Water Resources Specialist

Job Purpose:

Lead and supervise the water resources and agriculture sector portfolio, with the objective of improving the sector portfolio performance in Afghanistan. Serve as a member of the Central and West Asia Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture Division team and act as a focal point for water resources and agriculture operations in Afghanistan. Coordinate the regional water resources management issues in Central and West Asia countries. Work within broad policies, principles, and goals, working directly with clients, with supervision for critical tasks.

Expected Outcomes

a. Sector Development
- Lead and monitor water resources and agriculture sector development in Afghanistan, and promptly report on any major developments and their implications for ADB operations.

b. Strategy and Planning
- Participate in the formulation of ADB’s water resources and agriculture sector strategy and programming to ensure that ADB maintains strong assistance program in the sector in accordance with its strategic business priorities in Afghanistan.
- Coordinate the regional water resources management issues in Central and West Asia countries.

c. Project Processing
- Process loans, grants, and technical assistance (TA) projects and contribute substantially in improving project design and “quality at entry”.
- Follow-up with relevant government agencies on project processing issues, such as the signing memorandums of understanding (MOUs) and endorsement of aide-memoire.

d. Portfolio Management
- Lead and supervise the water resources and agriculture sector portfolio in Afghanistan, including the monitoring, periodic review and reporting of project and program implementation progress and issues (i.e. contract awards, disbursements, compliance with covenants, and project completion), with the objective of achieving the desired development impacts.
- Lead the sector portfolio review, prepare an action plan to solve problems and improve sector portfolio performance.
- Participate in and contribute substantially to Country Portfolio Review Mission (CPRM) .
- Liaise with relevant executing agencies and implementing agencies to identify portfolio issues and resolve them at the early stage.
- Guide the sector team members and relevant government agencies on the preparation and implementation of the actions needed to improve the sector portfolio performance.

e. Project Management
- Provide support to the executing agencies or implementing agencies for project implementation.
- Administer loans, grants and TA projects, make substantial effort to achieve planned contract awards and disbursement targets, and ensure zero projects at risk.
- Support the team members in administering their projects, report on any implementation problems quickly, and advise on actions required to resolve them.
- Follow-up with the Government on loan signing and effectiveness.

f. Sector Work
- Participate in sector and thematic work to improve sector knowledge and advise relevant government agencies on sector reforms and development.

g. External Relations
- Liaise with local stakeholders (i.e. central and local governments, civil society, non- government organizations, media, and the private sector) to facilitate two-ways communications between headquarters and them for any issues relating to ADB assistance to the water resources and agriculture sector.
- Advise local stakeholders on ADB operational policies, guidelines, and practices.
- Coordinate with other external aid agencies represented in the country on sector issues.
- Participate in raising ADB’s profile in the sector in Afghanistan by disseminating information to the public and media on ADB assistance to the sector.

h. Knowledge Sharing
- Coordinate with other sector team members to share knowledge, experience, and information to improve operational efficiency.
- Create knowledge products endorsed for wider distribution based on lessons and multi- country experiences.

i. Staff Supervision
- Provide leadership and support to reporting staff.
- Supervise the performance of reporting staff, providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance.
- Ensure the ongoing development of reporting staff.

Educational Requirements:

• Master’s Degree, or equivalent, in water resources, civil engineering or related fields. University degree in ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ water resources, civil engineering or related fields, combined with specialized experience in similar organization/s, may be considered in lieu of a Master’s degree.

Relevant Experience And Other Requirements:

• Suitability to undertake the responsibilities mentioned above at the required level
• At least 8 years of relevant professional experience in project processing and administration in the water resources and agriculture sector. International experience working in several countries.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• International experience working in or with several countries.

Core Competencies:

Application of Technical Knowledge and Skills

• Regularly shares knowledge on new international best practice trends in comparator situations
• Proactively applies relevant international best practices to own work
• Convinces others to adopt international best practice by explaining the situational relevance and benefits

Client Orientation

• Helps colleagues work effectively with clients in different contexts and from diverse backgrounds and country situations
• Adapts own approach and style when interacting with clients, as opposed to requiring them to adapt
• Draws upon international best practice in exploring solutions with clients
• Develops financial structures and solutions in the best interest of the clients
• Confirms the clients’ understanding and agreement before progressing

Achieving Results and Problem Solving

• Draws on own and others’ multi-country experience to identify viable courses of action when conducting analyses
• Helps internal and external clients achieve quality results beyond presenting problems and precedent
• Highlights possible solutions for project issues based on relevant multi-country and/or multi-client experience
• Regularly contributes insights and experiences to colleagues in the Division to help them achieve quality results
• Overcomes unexpected difficulties and challenges to produce desired outcomes

Working Together

• Maintains collaborative relationships within the Department
• Works effectively with diverse colleagues in own and other Divisions and Departments
• Flexibly alters positions and adjusts previously stated points of view to support the group consensus
• Follows through on team priorities in the absence of a team leader

Communication and Knowledge Sharing

• Checks the audience’s level of understanding and awareness of required follow up actions
• Consistently seeks and addresses feedback on own performance
• Creates knowledge products endorsed for wider distribution based on lessons and multi-country experience
• Independently amends and clarifies messages and documents

Innovation and Change

• Actively supports work improvement and/or organizational change by work and deed
• Develops and adopts change plans to support Division initiatives on which one works
• Considers current and future client needs in proposing ideas
• Vocalizes early support for change
• Recommends inputs to new policies, systems and processes in immediate work area

Immediate Reporting Relationships / Other Information:

• Supervisor: Country Director, Afghanistan Resident Mission
• The following staff positions may be supervised by the incumbent:
  • Administrative Staff
  • National Staff
• Women are encouraged are to apply.