Consultant: Human Rights-Based Approaches to Water Governance / Knowledge Management (WaterWiki.NET)

Water Governance has emerged as a priority in the RBEC region over the past years. The Environment & Energy (E&E) Practice in the Bratislava Regional Centre (BRC) has promoted, under the leadership of the Water Governance Advisor, the development of a growing portfolio of projects and activities, as well as a regional Community of Experts and Practitioners (Water Practice) with a growing array of knowledge management activities – foremost WaterWiki.NET. Together with the Human Rights Practice, a new regional programme was launched to promote the Right to Water, and Human Rights-Based Approaches in the water sector in Europe & CIS. Under the guidance of the two Advisors, the Programme Analyst will conduct a set of analytical and service-delivery tasks to promote efficient and effective capacity building within the regional water and human rights Communities of Practice (CoP’s), and specifically to support development and implementation of concrete projects and activities at national level. On-demand targeted research and other (knowledge) service delivery for key clients (foremost COs), as well as the codification of knowledge and experience to be made available via WaterWiki.NET and other relevant platforms and channels, will complement his/her task list. The Programme Analyst will be working under the direct supervision of the Water Governance Advisor, also receiving guidance by the Human Rights Advisor. Interaction with other colleagues (within the E&E and other Practices) will be necessary on a regular basis, allowing cross-practice synergies and continuous learning and exchange, also building the basis for continued capacity development and growth within the Bratislava Practices. Together with the Water Governance Advisor and other (UNDP and external) project partners, the consultant will contribute to the following expected outcomes: HRBA to Water Governance programme launched; desk reviews, and subsequent in-depth assessment are being conducted efficiently and effectively for selected target countries; COs and other partners are being trained and/or supported to better work towards HRBA application in the water sector, in order to develop and implement concrete projects and activities; WaterWiki is continuously being expanded and enhanced as global platform for knowledge codification and exchange, on-line collaboration amongst members of the global “UN Water Community or Practice” , and harboring inter-agency knowledge exchange web-projects, including static and dynamic content linking or other forms of exchange of data between different websites; As the “No. 1 knowledge portal on water”, WaterWiki is covering a significant and growing part of UN-relevant online resources, knowledge products or tools (including data on experts and practitioners, projects, organizations or other types of materials) for easy access and use. Duties and Responsibilities The Policy Analyst’s main areas of activity include: Implementing activities under the regional BRC programme on “HRBA to Water Governance”, including country desk assessments, support stakeholder meetings and verification missions, CO support and capacity building activities; Assistance on knowledge management activities, including codification of experience (on WaterWiki.net and other formats), targeted research, support to policy advice or programme development requests, Community of Practice facilitation, or other services to COs and key clients; 1. Activities under the BRC “HRBA to Water Governance” programme Under the guidance and supervision of both the Water Governance Advisor and the Human Rights Advisor in BRC, the Policy Analyst will: Conduct research and desk studies on HRBA in the water sector in the region, and/or on target countries Provide analysis and assist in developing action plans for work towards implementation of the programme, and the ultimate developing of national projects and activities for “phase 3”; Under “phase 1” of the programme, and based on decided-upon target countries, conduct country-level research (“check-lists”) and develop draft situation analysis reports following the “HRBA to Water Governance” programme and methodology; Liaise with national focal points to prepare and support implementation of work under Phase 1 and 2; Under “phase 2” of the programme, assist in the stakeholder consultation, verification and prioritization processes, and support the development of concrete projects and activities for implementation under “phase 3”; Ensure close liaison and cooperation with the global initiative on WSS Analysis in selected pilot countries, as well as other relevant programmes and activities of UNDP and its partners; In particular, support and/or represent the Water Governance Advisor in liaising with the Protocol on Water and Health Project Facilitation Committee, or other donor-coordination mechanisms. Other relevant tasks and assignments, as emerging and assigned. 2. Knowledge Management, regional Capacity building and CoP-services Under the guidance of the Water Governance Advisor, and in direct support of the regional Water Practice (CoP), the specific tasks include: Assist the BRC Water Governance Advisor in his/her overall service delivery mandate towards COs and other clients. Specifically, and as requested: Research, review, analyze and codify knowledge and experience (on WaterWiki.NET, or other platforms and formats); Conduct targeted research and analysis (substantive, expert referrals, etc.), and develop briefing papers, talking points or other in-house knowledge products and services; Prepare or directly provide policy and programme support services to clients, as requested; Support preparation and conduction of capacity development activities, in particular (but not exclusively) in the area of HRBA and Water Governance, including organization and conduction of trainings in target countries or at regional level, regular CoP-workshops, support country offices in knowledge codification or other knowledge management related activities; Take a key position in facilitation of the global, virtual Water Community of Practice (CoP), in particular including periodic communication (newsletters or similar), coordination of members on WaterWiki (and other on-line networking platforms or tools, as adequate), and delivery of other on-demand knowledge or CoP-services; Support development of knowledge products and their dissemination and application, with a view to strengthen the Water Practice. Specifically and pro-actively: Keep abreast of relevant network discussions, crucial developments and emerging trends in the region; Based on such create, review or edit content on WaterWiki (or other on-line tools and platforms as adequate); Consolidate trends and cutting-edge knowledge for periodic dissemination within the Water-CoP; Other emerging tasks may be assigned by the Water Governance Advisor, as emerging. Working Arrangements and remuneration The timely input for above tasks may be varying, depending on the emerging portfolio volume, client demands and availability of adequate budget. The work load is estimated to occupy the consultant between 60-100% of his/her time over the course of the year. A contract will be issued for the period of one year. For each of the specific assignments, a timeframe for delivery of results, and lump sum remuneration for thei satisfactory completion will be agreed in writing, prior to commencement of the work. Output based payment will be released immediately after delivery of the agreed results. Travel costs, if applicable and upon prior approval by the Water Governance Advisor, will be reimbursed in addition to the remuneration for services, and according to UNDP standard rules and procedures. Competencies Managerial and Leadership Focuses on impact and results for the client; Responds positively to feedback; Proven competency towards diligence and self-management of delivering results based on changing task lists Strong oral and written communications skills; Technical/ Functional Background and work experience in the field of international development, Water Governance, Human Rights or other relevant domain; A good sense for project management, UNDP’s programme cycle, or other financial monitoring, reporting and project management tasks and tools (Atlas or others); Proven skills and relevant experience in applied knowledge management, using on-line and web 2.0 tools (preferably Wikis); Excellent organizational skills with a client-oriented view; Excellent communication skills (oral and written) in English, preferably also in Russian; Advanced IT skills a must; experience with (on-line) knowledge management tools and approaches (e.g. web 2.0) and asset. Corporate Demonstrates commitment and integrity in line with UN values and ethical standards Promotes the vision and mission of UNDP Displays cultural, gender, religious, ethnic, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability Knowledge Management and Learning Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office Understands development and international cooperation issues Able to advocate and provide advice Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies new acquired skills and is able to draw lessons from professional/personal experience and integrate new learning into overall approach to work. Development and Operational Effectiveness Proven ability to work on a self-motivated and pro-active basis, and to prioritize tasks and mandates Faced with a decision requiring situation, able to distinguish between situation that needs supervisory endorsement or self-determination Required Skills and Experience MS or similar university degree in environmental sciences, natural resource management, international development, or other relevant field; Basic work experience in the international context (preferably UN), preferably in the field of Water Governance and/or Human Rights; Advanced, proven skills and work experience on web 2.0 tools, preferably with Wiki-systems, and/or experience in the cross-field of knowledge management and IT-applications.; Proven competence to conceptualize tasks, develop and follow-through work plans; Self-starter with well-organized working style, proven efficiency and competency in self-managing complex task-lists under time pressure, and in collaboration or coordination with a team of colleagues with differing backgrounds and across various locations; Excellent English communication and drafting skills a must; basic Russian an asset; Willingness and competency to work in a multi-cultural environment and adhering to UN values