About the BRIGHT Project

BRIGHT is aimed to improve water management in Ethiopia by promoting sustainable and equitable water use for agriculture, industry, environment, and domestic needs in the five basins Abbay, Awash, Omo-Gibe, Rift Valley Lakes, and Tekeze and sub-basins. The Ministry of Water, through its basin administration offices, is responsible for promoting and achieving integrated water resources management in its basins. The focus of the BRIGHT project lies on capacity building, on operationalization of the Basin Administration Offices and of MoWE at large to achieve better water management in the selected basins. Activities of the project are organized under six work packages, namely:

• WP1: Project Management and Coordination;
• WP2: Inception Phase;
• WP3: Enhancing IWRM capacity of the MoWE, Basin Administration Offices and Regional Bureaus;
• WP4: Supporting establishment of basin information system for IWRM and generating additional evidence to fill knowledge gaps in the selected river basins;
• WP5: Supporting the preparation/revision of basin plans and facilitating implementation by supporting priority and high impact IWRM projects in target basins; and
• WP6: Supporting establishment of climate-smart IWRM learning sub-basins in the target basins.

The project is financially supported jointly by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN) and the European Union (EU) and substantial in-kind contributions by WLRC and The Ministry of Water and Energy of Ethiopia (MoWE).

WLRC is looking for a well experienced competent Project Coordination Unit Coordinator (PCUC) who, in close consultation with the WRM sector of MoWE, BRIGHT Project Manager, the WLRC Deputy Director General, and Directors, coordinate the implementation of the BRIGHT Project by MoWE, BAOs and Regional Bureaus in the five project basins.

• Purpose of the Assignment 

The primary purpose of the Project Coordination Unit Coordinator (PCUC) for the BRIGHT Project at MOWE is to serve as the primary contact person between MoWE and WLRC and ensuring effective implementation of BRIGHT by MoWE, BAOs and Regional Bureaus in five target basins as well as the PCUC will coordinate the BRIGHT PCU at MoWE and ensure coordination and collaboration on project-related activities. Additionally the PCUC’s role involves facilitating communication, providing administrative support, engaging with stakeholders, and contributing to the overall success of the project within the context of MOWE. By effectively fulfilling these responsibilities, the PCUC plays a crucial role in ensuring that the project aligns with the Ministry’s IWRM goals and objectives, and that its benefits are maximized.

2. Main Duties and Responsibilities

The scope of work of the BRIGHT Project Coordination Unit Coordinator (PCUC) at MoWE will shall comprise the following:

3. Liaising and Coordination  

•   Serve as the primary point of contact between the Ministry of Water and Energy (MoWE) and the Water and Land Resource Centre, facilitating effective communication and coordination on BRIGHT project-related activities.
• Coordinate with relevant departments within MoWE and the NIWRM PCU to ensure their active involvement and support for the project.
• Facilitate the exchange of information and resources between MoWE and WLRC.

4. Project Support 

• Facilitate administrative and logistical support for project activities within MoWE.
• Assist in the preparation of project-related documents, such as meeting minutes, reports, and proposals.
• Coordinate with MoWE and NIWRM PCU staff to address any project-related queries or concerns.
• Facilitate the implementation of the BRIGHT project by MoWE, BAOs, Regional Bureaus and communities as per the agreed action plan
• Facilitate the maintenance of old hydrometric stations, establishment of new stations, upgrade of selected stations into telemetric model as per the agreed plan

5. Stakeholder Engagement:

• Engage with relevant stakeholders within MoWE to build awareness and support for the BRIGHT project.
• Facilitate consultations and meetings with MoWE staff to gather input and feedback.
• In consultation with the State Minister of the WRM of MoWE and Project Manager, facilitate stakeholder consultation meetings at national level related to BRIGHT
• Upon the guidance of the State Minister of the WRM of MoWE and the Project Manger of BRIGHT, represent both MoWE and WLRC at project-related events and workshops.
• Closely work with the NIWRM PCU staff

6. Data Management:

• Facilitate the collection and analysis of project-related data from MoWE, ensuring its accuracy and completeness.
• Facilitate and coordinate the collection of data from hydrometric stations and ensure its proper analysis, documentation and transfer to the Basin Information System
• Facilitate the implementation of project monitoring and evaluation systems.

7. Other responsibilities 

• Perform additional tasks as assigned by WLRC related to activities with BRIGHT

8. Key Deliverables and Reporting Requirements 

The BRIGHT Project Coordination Unit Coordinator (PCUC) at MoWE should submit regular reports to the State Minister of WRM of MoWE, the Director General through the Project Manager. These reports should include the following information:

• Monthly Progress Reports on project activities, coordination efforts, stakeholder engagement, data collection, financial utilization, emerging issues and challenges:
• Quarterly Reports focusing on progress towards project objectives, key performance indicators, financial status, and lesson learned.
• Bi-Annual and Annual Reports- i) comprehensive review of project activities: a detailed review of all project activities undertaken during the reporting period, ii) evaluation of project outcomes: assessment of the project’s outcomes and impact, iii) recommendations for future actions based on the project’s findings, and iv) financial utilization, challenges encountered and future recommended actions.

About You

• Qualifications and Experience

Education: An MSc degree or above in water resources management, natural resource management, or related fields from a recognized academic institution.

Experience: Minimum 10 years of experience in WRM, IWRM or project management, preferably in the water sector.

Desired Skills and Qualities:

• Strong understanding of project cycle management, including planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation,
• Proven excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal (in English and Amharic); high experience of effectively communicating complex technical content to both technical and non-technical audiences;
• Proficiency in relevant software, e.g., Microsoft Office, hydrologic models, project management tools.
• Leadership: ability to provide strong and motivating leadership to a team of researchers, development workers, civil servants, and private sector players;
• Experience working effectively in a multi-cultural environment and build trust with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong track record of analytical skills; problem-solving and decision-making, particularly in challenging environments;
• Good at Team building;
• Experience working in multi-tasking environment;
• Proven coordination and networking skills
• Dedication to meet deadlines and working in tight schedules;

Additional Considerations:

• In addition to English and Amharic, knowledge of and experience using other local languages in Ethiopia.
• Experience working on water management projects in Ethiopia is a plus, but not mandatory.
• Gender Balance: in line with WLRC’s gender policies, women are especially encouraged to apply.
• Proven experience in working in all or some of the five basins in projects similar to BRIGHT.