Water Resources Management Consultancy

Job description

CTG overview

CTG staff and support humanitarian projects in fragile and conflict-affected countries around the world, providing a rapid and cost-effective service for development and humanitarian missions. With past performance in 17 countries – from the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia, we have placed more than 20,000 staff all over the world since operations began in 2006.

CTG recruits, deploys and manages the right people with the right skills to implement humanitarian and development projects, from cleaners to obstetricians, and mechanics to infection specialists, we’re skilled in emergency response to crises such as the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Key to successful project delivery is the ability to mobilise at speed; CTG can source and deploy anyone, anywhere, in less than 2 weeks and have done so in 48 hours on a number of occasions.

Through our efficient and agile HR, logistical and operational services, CTG saves multilateral organisations time and money. We handle all our clients’ HR related issues, so they are free to focus on their core services.

Visit www.ctg.org to find out more

Overview of position

The conflict in Yemen is a mosaic of multifaceted local, regional & international power struggles with numerous root causes, which are interlinked with water in various ways. The conflict has exacerbated the already existing water crisis & vice versa. Water scarcity affects the daily living of Yemenis, due to a lack of drinking water & poor sanitation but especially in the agricultural sector, where 90% of water resources are used for irrigation & where food production is negatively affected by scarce water resources. Moreover, water has been used as a weapon, as water infrastructure has repeatedly been targeted by the parties to the conflict. In general, water scarcity can be seen as one of the underlying reasons for social tension & even conflicts as competition for this scarce resource is increasing. Agriculture is a vital sector for food security in Yemen, ensuring employment for 54% of the population. Crops such as tomato, pumpkin, potato, squash, cereal, papaya, mango, pepper, melon & coffee serve as a lifeline for a significant portion of the rural population. The damage to the water irrigation infrastructure is significant due to the conflict, extreme weather events & a lack of funding for essential maintenance. In addition, the accumulations of sediment in the diversion structures & main canals & sub canals have caused many important irrigation systems to become dysfunctional. These damages have resulted in less food, income loss, increased prices & reduced employment opportunities that drove many young Yemenis to join the warring parties & / or terrorist groups as a means for income. The scarcity of water resources, war & the manifolds of crisis led to 70% of farmer’s tenants losing their income opportunities & as a result, leading to 80% poverty in the country. Hence, mapping out options for enhanced food security, improved water governance, DRR, reducing water induced conflict & turning water into a driver for sustainable peace is crucial to improve the livelihoods of crisis shaken Yemenis. The project “enhancing resilience through sustainable water resource management” is designed to strengthen the nexus between water governance, food security & reconciliation to reinforce livelihood resilience, economic recovery, & sustainable peace of conflict affected communities. The project aims to improve agricultural production & resilience to water scarcity, enhance livelihood opportunities, reduce water related conflict & improve water management through awareness raising & disaster preparedness at the local level. Key focus areas will include the repairing & upscaling of water infrastructure to address water infrastructure damages, improving disaster risk reduction & sustainable water management, as well as conflict mitigation around water related disputes by introducing dispute resolution mechanisms & promoting reconciliation. Implemented by FAO & our client, the project has the following outcomes & activities:

Outcome 1: Agricultural production & resilience to water scarcity & food security are strengthened. Activities include:

• Rehabilitation of canals (clearing & fortification to avoid sedimentation).
• Maintenance of the existing water infrastructures: weirs, check dams, diversion canals & control structure & gates.
• Village & wadi banks protection of critical wadi banks.
• Construction of underground cisterns & open wadi pits.
• Rehabilitation of shallow water wells.
• Installations of modern irrigation systems.

Outcome 2: Enhanced livelihoods of targeted communities. Activities include:

• Community consultation to define water infrastructural interventions.
• Selection & cost estimation of water infrastructure for repair, improvement & / or rehabilitation.
• Delivery of water infrastructure equipment / construction materials.
• Community mobilization in beneficiaries’ selection based on predefined criteria.

Outcome 3: Reduced water related conflicts in target locations. Activities include:

• Assessments on major disputes concerning water resources.
• Assessments on current water management practices of hazard prone communities.
• Production of training materials & guidelines on community collaboration with regards to water.
• Training of governorate & district authorities, as well as WUAs on disaster risk reduction & establishment of community based flood early warning system.
• Conducting workshops & round table talks on local conflict dynamics.

The 1st & 2nd outcome will be implemented by FAO while the 3rd outcome by our client. The project is implemented in Abyan (Khanfir & Zingibar districts), Dhamar (Jabal Al Sharq district) & Hadhramout (Al Qatn & Shibam districts). Our client seeks to contract a national consultant working as a Project Coordinator to ensure quality coordination & implementation of project activities. The national consultant, (Project Coordinator) is responsible for the overall delivery & reporting of the project, including planning, coordinating, implementing & monitoring of the project. The Project Coordinator is responsible for facilitating collaboration & ensuring accountability within the team for achieving the project objectives. The Project Coordinator also ensures that the project team promotes a client oriented approach & engage with local officials to design & deliver a capacity development programs that meets their needs. S / He should have strong networking skills & be able to position our clients work with all relevant govt. counterparts, donors & stakeholders.

Role objectives

The Project Coordinator will report to the Deputy Team Leader of the peace operations support unit & will be responsible for the following:

Planning:

• Assist our clients management in the development & drafting of plans through the complete life cycle of projects to reporting & lessons learnt in a complex & fluid environment.
• Assist in the day to day operational management of the project in particular the planning & management of project activities.
• Deliver regular progress reports & briefings to donors, the project board, our clients management & other stakeholders including result based management.
• Prepare annual work plans, timelines for specific activities & budgets.

Monitoring & reporting:

• Report on the overall direction & integrity of the project by liaising with our client, donors, other stakeholders & the project board & prepare timely & relevant briefings.
• Monitor, prepare & update the risks & issues logs according to project board decisions as well as events in the visibility & communication plan & decide on contingency actions as events may require.
• Ensure that all atlas accessible reporting items are met & reported against in coordination.

Management & technical support:

• Act as point of contact for other UN agencies, NGO’s & other organisations.
• Ensure good coordination & collaboration with suppliers, senior beneficiaries & other implementing partners.
• Assist & prepare external agreements with service providers, consultants / contractors / NGOs & other suppliers.
• Undertake activities as may be required by the project & our clients country office.
• Donor coordination / resource mobilisation.
• Support our clients POS unit in mobilising additional funding to the WRM program.

Technical support:

• Organise workshops on water management & social cohesion in project locations.
• Support to establish & / or develop water institutions such as water users associations for better WRM.
• Conduct field level baseline survey.
• Prepare & conduct training on WRM & other related issue according to necessity & request from counterparts.
• Other related tasks requested by our clients management.

The consultant is expected to deliver the following:

• Monthly progress reports & updates of activity implementation.
• Quality review & editing of studies & assessments.
• Quality quarterly reports submitted by local partners.
• Smooth liquidation of partner advances.
• Success stories & lessons learned documented & circulated.
• The consultant will be responsible for the entire process & submission of the above mentioned deliverables.

Project reporting

The national consultant will report to the Deputy Team Leader, peace operation support unit & will work closely with the Project Officer throughout the whole process of the assignment.

Key competencies

• Master’s Degree in Social Science & / or relevant field is required.
• At least 5 years of experience in managing & implementing conflict resolution & peacebuilding projects in Yemen.
• Demonstrable experience & success in capacity development & training.
• Demonstrable experience in conflict resolution, conflict scans, peacebuilding & social cohesion.
• Proven knowledge & sustained experience working with national, governorate & local WRM institutions in Yemen.
• Understanding of the political, social & cultural background of the country & regional dynamics are greatly desirable.
• Experience in contributing to the development of project documents desired.
• Fluency in English & Arabic is required

Team management: This role has no team management responsibility.

Further information: Qualified female candidates are highly encouraged to apply for this role.ified female candidates are highly encouraged to apply for this role.