Capacity Development Specialist (2020 Asia-Netherlands Water Learning Week)

The objective of the assignment is to support the preparation for and execution of the 2020 Asia-
Netherlands Water Learning Week (ANWLW). The ANWLW began in 2012 and is designed to stimulate dialogue 
and knowledge sharing on a specific water-related theme between experts, policy makers and practitioners 
from the Asia Pacific region and the Netherlands. It provides a venue for an intensive week-long program 
focusing on how to leverage results from collaborative approaches for countries, cities, river basins, 
and deltas. It is targeted at project teams from ADB’s developing member countries that seek to build 
new ways of cooperation and integrate innovative ideas into new or ongoing water projects. Selection of 
project teams is based on alignment with the theme for each year. 

In 2020, the week will focus on the theme of “Water Quality”. It aims to facilitate knowledge exchange 
on the complexity of water quality and to increase the understanding and the knowledge why water quality 
monitoring is important and has proved so troublesome globally. Furthermore, knowledge should be 
increased related to the topics of managing point and non-point source pollution, wastewater treatment, 
and sanitation, including highlighting links to emerging pollutants, circular economy approaches 
including water reuse and biosolids management, nature-based solutions, healthy oceans, and climate 
adaptation considerations as well as related governance and financing issues. The event is planned for 
23-30 May 2020 for a total of 35-40 participants.

The Capacity Development Specialist will provide expert support to ADB in conceptualizing, planning, 
executing and evaluating the event. 

The Capacity Development Specialist will carry out the following detailed tasks:
1.	In consultation with ADB Water Sector Group Secretariat focal persons, prepare a concept note to 
inform the selection of participants and the preparation of the detailed program;
2.	Prepare a detailed program for the week-long event in consultation with relevant government agencies 
of the Netherlands and key water sector players/stakeholders;
3.	Identify and liaise with speakers and presenters;
4.	Undertake the necessary coordination and arrangements with host organizations for the field visits;
5.	Provide support on logistics coordination, including visa queries, arrangements for the welcome 
activity, field visits and presentations throughout the week, and wrap-up events, reservation for and 
booking of accommodation for all participants;
6.	Prepare a evaluation report on the event which has to include a summary of the participants' learning 
experiences including feedback and recommendations on how future learning weeks could be further 
improved;

Deliverables

1. Concept Note - 2-page concept note within 2 weeks of commencement of the assignment - 2nd week Feb
2. Program - Draft detailed program, including the following components, amongst others: - 3rd week of 
Feb
                   (i)  session with relevant government entities on policy considerations;
                   (ii)  presentation and discussion on topics and case studies relevant to ADB 
developing member countries;
                   (iii) 1 to 1.5 days of sessions at the IHE Capacity Development seminar in Delft
                   (iv)  site visits related to the overall ANWLW theme to demonstrate technology and 
processes
                   (v)   networking session with key Dutch stakeholders

3. Monitoring Sheet - Monitoring sheet showing progress of preparation – program and logistics 
arrangements - 2nd week of March
4. Conduct of Training - 4th week of May
5. Evaluation - Consolidated evaluation report including participants’ feedback, 23 weeks after 
completion of the training - 30 June 2020