Program Unit

This is a bilateral GEF IW project between Cambodia and Viet Nam focused on the improved transboundary management of the shared Cambodia-Mekong Delta Aquifer (CMDA). Key challenges include (i) rapid groundwater decline, (ii) land surface subsidence, (iii) increasing levels of arsenic and other contaminants, (iv) salinity intrusion, and (v) degrading groundwater dependent ecosystems. Climate change and upstream development are expected to deepen the vulnerability of the aquifer and dependent livelihoods and ecosystems, as future scenarios highlight accelerating threats for large parts of the population living in Cambodia and Viet Nam’s Mekong Delta.

The project objective is “to strengthen environmental sustainability and water security in the Lower Mekong Basin by investing, for the first time, on improved governance and sustainable utilization of the Cambodia-Mekong River Delta Transboundary Aquifer”. Specific Outcomes include:

• Outcome 1: Consensus among countries on key transboundary and national concerns affecting the aquifer, reached through joint fact finding, opening pathways to concerted remedial actions
• Outcome 2: Tested strategies for improved groundwater recharge, reduced extraction and mitigated ecosystem/ livelihoods trade-offs
• Outcome 3: Agreed improvements of transboundary cooperation improve aquifer transboundary governance
• Outcome 4: Commitment reached among countries on implementing priority legal, institutional and policy reforms and investments for the protection and equitable utilization of the shared aquifer and its' dependent ecosystems
• Outcome 5: Implementation of project mechanisms for monitoring, improved stakeholder consultation, gender mainstreaming, dissemination, coordination and monitoring progress enhance long-term sustainability of achievements.

Establishing transboundary groundwater management mechanisms for CMDA is paramount for sustainable development, mainly involving the conjunctive management of surface and groundwater resources enhancing synergies with biodiversity conservation (e.g. wetland management), forests and inland fisheries management, and resolving conflicts at the food, energy and environment nexus.

FAO will be the Implementing Agency and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has been selected as the Lead Executing Agency (Lead Operational Partner). The TDA process will be largely executed by UNESCO and the Mekong Region Futures Institute (MERFI) while IUCN will lead all SAP related steps, supported by other executing agencies and the Cambodia and Viet Nam National Mekong Committee (CNMC & VNMC). UNESCO WWAP will coordinate gender focused activities. The countries will execute pilot projects, which will be based on TDA results and inform the SAP formulation process.

This is a local recruitment. Only Cambodian nationals, individuals with residence status or the appropriate employment visa for Viet Nam are eligible to apply.

The remuneration and benefits package for this position is established with reference to the local labour market and in line with the IUCN conditions of service for Cambodia.

Under the guidance of the CTA, the NC will manage project activities in Cambodia as part of the the GEF International Waters (IW) Enhancing sustainability of the Transboundary Cambodia - Mekong River Delta Aquifer, which will operate in Cambodia and Viet Nam.

The project will be delivered through a Regional Project Management Unit (RPMU) based in Ho Chi Minh City and National Project Management Units (NPMU) in Hanoi and Phnom Penh. The RPMU will be managed by a HCMC based Chief Technical Advisor on a day-to-day basis in cooperation with the two NCs, and two National Project Directors (NPDs) assigned (on a part-time basis) by the two government executing agencies. The Cambodian NC will be based at the IUCN Phnom Penh Office.

The Cambodia National Coordinator and RPMU will operate under the guidance of the Regional Project Steering Committee (RPSC), with members appointed by the two governments, and with the support of dedicated Finance and Admin Officers.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

• Under supervision of the CTA, lead the in-country implementation of project activities in close collaboration with the RPMU and NPMU in Cambodia, and the NC and project team in Vietnam.
• Provide day-to-day secretariat support to the NPMU and handle day-to-day project activities and requirements.
• Work closely with GDEP-MoE to ensure all project activities follow the laws and regulations of Cambodia for such activities.
• Manage the delivery and performance of consultancy sub-contracts in Cambodia
• Provide technical review of project outputs and adherence to Cambodian law, standards and norms.
• Ensure project documents translated from English into Khmer are accurate and of high quality.
• Monitor, and regularly report on the progress of the project against annual budget and work plan.
• Support the CTA in monitoring project M&E indicators, GEF core indicators.
• Prepare monthly reporting according to the project requirements.
• Provide inputs for the six-monthly and annual written reports on the overall project delivery, covering issues such as project activities, outputs and outcome delivery.
• Liaise with relevant project stakeholders, including central and provincial government departments, research institutes/organisations, local NGOs and civil society.
• Maintain linkages with other projects and studies relevant to the project and identify opportunities for partnership, technical collaboration and knowledge exchange with other agencies, organizations and donors.