UNDP Jobs - 57644- Water & Sanitation Specialist

Water & Sanitation Specialist

Location :

Honiara, SOLOMON ISLANDS

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

08-Jul-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

174 days in 12 Months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

12 Months

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The impacts of climate change, particularly sea-level rise (SLR) and pronounced droughts have severe consequences on water and sanitation in the Solomon Islands. Due to SLR, low-lying islands, atolls and flat deltaic regions are faced with salt water intrusion, affecting the groundwater resources and limiting access to freshwater supply. Droughts have severely affected water supplies; during the 1997/1998 droughts that resulted in reduction of freshwater availability in Honiara by around 30-40%. Droughts have also damaged crops and livelihoods. Likewise, climate-related impacts on the quality and quantity of water has a gender dimension; in the context of the ethnic tensions, the safety and security of women and girls are compromised as they need to travel further to collect water, also leading to less time for other activities.

In this context, Government of the Solomon Islands, Ministries of Mines, Energy, and Rural Electrification (MMERE), in partnership with Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM), Ministry of Health and Medical Services – Environmental Health Division, Ministry of Development, Planning, and Aid Coordination (MDPAC), and UNDP is embarking on the Solomon Islands Water Sector Adaptation Project (SIWSAP) through support from Global Environment Facility (GEF) Least Developed Country Fund (LDCF). The project objective is to improve the resilience of water resources to the impacts climate change and improve health, sanitation and quality of life, so that livelihoods can be enhanced and sustained in the targeted vulnerable areas. SIWSAP will work with partners to achieve this objective through 1) formulating, integrating, and mainstreaming water sector-climate change adaptation response plans in the water-related sectors as well as broader policy and development frameworks, 2) increasing the reliability and improving the quality of water supply in targeted areas, 3) investing in cost-effective and adaptive water management interventions and technology transfer, and 4) improving governance and knowledge management for climate change adaptation in the water sector at the local and national levels.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Responsibilities:

The Water Specialist on WASH and IWRM (WS) will be responsible for providing technical input and advice, as well as in-country implementation coordination, oversight, and support to the V&A assessment, WS-CCA plan development, and cost-benefit analysis.
Possess a critical role in designing, training, and implementing monitoring, reporting, and evaluation tools and system for the overall project in regard to ensuring that project investments made through this project can be accounted for through evidence-based monitoring and reporting.
It is expected that innovative M&E tools such as those already experimented by UNICEF and Ministry of Health and Medical Services (i.e. Akvo utilizing mobile devices) will be utilized to enhance data monitoring of water resources. The Water Specialist will facilitate in the selection, coordination, and implementation of these new tools.
Work closely with the Director of Water Resource Division of MMERE, the Project Manager, and the SIWSAP provincial focal points, as well as the team of experts, including the Team Leader and economist.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies

Demonstrates integrity by demonstrating positive values and ethical standards through his/her actions
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of SIWSAP project.
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
Treats all people fairly without favouritism

Functional Competencies

Ability to assess community capacity, and formulate proposals to foster positive change
Analytical judgment, results-orientation and efficiency in a multi-tasking environment
Shares information, knowledge and experience through effective and frequent communication
Experience and technical understanding on development context and issues in the Pacific/Solomon Islands/LDCs with a particular focus on water and sanitation and/or climate change adaptation
Ability to plan and prioritize work effectively in order to keep deadlines
Ability to engage various partners and stakeholders and builds strong relationships with clients and other stakeholders
Ability to work in an organized and systematic manner and demonstrate professionalism with high level of integrity in the day-to-day performance of duty
Good inter-personal and teamwork skills, networking aptitude, ability to work in multicultural environment
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
Demonstrates strong commitment and patience to deal with competing deadlines, demands, and interests
Ability to build consensus and garner support under complex situations
Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure=
Exudes a friendly atmosphere where colleagues/counterparts can easily ask questions and seek assistance

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Minimum Master’s Degree and above in environment / civil / mechanical engineering, water resource management, water and sanitation, hydrology, and or any other related fields.

Experience:

At least 7 years of experience working on national and/or community-based Water and Sanitation experience in Asia or in the Pacific
At least 7 years of experience in developing and implementing community-based IWRM and/or WASH tools and has a good idea on challenges and opportunities for technical and behavioral evidences of water-related development impacts.
Experience working on climate change, measuring water sector vulnerability, and M&E of project impacts
Balance of experience working on both water resource management / watershed management and WASH is preferable
Experience in national and subnational policy making is a plus.
Experience working in Solomon Island is an advantage

Language:

Strong written & Spoken English