Reporting to:  Country Programme Manager

Type of Contract: Fixed Term

Duration of initial contract: 1 year initially, including a probation period of 6 months, with a possibility of extension.

BACKGROUND

Wetlands International is dedicated to safeguarding and restoring wetlands for people and nature. We are driven by the knowledge that safeguarding and restoring wetlands is urgent and vital for water security, biodiversity, climate regulation, sustainable development and human health. A Supervisory Council and a Board of the Association of 35 national government and non-governmental organization members govern our global not-for-profit network of 20 independent offices. We bring knowledge into policy and practice, connect local actions in 100 countries to make a global difference, we catalyse actions that support those that use or depend on wetlands, and we are passionate about the positive change we make for people and nature. See our website (www.wetlands.org) for more information on the values, strategies and policies that guide our work.

Wetlands International has been active in Ethiopia since 2010. Currently, Wetland International is implementing various projects (Climate Resilient Flyways (CRF), Partners for Resilience (PfR), Sustainable Water Fund (SWF), Sustainable Agricultural Water management (SAWeL) and EU-Devco in the Central Rift Valley Region of Ethiopia, Oromia Regional State. These projects are implemented with a range of stakeholders, such as the Ethiopian Basins Development Authority (BDA), Rift Valley Lakes Basin Development Office (RVLBDO), Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA), Meki-Batu Small Holder Cooperatives Union, Joytech Fresh, Acacia Water, World Waternet, Ethiopian Wildlife and Natural History Society (EWNHS), HoAREC, Red Cross, Cordaid and the relevant Kebele, Woreda and Regional government bodies.

The Sustainable water Fund (SWF) project has two main development goals: To ensure a balanced Ziway-Shalla Basin ecosystem with a sustainable and transparent water usage and distribution system, and to improve water security and income of agricultural producers, particularly small farmers and women, in the lake Ziway catchment area.

Job summary

The Programme Officer, under the direct supervision of the Country Programme Manager and working closely with the project staffs at the Country and Field Offices, is responsible for the effective coordination and implementation of the Sustainable water Fund (SWF) - better known as the Ziway Shalla Basin in balance (ZSBiB) Project and the SaWeL project which are being implemented in the Central Rift Valley Region of Ethiopia.

The incumbent will be responsible for the overall management, coordination, implementation, monitoring and reporting of the SWF (ZSBiB) project. S/he will be be the main focal person for the overall management of the ZSBiB project, including working in close partnership with project implementing partners and other stakeholders. S/he will be the main focal person to ensure project coordination and smooth partnership and communication arrangements with ZSBiB amnd SaWeL project partners, relevant government institutions and external stakeholders. S/he will be the main focal person to facilitate and lead strategic level coordination among ky stakeholders of the ZSBiB and SaWeL Projects. S/he will ensure startegic level coordination and integrated implementation and reporting of the ZSBiB and SaWEL projects in the CRV.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Provide technical leadership and strategic-level coordination support for the effective implementation of SWF and SaweL projects in the CRV of Ethiopia;
• Work closely with SWF and SaWeL project partners to ensure joint planning, coordinted implementation and monitoring of project deliverables;
• Serve as the key focal person to support BDA, RVLBDO, Regional Sector Bureaus and partners for the development and cascading of of Water Allocation Plan, Integrated Basin/Catchment Management Plan and Water Tariffs for Ziway-Shalla Sub-Basin;
• Organize strong local support for initiatives aimed at saving Lake Ziway and Abijatta- Shalla lakes national park and the biodiversity resources of the Central Rift Valley
• Follow and apply the latest IWRM methodological “good practice” in the design and implementation of SWF and SaWeL projects by Wetlands International and its partners in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia;
• Develop and implement a stakeholder engagement strategy and implementation plan in line with Wetland International’s Regional Marketing and Communications Strategy and Project specific Communication strategies being implemented in the Central Rift Valley Region of Ethiopia.
• Support the Basin Development Authority in mobilizing and engaging sectoral and regional stakeholders in the development and ownership of a water allocation plan with a view to improving water management, allocation and governance systems in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia.
• Play a leading role establishing and maintaining good relationship with the BDA and the regional water and agricultural bureaus
• Support project staff and partners in the organization of capacity building trainings for stakeholders in environmental protection and responsible water usage and water-revenue based basin management models.
• Promote networking and partnership with government and implementing partners to promote smooth and functional working relationships among project partners in the Central Rift Valley.
• Create awareness on project deliverables, responsibilities and expectations among implementing partners (government, private companies, farmer associations, etc.).
• Provide support and assistance to Wetland International, Basin Development Authority/Offices and Project Partners in stakeholder coordination, organizing workshops, meetings and consultations.
• Manage a variety of stakeholders and their expectations through regular communications.
• Perform any other related functions as may be required by Wetland International.

Job Requirement

Competencies

• Ability to provide leadership, communicate effectively, and promote a team approach to enhance staff commitment to successfully achive organizational objectives.
• Demonstrated skill, ability and experience in managing staff members in multiple locations preferred;
• Excellent verbal and written English communications skills to be used in frequent, written reports.
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Good understanding of NGO’s financial systems
• Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines and handle multiple tasks simultaneously;
• Good knowledge of administrative and financial rules and regulations
• Ability to work independently but also as part of a team
• Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment;
• Knowledge in Accounting softwares, Excel and other computer applications

Requirements

Education

• M.A./M. Sc in Water Resource Mangement, Integrated Watershed Management, Environmental Science, Development Studies, DRM, or  any other related disciplines.

Experience and essential attributes

• A minimum of 10 years of proven track record of managing similar projects, preferably in an NGO environment;
• More than 5 years of proven work experience in international NGOs;
• Demonstrated experience in project management, preferably in consortia arrangements;
• Experience of working with the Ethiopian Basin Development Authority and its Regional Offices (RVLDO) is an added advantage.
• Demonstrated partnership management, organizational, diplomatic and negotiating skills.
• Experience managing multi-stakeholder partnerships, or working in big Consortia arrangements and with participatory community development and consultative methods.
• Proven experience in establishing and maintaining good relations with partners, counterpart Governmental and non-governmental institutions, Farmer Cooperatives/Unions and other Community-based Associations.
• A good understanding of the environmental challenges of Ethiopian Central Rift Valley and Water/ Environmental policy and strategy of the country.
• Experience in developing and implementing communication materials, project briefs, etc.
• Ability to relay technical and scientific information to policy makers and the public.
• Strong skills in participatory program planning, monitoring, evaluation, learning and knowledge management and quality reporting.
• Demonstarted experience in report preparation, presentation and facilitation of multi-stakeholder platforms/capacity building events
• Strong interpersonal and management skills
• High level of professional and ethical conduct.