VACANCY TITLE: Program Officer – Water Resources Management
LOCATION: Rotterdam, The Netherlands or Nairobi, Kenya
TERM: Initial contract duration 1 year with possibility of extension
INTENSITY: Full time – 40 hours per week
ANTICIPATED START DATE: As soon as possible
SALARY INDICATION: EUR 55,000 – 65,000 gross annually for the Netherlands. Salaries in other countries are adjusted to local market practices and cost of living.
ABOUT GCA
The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) is an international organization that works as a solutions broker to catalyze action and support for adaptation solutions, from the international to the local, in partnership with the public and private sector, to ensure we learn from each other and work together for a climate resilient future. Adapting to impacts of climate change provides a “win-win” for health, livelihoods, food security, water supply, human security, and economic growth. The work of the GCA elevates the visibility and political importance of climate adaptation and facilitates solutions, such as smarter investments, new technologies and better planning to become more resilient to climate-related threats. GCA is a rapidly growing organization with offices in Rotterdam, Nairobi, Beijing, Dhaka, Abidjan and Groningen.
ABOUT THE ROLE
Join GCA’s Water and Urban Team as a Program Officer – Water Resources Management. In this dynamic position, you will be at the forefront of policy advocacy and technical support for water climate adaptation. You will have the opportunity to shape a climate resilient future for Africa, under GCA’s work aiming to scale up and accelerate climate adaptation and resilience for water services in Africa. You will play a vital role in the technical and operational implementation of transformative technical assistance projects that facilitate integration of climate adaptation into a wide range of water resources management and water supply and sanitation investments and programs by collaborating closely with Multi-lateral Development Banks and national stakeholders across Africa. You will have the unique opportunity to develop and lead capacity-building activities with global experts, mainstreaming climate resilience in water and sanitation projects and programs. You will also pro-actively support the team’s activities under the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP) with a specific focus on analytics and transformative technical assistance on climate adaptation policies that accelerate and scale up climate adaptation. In this role, you will have a chance to make a substantial impact, shaping strategies to enhance water resources resilience, protect communities, and address gender inequalities in the face of climate change. Join us at GCA, where we value diversity and inclusivity, offering a supportive and empowering work environment. Be part of a team that is driving meaningful change in securing a resilient future.
Responsibilities
You will report to GCA Water and Urban Team Lead under the oversight of the Director of Programs, and work closely with other GCA team members. Your responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, the following:
Program Management
- Support the implementation of projects on water and sanitation policies, water resources management, nature-based solutions, and activities at the water – food – environment nexus.
- Support the implementation of innovative and transformative technical assistance projects to accelerate climate resilient water services, climate adaptation, and climate resilience in Africa. These technical assistance projects can cover, but are not limited to, climate risk assessments, gender vulnerability assessments, multicriteria prioritization of adaptation options, pre- feasibility design of adaption options, nature-based solutions, climate-risk-informed water services, and capacity building.
- Collaborate closely with MDB task teams, governments (national and local), and regional and local partners to support the integration of climate adaptation and resilience technical assistance activities into their Water Resources Management, Water Supply and Sanitation projects, programs, and investments.
- Support the procurement of external expertise (individual consultants or firms) and implementation of their work, by developing Terms of References (TORs) and evaluating bids.
- Support program planning, progress monitoring, and reporting.
Knowledge Management
- Contribute to the preparation of knowledge products (e.g., policy briefs, news stories, reports) on GCA activities, in line with recent developments and trends in water climate adaptation.
- Facilitate dissemination of knowledge products and other outputs via stakeholder events (e.g., workshops)
Minimum requirements
- A master’s degree in environmental or civil engineering, water resources management, hydrology, water policy, economics, or related fields. Training should be complemented by experience in climate adaptation, resilience, climate risk assessments, and nature-based solutions.
- Minimum of 3 years’ experience in the implementation of large-scale projects or programs related to water services resilience working directly for or with national or regional government authorities, multilateral development banks, or international organizations.
Preferred experience
The ideal candidate will have a deep expertise in at least one area and working exposure to others:
- Working experience in water resources management projects globally, and especially in African countries.
- Working with a Multilateral Development Bank or other financing institution.
- Working in developing countries, preferably Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Working directly for or with water authorities, governments, multilateral development banks or other financing institutions.
- Procurement of advisory services and contract management.
- Developing high quality knowledge products.
- Climate resilience in Water Resources Management and Water Supply and Sanitation, including community involvement.
Competencies and Mindset
- Strong Communicator: Excellent English proficiency to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.
- Collaborative and Multicultural: Skilled in facilitating processes and working efficiently in diverse team settings.
- Conflict Resolution: A positive approach to resolving disagreements.
- Flexibility and Travel-Ready: Willingness to travel internationally at least 5 times a year for the duration of at least one week (tentatively).
- Commitment to Impact: Driven by the goal to improve lives through climate resilience and adaptation.
- Sense of Humor: A great asset to our team, though not a requirement.
WHAT WE OFFER
Joining our team means contributing to our global mission on climate adaptation. You will have the opportunity to tap into the extensive expertise available at GCA and its partner organizations worldwide. Furthermore, you will play a role in shaping international policies and global action on climate change, working at the highest governmental levels, and collaborating with governments on all continents.
GCA offers a competitive salary, 25 days of paid leave, and a public transport travel card for free business commuting within the Netherlands.
GCA does not discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, nationality, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.
HOW TO APPLY
If you are interested in this position, please submit your motivation letter and CV by following the link https://gca.org/about-us/join-us/ before 16 September 2024.
The recruitment process is composed of a written assessment followed by 4 interviews. Throughout these stages, you will engage with a diverse range of GCA team members, from various levels within our organization. While we acknowledge the length of our recruitment process, we believe it is essential for a comprehensive understanding. This approach is not only about us assessing your skills and potential; it is also an opportunity for you to gain a deep insight into our organization’s culture and dynamics. This experience will enable you to clearly envision your future growth and success with us, ensuring a strong and mutually beneficial fit.
All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks. The Global Center on Adaptation also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.
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