Catchment Implementation Specialist

Project Background:

The USAID Uganda Feed the Future Water and Food Systems for Resilient Communities Activity (WFSRCA) is a five year activity (2023-2028) that aims to inclusively and equitably improve food and water security in the Kyoga Basin in northeastern Uganda, specifically three watersheds – Lokok, Awoja, and Lokere, by empowering individuals and communities to mitigate and adapt to shocks and stressors in order to improve livelihoods, maintain nutrition and health wellbeing, address drivers of conflict, and reduce reliance on humanitarian assistance. This area is home to nomadic pastoralists whose livelihoods are at risk due to violent cattle raiding and the effects of climate change (drought and flooding). This part of Uganda also suffers from fragmented markets, chronic underinvestment in public services, and a lack of private sector investment. This Activity is aligned with the Water and Development II (WADI II) scope to access critical technical services in support of the U.S. Government’s Global Water Strategy, Global Food Security and Strategy Refresh, Agency Climate Strategy, and the President’s Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience; and is a cornerstone of the USAID Uganda 2022 Country Development Cooperation Strategy Development Objective (DO) 2, Resilient Growth Enhanced. The activity aims therefore aims to achieve results under the following development objectives:

1. Improve water supply and integrated water resource management.
2. Increase equitable access to sanitation and hygiene services for households and schools.
3. Improved agriculture-based livelihoods.
4. Increased consumption of nutritious foods among women and children.
5. Expanded access to financial resources for women, men, youth, indigenous people, and marginalized groups.
6. Improve local capacity to manage shocks and stressors.

WFSRCA will enhance market systems, strengthen relevant institutions, expand access to climate-resilient services, and—in two of the most vulnerable of the 21 districts covered by the activity—employ “graduation” approaches to assist the ultra-poor. These initiatives will incorporate conflict sensitivity, local leadership, climate change adaptation, and approaches inclusive of women, youth, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and indigenous groups. The 21 districts include the following:

Karamoja: Amudat, Nakapirit, Napak, Kaabong, Moroto, Kotido, Abim, Kapelebyong, and Nabalatuk

Teso: Soroti, Amuria, Serere, Bukedea, Ngora, Katakwi, and Kumi

Bugisu: Bukwo, Bulambuli, Kapchorwa, Sironko, and Kween

WFSRCA will be implemented from three regional offices, one per catchment area: Lokok, Awoja, and Lokere. Each office will comprise of approximately eight or more Catchment Implementation Specialists (CIS), one Construction Assistant, one MEL Assistant, one Grants Assistant, one Procurement Assistant, one Finance Assistant, and two Drivers. The Catchment Managers of these offices will directly supervise the CISs in his/her office; indirectly[1] supervise all other support staff; and liaise closely with the Implementation Director, Technical Director (Deputy Chief of Party), Cross-cutting Director, and Director of Finance and Operations, and Director of MEL (all headquartered in the Moroto office).

Role’s Purpose:

The Catchment Implementation Specialist (CIS) will implement technical designs according to the annual work plan and Activity policies and procedures respectively for a portfolio of interventions that span the Activity’s six result areas (listed above) for a designated area. S/he will solicit feedback/input and drive buy-in and local ownership of interventions at the local level. S/he will support the collection of local data and information; and then channel information sharing through Catchment Managers and MEL assistants to support adapting activities and localizing learning. Eight or more CISs will be assigned for each catchment area and office location (Moroto, Kaabong, and Soroti).

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Proactively implement catchment-level interventions from inception to completion, ensuring they align with the Activity annual work plan, policies/procedures, organizational goals, and quality standards.
• Support Catchment Managers to host/attend meetings with district authorities and local council members and present high-level letters of intent (LOIs) concerning the Activity’s process and the possible interventions for approval and signature.
• Facilitate the implementation and completion of start-up and interim assessments conducted in the assigned catchment area by Activity partners according to the annual work plan (such as the Baseline, Infrastructure Gap Analysis, Construction Implementation Plan, Market Systems and Private Sector Landscaping Analysis, among others).
• Facilitate the selection of sub-counties, communities, and households where appropriate for Activity interventions.
• With Catchment Managers and Technical/Cross-cutting team members, support and participate in co-creation/co-design of local interventions where assigned.
• Facilitate awareness and outreach activities to solicit partnerships via the Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) designed by the Technical and Grants/Procurement teams.
• Report back to Catchment Manager with key progress updates on interventions for inclusion in bi-weekly, quarterly, and annual reports.
• Facilitate the design and implementation of pause and reflect and listening sessions with local stakeholders to help the Activity adapt interventions where needed.
• Attend assigned local collaboration and coordination meetings and platforms with local authorities, donors, and other implementing partners to ensure the Activity interventions are not duplicative and report back to Catchment Manager for Activity awareness of the implementation environment.
• Stay abreast of local, district and national regulations and ensure compliance within catchment areas; collaborate and comply with regulatory agencies such as National Environmental Management Authority, Environment office to obtain necessary permits and approvals for catchment interventions.
• Build and maintain positive communication and relationships with local communities, government agencies/authorities, environmental organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Participate in Activity annual work planning and pause and reflect workshops to plan for and adapt the Activity interventions each year.
• Ensure accurate and timely exchange of information and reporting to external and internal stakeholders.
• Support the organization and hosting of intervention site visits by the client (USAID) and/or others as assigned.
• Other tasks as assigned by Catchment Manager, Implementation Director, or COP.

Qualifications

• Grade 5: Minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience and a Bachelor’s degree in agriculture science/economics, economics/business, environmental management, public health, social science, or related field; or 3 years of relevant professional experience and National Diploma in agriculture science/economics, economics/business, environment management,, public health, social science in lieu of a Bachelor’s degree.
• Grade 8: Minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience and a Bachelor’s Degree in agriculture science/economics, economics/business, environmental management, IWRM, public health or related field, an advanced degree is preferred; or 5 years of relevant professional experience with a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
• Prior experience in USAID or donor-funded water-related programs in Uganda is preferred.
• Proven track record of working effectively with communities in WFSRCA’s targeted catchment areas is a required.
• Specialized experience in any of the following: IWRM, WASH, agriculture, nutrition, disaster risk management, community engagement, gender and social inclusion, and/or market systems and graduation approaches is preferred.
• Professional proficiency in English is required, and proficiency in local languages is preferred.

Skills

• Highly organized.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to liaise effectively with local actors, to come to agreements and support the goals of the WFSRCA project.

Reporting

The Catchment Implementation Specialist in the three offices will report to the Catchment Manager.