Enhanced Water Security and Community Resilience in the Adjacent Cuvelai and Kunene Transboundary River Basins (CUVKUN) Project
Financing Agency: Global Environment Facility (GEF)
GEF Implementing Agency: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
UNDP Executing Agency: Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWPSA)
Location: The Cuvelai and Kunene River Basins in Northern Namibia and Southern Angola
Duty Station: Oshakati, Namibia
Tenure: 36 Months, renewable
Date of Advert: 11 September 2024
O APLICATIVO ESTÁ DISPONÍVEL EM PORTUGUÊS ABAIXO
BACKGROUND
The Cuvelai Watercourse Commission (CUVECOM) was established on 16 September 2014 to manage the shared transboundary waters of the Cuvelai Watercourse. The secretariat is currently based in Oshakati, Namibia. Adjacent to the Cuvelai River Basin is the Kunene River Basin. Transboundary cooperation for the Kunene Watercourse is managed through a Permanent Joint Technical Commission (PJTC) that was established in 1990. Both the Cuvelai and Kunene Watercourses are shared between the Republic of Angola and the Republic of Namibia. The Global Water Partnership (GWP) is an intergovernmental organisation established in 1996 to support countries in implementing more equitable and sustainable management of their water resources. The network spans 13 regions with 2,400 institutional Partners in 158 countries. The global secretariat is in Stockholm, Sweden. The GWP Africa Coordination Unit is based at GWP Southern Africa in Pretoria, South Africa and coordinates GWP Africa programmes across Africa. GWPSA also hosts the GWP global theme on Climate resilience and is charged with providing global strategic leadership and coordination of the implementation of the GWP strategy on climate resilience.
ENHANCED WATER SECURITY AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE IN THE ADJACENT CUVELAI AND KUNENE TRANSBOUNDARY RIVER BASINS (CUVKUN PROJECT)
The CUVKUN project aims to improve the water resources management in the transboundary Kunene and Cuvelai basins shared by Angola and Namibia. There is increasing water scarcity and hydrological variability, exacerbated by climate change within the region. The need for the comprehensive monitoring of climate and water resources and the sharing of information has never been greater, as also the need to improve systems that can provide early warning of climate-related disasters. The UNDP-GEF Cuvelai and Kunene Project is supported by the UNDP as the GEF implementing Agency and GWPSA as the Executing Agency.
The project will undertake a suite of other activities designed to strengthen joint management and planning capacity and practices at the transboundary basin level. These activities will be implemented under six (6) project components:
- Component 1: Strengthening the transboundary and conjunctive water resources management in the Cuvelai River Basin;
- Component 2: Strengthening the transboundary water resources management with future development scenario analysis in the Kunene River Basin;
- Component 3: Strengthening the governance of the Cuvelai and Kunene River Basins to foster joint management by the two countries in the most cost-effective manner;
- Component 4: Strengthening institutional, technical and operational capacity in Angola to sustainably develop and manage the sub-region’s water tower located Angola;
- Component 5: Enhancing the community participation in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) to build resilience in their livelihoods;
- Component 6: Supporting outreach and Knowledge Management for replication, upscaling, and stakeholder engagement.
WATER RESOURCES MANAGER
GWPSA seeks to hire the Water Resources Manager, stationed in Oshakati, Namibia for the aforementioned project. The Water Resources Manager will generally be responsible for supporting capacity-building efforts, providing technical oversight and guidance for various project components within the Cuvelai and Kunene Basins, and ensuring alignment with project goals and best practices. He/she will work closely with the Project Coordinator (PC) who will be responsible for the overall management of the project and CUVECOM/ PJTC Secretariat who will have significant project implementation responsibilities under a grant agreement with GWPSA.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide expert input in the technical evaluation of consultant proposals related to flood mapping and early warning systems for the Cuvelai and Kunene Basins. This includes assessing methodologies, ensuring alignment with project goals, and recommending the best-suited consultants.
- Evaluate consultant proposals concerning environmental flows assessment and water resources/scenarios modelling in the Kunene Basin. The manager will ensure that proposed approaches are scientifically sound and feasible within the CUVKUN project framework.
- Support contracted experts in the development of extension services that promote capacity building at the grassroots level for women and youth
- Responsible for developing comprehensive technical specifications for all hydroclimatic monitoring equipment, including supporting Member States in the selection of appropriate sites for station installation. This ensures accurate data collection crucial for water resources management and environmental monitoring.
- Oversee the installation of hydroclimatic stations to ensure compliance with specifications, proper functioning, and that they meet project requirements.
- Contribute technical expertise to the development of TDAs for the Cuvelai and Kunene Basins, providing insights into water resource challenges, potential risks, and necessary interventions.
- Support contracted experts in developing future water resources development scenarios
- Support national government partners in developing a strategy for establishing joint monitoring frameworks
- Assist in drafting/updating IWRM plans for each basin, ensuring they align with best practices in sustainable water management and reflect the unique hydrological and environmental conditions of each basin. Work in close coordination with the Project Coordinator/IWRM Expert to ensure the plans are comprehensive and actionable.
- Provide oversight to contracted NGOs and/or other partners responsible for implementing the demonstration pilot projects.
- Assist in the planning and delivery of capacity-building programs in hydrometry and other relevant areas for CUVECOM staff and stakeholders. This includes designing training modules, conducting workshops, and providing hands-on guidance to enhance technical skills within the region.
- Carry out other responsibilities as assigned by the Project Coordinator. This may include contributing to project planning, reporting, stakeholder engagement, and other activities essential to the successful implementation of the CUVKUN project.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Post Graduate Degree in Civil Engineering, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science, Land Management, Agriculture, Rural Development, Hydrology or other related fields.
Experience:
- At least 5 years of experience in Civil Engineering, Hydrology, Environmental Science, and Natural Resource Management (preferably in the context of transboundary river basin management/water resource issues (or justification for less experience);
- Working experience in the provision of advisory technical support with ministries, and national or provincial institutions concerned with natural resource management and environmental protection is a plus.
- Good knowledge of transboundary water governance.
- Experience working with stakeholders to promote sustainability and environmental awareness among diverse audiences;
- Excellent communication skills (oral and written);
- Demonstrated experience managing multi-disciplinary and/or cross-sectoral technical teams;
- Experience in implementing UN or GEF-funded projects is a distinctive advantage.
Language Requirements:
- Proficiency in English is required (oral and written), with proficiency in Portuguese an asset
COMPETENCIES
- Familiarity with international environmental conventions such as climate change, biodiversity, desertification, etc.
- Strong knowledge about the political and socio-economic context of the Cuvelai and Kunene River Basins, environmental governance and the institutional capacity requirements thereof, and biodiversity conservation at national and state levels;
- Analytical judgment and experience in scientific research, practical work and analytical paper writing in the area of natural resources management, particularly in planning and using land and water resources;
- Good management, coordination and organization of technical teams to facilitate the production of quality outputs in a timely manner;
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a member of a team to produce quality outputs in a timely manner;
- Exceptional presentation, reporting and facilitation skills;
- Knowledge of GEF and UNDP-funded projects and their M&E requirements;
- Experience in project development, management and reporting;
- Results-orientation, cross-cultural communication abilities and ability to work in teams;
- Ability to multi-task, prioritize and work under pressure;
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Applicants must be nationals of either Namibia or Angola
- Applicant must be willing and able to travel as needed.
APPLICATIONS
- Candidates should submit an application package in English through the online application system and not via email, including a cover letter (with salary history and requirements), and a minimum of three references: https://gwpsanpc.bamboohr.com/careers/86
- Only short-listed candidates will be contacted within 4 weeks after the application deadline.
- Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Questions can be directed to mark.naidoo@gwpsaf.org
- Deadline: 11 October 2024 – 00:00 (midnight) Pretoria
