, shared learning and joint action on concrete steps in building national and transboundary water governance capacity;
2. Learning– using training and capacity building, for multiple stakeholders, including local governments and civil society actors as well as high-level national officials, in water governance, international water law and benefit sharing to improve understanding;
3. Dialogue for consensus building – using demonstration actions and learning events to catalyse new dialogues on technical, development and political matters;
4. Leadership– supporting the empowering of champions for transboundary water cooperation and better water governance who can effectively advocate for mobilisation of water diplomacy;
5. Support facilities –providing advice on demand and technical assistance to governments and stakeholders on water governance, including on effective institutional and legal frameworks, and communications to promote applications of lessons learned, advice and demonstration results in transboundary hot spots regionally and globally.
Water resources will play a pivotal role in economic development in Africa. Currently, about half of the African continent faces water stress or water scarcity, with this situation predicted to become significantly worse by 2040, with water demand, resource depletion and climate change causing more countries to feel the impacts of water scarcity. Investments in major water infrastructure are hence set to expand rapidly as African nations seek to ensure water security for both their communities and economies. With 69% of Africans living without access to proper sanitation and 40% without access to safe drinking water, investment in water services is also a top priority. At the same time, Africa uses just 7% of its hydropower potential and only 20% of potential irrigation development has been exploited. Annual investment needs in the water sector have been assessed at $49 billion.
Good water governance is needed in order to put in place the agreements, policies, legal frameworks and institutions required to ensure sustainable development of water resources in Africa. In particular in view of the complexities that come with watercourses that cross international borders. About one-third of the world’s major international water basins are in Africa and approximately 64% of continental Africa is connected to a transboundary river basin, involving 93% of surface water waters. Another 7% of surface waters are held in transboundary lakes, such as Lake Chad, Lake Victoria, Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika. By increasing ‘water governance capacity’ nations can put in place more effective policies, laws, institutions and regulatory frameworks for water. ‘Water governance capacity’ creates the enabling environment needed for effective infrastructure investment and for managing the financial, equity and environmental risks of water infrastructure investment.
IUCN is therefore implementing a strategy for ‘Building River Dialogue and Governance in Africa’ (BRIDGE-Africa) that will build water governance capacities in African river and lake basins at multiple levels, spanning local, national and transboundary dimensions. BRIDGE-Africa is a programme that aims to improve water cooperation and increase water governance capacity from local to regional levels. The programme has already been implemented in Mesoamerica, South America and the Mekong region and a first phase for Africa is now initiated. In Eastern and Southern Africa, the targeted areas include Pungwe River Basin, Lake Malawi/Nyasa/Niassa (LMNN) as well as the Horn of Africa through collaborations with IGAD. BRIDGE will build on on-going initiatives and align with national and regional agendas. The following five elements make up the BRIDGE approach and will be applied in all the geographical areas:
1. Demonstration– using demonstration and testing of how to make cooperation operational in a basin as the ground for confidence and trust building, shared learning and joint action on concrete steps in building national and transboundary water governance capacity;
2. Learning– using training and capacity building, for multiple stakeholders, including local governments and civil society actors as well as high-level national officials, in water governance, international water law and benefit sharing to improve understanding;
3. Dialogue for consensus building – using demonstration actions and learning events to catalyse new dialogues on technical, development and political matters;
4. Leadership– supporting the empowering of champions for transboundary water cooperation and better water governance who can effectively advocate for mobilisation of water diplomacy;
5. Support facilities –providing advice on demand and technical assistance to governments and stakeholders on water governance, including on effective institutional and legal frameworks, and communications to promote applications of lessons learned, advice and demonstration results in transboundary hot spots regionally and globally.
JOB DESCRIPTION
The BRIDGE Africa Programme Coordinator (PC) for ESARO will be responsible for coordinating the activities within the BRIDGE Africa programme. Coordinating the work within the BRIDGE Africa Programme includes (i) developing and maintaining relations with key stakeholders in the region, including identification of appropriate BRIDGE action and complementary activities and funding sources; (ii) providing support and guidance to the Programme Officers responsible for implementing the activities in the IGAD region, LMNN and Pungwe basins and (iii) take responsibility for the administration, financial management and implementation of the overall programme, including annual planning and biannual reporting.
The Programme Coordinator hence maintains the overall project responsibility as the management leader and coordinator. The PC should ensure appropriate progress, adherence to a programme approach and coherence between the different basins. The PC will also ensure liaison with the BRIDGE coordination and Technical Support facility of IUCN Water and IUCN Environmental Law Center and, in collaboration with the other PC, ensure that the BRIDGE Africa Technical Support Facility is used efficiently and addresses the right issues. The PC will also serve as one of the primary liaisons with host government representatives and other partners. The PC will receive backstopping support from senior staff in relevant IUCN Regional and Country offices.
8. DUTIES
The specific responsibilities of the Programme Coordinator refer to technical support to the 3 components and to the overall coordination and management responsibilities as outlined below.
Core Functions:
I. Administration and management: The PC will oversee the administrative and financial management of the BRIDGE programme activities in ESARO.
II. Strategic direction: In collaboration with partners and IUCN staff, provide strategic guidance to the IGAD region and to the Pungwe and LMNN basins, in particular by coordinating and communicating recommendations.
III. Programme implementation and coordination: The PC will provide technical support to the IGAD component and the LMNN and Pungwe basins, in particular by coordinating the Technical support facilities, with the purpose of realizing overall the Programme goals and objectives as stipulated in the donor agreements/contacts.
IV. Monitoring and evaluation: Ensure efficient monitoring and evaluation of activities, in collaboration with partners and IUCN staff.
V. Representation and leadership: Represent IUCN to government officials, community leaders, private sector companies and businesses and counterpart/NGO representatives as needed. Participate in international meetings as requested by supervisor(s). Ensure the liaison with the ZAMCOM secretariat.
VI. Co-investment and developing new proposals: In collaboration with IUCN Water, IUCN ESARO, the ZAMCOM secretariat and other partners: assist with the development of funding proposals and co-investment opportunities for the BRIDGE programme overall. As part of a coordinated approach to fundraising, the PC is expected to lead the development of funding proposals for BRIDGE and other complementary water/wetlands projects as appropriate.
8.1 Administration and management:
8.1.1 Manage day to day follow up and collaboration with project partners in the IGAD region and convene regular BRIDGE Africa coordination meetings for all target areas.
8.1.2 Contribute to the development and effective functioning of the Technical support facility to ensure that skill development needs for BRIDGE Africa are addressed appropriately.
8.1.3 Ensure a collaborative and interactive approach throughout the programme and that communication between project partners is carried out in a respectful and appropriate manner.
8.1.4 Ensure that all administrative procedures are followed, in line with Donor Contracts and the IUCN Internal Control Systems (ICS), such as those regarding vehicle use and procurement.
8.2 Strategic direction
8.2.1 Work closely with IUCN staff and partners to ensure that activities are in line with priorities and policies in the IGAD and SADC regions.
8.2.2 Ensure that the strategic direction of BRIDGE Africa is informed by evolving national and regional priorities.
8.2.3 Keep abreast of development needs and Programme opportunities, in particularly those in line with IUCN’s sectoral priorities and programmatic principles.
8.2.4 Encourage innovation and excellence in programming.
8.3 Programme implementation
8.3.1 Successfully coordinate the activities of the Technical support facilities for the BRIDGE Africa programme, oversee the implementation of BRIDGE activities and support activities where needed.
8.3.2 Ensure compliance with all donor provisions, and timely fulfilment of programmatic reporting requirements.
8.3.3 Oversee expenditure for the overall BRIDGE programme, avoiding both under spending and overspending on budget line items.
8.3.4 Compile outcomes of meetings and workshops with stakeholders and disseminate communication material.
8.3.5 Ensure gender equality is integrated and mainstreamed though all Programme field activities
?
8.4 Monitoring and Evaluation
8.4.1 In coordination with IUCN staff and relevant partners, ensure effective monitoring and evaluation of results.
8.4.2 Ensure completion of biannual and annual technical and financial (including co-financing) reports. Prepare and submit all required IUCN and donor reports for review and submission.
8.4.3 Regularly visit the project areas and follow up on progress to evaluate programmatic outputs and impact both quantitatively and in terms of quality implementation.
8.5 Representation and Leadership
8.5.1 Network and liaise with all the partners and potential partners, developing and maintaining partnerships and strong relationships across all sectors (including the private sector);
8.5.2 Ensure that good working relationships with governmental officials are maintained, particularly those within the ministries and other institutions (including IGAD, Ara Centro, ZINWA, ZAMCOM, SADC, etc.)
8.5.3 Represent IUCN and maintain good working relationships among the international and local NGO community in the basins, among community leadership structures and community-based organizations, and to visiting donor teams and other key contacts.
8.5.4 Encourage teamwork, openness, and honesty among BRIDGE partners.
8.6 Co-investment and developing new proposals
8.6.1 Ensure that work packages are developed in a phased manner that encourages and facilitates co-investment.
8.6.2 Play a key role in the development of concept papers and proposals for the next phase of BRIDGE Africa and projects that can be developed to complement BRIDGE.
The Programme Coordinator hence maintains the overall project responsibility as the management leader and coordinator. The PC should ensure appropriate progress, adherence to a programme approach and coherence between the different basins. The PC will also ensure liaison with the BRIDGE coordination and Technical Support facility of IUCN Water and IUCN Environmental Law Center and, in collaboration with the other PC, ensure that the BRIDGE Africa Technical Support Facility is used efficiently and addresses the right issues. The PC will also serve as one of the primary liaisons with host government representatives and other partners. The PC will receive backstopping support from senior staff in relevant IUCN Regional and Country offices.
8. DUTIES
The specific responsibilities of the Programme Coordinator refer to technical support to the 3 components and to the overall coordination and management responsibilities as outlined below.
Core Functions:
I. Administration and management: The PC will oversee the administrative and financial management of the BRIDGE programme activities in ESARO.
II. Strategic direction: In collaboration with partners and IUCN staff, provide strategic guidance to the IGAD region and to the Pungwe and LMNN basins, in particular by coordinating and communicating recommendations.
III. Programme implementation and coordination: The PC will provide technical support to the IGAD component and the LMNN and Pungwe basins, in particular by coordinating the Technical support facilities, with the purpose of realizing overall the Programme goals and objectives as stipulated in the donor agreements/contacts.
IV. Monitoring and evaluation: Ensure efficient monitoring and evaluation of activities, in collaboration with partners and IUCN staff.
V. Representation and leadership: Represent IUCN to government officials, community leaders, private sector companies and businesses and counterpart/NGO representatives as needed. Participate in international meetings as requested by supervisor(s). Ensure the liaison with the ZAMCOM secretariat.
VI. Co-investment and developing new proposals: In collaboration with IUCN Water, IUCN ESARO, the ZAMCOM secretariat and other partners: assist with the development of funding proposals and co-investment opportunities for the BRIDGE programme overall. As part of a coordinated approach to fundraising, the PC is expected to lead the development of funding proposals for BRIDGE and other complementary water/wetlands projects as appropriate.
8.1 Administration and management:
8.1.1 Manage day to day follow up and collaboration with project partners in the IGAD region and convene regular BRIDGE Africa coordination meetings for all target areas.
8.1.2 Contribute to the development and effective functioning of the Technical support facility to ensure that skill development needs for BRIDGE Africa are addressed appropriately.
8.1.3 Ensure a collaborative and interactive approach throughout the programme and that communication between project partners is carried out in a respectful and appropriate manner.
8.1.4 Ensure that all administrative procedures are followed, in line with Donor Contracts and the IUCN Internal Control Systems (ICS), such as those regarding vehicle use and procurement.
8.2 Strategic direction
8.2.1 Work closely with IUCN staff and partners to ensure that activities are in line with priorities and policies in the IGAD and SADC regions.
8.2.2 Ensure that the strategic direction of BRIDGE Africa is informed by evolving national and regional priorities.
8.2.3 Keep abreast of development needs and Programme opportunities, in particularly those in line with IUCN’s sectoral priorities and programmatic principles.
8.2.4 Encourage innovation and excellence in programming.
8.3 Programme implementation
8.3.1 Successfully coordinate the activities of the Technical support facilities for the BRIDGE Africa programme, oversee the implementation of BRIDGE activities and support activities where needed.
8.3.2 Ensure compliance with all donor provisions, and timely fulfilment of programmatic reporting requirements.
8.3.3 Oversee expenditure for the overall BRIDGE programme, avoiding both under spending and overspending on budget line items.
8.3.4 Compile outcomes of meetings and workshops with stakeholders and disseminate communication material.
8.3.5 Ensure gender equality is integrated and mainstreamed though all Programme field activities
?
8.4 Monitoring and Evaluation
8.4.1 In coordination with IUCN staff and relevant partners, ensure effective monitoring and evaluation of results.
8.4.2 Ensure completion of biannual and annual technical and financial (including co-financing) reports. Prepare and submit all required IUCN and donor reports for review and submission.
8.4.3 Regularly visit the project areas and follow up on progress to evaluate programmatic outputs and impact both quantitatively and in terms of quality implementation.
8.5 Representation and Leadership
8.5.1 Network and liaise with all the partners and potential partners, developing and maintaining partnerships and strong relationships across all sectors (including the private sector);
8.5.2 Ensure that good working relationships with governmental officials are maintained, particularly those within the ministries and other institutions (including IGAD, Ara Centro, ZINWA, ZAMCOM, SADC, etc.)
8.5.3 Represent IUCN and maintain good working relationships among the international and local NGO community in the basins, among community leadership structures and community-based organizations, and to visiting donor teams and other key contacts.
8.5.4 Encourage teamwork, openness, and honesty among BRIDGE partners.
8.6 Co-investment and developing new proposals
8.6.1 Ensure that work packages are developed in a phased manner that encourages and facilitates co-investment.
8.6.2 Play a key role in the development of concept papers and proposals for the next phase of BRIDGE Africa and projects that can be developed to complement BRIDGE.
REQUIREMENTS
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• Postgraduate degree in Water resource management, International development, Environment, or relevant field required • Minimum 5 years of relevant working experience • Demonstrated experience and knowledge of the Eastern and Southern Africa region • Experience in managing and directing field based operations • Strong skills in Multi Stakeholder Processes and Partnerships, including convening and facilitating networks/platforms involving a diverse and large number of stakeholders across different sectors • Experience with capacity building approaches towards improved governance of natural resources • Experience in programme design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation • Strong interpersonal, team building and representational skills • Ability to work in a multicultural and geographically dispersed team • Additional training or qualification in development issues or technical areas such as, management, organisational/institutional development, community development, etc • Experience in monitoring and evaluation of results and impacts • Fluency in English with a good knowledge of local languages, including Portuguese. |
APPLICATIONS
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