PROJECT ASSISTANT, BDR ASWA AT IUCN IN UGANDA

JOB TITLE: -PROJECT ASSISTANT, BDR ASWA
Background IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, helps the world find pragmatic
solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges. IUCN works on biodiversity, climate change, energy, human livelihoods and greening the world economy by supporting scientific research, managing field projects all over the world, and bringing governments, NGOs, the UN and companies together to develop policy, laws and best practice. IUCN is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental organization, with more than 1,200 government and NGO members and almost 11,000 volunteer experts in some 160 countries. The IUCN Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) operates in twenty four countries in the Horn of Africa, eastern Africa, southern Africa and the Western Indian Ocean. IUCN is inviting applications from suitably qualified candidates to fill the position of Project Assistant in one of its projects “Building drought resilience through land and water management” (hereafter referred to as “the BDR project”). This project compliments the WANI initiative of IUCN.

Water and Nature Initiative The IUCN Water & Nature Initiative (WANI) develops and demonstrates practical approaches to the implementation of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). It supports and catalyses national water reforms and builds needed capacities. The goal of WANI is the ‘mainstreaming of ecosystem services into water management, planning and policies, to support sustainable use of water resources for poverty reduction, economic growth and protection of the environment’.

The Building Drought Resilience through Land and Water Management Project (BDR) The frequency of droughts in the Horn of Africa (and by extension Eastern Africa countries including northern Kenya and Uganda) and their severe effects on household food security demonstrate that current adaptive and coping strategies require urgent strengthening. Interventions are needed that will help ensure that as climate change intensifies the frequency of drought, that vulnerable communities can adapt, to not only avoid disaster but achieve improvements in food and water security and well-being.

The project is to demonstrate implementation of strategies for building resilience to drought in Eastern Africa (specifically in Uganda and Kenya) using approaches which use and strengthen the natural environment, and to provide learning needed to scale-up successful approaches. The project will demonstrate application of a framework for resilience in practice that is based on cohesive approaches to diversifying livelihoods and markets, improving natural and engineered infrastructure around water points, strengthening natural resource governance processes including water resource management and sharing experiences and learning across sectors and governance levels. The proposed project will strengthen community, catchment and local stakeholder capacity to manage and adapt to the impacts of increasingly severe and frequent drought in the region.

Responsibilities: Support the Project Officer in implementation of the project activities in the project operational area.

Project implementation and management Support the implementation and management of the project, ensuring performance monitoring and efficiency, effectiveness and quality outputs. a. Assist in planning and participation in field work b. Under the general guidance of the Programme Officer, provide technical and administrative support and facilitation to project activities and ensure quality outputs and outcomes. c. Provide support in the preparation of activity budgets and accountabilities d. With the assistance and guidance of the Programme Officer, work as a day to day liaison between the project and the Finance Officer to ensure up-to-date financial records are available and financial reports are delivered on time. e. Provide support to projects coordinated by other team members on request and in coordination with the Programme Officer. f. Assist in organizing meetings and workshops g. Assist in information management and correspondences and support h. Communication and dissemination of project achievements by contributing to the development of communication products such as web stories, briefing notes, etc. i. Assist in organizing and participating in project management team meetings

Competency requirements
• A first degree in Water Resource Management, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Sciences or related field.
• A Master’s degree would be an added advantage
• Experience with community participation activities
• Familiarity with water resources or environmental management programs
• Good verbal and written communication skills in English
• Working knowledge of Luo language
• Possession of a valid Driving permit will be an added advantage
• Demonstrated skills in computer literacy, technical report writing and communication
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team
• Ability to be innovative and pro-active
• Ability to work with minimum supervision and function in a multidisciplinary environment
• Sensitivity to local conditions, ethics and norms
• Willingness to travel as needed
 
Application procedure
Applicants are asked to submit their CV and a supporting letter of motivation and provide the names and contact details (including e-mail addresses) of three referees. The letter must be submitted on or before 12th July, 2013 to: earohr@iucn.org
ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED
Closing date: 12 Jul 2013