Helvetas is a Swiss organization specialized in development cooperation and humanitarian response. Our vision is a just world in which all men and women determine the course of their lives in dignity and security, using environmental resources in a sustainable manner.
We are looking for a result-oriented and innovative Team Leader – Hydro-Diplomacy Expert based in Tashkent, Uzbekistan (with travels in the central Asia region).
The recruitment is subject to funding by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
The SDC has issued a tender for the second phase of a project called “Blue Peace Central Asia 2.0 (BPCA 2.0)”. The project aims at contributing to a climate-resilient and sustainable regional water management for the benefit of the populations in Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) and in Afghanistan. The programme has three outcomes focusing on: 1) hydro-diplomacy among the Central Asian states to inform the operationalisation of basin management agreements; 2) technical dialogues and demonstration of water cooperation projects; and 3) education and youth to capacitate the next generation of water professionals on water cooperation in Central Asia. The programme is divided in two phases for a period of 9 years (including the inception phase).
Subject to approval, the inception phase (August 2024-April 2025) will be followed by a 4 years and 5 months implementation phase (2025-2029). The position is for both the inception phase and the implementation phase (5 years and 2 months in total).
MAIN TASKS
During the inception phase of nine months, your main responsibility is to establish an operational project team, to conduct context analyses, mapping and participatory processes identifying the needs, opportunities and risks for the project intervention, in collaboration with all water stakeholders and partners in Central Asia. Drawing from the inception phase outcomes, you will develop a comprehensive Project Document for the implementation of the Central Asia Blue Peace 2.0 project, Phase I (01.05.2025-30.09.2029). As regional liaison, you will work closely with the Swiss Regional Water Hub of the embassy of Switzerland in Uzbekistan.
During the main phase, your responsibility is to lead the management of the project and its team for high quality project implementation. This includes administrative and financial supervision, in close collaboration with water stakeholders (including state organizations), other project partners, the Swiss Regional Hub and the relevant SDC funded projects. You will support strategic steering, political and technical dialogues and demonstrations of the benefits of water cooperation as exhibited by relevant project activities. You will advocate and promote mechanisms for water cooperation between the countries and their key actors to ensure their active role in transboundary water management and governance. This includes moderation of high-level transboundary dialogues with national policymakers. You will also contribute to strengthening the capacity of young water professionals, through the different existing network in Central Asia.
Throughout the project implementation, you will assist the development and application of the project monitoring and results measurement (MRM) system for quality assurance, risk management and accountability, as well as knowledge management for outreach, learning and capitalisation. Your tasks in administrative and financial supervision will ensure that the project complies with organisational requirements and procedures including time registration, reporting and controlling, preparation of financial statements with partners and other relevant requirements for a successful project implementation.
YOUR QUALIFICATIONS
- Academic degree (Master or equivalent) in hydro-diplomacy, water cooperation, and/or transboundary integrated water resources management (IWRM).
- Minimum of 7 years’ experience managing implementation of projects on IWRM, water cooperation and hydro-diplomacy, and confirmed experience in high level policy dialogues, preferably in Central Asia.
- Demonstrated competences and experience in managing and coordinating other projects of similar size and scope.
- Professional experience in working on influencing policy, on the science-policy interface in climate sensitive IWRM and water cooperation, and on the water-energy-food-ecosystem (WEFE) nexus.
- Proven ability to identify and facilitate systemic changes and learn from other projects.
- Proven track record in cooperating with many stakeholders and in strengthening and building capacities of regional and national organisations.
- Knowledge of the regional actors involved in water diplomacy in Central Asia will be an asset.
- Excellent facilitating and networking skills with demonstrated experience in facilitation processes at high level and with all types of actors from the public and private sectors and from civil society organisations as well as universities.
- Strong managerial skills, including results-oriented management, strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation, 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.
- Excellent communication (oral and written), negotiation, moderation, and presentation skills.
- Knowledge of ICT and computer applications.
- The proposed Team Leader should be a well-respected individual with no political or other affiliation that could adversely affect the reputation of the project.
- Languages: Excellent English language capacities (oral and written). Knowledge of Russian and other Central Asian languages are an asset.
WE OFFER YOU
We offer a two-year international or regional employment contract with possible extension, and attractive working conditions. The position is based in Uzbekistan, with frequent travels in the Central Asia region.
We look forward to receiving your complete application including motivation letter, CV, relevant work certificates and diplomas by April 08, 2024. Please send your application via our online recruiting portal. Profiles will be assessed on a rolling basis.
For additional information, please contact Bruno Poitevin (Bruno.poitevin@helvetas.org), Regional Coordinator or visit our website www.helvetas.org.
