Water & Wetlands Programme Advisor (WWPA)

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
The WWPA is responsible for the management of the W&W Programme including all aspects of project cycle management, i.e. planning & development, implementation, and monitoring & reporting.

SPECIFIC DUTIES:
The position’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Technically advise and contribute towards achieving CAWA deliverables:
•Pilot methodological tool for participatory climate change (CC) vulnerability and disaster risk assessment in wetlands developed.
•Training programme on CC adaptation (CCA) and vulnerability and disaster risk assessment (VDRA) in wetlands.
•Participatory CC vulnerability risk assessments carried out in BKN and XC wetlands.
•Studies of CC related issues affecting the target wetlands, including: hydrology, wetlands ecology, fisheries biology, watershed management, and agronomy.
•Planning and coordination of frameworks and capacities for promoting and sustaining CCA measures in the two wetlands sites, including: ecotourism, infrastructure, hydrology, institutional development, and rural development.
•Capacities of water/natural resources/wetlands user groups strengthened to apply effective governance of wetlands use and management.
•Capacity development programmes and innovation systems to support CC resilience strategies.
•Methodological guidelines for integration of CCA and disaster risk management into local and national plans.
•Training programme for community, district and provincial stakeholders in participatory CCA and disaster management planning and M&E.
•Institutional mechanisms for coordinating CC resilience in wetlands strengthened.

Technically advise and contribute towards achieving MRWP Project deliverables:
•Undertake village eco-system delineation and zoning through field mapping of Ramsar wetlands: ground truthing with communities, defining project boundaries and proposing amendments to conservation zones if appropriate.
•Develop sector implementation plans, including water management, fisheries, birds and wildlife, protection (by community rangers), vegetation and habitat and livelihoods (including ecotourism).
•Revisit current 5-year management plan and update and integrate sector work plans.
•Assist communities with updating sector implementation plans and integrated management plan in project year 5 to prepare the next 5-year plan.
•Prepare and test guidelines for planning and implementing integrated management of wetlands.
•Promote guidelines within Government for inclusion as national policy and use in other Ramsar sites and wetlands of significance.
•Carry out a hydrological study to assess the needs for water for both community direct uses and wetland ecosystems needs.
•Assist Ramsar Committee with renewal of Ramsar registration of BKN wetlands.
•Develop integrated ecosystem monitoring guidelines (ecosystem, flora and fauna, water, management, etc.) and provide training.
•Undertake special studies as necessary.
•Assist communities to prepare a business plan for the sustainable development of ecotourism.
•Based on business plan, prepare further pre-feasibility studies visitors center, meeting area, restaurant, car park in BKN and Ban Phapho and if feasible continue with next steps (technical design, tender, construction).
•Implement feasible investment proposals for wetland management.
•Strengthening patrolling systems.
•Rehabilitation of sites through natural regeneration and if necessary reforestation.
•Remove invasive species from wetlands if necessary.
•Review environmental curriculum of primary and secondary schools in Champasak Province and develop a concept of wetland environmental education curricula for pilot schools for teaching in an experience center.

Programme Management
•Oversee the implementation of Water & Wetland Programme activities in line with prepared work plans, budgets and the approved programme/project proposal with the projects listed in Section 8 above.
•Ensure adequate programme monitoring and reporting mechanisms are in place and adhered to at all levels of programming so that impact of the programme can be measured.
•Resolve issues and problems as they arise and seek support from higher management and team as necessary
•Seek opportunities to replicate and expand the programme and develop Project Proposals and Concept Notes with the relevant stakeholders
•Coordinate the technical implementation of the project and communicate, liaise with local partners.
•Coordinate Field Officers in implementing multi stakeholder dialogue events at a regular basis (cluster meetings with villagers to discuss different topics related to conservation/management of the XC and BKN Ramsar sites).
•Follow formal procedures within IUCN and to meet government requirements in order to implement field activities.

Programme and Project Development
•Be part of the senior management team in the IUCN Lao PDR. This group will have the task of leading the development of IUCN Lao PDR program, including developing and maintaining relationships with the Government, IUCN members, Commissions and other partnerships in Lao PDR.
•Support the IUCN Lao PDR Program team in delivering results under One Program approach and facilitating the necessary coordination with the Indo-Burma Group, Regional Thematic Programs, and Global Thematic Program.
•Assist the Head of Office and Head, Indo-Burma Group in seeking new funding opportunities by developing innovative alliances with donors, members and partners and producing quality project proposals in close cooperation with both technical staff within IUCN Lao PDR and Indo-Burma Group
•Assist Head of Office and Head, Indo-Burma Group on matters related to financing and sustainability of IUCN Lao PDR notably, updating and review of ABC list, preparation of project budget and donor contracts, definition of the core functions and costs of IUCN, integration of annual work planning and budgeting, and new financing mechanisms.

Program and Project Planning, Monitoring and Reporting
•Coordinate the process of country program and project planning, monitoring and reporting in accordance with guidelines established for the Asia Region and globally.
•Assist with the development of good quality strategic, intercessional and annual plans for IUCN Lao PDR, including the development and regular monitoring of program and project work plans.
•Work with the Head of Office and Finance on matters related to preparation of project budgets and donor contracts, definition of the core functions and costs of IUCN, integration of annual work planning and budgeting, and new financing mechanisms.
•Integrate monitoring and evaluation in the work of all projects of IUCN Lao PDR including the development and use of performance indicators for quality management.
•Ensure that lessons learnt in various projects and units of IUCN Lao PDR are documented and internalized in the current and future work of IUCN Lao PDR.
•Ensure regular program reporting requirements by both donors and IUCN Asia Regional Office (ARO) are met (e.g. Quarterly Progress-Reports & Annual Report).
•Ensure strong links between communications/knowledge management and program coordination and delivery.
•Prepare and conduct project implementation at all levels of intervention from local (surveys, campaigns, workshops, study tours, etc.) to government (workshops, working group meetings, trainings conferences, etc.)

Institutional tasks
•Represent IUCN Lao PDR in external and internal IUCN meetings, at national, regional and international levels, as needed.

OTHER SPECIFIC DUTIES:
Undertake any other tasks as may be assigned by, and mutually agreed with the line manager