Background
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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.
Enhancing Integrated Water Management and Climate Resilience in Vulnerable Urban Areas of the Mekong River Basin project seeks to address the critical need for risk data to inform integrated water resources management and, in so doing, enable increased investment in risk reduction measures in Lao PDR and Cambodia. There is a strong connection between the upstream and downstream impacts associated with floods and water availability in the transboundary region. As such, the project seeks to address these problems faced while acknowledging the transboundary nature of the challenge and making adjustments as necessary to tailor for the variances of each country. Taking a barrier-removal approach, the project will address gaps in data collection, management, and analysis, enhance institutional and technical capacity at the subnational level for integrated climate and flood risk management, enhance the availability of resources for investment in water-related risk reduction, and aid the flow of risk knowledge and coordination across borders.
The project will also contribute towards improved hydrological and climate risk modelling and information systems, which will in turn inform flood management as well as adaptation planning and enhance the capacity of national and provincial decision-makers, as well as local stakeholders using the improved information system.
The project applies a human rights-based approach to address development challenges associated with disasters and enhance resilience to increasing climate risks through improved policy, strengthened capacity, and risk information. This approach fosters resilient and sustainable socio-economic development and contributes to the achievement of the SDGs. The number of direct beneficiaries of the project is approximately 106,481 (38,388 residents of Thakek and 68,093 residents of Pakse) and overall beneficiaries (direct + indirect) over 1.6 million people of Khammouane and Champasack Provinces.
This project is implemented by UNDP, in close cooperation with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MOLSW). Asian Water Council (AWC) and K-Water will conduct some of the activities. The key national implementing partner and focal point of the project is the Department of Water Resources (DWR), MONRE.
Reporting line: the Project Specialist will report to the Team Leader, NRM, CC & DRR Unit and work in close coordination with the Project Coordinator and Programme Analyst of UNDP.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The position will have a lead technical responsibility under direct supervision of the Project Coordinator and overall guidance of the Head of NRM, CC and DRR Unit, working closely with the Department of Water Resources (DWR), MONRE. These include but are not limited to technical project activities with focus on monitoring, evaluation and reporting; annual workplans and budget; integration with all outcomes; guiding activities in provinces; coordination with other related projects of UNDP and other stakeholders; following up with monitoring results and findings related to the outputs and outcomes of the project.
The successful applicant will be expected to be responsible for the following:
Main tasks
Task 1: Strategic and technical guidance and leadership
- Lead the preparation, and adjust as required, the project workplans (quarterly, annual, multi-year work plans as needed) in alignment with the Project Document and the project objectives, overall activity schedule, scope and methodologies (analyses, studies, and surveys, field visits, trainings, meetings, workshops, events, study visits, development of written and visual training materials, etc.) in coordination with DWR, UNDP and relevant stakeholders.
- Facilitate decision-making on activity execution, particularly related to planning, budget and implementation issues.
- Lead strategic planning, achievement of targets, and required modification of activities, including the response to potential disasters in the project area.
- Lead technical implementation of project activities to ensure delivery of resources and results according to planned targets, activities, and prepare the budget plan.
- Provide technical inputs that support achieving the project objectives. Support and be involved in organizing and facilitating project meetings, workshops etc. with relevant substantive inputs.
- Ensure the quality and oversee the tasks to be conducted by international and national consultants through technical inputs. Lead the development of their Terms of Reference, work plans, and methodologies. Review the reports from the national consultants and government partners and provide technical advice to ensure the quality and technical soundness to reach the objectives of the project.
- Supervise all consultants to ensure that the planned deliverables are completed in a timely and qualitative manner within the contract period.
- Ensure the quality and oversee the tasks to be conducted directly by the project team and MONRE (in case delegation of tasks) through leading the development of their concept notes, methodologies and reporting, notably in case of studies, and surveys, field visits, trainings, meetings, workshops, events, study visits
- Coordinate with other technical partners. In particular, interpret the results of the technical studies on flood propagation models, hydro-meteorological disasters forecasting models, capacity assessment, and improvement of the risk monitoring systems and early warning system (EWS) conducted by AWC and K-Water and incorporate the findings into the UNDP activities.
Task 2: Reporting
- Ensure adequate tools are in place to track all progress, achievements, challenges, and lessons learned in compliance with the results framework of the Project Document.
- Lead the production of accurate, and professional (narrative and financial) administrative reports such as inception report, progress reports (notably quarterly), and final report, etc.
- Coordinate the preparation and organization of Project management meetings including Steering Committee Meetings and monthly progress meeting to present the project’s progress to participants in collaboration with key and other experts.
Task 3: Coordination
- Network and foster functional relationships with UNDP, Government partners, other UN agencies, donors, NGOs, and other key stakeholders.
- At the request of UNDP, represent UNDP as required and promote a strong collaborative, transparent, and sharing environment amongst stakeholders in the DRR field.
- Assist the Government in information sharing/knowledge management in the thematic related to the scope of the project.
- In coordination with the Government partners, ensure that the project activities are well-coordinated with the other projects and programmes of the relevant government agencies.
- Advise the Government and UNDP on the linkages with other major programs or projects of other agencies, organizations or departments and UN agencies.
- Ensure the development of cross-project linkage with other relevant UN and development partner projects for mutual reinforcing impact.
- Facilitate or participate in workshops, webinars, and meetings as necessary.
Other tasks
Task 4: Staff Support and Capacity Building
- Support the project staff and promote a learning environment.
- Orientate the Government partners on project strategies, expectations, and own roles and responsibilities.
- Assess staff competencies and guide individuals and teams to effectively complete objectives and tasks.
- Lead capacity enhancement efforts and deliver training for the government officials at the central and provincial levels based on the prioritized topics.
- Be mindful of staff wellness and induce a culture of transparency, problem solving, and teamwork.
- Identify development opportunities that would enhance staff capacity.
- Support access to reference materials, online and other training opportunities for staff and partners.
Task 5: Learning
- Promote learning and knowledge sharing amongst all stakeholders.
- Contribute to knowledge sharing and produce documentation for case studies and lessons learned.
- Coordinate with communication focal points to produce products that promote the achievements and successes of the project.
Competencies:
Core competencies:
- Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact.
- Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems.
- Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences.
- Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands.
- Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results.
- Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration.
- Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.
People Management competencies:
- UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:
2030 Agenda: Planet
- Nature, Climate and Energy: Water Governance: Water governance for sustainable solutions; Climate Change Adaptation: water management
- Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery: Disaster Risk Reduction
Partnership management
- Strategic engagement: Ability to capture and sustain attention, interest and agreement of high-level, influential policy and decision makers and secure their buy-in of high-level vision and objectives.
2030 Agenda: Engagement & Effectiveness
- Effectiveness: System-wide approaches to strategic planning and results
Business Direction & Strategy
- System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.
Required Skills and Experience:
Education:
- Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in water resource management, hydrology, meteorology, climate change, disaster risk management, or a related field.
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of master’s degree.
Experience:
- Minimum 5 years (with Master´s degree) or 7 years (with Bachelor´s degree) of experience working as a technical expert in water resource management, climate change adaptation, or disaster risk management.
- Result oriented, patient, and hands-on with good teamwork skills.
- Good facilitation and coordination skills
- More than 8 years of experience working as a technical expert in water resource management, climate change adaptation, or disaster risk management.
- Previous work experience in Southeast Asia or monsoon climate region.
- Previous work experience in digital solutions, such as GIS, disaster database and climate modelling.
- Previous work experience in participatory community-based planning activities.
- Previous experience in similar role in UN/UNDP programme/project
- At least 3 years of experience in programme and project management in developing countries will be an asset.
Required Languages:
- Excellent verbal and written skills in English is required.
- Knowledge of Lao language is an asset.
Disclaimer
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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