Expertise: Junior Program Officer
Expertise Group: Project Management/ Institutional Development
Consultant Source: National
TOR Keywords:
Objective and Purpose of the Assignment
ADB’s Water Operators Partnerships (WOPs) program was launched in 2007. More than 80 WOPs have been
supported in 21 countries supporting around $1.1 billion worth of ADB-supported investments in water
supply and sanitation.
The Water Organization Partnerships for Resilience (WOP4R) is an initiative launched by the Asian
Development Bank (ADB) in 2022, following the success of the earlier Water Operators Partnerships (WOPs)
program. The program focuses on areas such as non-revenue water, performance monitoring, asset
management, and climate resiliency, leveraging peer-to-peer mentoring to address challenges faced by
utilities and river basin management organizations. An important aspect of the twinning program is that
both twinned water organizations provide their staff at no cost to the program; only travel,
accommodation, and per diem costs are reimbursed. These arrangements will be set out in the twinning
agreements signed between ADB, and the mentor and recipient water entities.
As of October 2025, eight twinning partnerships are taking place under WOP4R, with one of them focusing
on integrated water resources management, river basin and/or flood risk management, supporting RBOs.
River basin management organizations face complex issues around sustainably managing limited water
resources among multiple users, including rising demand from the agriculture and energy sectors.
Agriculture accounts for an average of 80% of freshwater use in the region. Biodiversity, which provides
important ecosystem services, including freshwater storage and filtration services, is under threat from
changes in land use and pollution. Given the diverse and integrated nature of the issues managed by
RBOs, the twinning process is inherently more complex than straightforward approaches to water utilities
improvement. While this complexity does not negate the need for engagement, it underscores the
importance of establishing a differentiated approach that fits the more complex and country-specific
mandate and organizational structure of RBOs.
This assignment aims to support the implementation of ADB’s Water Organization Partnerships for
Resilience (WOP4R) Program for River Basin Organizations (RBOs) and water authorities. The Junior
Program Support Officer will assist the Senior Consultant and WOP4R Coordinator in facilitating twinning
partnerships, technical training, and knowledge product development to enhance the capacity and
performance of water utilities and RBOs in the Asia-Pacific region.
Scope of Work
The Junior Program Support Officer will provide operational and administrative support to the Senior
Consultant in delivering outputs related to twinning, training, and knowledge exchange. The role
includes coordination, documentation, stakeholder engagement, monitoring, and reporting.
Detailed Tasks and/or Expected Output
(i) Assist in updating twinning guidelines and compiling lessons learned.
(ii) Support identification and matching of mentor and mentee RBOs.
(iii) Help organize and document twinning visits (diagnostic, reciprocal, and information exchange),
agreements, and work plans.
(iv) Help track progress and collect technical and progress reports from twinning partners.
(v) Support in tracking financial progress of twinning partnerships.
(vi) Developing and contributing to the programs monitoring and evaluation
(vii) Maintain a centralized database of twinning activities, reports, and resources
(viii) Prepare and disseminate knowledge products and communications materials. Support the facilitation
of workshops and training programs.
(ix) Maintain records and assist in preparing inception, monthly, and semi-annual reports.
(x) Contribute input to presentations and special reports for water events and donor meetings.
(xi) Assist in planning logistics for workshops, webinars, and field visits.
(xii) Liaise with regional water operator networks and support coordination activities.
(xiii) Assist in document case studies and success stories for replication and scaling.
(xiv) Prepare agendas and presentations and contribute in the WOP4R team meetings
Output/Reporting Requirements:
- Assist in drafting brief monthly reports on twinning and technical program achievements.
- Contribute to semi-annual reports with summarized results for each regional department.
- Help update WOP4R brochure, flyers and other knowledge products.
- Prepare other ad-hoc reports and deliverables as requested, including presentation materials, special
reports, and comments on proposals.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
The candidate should be an early-career professional with relevant academic background in water
resources, environmental management, or related fields. Familiarity with river basin management and
water utility operations is an advantage.
In addition to technical knowledge, the role calls for:
- Excellent communication skills.
- Can explain ideas clearly in writing and in conversations.
- Comfortable talking and collaborating with people from diverse backgrounds and organizations.
- Produces clear and well-structured records, reports, and other materials.
- Strong organization and time management abilities.
- Keeps track of tasks and deadlines without losing details.
- Can manage several things at once and still deliver on time.
- Abilities to work in political dynamic environments:
- Understand, respect and adapt to local political dynamics, administrative protocols, and cultural
norms. - Communicate diplomatically, adapting language and approach to different government contexts.
- Navigate sensitive topics
- Teamwork skills.
- Works well with others and contributes positively to group efforts.
- Open to feedback and willing to help the team move forward.
- Flexibility and problem-solving abilities.
- Can adjust when plans change or new priorities come up.
- Looks for practical ways to fix issues and improve the work.
Minimum General Experience: 5 Years
Minimum Specific Experience (relevant to assignment): 2 Years
