Programme Coordinator for Central Asia /International Team Leader

• In Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, the objective will be to develop and implement national integrated water resources management and water efficiency strategies (IWRM Planning) at national and basin level.  In doing this, the project will focus both IWRM governance and institutional reform, as well as on concrete interventions to improve (a) irrigated agriculture, (b) the rural water supply and sanitation situation, and (c) small-scale hydropower service delivery.
• In the Ili-Balkash River Basin, the main focus will be on fostering transboundary dialogue and enhance cooperation between Kazakhstan and the People’s Republic of China, aiming at improved management of the shared River Basin system and its resources. On a regional level, the programme will focus besides efficient and effective programme management and project coordination on (i) capacity building – a joint IWRM training plan with GWP, SDC and possibly other partners and initiatives is under preparation – (ii) knowledge and experience exchange as well as (iii) trans-regional trust-building and coordination interventions.
• On a regional basis, the project will support capacity building, targeted training and knowledge management activities, and ensure adequate communication and stakeholder involvement, in order to promote improved and integrated water governance, trans-regional coordination and transboundary dialogue among the Central Asian countries and key water sector partners.

• Project implementation (management, team leadership, monitoring and reporting);
• Advisory support, capacity building and regional IWRM activities;
• Stakeholder involvement, partner coordination, knowledge management support.

• In the framework of the Project Document and TOR of the EC-UNDP project “Promoting IWRM and Fostering Transboundary Dialogue in Central Asia”, ensure effective and efficient project management, including:
• Draft, update and monitor work plans, budgets and expenditures
• Timely delivery of results and outputs in all activities
• Draft, update and monitor work plans, budgets and expenditures
• Manage and oversee all procurement processes, including support to consultants in procuring NGO services, as adequate;
• Provide high-quality reporting (including on-line – in “Atlas”) periodically or on demand
• Organize and facilitate M&E activities
• Keep comprehensive risk and issues logs updated, alert the project board and suggest management responses as needed
• Make and execute all necessary and suitable organizational arrangements;
• Coordinate and oversee the work of PIUs and all teams and task forces, and assure timely and quality implementation of all project activities, including quality control of all produced outputs;
  In line with UNDP’s rules and regulations and the prevailing project implementation arrangements, draft TORs for staff and consultants, identify candidates, and manage the recruitment and hiring process;
• Directly liaise with project partners and supporters, as advised by the Water Governance Advisor;
• Ensure adequate outreach, communication, P/R and project visibility;
• Other tasks to ensure proper project implementation, as adequate and requested by the supervisor.

• Develop, coordinate with partners, and conduct trainings, workshops, stakeholder roundtables, etc.
• Assist key river basin organizations develop capacity to: (i) provide objective (not biased), transparent (clear to all stakeholders) and timely technical assessments and advice and (ii) facilitate informed (costs and benefits) inclusive (all affected stakeholders) decision-making regarding priority IWRM challenges and range of solutions etc.
• Assist involved stakeholders build their SEA capacity to ensure the efficient integration of environmental considerations in specific water management related planning;
• Other activities as emerging and advised by the supervisor or project board;
• Facilitate coordination with capacity building activities or partners and other relevant projects, which may include development and implementation of joint capacity building strategies and programmes;
• Facilitate the implementation and/or conduct regional activities that primarily support:
• Prepare a feasibility / opportunity study on small-scale hydropower in Central Asia
• Kyrgyz and Tajik small transboundary sub-basin agreement implemented;
• Kyrgyz and Tajik other priority pilot projects prepared;
• Kyrgyz and Tajik integrated river basin management (IRBM) institutions reformed;
• Ili-Balkhash Bilateral agreement and framework agreement implemented;
• Ili-Balkhash documentation and river basin master plan prepared;
• Ili-Balkhash public engaged in integrated water resources management.

As leading IWRM expert in Central Asia, and in the framework of the programme:

• Provide advisory services and lead strategic thinking on the project;
• Conduct targeted research, develop briefing papers, prepare and/or hold presentations on related issues, or fulfill other knowledge codification or dissemination services upon request;
• Continuously and pro-actively monitor the relevance and strategic approaches of the programme to address the overall development objective, alert the project board, and develop mitigation proposals, as required;
• Effectively liaise with other UN(DP) colleagues, particularly the collocated expert on Conflict Prevention and Recovery, CO and BRC colleagues.

• Promote inclusive cooperation and coordination with stakeholders within the framework of the programme:
• Advocate and support the IWRM approach, transboundary dialogue and approaches that help improved management of water (and other natural) resources overall
• Ensure adequate involvement of stakeholders in key decisions and activities
• Facilitate and promote exchange of data and information, codification and replication of experience and cutting-edge knowledge in the respective areas in the region
• Promote and facilitate partner and donor-coordination efforts;
• Advise and support the Water Governance Advisor, and other colleagues as adequate, in strategic positioning of UNDP and its operations in the water sector in Central Asia;
• As advised by the Water Governance Advisor, directly liaise with potential new partners in Central Asia, including research institutions (e.g. IWMI), CAREC, bi- or multilateral donors, IFI’s or others as adequate
• Other ad-hoc tasks, within the ability of the incumbent, as appropriate and requested by the supervisor or project board.

Lead public relations for the programme, identifying collaborative opportunities and promoting project results, to ensure project remains relevant and linked to UNDP processes.

• 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

• Practical governance and institutional reform;
• Programme/project coordination and management;
• Practical integrated water resources and river basin management;
• Development and scaling-up of effective participatory processes;
• Capacity and institutional strengthening.
• Knowledge Management and Learning
• Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office
• Understands development issues
• Able to advocate and provide policy 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.  

Management and Leadership

• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Good team player, self starter, has ability to work under minimum supervision and maintain good relationships ;
• Demonstrated programme and team leadership skills;
  Demonstrated ability to develop strategies and work plans to accomplish objectives, empower others to translate visions into results, identify strategic issues, opportunities and risks and devise timely and effective responses;
  Strong oral and written communications skills;

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Demonstrated advanced social skills, including team building and coaching,
• Experience with organizing and giving lectures and trainings
• Prince 2 concept knowledge
• Experience and understanding of Atlas, especially reporting tools
• General knowledge of UNDP POPPs

• Master`s or equivalent degree in the field of water resources management or related discipline, preferably with focus on integrated water resources/river basin management, decentralization and/or large-scale participatory processes
• At least 7 years of relevant working experience with proven track record of supporting practical governance and institutional reform;
• Demonstrated experience with multi-country project management or programme coordination in the domain of water management, including supervision of staff;
• Experience in reporting to donors and associated monitoring and evaluation activities.
• Communications experience and advocacy skills an asset.
• Work experience in an international organization, knowledge of UNDP and/or EC policies and procedures, and experience in working and collaborating with governments and UNDP Country Offices is desirable
• Willingness to travel as appropriate
• Excellent knowledge of English and Russian, including writing, presentation and communication skills.