CUVKUN GEF/UNDP Project: Communications and Outreach officer

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

Duration: 3 Years (Renewable upon availability of funding from Donor)

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) 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 Southern Africa (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 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 USD 11 million project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as the GEF Implementing Agency. The Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWPSA) is the Executing Agency, while the Cuvelai Commission (CUVECOM) and Kunene Permanent Joint Technical Committee (PJTC) are the focal custodians of the project implementation.

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 in 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.

COMMUNICATIONS & OUTREACH OFFICER

GWPSA seeks to hire the Communication and Outreach Officer, stationed in Oshakati, Namibia for the aforementioned project. The Communications and Outreach Officer will work closely with the Head of Communications in the GWPSA Secretariat, supporting all communications and outreach activities for the project from the CUVECOM/Joint Secretariat as well as leading communications, knowledge management and outreach activities in those areas on a broader scale for CUVECOM and the PJTC.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Take lead responsibility under Component 6 in implementing the project’s Communications Strategy, develop and implement CUVECOM and PJTC Communications Plans, take lead responsibility for the development of policy briefs, in, to guide on.
• Take lead responsibility for exchanges with other RBOs and relevant regional institutions, including participation in SADC RBO Dialogue and SADC Multi-Stakeholder Dialogues; participation in regional meetings of RBOs; participation in and provide information to digital platforms on transboundary river management; and exchange visits with other RBOs on technical issues around transboundary river management
• Collaboration with Member States in the development of various knowledge products such technical and policy briefs, research results, project reports, newsletters, results of Commission meetings and decisions, and coordinated joint data use
• Dissemination of project results, milestones and priority issues within the two basins through various knowledge products
• Support coordination and information sharing among project stakeholders including SADC, UNDP, Member States and other partners.
• Managing and populating the project website and social media platforms
• Ensure the project’s active contribution to learning and knowledge-sharing activities and events organized by the GEF IW:LEARN program, including participation of the project team and national focal points in IW:LEARN activities, including the GEF International Waters Conference held every two years; production of at least 2 GEF IW Experience Notes for IW:LEARN covering project activities and lessons learnt; and establishment of a project website, linked to the IW:LEARN site
• Ensure that lessons learned are captured by project staff during project implementation
• Developing a media database and coordinating external media coverage of the project activities and milestones

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Knowledge Management, or a related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in communications, public relations, or knowledge management, preferably within the environmental or water resources management sectors.
• Experience with international development projects, particularly those focused on environmental sustainability, climate change, or water resources management.
• Experience with knowledge management systems and platforms, including the creation and dissemination of knowledge products (e.g., reports, case studies, newsletters).
• Experience in developing and implementing knowledge management strategies that support organizational learning and information sharing.
• Proven track record in managing communications campaigns and outreach initiatives for multi-stakeholder projects.
• Experience in capacity building related to communications and knowledge management, including training workshops and mentoring.
• Familiarity with the Cuvelai and Kunene Basins and related environmental and social issues, with the ability to translate technical information into accessible and engaging content.
• Knowledge of social marketing and behaviour change communication (BCC) strategies related to environmental conservation and water management.
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks as they relate to communications, knowledge management and outreach

Language Requirements:

• Proficiency in English is required (oral and written), with proficiency in Portuguese an asset

COMPETENCIES

• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to convey complex information clearly and effectively to diverse audiences.
• Excellent interpersonal skills for engaging with stakeholders, partners, and team members across different cultures and levels of expertise
• Proficiency in digital communication platforms and tools, including social media, content management systems (CMS), and graphic design software.
• Ability to produce high-quality communication materials, such as reports, press releases, newsletters, and multimedia content.
• Ability to develop and execute communication strategies that align with project goals and enhance stakeholder engagement.
• Strong analytical skills to assess the effectiveness of communication and knowledge management activities and make data-driven decisions.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously, often under tight deadlines.
• Experience in planning, implementing, and monitoring communication campaigns and knowledge management initiatives.
• Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, including technical experts, project managers, and external partners.
• Proactive approach to building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and community groups.
• Cultural awareness and sensitivity in working with diverse communities, particularly in the transboundary context of the Cuvelai and Kunene Basins.
• Understanding of local contexts and languages is highly desirable for effective communication and stakeholder engagement.
• Ability to take initiative and lead communication and knowledge management activities independently, while aligning with overall project objectives.
• Leadership skills to mentor and guide team members or partners in communication and knowledge management practices.

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/109
• 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: 31 January 2025 – 00:00 (midnight) Pretoria