UNDP Jobs - 63391- Technical Advisor (Water Resources)

Technical Advisor (Water Resources)

Location :

Stockholm, SWEDEN

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

10-Feb-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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 Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan. BPPS’s staff provides technical advice to Country Offices; advocates for UNDP corporate messages, represents UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora including public-private dialogues, government and civil society dialogues, South-South and Triangular cooperation initiatives, and engages in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas. BPPS works closely with UNDP’s Crisis Response Unit (CRU) to support emergency and crisis response. BPPS ensures that issues of risk are fully integrated into UNDP’s development programmes. BPPS assists UNDP and partners to achieve higher quality development results through an integrated approach that links results based management and performance monitoring with more effective and new ways of working. BPPS supports UNDP and partners to be more innovative, knowledge and data driven including in its programme support efforts.

UNDP is committed to supporting water governance reforms; mainstreaming water, sanitation and water resource management targets into SDG-based national development and poverty reduction strategies; and facilitating strategic partnerships and coordinated approaches to action and advocacy on water resources management, water supply and sanitation.

Under the supervision of and in collaboration with the Principal Technical Advisor, International Waters and Head, UNDP Water & Ocean Governance Programme (WOGP), the incumbent will raise funding and support the further development and operationalization of WOGP’s Contribution to the UNDP Strategic Plan and development of strategic partnerships towards its implementation.

The incumbent will have a key role in liaising and collaborating with internal and external partners, including staff and senior managers of BPPS, Regional Bureaux, Regional Centers/Hubs, Policy Centres, UNDP Country Offices, the Executive Office, donors (MFA, development assistance agencies), UN partner agencies, UN-Water, IFIs, and international organizations and NGOs. Similarly, s/he will support effective functioning and delivery of the fully integrated WOGP including UNDP/GEF W&O team, Cap-Net and UNDP Water Governance Facility @ SIWI team.

Other salient features of the Senior Water Advisor‘s role in developing and managing water-related components of the WOGP include:
Liaison with and fund raising responsibilities towards donors to the WOGP, especially the Swedish International Co-operation Agency (Sida);

Strategic oversight and coordination of the activities of the UNDP Water Governance Facility at SIWI;
Managing and developing the Cap-Net programme including staff oversight of the Director, through chairing the Cap-Net management board and representing the programme externally and towards strategic partners;
Representing UNDP in UN-Water and contributing through its Task Forces, Thematic Priority Areas, Working Groups and other UNDP obligations towards UN-Water;
Fulfill UNDP’s commitment towards Global Water Partnership including being a member of its Steering Committee.

Duties and Responsibilities

Support to Policy Dialogue, Development, Mainstreaming and Partnerships:

Support region-specific development and implementation of UNDP’s Water & Ocean Governance Contribution to the UNDP Strategic Plan 2014-17 to (1) prioritize target countries; (2) identify working modalities and approaches, both with respect to UNDP’s coordination role and through its own operational policy and capacity building support to countries; (3) operationalize internal capacity and work plans, and (4) mobilize additional financial resources;
In support of BPPS/SD’s environmental mainstreaming agenda, liaise and coordinate with other Practices, Groups and corporate initiatives to identify synergies and effective cross-practice collaboration;
Support senior management by providing strategic policy advice, advocacy support for corporate policy frameworks, preparation of UNDP’s engagement in key water meetings and events and preparation of briefing notes and speaking points.
Develop policy documents related to IWRM, climate change adaptation and other sub-topics of the WOGP.

Support to Regional Teams, Country Offices, Executing Agencies, other partners:

Support continued effective functioning of the fully integrated UNDP Water and Ocean Governance Programme team with a particular focus on mainstreaming equitable water governance, integrated water resource management and climate change adaptation in development strategies and WOGP programming;
Ensure effective interaction on needs and support components between WOGP regional teams and the WGF;
Ensure that GWP steering committee and senior management are satisfied with the strategic guidance and collaborative initiatives provided by UNDP;
In the context of UN-Water, participate in meetings and support and contribute to advancement of IWRM, Climate Change Adaptation and country level coordination to more effectively achieving the IWRM and water supply and sanitation Sustainable Development Goals;
Pro-actively contribute to the development of strategic partnerships with both internal and external partners to advance the implementation of WOGP’s contribution to the UNDP Strategic Plan;
Support collaboration within the BPPS Sustainable Development Cluster on mainstreaming water resources management, water supply and sanitation and adaptation to climate change into national development and poverty reduction strategies;
Development Impact, Programme and Project implementation oversight and support:
Develop capacity at regional and national levels in IWRM, CC-A, gender equity, HRBA, integrity and other water governance related topics through the development of training materials and delivery of training courses;
Provide strategic oversight and coordination of the activities of the UNDP Water Governance Facility at SIWI including its signature programs – Water Integrity, GoAL-WaSH, Shared Waters Partnership;
Manage and develop the Cap-Net programme including staff oversight of the Director, chairing the Cap-Net management board and representing the programme externally and towards strategic partners.

Resource Mobilization, Programme and Project identification and development:

Pro-actively contribute to strengthening donor relationships and raise funds for all aspects of the WOGP;
Explore and develop strategic alliances with key partners for joint fund-raising and service delivery;
Ensure the long term sustainability of the WOGP programs, especially Cap-Net and the WGF;
Develop partnerships with other Nordic, European and North-American donors;
Explore and develop new partnerships with foundations, philanthropist and the private sector.

Learning, Knowledge Management, Advocacy and Self Development:

Ensure that training materials, tools and advocacy publications for the WOGP are produced and effectively disseminated;
Support and promote implementation of UNDP WOGP practices and experience through contributions to relevant BPPS networks and communities of practice;
Self-development and work-life balance developed through targeted thematic and managerial training course, avoidance of work over weekends and effective utilization of annual leave;
In collaboration with internal and external partners pro-actively identify and contribute to WOGP advocacy and outreach;
Effective communication, advocacy and dissemination of WOGP and other relevant UNDP knowledge products at international and national conferences and meetings, such as Stockholm World Water Week, World Water Forum and other relevant fora and international processes.

Competencies

Innovation:

Ability to make new and useful ideas work.

Leadership:

Ability to persuade others to follow.

People Management:

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction:

Communication:

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform.

Delivery:

Ability to get things done.

Technical/Functional

Primary :

Water knowledge:

Knowledge of issues related to water and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations.

Capacity Development:

Ability to strengthen and maintain the capabilities of individuals, societies, organizations and governments to set and achieve development objectives over time.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

Knowledge of the Sustainable Development Goals and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations.

Partnerships:

Ability to engage with other agencies, donors, and other development stakeholders and forge productive working relationships.

Strategic Planning:

Ability to make decisions that align with strategy, vision, and mission.

Secondary:

Knowledge Management:

Ability to capture, develop, share and effectively use information and knowledge.

Substantive positioning of UNDP:

Knowledge of global institutions (such as the UN, IFIs), processes (such as G20 and various UN initiatives), good grasp of UNDP’s niche, and ability to engage and foster strong networks with those institutions.

Results-Based Management:

Ability to manage programmes and projects with a strategy aimed at improved performance and demonstrable results.

Climate Change Adaptation:

Knowledge of climate change adaptation concepts and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Masters or higher degree in water/sanitation management and/or engineering, natural resources management or related field.

Experience:

Minimum of 10 years professional experience of progressively larger responsibility in water management mainly in developing countries.
A good understanding of the relationship between water and sanitation management and sustainable development/poverty issues from a developing country perspective;
Knowledge of economics and/or public policy in water context;
Excellent understanding of science and linkages between climate change and water resources;
Experience with water related project development, implementation and management;
Experience with policy development processes associated with water and sustainable development issues;
Skills in leadership, facilitation, coordination, entrepreneurial spirit and demonstrated ability to work both in a team as well as in an independent manner;
Experience in handling relationships, communication and fund raising towards bilateral donors, UN organizations, private sector;cademic institutions, governments and NGOs.
Solid knowledge of UNDP and the UN system
Full computer literacy.

Language:

Full proficiency in written and spoken English;
Proficiency in a Nordic or UN Official languages an advantage.