Senior Programme Officer

Senior Programme Officer

REPORTS TO:                   Cap-Net Director/Head of Section

SALARY CATEGORY:       G – Senior Specialist

DURATION:                        01 September 2021 - 30 June 2022

LOCATION:                        Duty station: GWPO Secretariat, Stockholm, Sweden with possibility

                                            for tele-commuting

DEADLINE:                        27 July 2021, 23:59 Stockholm, CET

BACKGROUND

Global Water Partnership (GWP) is a multi-stakeholder platform supported by a global secretariat that was established as an intergovernmental organization to support countries in their efforts to implement a more equitable and sustainable management of their water resources. The GWP network spans 13 regions with more than 3,000 institutional Partners in 180+ countries. The global secretariat is hosted by the GWP Organization (GWPO) located in Stockholm, Sweden. www.gwp.org. GWP is the responsible party for Cap-Net UNDP.

Cap-Net UNDP is a global capacity development network for sustainable water management. The Cap-Net UNDP mechanism aims to ensure enhanced individual and institutional knowledge and capacities for sustainable water management at local and regional levels. Currently composed of 23 affiliated regional and country level capacity development networks with over 1000-member organizations in 120 countries, Cap-Net UNDP delivers training and education to water managers, professionals, and schools in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean

SCOPE OF THIS POSITION

This position is key to the effective coordination, collaborative planning, liaison, knowledge sharing, learning activities and gender and social inclusive efforts undertaken by the GWP and Cap-Net UNDP teams.

The Senior Programme Officer will:

• play a frontline role in handling negotiations and providing advice, ranging from capacity development proposal development to activity implementation and outcome evaluations with all 23 affiliated networks globally.
• act as the coordinator of training materials, case studies and training activities, providing inputs to the conceptual development through to reporting, arising from demands from the global Cap-Net UNDP Secretariat and from partner networks.
• be the Cap-Net UNDP gender focal person who will provide guidance and strategic/technical advice on the integration of gender across activities, manuals/product development and trainings.
• co-lead annual planning, strategy positioning, developing, and improving processes, and identifying funding opportunities.
• be the focal point for the compilation and development of reports, and to liaise with editors for high standard publications.
• be the focal point for aligning the contribution of Cap-Net within UNDP and with GWP towards the delivery of capacity development, identifying opportunities and facilitating joint programmatic delivery and streamlining gender and social inclusion efforts between the two organisations.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

Planning, Partnership Development and Alignment:

• Alignment Opportunities between Cap-Net UNDP and GWP: Align the Cap-Net UNDP network’s work-programme towards addressing capacity development priorities emerging in the context of UNDP’s water governance projects and programs and to leverage opportunities presenting themselves by working with both Cap-Net UNDP and GWP partners and initiatives; Coordinate for effective planning and identify areas of programmatic synergies between Cap-Net UNDP and GWP, drawing on specific strengths and delivering as one;
• Annual Programme Planning: Coordinate the preparation of annual workplans, suggest revisions based on strategic opportunities, demands and needs on the ground, while developing and improving processes towards delivery alignment under the Global Water and Oceans Governance Support Programme;
• Coordination and Planning: Advise and act as global focal point for all 23 affiliated networks globally on work planning aligned with Cap-Net UNDP objectives, partnership strengthening and outreach; identify opportunities for resource mobilisation and cost-effective budgeting; review and clear all proposals and technical reports related to all activities by the networks;
• Alignment with Global Trends and Defining Agenda: Assist the Director in strategy positioning, aligning the contribution of Cap-Net UNDP towards capacity development for sustainable water management and connecting with local needs and gaps
• Fostering intra-UN Collaboration and Network Outreach: Liaise with relevant key UN agencies with significant water and ecosystems mandate, encourage and develop communication between networks and UNDP country offices to enhance on-the ground relations and potential activity implementation
• Resource Mobilisation and Partnership Development: Co-leading and fostering new partnerships and scoping out funding opportunities in order to support Cap-Net activities towards sustainable water management; drafting of concept notes and proposals for potential opportunities and capacity development efforts; lead person in identifying opportunities towards joint resource mobilisation in coordination with GWP; mapping of relevant financial partners, private sector, UN agencies, development banks and foundations to identify common priority areas for opportunity capitalization, and establishment of new partnerships and funding opportunities
• Gender Focal Point: Provide gender mainstreaming guidance and advice for integration across programmes, manual/product development and trainings initiated by partners and networks; spearheading gender mainstreaming in consultation with all affiliated networks' approaches to sustainable water management approaches and material development; leading to enhance Cap-Net UNDP involvement in various gender and IWRM related fora and conferences; advocating use of the Cap-Net UNDP gender toolkit and online training courses; Liaison with GWP Senior Gender and Social Inclusion Specialist to identify gender inclusive alignment practices and initiatives; share gender-related knowledge and experiences across the networks and organize trainings as appropriate;

Development of Capacity Development Materials:

• Review of Network Proposals and Guidance: Global focal point to all 23 affiliated networks and international partners for capacity development and work plans for their technical content, relevance, quality, and feasibility (relevance, cost effectiveness, impact and replicability), alignment with Cap-Net UNDP workplan; provide advice, consultations and support where necessary;
• Communication and Participation in Delivery: Responsible for the communication and outreach in liaison with the officer/focal point in effective communication of programme results through providing inputs to the Cap-Net UNDP website, newsletter and social media platforms, upcoming events and relevant partner and network information, expanding delivery of Cap-Net UNDP online programmes through planning and coordination of online courses whenever necessary and that Cap-Net UNDP is well represented and provides quality contents in sessions and programmes at relevant international events on water capacity development; lead liaison with GWP to ensure monthly communication of joint efforts

Reporting and Publications:

• Reporting: In collaboration with the Director/Head of Section compile and develop reports to partners, boards, technical groups, and other stakeholders
• Publications: Lead person in liaison with editors and guiding the communications person for high standard design and publication of reports and training products, outreach products such as brochures, infographics, and banners.
• Monitoring Gender and Geographic Spread: Monitoring geographic and gender distribution, as well as impact of the programme across institutions and organizations at local and regional levels; ensures collaboration with GWP Senior Gender and Social Inclusion Specialist to streamline gender inclusive practices and improve approaches across the organisations and adaption by the networks;

• Co-supervision: of Senior M&E Associate and Communications Assistant, to ensure effective capturing and reporting of results and the subsequent communication of impacts.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

 Technical

• Education/Experience: Higher degree (Masters level or above) in educational sciences or in a water related subject, or in another relevant area; Ten years or more relevant working experience in programme management and/or capacity development, preferably with water management experience. Understanding of network dynamics and UN systems added advantage;
• Competencies: Good writing and communication skills as evidenced by formal or informal publications; Willing to travel and move as work requires; Experience in handling of web based contents management systems; Familiarity with capacity building networks including Cap-Net and its member networks is highly desirable.
• Fluency: in written and spoken English a must, knowledge of French and/or Spanish an advantage.

 Non-technical

• Professionalism: Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity. Demonstrates corporate knowledge, self-development and initiative-taking. Ability to work in a multi-cultural and international environment based on mutual respect and tolerance. Ability to exercise good judgement, discretion and tact in handling sensitive issues. Ability to negotiate at the highest level.
• Planning and Organizing: Excellent organizational and task management skills, with appropriate attention to details and quality, and ability to prioritize work among multiple competing demands, and under tight deadlines. Ability to manage multiple workflows at the same time. Ability to thrive in a fast-paced work environment where adaptability is essential.
• E-literacy: Excellent e-skills, including the ability to use modern office technology and related software. Practical knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software is required. Ability to do internet research, compile information and find solutions online to information gaps is essential.
• Teamwork: Support colleagues, contribute to team culture, and share responsibility for decision-making and results. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility. Ability to “lead from behind” and work without direct authority to deliver timely and high quality products.
• Personal: A good sense of humor. Love for nature, its beauty and its resources. Willingness to 'get the job' done with a positive attitude to take on a wide range of tasks. Availability for longer travel to attend international meetings.

PLEASE NOTE

• Applications must be submitted in English only and only via the online application system
• Email applications will not be accepted
• Maximum 4-page CV and 1-page cover letter describing how your experience, qualifications and competencies match this position.
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted within 4-6 weeks after the application deadline.
• Questions can be directed to vacancy@gwp.org. 
• Professionals with a background from and/or living and working in Asian, African, Eastern European, Latin American, or Middle Eastern countries are encouraged to apply.
• GWP offers competitive remuneration as well as an attractive work environment, with flat hierarchies and with great opportunities for professional exposure and growth.