The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), a CGIAR Research Center is seeking an innovative & competent candidate to join its office in Giza, Egypt, as a Senior Researcher / Project Leader.
This is an internationally recruited position; therefore, individuals with relevant abilities from diverse locations around the world are encouraged to apply.ย The candidate will be based in Egypt, but other countries in the region may also be considered.
The Senior Researcher / Project Leader is responsible for spearheading the implementation of the Al-Murunah - Building Climate Resilience through Enhanced Water Security project in the MENA Region, funded by the United Kingdom\u2019s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). In this role, the successful candidate will be accountable for ensuring the seamless execution and timely delivery of all project deliverables and the achievement of outcomes outlined in the project proposal, log frame, and subsequent workplans.
Moreover, the successful candidate will collaborate with national and international partners to oversee the on-the-ground implementation of Resilient Nature-Based Water Solutions (RNBWS; integrated Nature Based Solutions for Water and Agriculture Water Management interventions) at each of the project demonstration sites in Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
The successful candidate should possess knowledge of a variety of disciplines. For this position, we are particularly interested in candidates with a background in policy engagement, institutions, and governance; Nature-Based Solutions for Water; Economics; and Rural development.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
As the Project Leader,
As the Domain Expert,
Oversee the conceptual planning; technical, social, and market design; and ongoing implementation of the RNBWS pilot project in each demonstration site through participatory and co-development processes with local stakeholders. Through the interpretation of modeling and/or other analyses, evaluate the potential impacts of proposed RNBWS interventions in each demonstration project on water resources, different water users, stakeholders, and community members, especially women and youth. In collaboration with other project researchers, design and oversee the monitoring and evaluation (incorporating some citizen science components) of RNBWS interventions, including impacts on water resources, stakeholders, and communities, especially women and youth, to determine if anticipated impacts are achieved. Build a systematic understanding of the technical and institutional capacity needs (human and social capital components) for national government agencies, local government agencies, and communities to develop and deploy RNBWS more widely. Raise awareness about RNBWS (and particularly NBSW) and how they can be used for climate change adaptation, especially in relation to women and youth, and build capacity at the community and national level for their increased implementation. Organize training in RNBWS (and NBSW and/or AWM as appropriate) for relevant professionals and community members according to systematically identified, as well as pilot project and nation-specific, needs. Conduct partner workshops, dialogues, and other mechanisms to discuss how upscaling of RNBWS can occur, including through novel financing mechanisms. Drawing on evidence produced through analysis and learnings in the demonstration projects, as well as partner and stakeholder interactions, provide impact pathways for scaling sustainable RNBWS interventions via public sector, private sector, and multilateral funding. Synthesize and consolidate knowledge into various products, including RNBWS planning and implementation guidelines, guidance, and/or standard operating procedures; use cases; awareness raising and training materials; and communications products, all targeting specific audiences, inclusive of academic (peer-reviewed journal) publications. Facilitate peer\u2010to\u2010peer learning opportunities, national and regional knowledge sharing, and co\u2010learning.Requirements
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
A Master's or PhD degree in water resources management, climate, environmental studies, economics or rural development. Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience, preferably post-doctoral, including experience working on research for development and/or public sector funded projects that promote, plan, design, and implement NBSW and similar interventions. Experience managing complex development projects in conflict-prone and socially fragile environments, ideally in the MENA region. Experience managing and navigating partner and stakeholder relationships with governmental, private sector, and community counterparts at various levels of organizational hierarchies (i.e., senior to lower management, and professional staff), and at the regional, national, and local levels. Proven experience undertaking participatory and/or co-development processes with national and local stakeholders, including community members, preferably in relation to themes of relevance for RNBWS. A record of peer-reviewed and/or technical report publications on subjects of relevance for RNBWS, with a preference for inter-disciplinarity. Experience of undertaking or overseeing hydrological, environmental, and social monitoring and evaluation. Experience working in interdisciplinary and multicultural teams. Experience in capacity-building and training programs for diverse participants. Proven experience of working with an international organization outside home-country.KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED:
Proven understanding of NBSW principles and practices. Excellent ability to interpret, summarize, synthesize, present, and use outputs of environmental (i.e., hydrological, agricultural, and/or climate) and socio-economic models for the purposes of evaluation, to support planning, and/or to inform decision-making processes. Excellent analytical skills and ability to communicate the relevance of analyses in a succinct and understandable manner to various audiences and stakeholders. Ability to prioritize work and achieve stretch targets, including through strong time management. Strong organizational skills with the ability to multitask. Ability to adapt to changing priorities and new procedures quickly. Attention to detail, precision, and problem-solving skills. Personal attributes include high standards of conduct, respect, flexibility, diplomacy, and sound work ethics. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, managers, project partners, focal points, community members, and other stakeholders.LANGUAGE PROFICINECY:
Excellent oral and written language skills in English, including effective listening and strong verbal and written communication abilities. Proficiency in Arabic is highly preferable.Benefits
This is an internationally recruited position with a competitive salary, an attractive retirement plan, comprehensive international health insurance, life insurance accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, and long-term disability coverage. Internationally recruited staff who are employed at a duty station outside of their home base/country of nationality will also receive relocation assistance, a housing allowance, home-leave plane tickets for self and eligible dependents and education assistance for eligible dependents. The duration of the contract will initially be for a period of three years.
HOW TO APPLY: Apply for the position by following the application instructions at www.iwmi.org/jobs. We will be accepting applications through 24:00 (IST) on January 04, 2024 (applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis). Your application must include a CV, cover letter, and three (3) references, which may be contacted if you are shortlisted. Receipt of all applications will be acknowledged, but only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
IWMI believes that diversity powers our innovation, contributes to our excellence, and is critical for our mission. We offer a multi-cultural, multi-color, multi-generational and multi-disciplinary working environment. We are consciously creating an inclusive organization that reflects our global character and our commitment to gender equity. We, therefore, encourage applicants from all cultures, races, ethnicities, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, and gender identities.