Basin Coordinator, Creates- Kakamega

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

• Project Management;
• Facilitate the preparation of detailed work plans, budgets and schedules for project activities implementation in collaboration with partners and stakeholders and under the guidance of the Team Leaders.
• Carry out processes related to inception, contracting and start-up of activities including establishment of indicators, benchmarks, work plans and inception workshops.
• Coordinate and monitor, under guidance from the Team Leaders, the administration of project budgets and work plans according to approved external contracts and internal agreements, work plans, internal procedures and policies, and donor requirements.
• Manage project consultancy assignments and contracts, monitor progress, and coordinate all activities.
• Coordinate among various stakeholders at community, sub-basin, national, and regional levels.
• Supervisor of all river basin management (RBM) staff in case there are staff at the RBM office.
• Lead the project’s field level workshops and similar events.
• Ensure timely, high-quality delivery of project outputs and full compliance with donor requirements and IUCN’s internal procedures
• Technical Direction and Capacity building;
• Provide technical support for restoration planning, ecosystem-based adaptation, and nature-based solutions, ensuring alignment with IUCN’s tools and standards.
• Prepare Terms of Reference and procurement documents for water management infrastructure works and services - preparations of bidding documents, BoQs, Technical drawings, Engineering designs, Technical Evaluations of bidding documents), for example, the irrigation scheme, water supply construction works
• Supervise and assure the quality of the works and services provided by sub-contractors.
• Assess and support the implementation of nature-based solutions that contribute to ecosystem restoration, climate change adaptation and management, as well as provide opportunities for transboundary cooperation between communities – e.g. implementation of catchment management plans, and wetland investment plans.
• Develop and apply a set of guiding criteria for the selection of water management infrastructure drawing on the principles of Nature-based solutions
• Work with communities to select the most appropriate physical water management infrastructure
• Sensitize local communities in collaboration with Local Government Authorities, County Governments, and Basin Water agencies on conservation and protection of the environment to ensure water resources in the sub-basin continue to provide envisaged service to the present as well as future generations.
• Develop policy-relevant materials to communicate the relevant information arising from CREATES to stakeholders.
• Facilitate technical training in Information Management Systems and Decision Support Systems for water resources management.
• Monitoring, Evaluation, Communications and Knowledge Management.
• In coordination with M&E Officer, develop and apply the projects monitoring instruments and systems.
• Contribute to the development and timely submission of all required project reports
• Undertake regular visits to project sites, evaluate programmatic outputs, and impacts both quantitatively and in terms of quality implementation.
• Document case studies, best practices and lessons learned and develop communication materials for dissemination to target audiences.
• Ensure Project activities sustainability in collaboration with project beneficiaries and authorities.
• Participate in the Project annual, semi-annual and quarterly PMU and Steering Committee governance meetings and make presentations on project performance, among others.
• Fundraising and project development;
• Support the identification of new funding opportunities and in the preparation of concept notes, project proposals, and partnership agreements to scale-out project activities in the water sector restoration and NbS portfolio.
• Support networking with key development partners, national institutions and NGOs to support project implementation and portfolio expansion.
• Keep abreast of development needs and Programme opportunities in the landscape including those in line with implementing partners priorities and programmatic principles.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Capacity Building;
• Foster and maintain strong partnerships with stakeholders, including government agencies, regional intergovernmental entities, civil society organizations, research institutions etc.
• Design and deliver capacity-building activities and provide technical support to project partners and stakeholders.
• Contribute to the coordination and facilitation of regional platforms, knowledge-sharing initiatives, and community-of-practice events on NbS and ecosystem restoration.
• Representation;
• Network and liaise with all the partners and potential partners, developing and maintaining partnerships and strong relationships across all sectors (including the private sector).
• Maintain good working relationships with development partners, non-state actors, private sector, community leadership and visiting donor teams
• Represent IUCN on issues at strategic, political and technical meetings, seminars and other events and processes as may be required from time to time.
• Additional;
• Support the preparation and dissemination of technical reports, case studies, policy briefs, and communication materials related to water, NbS, restoration and climate resilience
• Undertake any other tasks as may be assigned by and mutually agreed with the line manager.

REQUIREMENTS

Education background;

• Graduate Degree in water resources management (hydrology or hydraulics), integrated water resources management (IWRM), civil engineering, environmental management, or comparable studies.

Professional experience;

• Demonstrated knowledge in the areas of Integrated Water Resources Management, Nature-based Solutions for water, transboundary water management, climate change adaptation
• At least 8 years of relevant regional experience with relevant project work and implementing projects related to IWRM, NbS and climate change adaptation
• Experience with Information Management Systems and Decision Support Systems for water resources management is an advantage
• Practical experience in supervision and quality assurance of water management infrastructure works
• Experience of living and working in developing countries, especially in Africa
• Working experience with IUCN, UNEP, River Basin Organisations and national governments is an advantage.
• Respect for gender and age differences and diversity in culture, race, religion and sexual orientation.
• Excellent interpersonal skills demonstrated ability to engage with local stakeholders and communities, including patience, diplomacy, willingness to listen, respect for colleagues and ability to work as part of a team.
• Proven track record in the management of international and multi-stakeholder projects, particularly those funded by bilateral donors, or multilatera