Background

Groundwater holds a crucial role in fortifying climate resilience in the HoA's borderlands. Unfortunately, this resource remains largely overlooked and underutilized. In a region where surface water is scarce due to high temperatures and evapotranspiration rates, groundwater stands as the most dependable source to ensure consistent water supplies for domestic, agricultural, and livestock usage. It acts as a natural reservoir during droughts, aiding in adapting to unpredictable climate changes and shocks. Despite its substantial potential, groundwater exploitation remains largely untapped in the HoA.

The groundwater reservoirs in the HoA's borderlands, whether national or transboundary, are vital resources for the vulnerable livelihoods in these areas. With significant pastoral and agro- pastoral communities and a burgeoning young population, the region's borderlands are situated atop or in proximity to major groundwater aquifers, some of which traverse national boundaries.

Children Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) and the UNDP Resilience Hub for Africa are partnering to operationalise the Ground water Access Facility for Africa Initiative to implement a programme in the Somali regional state in Ethiopia to drill and equip boreholes with storage facilities, distribution networks and standpipes to supply water to communities and livestock. As a result, the partnership will optimize the use of the shared resources, strengthen resilience of borderland communities, create jobs, and improve groundwater governance through training and capacity development initiatives for various stakeholders. In addition, it also will establish monitoring, evaluation and reporting systems for better decision-making by policymakers and investors for sustainable use of the groundwater resources in the region. 

The project will be implemented under the GAFA framework in the Horn of Africa and will be contributing to the two pillars of the framework, namely Pillar I:  Data management with installing groundwater monitoring systems on boreholes drilled and equipped by the project; and Pillar II: Pipeline project for investments, the project will invest in selected potential boreholes and the successful ones will be equipped to supply water for productive use across the Somali region in Ethiopia. 

The GAFA Coordination Advisor will play a role in facilitating communication, resource mobilization, and collaboration between key stakeholders, including the IGAD, the Ethiopian Government, UNDP, and CIFF. The Advisor will also support proposal development and strategic partnership initiatives, while closely working with CRES Unit at UNDP country Office, relevant staff of UNDP Resilience Hub in Nairobi, and the IGAD. The role requires an effective liaison, partnership-building, and resource mobilization skills. 

Duties and Responsibilities

1 Ensure Stakeholder Coordination and Liaison

• Contribute to effective and smooth partnership between UNDP, CIFF, IGAD, and the Government of Ethiopia, through fostering open and active communication throughout the project lifecycle.
• Facilitate regular communication with relevant government agencies, IGAD, and regional bodies to ensure project activities align with broader water resource management strategies in the IGAD region.
• Working closely with the country office focal point, contribute to timely sharing of project outcomes, updates, and reports with key partners and stakeholders.

2 Ensure Communication and Reporting

• Contribute to maintaining effective and timely communication and information sharing between Ministry of Water (MoWE), Somali regional Water Bureau, UNDP Ethiopia Country Office, and other relevant project stakeholders at national and regional level..
• Work closely with Country Office focal point and the Project Manager, in preparing and sharing regular progress reports, including updates on borehole drilling, equipment procurement, and milestones achieved, ensuring these reports reach relevant stakeholders and institutions. 
• Ensure that stakeholders are kept informed of any emerging risks, challenges, or delays in project implementation.
• Support the Project Manager in the preparation of technical, financial, and monitoring and evaluation reports to be presented to UNDP, CIFF, and IGAD.

3 Ensure  Institutional Engagement and Advocacy

• Contribute to strengthening institutional relationships between IGAD and the Government of Ethiopia, advocating for the project and ensuring it aligns with regional water resource management policies and frameworks.
• Contribute to effective engagement of IGAD member states and other regional stakeholders to promote best practices in water resource management, particularly related to the sustainable use of groundwater for communities and livestock.
• Based on guidance from the UNDP Country Office, will represent the project in relevant IGAD meetings, forums, and technical discussions, ensuring that the project’s goals and progress are aligned with regional strategies.

4 Ensure Effective Coordination with Project Teams

• Work closely with the UNDP Country Office focal point and Project Manager to ensure timely communication and feedback from field teams on drilling progress, equipment installation, and community engagement.
• Work closely with UNDP Office Country Focal point and the Project Manager to ensure that the results of the project, including milestones such as the number of boreholes drilled and equipped, are promptly communicated to stakeholders at IGAD, UNDP, and CIFF.
• Collaborate with the UNDP Country Office Focal person and Project Manager to align drilling activities with IGAD’s broader water resource management initiatives.
• Provide feedback from IGAD and other institutional partners to the Country Office and the Project Manager, ensuring any required adjustments are communicated and incorporated into project plans.

5 Lead Proposal Development and Resource Mobilization

• Work closely with the Senior Principal Water Resources Advisor at the UNDP Resilience Hub in Nairobi, UNDP CO and IGAD to identify funding opportunities and mobilize resources to support project expansion or complementary activities.
• Lead the preparation of funding proposals to secure additional resources from donors, governments, and regional organizations, ensuring alignment with project objectives and stakeholder priorities.
• Develop resource mobilization strategies in partnership with IGAD, UNDP country Office and the UNDP Resilience Hub to ensure financial sustainability and support for ongoing and future water resource management initiatives.
• Coordinate with IGAD and UNDP to ensure that project proposals and resource mobilization efforts are aligned with regional water resource strategies and policies.

6 Strategic Partnership Development, Knowledge Management and Capacity Building 

• Identify and foster strategic partnerships with regional organizations, governments, NGOs, and private sector entities to enhance project outcomes and expand the reach of water resource initiatives.
• Work with the UNDP CO and Senior Principal Water Resources Advisor to build partnerships that support regional collaboration on groundwater management, drilling technologies, and water supply for livestock and communities.
• Strengthen collaboration between IGAD, UNDP, CIFF, and other key stakeholders to ensure the alignment of strategic objectives and leverage resources for long-term project success.
• Facilitate the sharing of knowledge, best practices, and technical expertise between partners, ensuring continuous learning and improvement in water resource management across the IGAD region.
• Work with IGAD and other stakeholders to develop capacity-building initiatives that promote sustainable water resource management practices, particularly for communities and livestock in the Somali region.
• Support the transfer of knowledge and skills to regional and local stakeholders, including water resource authorities, drilling teams, and local governments.
• Organize workshops, meetings, and trainings on water resource management, drilling technologies, and community engagement, ensuring that stakeholders across the IGAD region benefit from the project’s findings and best practices.

7. Ensure Risk Management and Compliance

• Monitor and assess any potential risks related to stakeholder engagement, regional policies, or regulatory compliance, and work with the UNDP CO focal point and Project Manager to mitigate these risks.
• Support the CO and Project Manager to ensure that all project activities comply with national and regional regulations, particularly regarding environmental safeguards, water rights, and transboundary water management practices.
• Provide support in identifying any emerging challenges or conflicts between project activities and regional water resource management frameworks, proposing solutions in coordination with the Country Office Focal Person and Project Manager. 

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization. 

Institutional Arrangement

The GAFA Coordination Advisor will work under the overall guidance of UNDP CO Resident Representative (RR), with direct supervision of UNDP Deputy Resident Representative – Programme (DRR-P) and in close collaboration with the CRES Unit at the Country Office. The incumbent shall also discharge duties and responsibilities in close collaboration with the Country Office Project focal person, the Project manager in Jigjiga, the different programme units at UNDP country office, relevant department of the IGAD, CIFF Country Office, and relevant staff at the UNDP Regional Resilience Hub. 

Competencies

Achieve Results: LEVEL 4: Prioritize team workflow, mobilize resources, drive scalable results/strategic impact.

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 4: Easily navigate complexity, encourage/enable radical innovation, has foresight.

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 4: Create systems and processes that enable learning and development for all.

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 4: Proactively initiate/lead organizational change, champion new systems/processes.

Act with Determination: LEVEL 4: Able to make difficult decisions in challenging situations, inspire confidence.

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 4: Construct strategic multi-partner alliances in high stake situations, foster co-creation.

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 4: Create ethical culture, identify/address barriers to inclusion. 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Partnership management 

• Multi-stakeholder engagement and funding: Knowledge and ability to forge multi-stakeholder partnerships, and remove any obstacles to resource mobilization and multi-stakeholder funding platforms.

Business Direction and strategy: Strategic Thinking

• Develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; 
• link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; 
• learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight.

Business Direction and strategy

• Systems Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.  

Business Management 

• Results-based Management: Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.

Business Management: Communication

• Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. 
• Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channel.

Business Management: Portfolio Management 

• Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization's programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity.
•  Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment. 
• Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management.

2030 Agenda: Planet

• Climate: Climate Change Adaptation: Water Resource Management and Access to Water.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• An Advanced University Degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering, Water Resource Management, Environmental Science, Development Studies, Project Management or a related field is required.
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in above-mentioned fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years (with master’s degree) or 12 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressive experience in project coordination, resource mobilization, or liaison role, preferably in the water resource management sector.

Required skills:

• Experience working on projects related to groundwater management, borehole drilling, or water supply for livestock and communities is required.

Desired additional skills:

• Demonstrated experience in proposal development, resource mobilization, and partnership building, with a track record of securing funding and establishing strategic collaborations, is desired.
• Strong experience in partnership management and communication advocacy across multiple donors and local, international stakeholders is desired. 
• Strong experience and knowledge in water resource challenges and opportunities in the IGAD region, particularly in Ethiopia is desired.
• Experience working in UN agencies or international NGOs is an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English and Amharic is required, including the ability to set out a coherent argument in presentations and group interactions.
• Working knowledge of other UN languages will be desirable. 

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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