- Expertise Economic Water Security
- Source International
- TOR Keywords
Objective and Purpose of the Assignment
The Asian Water Development Outlook (AWDO) is a strategic communication tool developed by the Asian
Development Bank (ADB) to highlight the status of water security in the Asia-Pacific region. The 2025
edition of AWDO is now under development and aims to provide a comprehensive overview of water security,
with a focus on five Key Dimensions (KDs).
This Terms of Reference (TOR) outlines the selection and responsibilities of five Young Water
Professionals (YWPs), referred to as ‘the box authors’, who will collaborate as a team to complete
specific tasks for inclusion in the KD chapters. Five YWPs will be selected based on their specific
water security related expertise and commitment. These individuals will work together to complete five
designated youth-related boxes, which are critical components of the KD chapters. The selected YWPs will
be expected to collaborate effectively, share their knowledge, and contribute to the overall success of
the KD chapters.
This ToR outlines the role and responsibilities of a young professional box authors for KD2:
KD2 – Economic Water Security: This dimension addresses the role of water in supporting economic
activities, including agriculture, industry, and energy production.
The other KDs include:
KD1 – Rural Household Water Security: This dimension focuses on ensuring that rural households have
access to safe and reliable water supply, sanitation, and hygiene.
KD3 – Urban Water Security: This dimension emphasizes the importance of providing urban populations with
adequate water supply and sanitation services to support healthy and sustainable urban living.
KD4 – Environmental Water Security: This dimension highlights the need to protect and manage water
resources to sustain ecosystems and biodiversity.
KD5 – Water-Related Disaster Security: This dimension focuses on reducing the risks and impacts of water-
related disasters, such as floods and droughts, through effective management and preparedness
It is recommended to only apply in CMS for the KD or KDs that fits well to your own background and
experiences.
To formulate a textbox on youth and your focus KD (KD 2 – Economic Water Security) for the AWDO report,
highlighting the challenges faced by young people in relation to your focus KD, their role in responding
to these challenges through involvement and engagement, and their reflections on the AWDO indicators and
report results for your focus KD. General youth-based reflection or specific insights on the assessment
results for one or more countries can be considered.
Scope of Work
- Participation in Events:
-Attend the Asia Pacific Youth Symposium (APYS) on 27 May and the Asia Water and Urban Forum (AWUF) 27-
30 May, in Manila, Philippines.
-Participate in a one-hour warm-up session on AWDO during the APYS to set the scene for all 50
participants, to collect information on AWDO and insights from young professionals.
-Engage in two masterclasses at the AWUF to discuss the draft results of AWDO, ensuring input is
integrated into the discussions, for your focus KD.
-Participate in other relevant ADB events and meetings to interact with ADB staff, professionals
involved in AWDO and gather insights from other youth present at AWDO. - Preparing the Textbox:
-Participate in an online instruction session with all young KD box authors.
-Collaborate with other young KD box authors at the Events and Online to ensure consistency and
integration of youth perspectives across the AWDO report.
-Lead the writing of a textbox on youth and your focus KD (KD 2 – Economic Water Security), on:
-Challenges faced by young people in relation to your focus KD.
-The (possible) role of young people in responding to these challenges through their involvement and
engagement.
-Reflections on the AWDO indicators/report results for your focus KD.
-Contribute to the writing and reviewing of a textbox on youth and the other four KDs. - Reporting:
-Within a week after AWUF, submit a memo with i) people met ii) collected relevant insight for the KD
from youth and from professionals / ADB Staff iii) Draft outline of the specific textbox and iv) General
observations and ideas on youth engagement by ADB in the Water and Urban sector.
-Deliver the KD-specific textbox for KD 2 – Economic Water Security for your focus KD as the core
deliverable.
Detailed Tasks and/or Expected Output
• A memo on findings from your participation in ASYP and AWUF.
• A half a page text box on your focus KD for the AWDO report, (including two review rounds and final
acceptance by ADB).
Minimum Qualification Requirements
• Maximum of 5 years working experience.
• A MSc or PhD in water or climate-related fields
• A background related to this specific Key Dimension of the AWDO2025 report
• Excellent written communication skills in English.
• Experience in writing reports or publications, especially in the water sector.
• Ability to engage with and gather input from other young experts, fostering a collaborative
environment.
• Proven experience in working with diverse teams, integrating various perspectives, and listening
carefully.
• Demonstrated initiative in seeking collaboration opportunities and maintaining professionalism.
• Strong analytical skills to synthesize information and present it coherently.
• Creativity in terms of writing and visualization to share the message is an advantage.
