Senior Water Resources Management Specialist

1. JOB PURPOSE:

Lead, formulate and articulate policy and strategies on water resources management and its impact on agricultural and rural development, engaging Developing Member Countries (DMCs) governments in policy dialogue, and conducting ADB’s activities to support water resources management policy and reforms. Lead in identifying and developing loans, grants, Technical Assistance (TAs) projects, and non-lending products and services in the area of water resource management and provide technical support and backstopping to other staff. Work within general policies, principles and goals, having freedom to work with clients.

2. EXPECTED OUTCOMES:

1. Strategy and Planning

• Lead the development of strategies for water resources management and its impact on agricultural and rural development in DMCs, in consultation with relevant government agencies and Resident Missions (RMs).
• Conduct dialogue with government officials of DMCs on water resources management and development policy.
• Lead country teams and provide inputs around water resources management issues and its impact on agricultural and rural development for Country Partnership Strategies (CPSs).
• Lead economic, thematic and sector work in the context of sustainable economic development and poverty reduction.
• Substantially contribute to activities for advocacy, dissemination and knowledge building around water resources management issues.
• Coordinate with RMs for consistency of approach, exchange of experiences, and continuous improvement of practices and integration of water resources management and development policy commitments to the management of projects.
• Lead, formulate and administer subregional and DMC specific technical assistance (TAs) and sector studies in the areas of water resources management and development policy, and related agricultural, environmental, and natural resource management issues.
• Contribute to ADB efforts to reduce rural poverty by identifying and designing innovative participatory approaches to environmentally, socially, and financially sustainable water resource development and rural poverty reduction.
• Contribute to CPSs and CPS Updates and represent the division on programming missions.
• Serve as a member of the country team of at least one country representing SANS, and provide inputs as required in formulating a country result framework and profile. Lead preparation of sector result framework and profile for the water resources, and agriculture and rural development sectors.
  

1. Project Management

• Lead in the development, processing and administration of loan, grant and TA projects in the water sector possibly with moderate to high levels of risk and complexity.
• Liaise with and coordinate with development agencies on program loans and investment projects.
• Ensure key technical, economic, financial and crosscutting issues are incorporated into projects.
  

1. Knowledge Sharing

• Lead, develop and maintain a suitable network in the water resource management to keep abreast of the latest developments and issues.
• Substantially contribute to activities for advocacy, dissemination and knowledge building around water resource management issues.
• Keep abreast of the latest development in international, subregional, and national best practices for sustainable water resources management, and participate in ADB-wide teams concerned with water management and related environmental and natural resource management issues.
  

1. Staff supervision

• Take the role of mission leader and supervise the work of mission members.
• Supervise the performance of reporting staff, providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance.
• Ensure the on-going learning and development of reporting staff.
  

3. EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

A university degree in water resources development or other related fields; preferably at post-graduate level or its equivalent

4. RELEVANT EXPERIENCE AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Suitability to undertake the responsibilities mentioned above at the required level
• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in rural water management projects including integrated agriculture, drainage, flood and river erosion mitigation, and land reclamation
• Strong analytical abilities, multidisciplinary competence, and proven ability to organize, lead, and manage project teams
• Strong understanding and practical application of the technical, policy, institutional, and participatory principles of sustainable, integrated water resources management, including participatory irrigation management, water user association development, and associated cost recovery approaches
• Strong understanding of the capacity development needs of national and local-level water agencies in the DMCs
• Significant relevant professional experience leading the processing and administration of a wide range of small-scale to large-scale water resources projects
• Broad knowledge of cutting-edge international and national policies and programs related to water use particularly in agriculture
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• International experience working in development in several Asian countries; preferably in multiple South Asian DMCs
  
  

5. CORE COMPETENCIES:

Technical Knowledge and Skills
- Able to apply technical skills in a team leadership role to resolve and manage complex issues in relation to the water resources management and poverty reduction
- Able to apply advanced technical knowledge, skills and expertise in the water resources management and development
- Able to use technical expertise to advise and support Country teams and DMCs in developing policy, and in project design

Client Orientation
- Has a high level of understanding of the needs of key clients in DMCs (e.g., government agencies, private sector parties, NGOs, community based organizations, and water user groups)
- Applies highly developed skills to support internal and external client groups.
- Seeks feedback from clients on the effectiveness of support provided

Achieving results
- Focuses on achieving work-related deadlines to meet the expected results of the Division
- Regularly monitors the progress of work assignments to ensure performance targets are met on time
- Prioritizes work to ensure expected results are achieved

Working together
- Develops the team working skills of direct reports
- Motivates the team to work effectively together and with others outside the team
- Works cooperatively with others to resolve difficulties and conflicts in relation to priority areas and strategies

Learning and knowledge sharing
- Develops innovative processes with staff for knowledge and information sharing
- Empowers staff under supervision to make continuous improvements
- Encourages the team to share their learning and knowledge

 

6. IMMEDIATE REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

The position reports to:
Director, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Social Services Division (SANS)

The following staff positions report to the Senior Water Resources Management Specialist: National Officers and Administrative Staff

7. IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS:

Established in 1966 and headquartered in Manila, Philippines, ADB's multicultural staff come from over 50 member countries. ADB offers an internationally competitive salary paid in US dollars. Salaries and benefits are generally free of tax except for citizens of some countries, primarily the USA and the Philippines, whose incomes are taxed by their respective governments. While the position advertised is for the ADB Headquarters in Manila, Philippines, ADB staff must be prepared to serve in any location outside its Headquarters at the discretion of Management. Applicants must be nationals of one of ADB's member countries.

Apply electronically, quoting Ref. No. EXT-PS08-305(2)-SANS and job title on subject line and attaching application form to email address PS-jobs@adb.org no later than 9 January 2009, 5:00 p.m., Manila time.

Applications from qualified ADB staff will be considered before external applications. If an external candidate is selected, ADB reserves the right to appoint that candidate to a level commensurate to his/her qualification and experience.

Gender and cultural diversity is a core recruitment value and women are actively encouraged to apply.

Due to the volume of applications, ADB will not be able to respond to inquiries about application status and will only contact shortlisted candidates. Applications lacking the job reference number and job title or using the wrong e-mail address will not be considered.