Historique

Job title: Project specialist on technical support and partnership with local authorities and rural communities

Project Title: Integrated Water Resources Management and Water Efficiency Plan for Zarafshan River Basin

Duration of the service: 6 months with possible extension (subject to satisfactory performance)

Work status: Part-time

Expected places of travel: Samarkand and Navoi regions

Reports to: Project Manager

The United Nations Development Programme in Uzbekistan (UNDP) jointly with the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan (MAWR) implementing the project on “Integrated Water Resources Management and Water Efficiency Plan for Zarafshan River Basin”. The purpose of this project is to develop an Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and Water Use Efficiency Plan for Zarafshan River Basin (ZRB), to strengthen the legal and regulatory framework for the water sector, and to support the integration of water into relevant intersectoral policy frameworks. IWRM and water efficiency use planning will take place within a single river basin, the Zarafshan, on a pilot basis where successful results can be scaled up to the national level during a possible second phase program. To achieve the output, the project will perform the following three components/activities:

Component 1:   Improved Legal and Institutional Framework for IWRM in Uzbekistan;

Component 2:   Improved Water Communal Services and Utilities within the ZRB;

Component 3:   IWRM and Water Use Efficiency Plan for the ZRB;

As part of the component 2 the project has launched in August 2011 a new pilot project jointly with Every Drop Matters Programme (EDM). The pilot project aimed to demonstrate community-based safe drinking water supply and sanitation system.

EDM Phase-I created model of safe drinking water supply and sanitation (WSS) system in Kanal-Yoqa village, Samarkand region. The model is designed to ensure sustainable community-driven and gender-sensitive water supply and sanitation to remote rural settlements of Zarafshan River Basin, Uzbekistan. In additions established its institutional management part as community based ‘Rural Drinking Water Consumer Organisation’ at Elbek Community. This was achieved through mobilizing local community, improving their access to safe drinking water, and introducing efficient practices for operation and management of WSS system. The IWRM project scaling up sustainable rural WSS model Samarkand and Navoi regions in the EDM Phase-II to promote extend of these lessons more broadly within the ZRB and serve as an example in the rest of Uzbekistan. Also address the problem of capacity building of the local communities (Makhalla) and Suvoqova personnel on advocate developing legal basis for operation and maintenance of the system. Since the existing drinking water supply systems in small rural villages are not operated and maintained properly and are left out without any management. This will lead to deterioration of supply systems and will require full cost of construction. Hence, the project will raise awareness of Samarkand and Navoi province authorities (Khokimiyats) about advantages of proposed rural WSS model and, in compliance with relevant state programme, implement at 5 pilot villages (jointly with Khokimiyats) as well as promote their introduction to additional 25 villages. This phase is under implementation. In 2013 the IWRM Project continued its cooperation with EDM and a new project proposal under EDM-IV was submitted by the project. The proposal was accepted by the selecting committee and 100,000 USD has been allocated for a new project called “Water use efficiency in agriculture and water saving technologies at farm level”. This mini project aimed to demonstrate agricultural practices and irrigation techniques that conserve water.

Devoirs et responsabilités

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Project Manager the incumbent assists in the effective and efficient management of the project through a range of actions contributing to the design, planning and monitoring of project activities.

• Assist the project manager in the EDM Phase-II, Phase-IV and PACDE projects management and drafting progress and final reports on the project achievements;
• Assist in the development of bidding documentations for the contractual services to provide in the improvement of the rural water supply, sanitation and hygiene and water use efficiency technologies pilot demonstrations sites in Samarkand and Navoi Region. 
• Assist in the development of the ToRs for National Consultants for the EDM Phase-IV and PACDE projects. 
• Work closely with all National Consultants, communities and local authorities on EDM Phase-IV and PACDE to achieve project expected results;
• Oversee the assignments of the national consultants in preparation, discussion and approval of the guidelines and methodology of the capacity building, resource mobilization on operation and management of rural water supply system and water use efficiency technologies;
• Assist PM in preparation of analytical publications, press releases, newsletters and other PR products in the framework of EDM IV and PACDE;
• Assist revising the project strategic vision in EDM Programme and develop proposal for extending the EDM experience in the country;
• Assist the development of the proposal to the EDM 5^th generation call based on the EDM new strategic guideline;
• Support the project in resource mobilization and working closely with national partner agencies in water supply and sanitation;
• Perform other duties and tasks as required to support Project Manager to achieve project objectives

Compétences

Corporate Competencies:

• Ability to display cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

• Sound organizational skills and time management skills, ability to prioritize own work programme and to work independently or with minimum supervision, ability to deliver assignments in a timely manner;

• Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity, including gender balance;

• Fully proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications (e.g. word processing, graphics software, spreadsheets and other statistical applications, Internet, etc). Solid knowledge and practical experience related to administration and accounts.

• Ability to write in clearly and concisely. Possession of effective verbal communication skills. Excellent writing and presentation skills.

Qualifications et expériences requises

• Bachelor degree in economics, social or environmental science, education, business administration, international development or equivalent diploma.

• At least 2 years of progressively responsible experience in the related field and expertise in similar projects;
• Experience related to support of programme/project activities, preferably with international organizations.
• Good understanding of the drinking water related issues is an advantage;
• Experience of working in rural infrastructure development projects is an advantage;

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English, Russian and Uzbek languages;

All interested and qualified candidates are required to apply on-line through the UNDP website at www.uz.undp.org. The UNDP will only accept applications submitted on-line.

Please ensure that before making on-line application you have completed the UNDP Personal History Form (P11). The electronic version of the P11 can be downloaded from http://www.uz.undp.org (Jobs Section). The completed (P11) further to be uploaded while applying on-line.

The deadline for submission of application is COB, 21 February, 2014. Incomplete applications or applications received after the closing date (21 February, 2014) will not be given consideration. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be notified.

For more detailed information about UNDP Uzbekistan please visit our website at www.uz.undp.org. UNDP is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified female candidates, people with disabilities, and minorities are highly encouraged to apply. UNDP Balance in Manage Policy promotes achievement of gender balance among its staff at all levels.