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 Resident Basin Coordinator who, in close consultation with the BRIGHT Project Manager, the Deputy Director General, WLRC Directors, technical specialists, and the management of BAO and their staffs as well as partner organisations such as the MoWE, and Regional Bureaus of Water and Energy, Irrigation and Lowlands, and Agriculture will assist the BRIGHT Project Manager in managing all aspects of the Project in the respective basins.

• Purpose of the Assignment 

The primary purpose of the BRIGHT Resident Basin Coordinator’s (RBC) assignment is to strengthen the capacity of basin offices in effectively implementing the BRIGHT Project at basin level and coordinate implementation and reporting of activities. By serving as a liaison between the BAOs and the Water and Land Resource Center (WLRC), the RBC will ensure that BAOs have the necessary support, resources, and guidance to successfully carry out project activities. This will contribute to the achievement of the project’s overall goals of promoting resilient and inclusive integrated water resources management (IWRM) at the basin level.

• Main Duties and Responsibilities

The scope of work of the BRIGHT Resident Basin Coordinator’s (RBC) at each BAO shall comprise the following:

3.1. Basin-Level Project Coordination:

• Serve as the primary point of contact between the BAOs and the WLRC, ensuring effective communication and coordination.
• Facilitate collaboration and information sharing among basin authorities, relevant government agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Represent the WLRC at basin-level meetings, workshops, and conferences.

3.2. Project Implementation Support:

• Coordinate and assist in the development and implementation of project activities at the basin level, aligning with the overall project objectives.
• Coordinate with BAO authorities to identify and address any challenges or constraints in project implementation.
• Provide technical and administrative support to basin-level implementation of project activities both to BAOs, WLRC experts and other partner organizations.
• Follow and support successful implementation of plans in the selected hotspot IWRM sub-basins within the basin

3.3. Financial Management:

• Receive financial support requests from BAOs, ensuring that they are complete and justified.
• Submit approved requests to the WLRC for consideration and disbursement.
• Keep record of the fund transfer.
• Approve and monitor the use of project funds at the basin level, ensuring that they are used effectively and transparently.
• Prepare and submit financial reports to the WLRC, detailing project expenditures and remaining budget as per the financial guideline.

4.4. Data Collection and Management:

• Facilitate the maintenance and new installment of hydrometric stations as per the plan
• Facilitate the collection and management of basin-specific data relevant to the project, such as hydrological and climate data, land use information, and socio-economic data.
• Ensure the quality and accuracy of data collected, and its effective storage and retrieval.
• Backstop team mobilized from head office to successfully accomplish their tasks in the basin.

4.5. Stakeholder Engagement:

• Engage with local authorities, communities, civil society organizations, and the private sector to build awareness and support for the project.
• Facilitate consultations and participatory processes to ensure that the project is responsive to local needs and priorities.

4.6. Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Contribute to the development and implementation of project monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks at the basin level.
• Collect and analyze data to assess project progress and impact.
• Identify and address any gaps or challenges in project implementation.
• Deliver regular technical and financial reports as per the MEL guideline.
• Key Deliverables 

The key deliverables required of the BRIGHT Resident Basin Coordinator’s (RBC) 

• Effective Coordination: Strong working relationships with BAO authorities, experts and other stakeholders, Timely communication and information sharing and Facilitated collaboration and consensus-building.
• Project Implementation Support: Development and implementation of basin-level project plans and activities, identification and resolution of challenges and constraints, provision of technical and administrative support. Also support implementation of hotspot IWRM sub-basin plans.
• Financial Management: Receipt and submission of financial support requests, approval, monitoring and oversight of project expenditures, preparation of financial reports, and facilitation of project performance and financial audit.
• Data Management: collection, management, and analysis of basin-specific data., Ensuring data quality and accuracy, effective storage and retrieval of data.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Successful engagement of local authorities, communities, civil society organizations, and the private sector, facilitation of participatory processes, building awareness and support for the project.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Contribution to the development and implementation of M&E frameworks, collection and analysis of data to assess project progress and impact, and identification and addressing of gaps or challenges as well as facilitate and delivery of regular technical and financial reports.
• Capacity Building: Support the capacity building activities of BAOS and local stakeholders as per the plan, transfer of knowledge and skills related to IWRM and project implementation.
• Project Success: Contribution to the overall success of the BRIGHT Project at the basin level and achievement of project objectives and outcomes.
• Communication Requirement 

The Resident Basin Coordinator’s (RBC) representing WLRC should maintain effective communication with various stakeholders, including:

• WLRC: Timely reporting on project progress, financial matters, and any challenges encountered.
• Basin administration office: Regular meetings, consultations, and information sharing to ensure alignment and coordination.
• Local authorities and communities: Engaging in dialogue, coordinate consultations, and disseminating project information.
• Civil society organizations: Building partnerships and collaborating on project activities.
• Private sector: Fostering relationships and exploring potential collaborations.
• Other relevant stakeholders: Maintaining open lines of communication with government agencies, NGOs, and other relevant parties.
• Communication channels: This shall include:
  • regular scheduled meetings with basin authorities and other key stakeholders,
  • written reports: Monthly, quarterly, bi-annual and annual reports to WLRC, and email for day-to-day correspondence. Phone calls: For urgent matters or quick discussions, and
  • Public consultations: Engaging with local authorities and communities through public meetings and workshops.

About You

• Qualifications and Experience

Education:

• An MSc degree or above in IWRM, water resources management, natural resources management, or related fields from a recognized academic institution.

Experience: 

• Minimum 6 years of experience in IWRM as professional or project management, preferably in the water resources management.

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.

• All candidates meeting the required qualifications shall send (i) Application Letter (ii) Up-to-date CV (iii) Copies of academic credentials and related testimonies (iV) Names and addresses of three references in One PDF File
• Please DO NOT submit documents with scans and image files or JPEG
• Women are highly encouraged to apply
• Applications should be sent as e-mail attachment to: [email protected], for any queries, contact the HR Office at 0116612236

• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted
• Applicants who don’t follow application instructions shall be disqualified