35-011 | Program Officer - Water Resource Management

at  Global Center on Adaptation

VACANCY TITLE: Program Officer – Water Resources Management
LOCATION: Rotterdam, The Netherlands or Nairobi, Kenya
TERM: Initial contract duration 1 year with possibility of extension
INTENSITY: Full time – 40 hours per week
ANTICIPATED START DATE: As soon as possible
SALARY INDICATION: EUR 45,000 - 60,000 gross annually for the Netherlands. Salaries in other countries are adjusted to local market practices and cost of living.

Knowledge Management

• Contribute to the preparation of knowledge products (e.g., policy briefs, news stories, reports) on GCA activities, in line with recent developments and trends in water climate adaptation.
• Facilitate dissemination of knowledge products and other outputs via stakeholder events (e.g., workshops

Minimum requirements

• A master’s degree in environmental or civil engineering, water resources management, hydrology, water policy, economics, or related fields. Training should be complemented by experience in climate adaptation, resilience, climate risk assessments, and nature-based solutions.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in the implementation of large-scale projects or programs related to water services resilience working directly for or with national or regional government authorities, multilateral development banks, or international organizations

Join GCA’s Water and Urban Team as a Program Officer – Water Resources Management. In this dynamic position, you will be at the forefront of policy advocacy and technical support for water climate adaptation. You will have the opportunity to shape a climate resilient future for Africa, under GCA’s work aiming to scale up and accelerate climate adaptation and resilience for water services in Africa. You will play a vital role in the technical and operational implementation of transformative technical assistance projects that facilitate integration of climate adaptation into a wide range of water resources management and water supply and sanitation investments and programs by collaborating closely with Multi-lateral Development Banks and national stakeholders across Africa. You will have the unique opportunity to develop and lead capacity-building activities with global experts, mainstreaming climate resilience in water and sanitation projects and programs. You will also pro-actively support the team’s activities under the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP) with a specific focus on analytics and transformative technical assistance on climate adaptation policies that accelerate and scale up climate adaptation. In this role, you will have a chance to make a substantial impact, shaping strategies to enhance water resources resilience, protect communities, and address gender inequalities in the face of climate change. Join us at GCA, where we value diversity and inclusivity, offering a supportive and empowering work environment. Be part of a team that is driving meaningful change in securing a resilient future.
Responsibilities
You will report to GCA Water and Urban Team Lead under the oversight of the Director of Programs, and work closely with other GCA team members. Your responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, the following:

Program Management

• Support the implementation of projects on water and sanitation policies, water resources management, nature-based solutions, and activities at the water – food – environment nexus.
• Support the implementation of innovative and transformative technical assistance projects to accelerate climate resilient water services, climate adaptation, and climate resilience in Africa. These technical assistance projects can cover, but are not limited to, climate risk assessments, gender vulnerability assessments, multicriteria prioritization of adaptation options, pre- feasibility design of adaption options, nature-based solutions, climate-risk-informed water services, and capacity building.
• Collaborate closely with MDB task teams, governments (national and local), and regional and local partners to support the integration of climate adaptation and resilience technical assistance activities into their Water Resources Management, Water Supply and Sanitation projects, programs, and investments.
• Support the procurement of external expertise (individual consultants or firms) and implementation of their work, by developing Terms of References (TORs) and evaluating bids.

Support program planning, progress monitoring, and reporting.
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Knowledge Management

• Contribute to the preparation of knowledge products (e.g., policy briefs, news stories, reports) on GCA activities, in line with recent developments and trends in water climate adaptation.
• Facilitate dissemination of knowledge products and other outputs via stakeholder events (e.g., workshops)

Minimum requirements

• A master’s degree in environmental or civil engineering, water resources management, hydrology, water policy, economics, or related fields. Training should be complemented by experience in climate adaptation, resilience, climate risk assessments, and nature-based solutions.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in the implementation of large-scale projects or programs related to water services resilience working directly for or with national or regional government authorities, multilateral development banks, or international organizations.

Preferred experience

The ideal candidate will have a deep expertise in at least one area and working exposure to others:

• Working experience in water resources management projects globally, and especially in African countries.
• Working with a Multilateral Development Bank or other financing institution.
• Working in developing countries, preferably Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Working directly for or with water authorities, governments, multilateral development banks or other financing institutions.
• Procurement of advisory services and contract management.
• Developing high quality knowledge products.

Climate resilience in Water Resources Management and Water Supply and Sanitation, including community involvement.
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Competencies and Mindset

• Strong Communicator: Excellent English proficiency to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Collaborative and Multicultural: Skilled in facilitating processes and working efficiently in diverse team settings.
• Conflict Resolution: A positive approach to resolving disagreements.
• Flexibility and Travel-Ready: Willingness to travel internationally at least 5 times a year for the duration of at least one week (tentatively).
• Commitment to Impact: Driven by the goal to improve lives through climate resilience and adaptation.

Sense of Humor: A great asset to our team, though not a requirement.
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