| Description |
UNDP in January 2009, the Water Governance Programme for Arab States (WGP-AS) is an integral part of the extensive efforts exerted by the UNDP- Regional Bureau for Arab States (RBAS) to assist Arab countries in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs); particularly the water related set targets for MDG 7 on environmental sustainability. The WGP-AS addresses water challenges resulting from the geographic and climatic conditions, lack of peace and security, governance, population growth and increasing water demand, inadequate access to clean water and sanitation, insufficient capacity and limited resources, in addition to deficiencies in data and monitoring tools
Noting the near absence of information on one of the most arid regions of the world in most of the global publications, the WGP-AS is planning to produce a report entitled " Arab Water Report: Towards Improved Water Governance".
The main objective of this report is to fill this gap and provide the Arab countries and the international community at large with a close-up look on the water situation in the region. This report will be designed to move beyond the traditional inventories of availability, uses, accessibility, dependency, etc. of water resources and address the water governance issues such as participation, transparency, equity, rule of law, accountability, etc. in terms of achievements, constraints, challenges, opportunities, projections and recommendations.
The report will also assess the extent of incorporating socio-economic and environmental considerations in water resources management. It is believed that the production of a report that illustrates the developmental and integration aspects of water resource management is a real challenge; however, it will be a significant contribution to countries of the region, stakeholders and partners. The AWR is planned to be launched by the end of 2011. Its theme “Towards Improved Governance” is of highest priority in the Arab Region. It is also at the heart of the WGP-AS areas of focus and responds to the analysis of the 2006 Human Development Report that “this water crisis is largely our own making. It has resulted not from the natural limitations of the water supply or lack of financing and appropriate technologies, even though these are important factors but rather from profound failures in water governance”.
As a preparatory step, a high level Advisory Board (AB) has been established consisting of a group of eminent thinkers and supported by high level experts to advise on substantive matters and guide the preparation of the report. The AB convened its first meeting in Cairo in July 14-15, 2009.
The AWR preparation process will follow the same guidelines used by UNDP in the preparation of the Human development Reports (HDR) http://hdr.undp.org/external/toolkit/index.html.
Briefly, the process would start by developing the scope of the report, identifying concept papers, and outlining the chapters according to the guidance of eminent thinkers in the AB. This would be followed by engaging a Lead Author (LA) to plan and implement the steps of developing the report. A team of writers, researchers, and consultants for the preparation of technical background papers would then be engaged. The LA would draft the AWR in an integrated style based on the background papers. The report drafts will be reviewed by the AB and peer group of selected experts before the final production and launch stages. | Duties and Responsibilities | Based on the drafted table of content of the AWR approved by the AB and under the overall guidance and supervision of the WGP-AS, the Lead Author will undertake and oversee all aspects of the substantive preparation of the report. More specifically, the Lead Author will assume the following duties and responsibilities:
Management and Coordination of the AWR Team: - Identify and propose to WGP-AS renowned authors for the development of the background papers and draft their TORs and advise contributing consultants on data and information to be collected; methods of analysis and interpretation; presentation of results and drawing conclusions.
- Identify any special surveys required to support the database for the report; propose TORs for, and a shortlist of, regional and, as appropriate, international institutions qualified to conduct such surveys under subcontract; subsequently, oversee the timely work according to plan of the contracted institution(s), ensuring the quality and relevance of the methodology used, questionnaires issued and findings produced;
- Participate in AB meetings and record feedback from the AB and Readers Group on drafts of the report and ensure that comments are properly reflected in the revised draft of the report at all stages of the review process.
- Supervise the writing process and provide substantive feedback to the writers and researchers through briefings with team of researchers after data collection and throughout the process when necessary.
- Liaise and coordinate with WGP-AS for the timely preparation of the AWR in line with WGP-AS work plan.
Preparation of the AWR: - Identify the scope, content, structure and objectives of background papers including needed information, data and statistics. Based on the finalized research outline and in close coordination with WGP-AS, subtopics will be formulated in order to produce all relevant background documents concerning the water governance theme of the report.
- Review researchers’ Technical Background Papers (TBP) findings and interpret compiled data and information provided by contributors of background papers in AWR drafts.
- In collaboration with a Report Statistician, the LA will research and compile quantitative data required to support the Report’s analysis, and ensure that such data is as authoritative, up-to-date and consistent as possible. This work should take into account data used in previous renown reports and other relevant statistics compiled by leading regional and international institutions. The LA shall be responsible for presenting such data in a Statistical Annex and in the form of charts, graphs and tables in the main chapters of the report.
- Synthesize compiled data, information, studies, surveys and reports to ensure an integrated and cohesive final product that clarify the inter-linkages between socio-economic, environmental and cultural aspects of water governance.
- Consistently update the concept papers outlining the report based on dynamic changes during the preparation of the report and in accordance with provided guidance from the AB. This would include the incorporation of comments raised by the AB and external reviewers into the final draft.
- Carry out rigorous and intensive review of the draft(s) and final report, supervise editing process and provide detailed comments and specific suggestions on the way to present the paper to different stakeholders.
- Prepare periodic progress reports, briefings and deliver presentation on status of the report in workshops with members of AB and involved agencies.
- Cooperate with the editor and graphic designer for the review of the edited version of the report.
- Produce the Arab Water Report in its final form.
Ensuring a participatory process and promotion of the report: - Ensure the participatory nature of the report by identifying, exploring the interest and involving key water institutions in preparing the report.
- Ensure that ender balance is addressed in the planning, preparing and finalizing the report. Gender balance in water resources management is a core subject in the report.
- Substantively support WGP-AS in holding meetings, wide stakeholder consultations and regional discussions on the outcomes of the report.
- Participate in workshops and seminars to review the draft papers and get feedback from relevant stakeholders.
- Coordinate with WGP-AS in creating and sharpening the key messages of the report to various target audience including media and participate in presentations of report’s findings.
- Coordinate with the World Water Assessment Program (WWAP) to ensure the inclusion of relevant sections of the AWR in the World water Assessment report (WWAR).
- Support WGP-AS in designing a plan for the promoting and publicizing the report.
| Competencies | - Demonstrates integrity and fairness, by modeling the UNs values and ethical standards.
- Excellent communication and writing skills in English and strong oral and written communication skills.
- Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNDP.
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a constructive attitude.
- Openness to change and ability to manage complexities
- Ability to work under pressure and to exhibit sound judgment
- Leadership, self-motivation, and the ability to take initiative.
- Substantive experience in working with multi disciplinary teams of professionals.Education/Experience/Language
- Advanced university degree at a PhD or equivalent level on Water Resources, Economics, Social Sciences, International Development, or related subjects.
- Substantive working experience of at least 12 years as a research coordinator and a record of publications in the areas of water governance, climate change, water resources management, poverty reduction, public policy, capacity building, economic growth, social impacts, etc.
- Proved experience in integrating various aspects of IWRM and their inter-linkages with water governance.
- International and regional working experience, preferably in Arab States.
- Computer skills in Microsoft word processing, spreadsheets and statistical packages.
- Good understanding of environmental and socio-economic dimensions within the developmental context in the Arab region.
- Excellent communication (fluency) in spoken and written English
- Working knowledge of Arabic and/or French languages an asset
|
|
