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Water Governance for Poverty Reduction (UNDP Iraq)

The Consultant will lead the operationalization of the strategic priorities and recommendations of the UNDP Water Governance Strategy in the Iraq context. S/he will lead the development of the Iraq Water Governance Programme which would include a number of on-going initiatives that have reached various stages of progress, some being already started and others still being planned as well as to follow-up on relevant recommendations from the water conference held in May 2007. These include for instance (i) a Decision Support System Project (DSS) for water resource planning in cooperation with the Ministry of Water Resources and (ii) support Iraq in its participation in a regional transboundary water initiative (Application Deadline: 8 July 2009).

Background

The Iraq CO’s Poverty work has expanded rapidly over the past years and has been increasingly incorporating water governance in its portfolio due to the strategic priority of this topic for UNDP and Iraq in particular as well as its link to sustainable livelihoods. Besides trans-boundary water projects, that are handled and supported by various UNDP headquarters and regional units, strategic priorities have emerged with (a) the publication of the HDR 2006 (“Beyond Scarcity: Power, Poverty and Global Water Crisis”), (b) the approval by UNDP Operations Group of the new global “UNDP Water Governance Strategy” in February 2007 and (c) the clout and demand generated by the support provided from UNDP to the Iraq Water Conference in May 2007.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Head of the Poverty Alleviation Unit and with the support of the Bureau for Development Policy/Environment and Energy Group water advisor for Arab States and the Regional Bureau for Arab States water governance program, the Specialist will:

Work closely with the Iraqi government, NGOs, CSOs and other stakeholders to shape a UNDP Water Governance for Poverty Reduction Programme for Iraq;
Promote and support water portfolio of projects and development initiatives aligned with the above-mentioned program from conceptual design and formulation to pre-implementation stage
Facilitate “one-UN” consensus approaches to advocacy and planning, along areas of comparative advantages of each agency, and in order to maximize impacts of the UNDP program
Link up with relevant UN country team sector outcome teams: water and sanitation and agriculture
Develop strategic partnerships, networks and identify resource mobilization opportunities
Work closely with all units of UNDP Iraq to strengthen cross-cutting synergies and exchange as necessary

Qualifications

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Advanced degree in environment related field, preferably with focus on natural resources management or water governance; sound knowledge of water governance, water supply and sanitation, and integrated water resources management principles and practices, particularly in the Middle East and Arab countries.

Experience

At least ten years of relevant working experience, preferably with water-related projects, and at least 7 years of experience working in international development agencies.
Experience with computer based Geographical Information System linked to a database for use in planning integrated Water Resources management is desirable
Experience in Decision Support Systems is preferred
Experience working in water governance for Poverty Alleviation
Robust experience in strategic planning and project design
Experience with United Nations agencies / UNDP desirable
Familiarity with the Arab region an asset
Working knowledge of Arabic is a plus

Language Requirements

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English

Application Deadline

8 July 2009

For further information and to apply, visit http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?job_id=11010

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