Description
The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) (www.iwmi.org) is looking for a dynamic, self-motivated individual to join as a Senior Research Officer (Water and Climate Policy) who will work mainly on the project “Australia Pakistan Water Security Initiative (APWASI)” covering study areas in twin cities (Islamabad and Rawalpindi) of Pakistan. The incumbent will contribute to the research activities, including literature reviews, field data collection, analytical work, policy analysis, and coordination with stakeholders and project partners in the water and climate sectors. She/he will also organize project-related events, workshops, training, and field visits involving various stakeholders. She/he will engage in organizing science-policy-practice dialogues and workshops at local, provincial and federal levels in the water and climate sectors.
GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The main responsibilities will include:
- Be part of the research team during fieldwork, participating in interdisciplinary research activities, including data collection, processing and analysis, in the thematic issues such as policy, institutions, water governance, urban livelihoods, impact evaluation, gender equality and social inclusion issues of APWASI project.
- Play a key role in coordinating project activities in twin cities (Rawalpindi and Islamabad) in the province of Punjab and Federal Capital City, Pakistan.
- Provide support to the project partners (WWF and Government counterparts) in collecting primary and secondary data, both qualitative and quantitative for twin cities.
- Represents the IWMI in major interagency forums, projecting IWMI’s priorities and program activities for water and climate sector.
- Prepares briefing notes and talking points for the project meetings. Provides continuous guidance and assistance to the supervisor related to project issues, advises on and participates in the negotiation to establish operations and develops guidelines, terms of reference related to the urban water management.
- Builds institutional networks promoting IWMI position and establishing IWMI as a center of expertise on significant policy issues; identifies program synergies with collaborating partners and establishes collaborative frameworks of engagement in water and climate sector for the urban environment.
- Contribute to building positive relationships with the government, civil society and other stakeholders.
- Provide support to organizing meetings, dialogues and workshops for the project.
- Assist in preparing high quality project reports according to project timelines.
- Provide support to preparing project-specific communication materials.
- Performs other related duties as required.
Requirements
MINIMUM EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
- Master’s degree in public administration, development studies, public policy, international relations or related to social science discipline, with specialization in social science approaches (e.g., economic geography, rural sociology, impact evaluation, policy, governance, and institutional analysis) in these sectors;
- A minimum of 5 years’ experience in development and/or research project management preferably in the field of water and climate sector.
- Extensive experience in conducting field research in impact evaluation studies and/or social science applied in water resource management.
- Ability to prepare high quality project reports and publications.
- Good understanding of key public actors in water and climate sectors.
- Experience working in the field of urban development and/or research.
- Good working knowledge of gender equality and social inclusion (GESI)
- The candidate should be self-driven, independent and motivated and have strong communication, organization and interpersonal skills.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:
- Familiarity with both qualitative and quantitative research methods in the field of social science research, particularly in the areas of public policy, impact evaluation, institutions and governance issues or economic geography.
- Knowledge of prei-urban livelihoods, urban systems and climate change.
- Familiarity with the nature based solutions for improving groundwater aquifers in the face of climate change and other drivers of change.
- Expertise in liaising with various governmental or public sector authorities, including but not limited to all ministries and civil societies at all levels.
- Knowledge on critical social, economic, ecological, technical, institutional and policy issues faced in water and climate sectors in Pakistan.
- Understanding of water governance and management in the context of Pakistan.
- Ability to travel regularly between research sites situated in twin cities (Rawalpindi and Islamabad), and to support project activities on the ground and work with IWMI office in Lahore.
- Ability to deliver project outputs on time with guidance from the supervisor/project leader.
- Ability to interact effectively with officials in other agencies.
- Knowledge of diversity, inclusion, discrimination and gender issues in Pakistan.
- Respect and practice organizational values and work with professional integrity.
- Excellent written and spoken English
- Ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment
- Ability to demonstrate effective teamwork skills
- Sound personal organization and priority setting skills
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills
- Good written and spoken Urdu. Punjabi desirable
- Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to work as part of a team
- A minimum of 5 years’ experience in development and/or research project management preferably in the field of water and climate sector.
Benefits
This is a nationally recruited position and all applicants must be eligible to work in Pakistan. We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, which includes a transport allowance, medical insurance for self and eligible dependents, as well as life, AD&D and long-term disability insurance.
The duration of the initial contract will be for 3 years.
Your application must include a copy of your curriculum vitae, cover letter which addresses IWMI’s requirements stated above, and contact information of three professional referees, who will be contacted if you are short-listed for the position.
IWMI believes that diversity powers our innovation, contributes to our excellence, and is critical for our mission. We offer a multi-cultural, multi-color, multi-generational and multi-disciplinary working environment. We are consciously creating an inclusive organization that reflects our global character and our commitment to gender equity. We, therefore, encourage applicants from all cultures, races, ethnicities, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, and gender identities.
