WORLD BANK VACANCY

JOB # 100393
JOB TITLE SR WATER RESOURCES MGMT. SPEC.
JOB FAMILY WATER AND SANITATION
LOCATION ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
APPOINTMENT INTERNATIONAL HIRE
JOB POSTED 23-FEB-2010
CLOSING DATE 16-MAR-2010
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS ENGLISH [ESSENTIAL]; FRENCH [DESIRED]
APPOINTMENT TYPE

BACKGROUND / GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Water is central to realizing the development and economic growth potential of Africa. Yet, despite a reasonable natural endowment of water, insufficient water security has been a critical element in hindering progress of the Continent. One critical challenge is high climatic variability, which results in extremes of drought and flood and in high degrees of vulnerability, particularly amongst the poor. In addition, the continent has a deficit of water related infrastructure to mitigate the effects of variability, and existing infrastructure stock is also continually deteriorating. Institutional capacities are also severely stretched. Increased water demand and growing conflicts between water uses further exacerbate the situation. Countries need to strengthen their capacities for effective and sustainable water resources management by addressing these institutional and infrastructural gaps. In addition, many of Africa’s major river basins – more than 60 -- are shared between two or more countries, adding layers of complexity in the management of water resources. Cooperation on international waters can provide a vital component for broad based economic development and regional security

The World Bank approach to integrated water development in Africa therefore has three strategic foci: (a) increase resiliency to climatic variability and change through a broad range of investments and improved management of water resources; (b) enable growth through effective water resources development to support growing urban and industrial demands, expansion of irrigated agriculture and hydropower, and environmental needs; and (c) foster integration and cooperation among water using sectors and among countries sharing international waters to underpin growth and risk reduction objectives.

The Africa Water Resources Management Unit (AFTWR) is engaged in management and development of water resources at the regional and country levels in key African river and lake basins and countries. The Unit works closely with the Country and Sector Management Units that are engaged in about $ 1B worth of investments related to water resources management in the basin countries as well as in significant TA (e.g., for the development of river basin organizations and national institutions) and analytical work (e.g., Country water Resources Assistance Strategies). The Unit consists of professionals in water resources management and related fields at HQ and in the country offices and works with a broader virtual Bankwide team of technical specialists.

AFTWR is now seeking a Senior Water Resources Management Specialist, based in Addis Ababa, to work with the water resources and country office teams in leading and supporting its WRM program.


Note: If the selected candidate is a current Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain his/her Regular or Open-Ended appointment. All others will be offered a 4 year renewable term appointment.

DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
The candidate selected for the position will report primarily to the Sector Manager of AFTWR, working closely with the Country Management Unit with the following duties:

1. Serve as a core team member in the Unit’s WRM program covering Ethiopia and Sudan and Eastern Africa.
2. Lead or participate in analytical work in the WRM program.
3. Lead or provide expert inputs for investment programs and operational tasks in WRM and complex, multi-purpose river basin projects..
4. Lead or provide strategic and technical inputs for the preparation and supervision of institutional strengthening activities and projects, and related capacity building efforts to foster the development of effective WRM institutions.
5. Organize and/or participate in the production of knowledge management and dissemination of lessons learnt, including preparation of periodic reports and briefs.
6. Lead, organize and foster effective partnerships within and outside the Bank and across relevant development sectors/fields such as Energy, Agriculture, Transport and Environment.
7. Supervise, coach, mentor and develop junior staff

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