Job Search Location(s): Gaborone, Botswana
ID: 2473
Water Management Specialist
Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.
POSITION SUMMARY – This position is based in Gaborone, Botswana
The “Ecosystem-Based Adaptation and Mitigation in Botswana’s Communal Rangelands” Project funded by GCF aims to utilize collective management of livestock and ecosystems to restore Botswana’s communal rangelands, increasing the climate resilience of vulnerable populations and reducing GHG emissions. Over 8 years, the project will undertake activities in 104 villages in Ngamiland, Kgalagadi, and Bobirwa landscape areas covering six administrative districts of Botswana. In these three areas, the Project is targeting improved management of 4.6 million hectares of rangelands.
The Water Management Specialist reports directly to the H4H Senior Technical Manager and is responsible for performing a variety of technical office and field duties. The overall objective of the position is to contribute to regenerative water management within the rangelands in the project’s operational areas.
The Water Management Specialist will serve as the technical thought leader in the field of regenerative water management, working closely with a Rangeland Ecologist, Soil Scientist, and GIS Coordinator.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Water Supply Assessments, Monitoring & Evaluation
- Support rangeland socio-ecological climate change vulnerability assessments and related initiatives from the perspective of groundwater and livestock water supply.
- Manage protocols for monitoring of water resources.
- Train and provide technical oversight to graduate monitors and CI staff for water-related monitoring.
- Work closely with Area Managers and CI field-based teams to guide on water-related issues and needs to support project implementation.
Water Management Research
- Provide research-related support to make recommendations on how to improve the impact of H4H on water resources.
- Provide technical impact reports which would be accepted in a peer review process.
Institutional Relations and Technical Advocacy on Regenerative
- Collaborate with relevant government bodies, including Ministry of Lands and Agriculture (and extension services), Department of Water and Sanitation, Water Utilities Corporation, Department of Forestry and Range Resources (DFRR) teams and related stakeholders to incorporate regenerative methods into government planning.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- The position is based in Gaborone with regular travel to remote locations.
- The role is largely office-based but may require extended and irregular working hours.
- Flexibility to occasionally work outside of normal work hours for any additional office events.
- Travel to field locations across project areas is expected.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience, plus 2 to 4 years of professional work experience.
- Demonstrated understanding of the plant and animal community dynamics (including human interaction) in a variety of Botswana’s Ecoregions.
- Demonstrated understanding of how Water Affairs, MoLA, DFRR, and related body’s function.
- Willingness to understand, appreciate, and implement regenerative grazing approaches, which are not yet well mainstreamed into communities and government stakeholders.
- A positive attitude and proven team player.
- Related degree(s) in water resources or a related field.
- Proven work experience as a Water Management Specialist or similar role.
- Experience with analysis and recommendations regarding water resource management.
- Willingness and ability to spend significant time in rural field locations.
- Proficiency in both English and Setswana.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Strong capacity for managing multiple tasks in a dynamic environment, with an ability to work independently and take initiative.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365.
Preferred
- Direct ground experience in one or more of the eco-regions of the project in either research or professional engagement.
- A passion for regenerative methods (such as groundwater recharge) including direct experience.
- Advanced degree in water resource management/watershed management.
To apply for this position please submit a resume and cover letter.
Application Deadline: April 27, 2025 (11:49 PM EST)
See all Conservation International Career Opportunities HERE
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