Team Leader (Groundwater Management)

TEAM LEADER (Groundwater Management)

 Deadline for application: September 3, 2023

Caritas Switzerland (CACH) is a Swiss NGO founded in 1901 with its headquarters in Lucerne, Switzerland (www.caritas.ch). We have been engaged in Tajikistan since the end of the civil war in 1996 with a current focus on addressing contemporary issues related to climate change adaptation for rural communities that remain vulnerable to natural hazards (flooding, mudflow, landslides) and to persistent challenges for food and nutrition security.

This recruitment is contingent on the award of a tender from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

 SDC has tendered out the implementation of a project on ‘Groundwater Management in the Sughd Region in Tajikistan’. Focused on three outcomes at national (legislative), regional and local levels, the project aims to improve rural livelihoods through sustainable groundwater management.

This position is based in Khujand, with frequent travel to Dushanbe.

Main responsibilities during inception phase 

1. Research and assessment, stakeholder mapping and contextual understanding (including data gaps and digital data processing of hydrological and groundwater data) to inform main phase(s) implementation
2. Development of a full proposal for the first main phase, jointly drafted between CACH Tajikistan and Lucerne offices and identified national partners
3. Set-up of project office, recruitment and coordination of inception phase activities.

Main responsibilities during the main phase

1. Overall project management, in line with Caritas Switzerland’s standards for project cycle management (finance and administration), steering, coordination with the Swiss Cooperation office in Tajikistan (with the Regional Director) and national stakeholders at regional and national levels.
2. Effective liaison with CACH’s representation in Uzbekistan for matters related to transboundary groundwater management approaches.
3. Oversight of monitoring, evaluation and learning; and where capacities exist, applied development and scientific research
4. Periodic reporting (lead), joint development of policy notes/briefs, working papers and other knowledge material

Qualifications

• Relevant higher education and professional training for the position (water management, water policy, natural resource management);
• Demonstrated competences with 10 years of experience in managing and coordinating projects of comparable size and scope;
• Professional experience in transition countries, preferably within Central Asia;
• Effective managerial skills, including result-oriented management, strategic planning, human resources management and financial management skills.
• Strong experience in steering and mentoring, capacity to anticipate issues and identify forward-looking solutions. Strong interpersonal, intercultural and communication skills;
• Proven ability to identify and facilitate systemic changes, learning from other successful projects and taking on lessons from projects that faced challenges in the delivery of desired outputs and outcomes;
• Proven track record in cooperating with a large number of stakeholders and in strengthening/building the capacity of key partners;
• Experience working with SDC and/or other international donors;
• Mandatory English language capacities. Knowledge of at least one of the local languages (Tajik/Russian) in the area of intervention is an asset.
• Proven track record in on-time reporting and lead authorship on donor funding reports.

Requirements for application

Caritas Switzerland is a progressive and open-minded organization that is committed to the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusiveness. Minorities, women, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. What you are capable of in terms of delivering on our mandate, while concurrently meeting your own personal development goals, matters to us. We want to hear how you feel you can grow professionally with us in improving well-being and quality of life within Tajikistan.

We require the following information to be sent via email to skassam@caritas.ch with the subject heading of the email application to state Team Leader Groundwater Management.

1. An updated curriculum vitae
2. Cover letter detailing essential qualifications and why you feel this position is a right fit for you. If you have a specific salary requirement, please mention this within your cover letter
3. Names and contact information for 3 references that can attest to the core competencies detailed above. Please indicate if any of these references should NOT be contacted until an offer for employment is presented and accepted subject to clearance of positive reference.

Duration

The estimated duration of this project (subject to award) is 12 years (2024-2036) with an Inception Phase of 10 months (01.03.2024 – 30.12.2024), 2 phases of 4 years each, and an exit phase of 3 years. The total financial volume over all phases (including inception phase and administered project funds) of the project is estimated to be approximately 15’000’000 CHF.

This vacancy announcement solicits applications for the inception phase and first phase (01.03.2024 – 31.12.2028).

Interviews will be held on a rolling basis until a suitable candidate is identified. Early applications are therefore recommended.