Vacancy - Water Programme Coordinator

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) seeks to recruit a self-motivated professional for the position of Water Program Coordinator for the Oceania Regional Office based in Suva, Fiji.

Duration: Concludes December 2010 - with possibilities of extension

The Water Program of IUCN is a new program that is seeking to establich a comprehensive set of water and environment related activities in the Pacific.

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

To oversee:

1. Development of a Water Program for IUCN – Oceania Regional Office
2.  Development of appropriate partnership with countries and other providers of water related technical and capacity development services – particularly in relation to WANI initiative
3. Implementation of the WANI II activities for IUCN Oceania

DUTIES:

Development of Water Program for IUCN Oceania:

Undertaking other key tasks, including the following:

• Maintaining linkages with governments and CROP agencies working in the water sector and seeking to incorporate environmental considerations into the various approaches and plans
• Drafting and publishing project reports using appropriate language and feeding results into IUCN Global Water Program and Oceania Regional Office communication activities;
• Develop strategic plans and implement annual work programs and project activities that contribute to the emergence of a strategic IUCN Oceania Regional Office Water Program in collaboration with relevant IUCN Oceania staff, IUCN members and partners;
• Developing and reinforcing the links with the IUCN Commissions and Programs by enhancing the IUCN networks of water researchers, conservationists, and managers to implement Oceania Regional Office activities;
• Assist in identifying the need for and coordinating technical inputs of consultants and IUCN technical staff;
• Assist in the review of the technical outputs of external and internal consultants and ensuring they meet the standards set for the activity;
• Representing IUCN and presenting seminars at national and international meetings; and assisting the development and maintenance of local, national, and regional working relationships with key partners.
• Implement water projects as they develop
• Other duties as reasonably required of you by the Employer.

Water and Nature Initiative:

Implementation of WANI initiatives in Oceania;

• Develop, coordinate and manage the implementation of activities under the Water and Nature Initiative of IUCN Oceania.
• Ensure all Oceania WANI projects promote the achievement of the WANI four WANI objectives:

1. Ecosystem services and water security; to promote water security through demonstrating best practice in water and ecosystem management;
2. Good governance and stakeholder participation: to enable participation in water decision making in support of the establishment of good water governance at regional, (sub-) national and river basin level’
3. Economic development & Sustainable Financing: to support sustainable economic growth through financing of water infrastructure, institutions and management;
4. Leadership & Learning: to catalyze change through building leadership and learning amongst water managers, users and decision makers;

• Maintain linkages with IUCN- HQ on the development and implementation of the WANI program in Oceania and Globally
• Design, implement and manage the WANI Portfolio of sub-project for IUCN- Oceania including the development of projects, liaison with partners, monitoring and evaluation of the various sub-contracts
• Oversee the implementation of the regional component of the WANI project, including delivery of training activities, operation of regional workshops, developing awareness materials and activities and supervision of staff and sub-contractors.
• Maintain linkages with other regional and national projects, including SOPAC IWRM project and national governments dealing with water related issues
• Identify opportunities for partnership and collaboration with other agencies, organizations and donors in the implementation of the WANI portfolio
• Managing all aspects of project implementation and supervision, including monitoring of implementation performance, managing and reporting on funds used in project activities,
• Reporting on project activities on regular basis, as required by IUCN or donors;

Please Note: The above TOR contains the main responsibilities and duties of this position. However in an ever evolving organization such as IUCN staff members are expected to show flexibility in their approach to work and be willing to undertake other tasks that are reasonably allocated to them but which are not part of their regular TOR. Where any task becomes a regular part of staff member’s responsibilities, the TOR should be changed in consultation between the manager, the staff member and the HR Unit. Any one of the three may initiate the consultation.

SELECTION CRITERIA

1. At least 5-10 years’ experience in facilitating/ managing water related projects at national and or regional levels, preferably in the Pacific
2.  Minimum of a Masters Degree in a water and environment related field or equivalent experience.
3. Strong knowledge, qualifications and experience in freshwater ecology;
4. Strong demonstrated project management experience
5. Excellent interpersonal and networking skills;
6. Strong communications and presentation skills; demonstrated ability to communicate to a wide range of audiences and cultures;
7. Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines; and
8. Excellent written and spoken English.