Water Sector Coordination Specialist

Job description

CTG overview

CTG staff and support humanitarian projects in fragile and conflict-affected countries around the world, providing a rapid and cost-effective service for development and humanitarian missions. With past performance in 17 countries – from the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia, we have placed more than 20,000 staff all over the world since operations began in 2006.

CTG recruits, deploys and manages the right people with the right skills to implement humanitarian and development projects, from cleaners to obstetricians, and mechanics to infection specialists, we’re skilled in emergency response to crises such as the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Key to successful project delivery is the ability to mobilise at speed; CTG can source and deploy anyone, anywhere, in less than 2 weeks and have done so in 48 hours on a number of occasions.

Through our efficient and agile HR, logistical and operational services, CTG saves multilateral organisations time and money. We handle all our clients’ HR related issues, so they are free to focus on their core services.

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Overview of position

Access to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene is the basic human rights. Unfortunately, Afghans still have a long way to go and get access to this right. Over 25% people do not have access to at least basic water (IE&LF 2020). Under 5 child mortality stands at 50/1,000 live birth (NHS 2017). Ministry of Energy and Water (MEW) along with its sector partners has put all its efforts to attain the SDGs for WASH specifically for SDG 6.1 (By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all). Kabul city with an estimated population of 5 million is in critical need of safe water due to the depletion of groundwater and contamination of the aquifer.

UNICEF as one of the main technical and financial partners for the WASH sector has remained the core partner to MEW, MRRD, UWASS, MoPH, MoE and other sector stakeholders. UNICEF has been backing up the water supply and Sanitation programme of the sector to continue service delivery under any circumstances in Afghanistan.

Before the political change in August 2021, MEW was secretariate for Water High Council (WHC) a coordinating and leading body for water resources’ management and allocation. Also, this was a platform for donors and all other stakeholders to support and coordinate water projects in the country. The platform is not existed anymore but due to the urgency and water scarcity, MEW is working to revitalize this platform for better management of water resources. Along with other tasks MEW is trying to fund raise for the sector using multiple potential opportunities.

In line with these, the Water Program Coordination Department (WPCD) has been working on a mechanism to enhance coordination and collaboration with different stakeholders and the donors’ community including but not limited to UNICEF, other UN agencies, MRRD, UWASS, MAIL and others.

The Coordination Specialist will work under the Director of WPCD’s direct supervision and in close coordination with UNICEF and WPCD’s Planning & Program Staff to provide overall support to WPCD/MEW in the planning, coordination of water projects to enhance coordination for better water resource management and allocation.

The specialist is responsible to coordinate with potential stakeholder for better water resource management and specifically will help on establishing WHC platform and coordinating activities of Kabul-Panjshir water supply project.

The coordination specialist will provide relevant technical support to the WPCD. He/she will be reporting to the director of Water Programs Coordination Department of the MEW.

Role objectives

• TASK TO BE PERFORMED
• §  Close coordination with UNICEF and information sharing. 
• §   Act as secretariat for Water High Council, activation and ensure continuation of the platform.
• §  Support and coordinate activities around Kabul-Panjshir water project including sharing of the information, arrangement meetings and advocacy events.
• §  Attend and play a coordinating role at various stakeholders meeting related to water resource management.
• §  Actively participation as secretariat for water affairs in relevant platforms.
• §  Communication, facilitate relevant meeting/discussion and coordination with UNICEF, other UN agencies, relevant ministries (MRRD, MAIL, UWASS and other), and departments in order to effectively manage water resources.
• §  Assist WPMD/MEW to develop concept note and proposal for water resource management.
• §  Assist with preparation of briefs on potential water resource management projects for advocacy.
• §  Provide support to explore opportunities in water sector.§  Prepare standard road map of water resource management for fund raising on the basis of the national need.
• §  Assist the MEW in Capacity building of existence and new staff in coordination and collaboration with stakeholders.

• Assist WPMD/MEW to prepare yearly quarterly, monthly reports.

DELIVERABLE

Monthly deliverables:

 Information shared with UNICEF as requested.

 Arrange monthly coordination meetings of WHC.

 Monthly update of  partners activities provided

 Highlights of meeting of coordination forums and follow up action notes circulated. 

Quarterly Deliverables 

 Update of investment in water sector prepared.

 Update on capacity development activities provided. 

 Activities coordinated with relevant ministries and departments (MRRD, MAIL, UWASS).

Overall deliverables of the assignment:

 TOR of WHC (Water High Council) developed.

 Minutes of meetings of coordination prepared and shared timely 

 TOR for coordination platform for stakeholders (including the international agencies) coordination developed.

 Guidance for priority setting of water supply developed in coordination with MRRD and UWASS drafted. 

 Communication channel established with various stakeholders involved in water resource management.

 Capacity mapping of MEW staff developed

 Capacity building support provided to specific people of MEW in coordination. 

Note: After the recruitment, a detailed workplan will be developed by UNICEF and MEW for the position with clear activities and deliverables based on the curtail needs enhancing  water resource management and planning.   

Project reporting: N/A

Key competencies

Required qualifications and experience:

• Master’s degree in water resources engineering/Hydraulic Constructions, Civil & Environmental Engineering and Water Management with at least 10 year’s relevant experience 

• Proven experiences in coordination and collaboration.

• Experience in Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) is an added value. 

• Documented proficiency in spoken and written English, Pashto, and Dari.

• Able to perform work independently in own field of specialization, equipped with knowledge and experience of multiple disciplines

• Sound organizational skills and ability to prioritize and deliver assignments in a timely manner.

• Demonstrated initiative in developing practical approaches that improve coordination and collaboration 

• Strong  inter-personnel skills and commitment to work in a team-oriented, multi-cultural environment.

• Excellent computer skills.

• Good communication skills.

Team management: N/A

Further information: N/A