Watershed Coordinator

SCOPE OF WORK

USAID Karnali Water Activity

Project Background:

The USAID Karnali Water Activity will create healthy, resilient, and water secure communities at the watershed level through strengthened water and sanitation governance that improves water resource management (including water for more resilient and biodiverse ecosystems), enhances sustainable access to drinking water, improves agriculture water management, and reduces the fecal pathogen burden in the environment from poorly managed non-sewered sanitation through fecal sludge management. The program team will methodically integrate Water Resources Management (WRM), watershed biodiversity conservation, and water and sanitation service delivery by mapping and strengthening the roles, connections, and capacities of key actors and stakeholders’ system wide.

Position Description:

The Watershed Coordinator (WC) will be coordinating with the intervening Local Governments (LGs- municipalities and rural municipalities) within the respective watersheds for WASH, IWRM and associated capacity building activities in their respective river basin and community liaison in priority watershed areas. The project is complex, and its success requires participatory teamwork that supports “ownership” through new collaborations among stakeholders. Each WC is responsible for understanding the project activities and guiding the works to carry out and accomplish the assigned tasks in collaboration with the municipal stakeholders in their respective municipalities that are within the watershed to achieve the common objectives under the program. In particular, the position will focus on the creation and management of multistakeholder platforms for developing/marketing and mobilization water use master plans (WUMPs) and accordingly prioritizing the water schemes within the municipalities of the given watershed. In guidance of and together with respective Watershed Advisor, the position is responsible for overall management of assigned municipality level programs, working closely with the MEL and communication personnel, Watershed Engineer and in coordination with USAID Karnali Water Activity team in Surkhet Office and other stakeholders in order to successfully complete project activities in the field level. While performing the task, the WC will monitor closely and coordinate with STTAs, subcontractors, vendors, and other relevant stakeholders. The position will focus on accomplishing – increased knowledge, engagement, and benefits for local water users and WUSCs.  Similarly, the WC will be responsible on institutionalizing One Water Steering Committee (OWSCs) facilitating them for capacity enhancement.

Key Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Support LGs/OWSCs to develop, implement and market the WUMPs, the IWRM Plan, and relevant policies in a consultative and participatory manner. Support LGs for budgeting for WASH and water resources interventions aligned with WUMPs, IWRM, and WASH plans, and accordingly facilitate the establishment of WASH units/designation of WASH Focal person within the LGs,
• Support to analyse policy gaps and closely work with Municipal/rural municipal legislative committee to formulate of WASH, WRM and biodiversity related laws, acts, guidelines, and procedures and further localize and utilization of national/provincial policies and guidelines as guided by Federal and provincial governments, 
• Coordinate with the LGs to plan and support in conducting institutional capacity assessment (ICA), 
• To support LGs in strengthening the WASH coordination mechanisms at their respective local government level by helping them in coordination with the multi-stakeholder platforms (M/RM-WASH-CCs) and facilitating them in prioritizing WASH and financing for WASH, preferably contributing to USAID Karnali Water Activity, to create an institutional and enabling environment that supports community-driven and responsive watershed management activities,
• Review the project progress and facilitate/support LG WASH Unit to review/update the progress in respective reporting system including NWASH-MIS,
• Support relevant USAID Karnali Water Activity project team members to help build the capacity of LGs and their relevant stakeholders at various trainings, events, and workshops, and ensure standard Branding and Marking (B&M), reporting template/tools are used,
• In coordination with Capacity building and training specialist, support Water Supply Services and Private Sector Development Specialist, on development of the sustainability plan, tools and templates to guide WUSCs through the process of developing their own financial and operational sustainability plans and WSP plans. Ensure all the capacity development activities in LG and WUSCs including trainings, workshops and orientation are fully in compliance with defined module and curricula as developed by the project,
• With the assistance of Watershed Advisor, led the formation of a WASH Unit at the Municipal level to guide, steer, and monitor project progress of WSS/MUS implementation, as well as to provide long-term operation and maintenance support,
• Support Municipality, WASH Unit, Water Sanitation and Hygiene Coordination Committees (WASH-CCs), Water Supply Users Committees (WSUCs), and other stakeholders on planning, design, implementation, and O&M aspects of WSS and FSTP systems for their constant support/contributions as agreed. This will include fund leverage, dispute resolution, negotiation, coordination and supporting community on planning, construction, and monitoring of the construction works,
• Support WSSPSDS in developing municipal-level agricultural value chain business plans in tandem with the MUS Business Plan, and work for home garden management and water saving technique promotion in working communities, 
• Support to develop local capacity for changing behavior through engagement of WUSCs, farmers’ groups or cooperatives, and mothers’ groups on development of water efficient, non-discriminatory communities, facilitate the adoption of sustainable water use, farming and land-use practices, and rally buy-in for joint watershed management,
• Support in conducting various baseline, end-line, and other data collection efforts, including surveys and research activities,
• Maintain good interpersonal, communication, and documentation (including reporting) skills that demonstrate establishing good relationships with the LGs and other sector stakeholders within the respective watershed,
• Support to Implement project activities in the field as per the task descriptions prepared for each activity as planned in the approved annual work plan,
• Support in review of reports of sanitation analysis and city sanitation plans and facilitate the coordination with LGs and stakeholders for establishment of FSM intervention suggested by CSPs, 
• Represent USAID Karnali Water Activity at municipal level meetings and other relevant events to coordinate with relevant sector organizations for collaboration and resource sharing (ensure leverage fund of LGs for the schemes construction),
• Support and facilitate WUSC formulation, statute development, registration and institutionalization as per the LG's Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene/Water Resources Management Act. While doing so, ensure GESI representation according to the GESI action plan of USAID Karnali Water Activity,
• To facilitate the construction of water supply schemes in the respective municipal areas aligned with the LGs, WSUCs, subcontractors, and communities,
• Support in establishing and managing the O&M Fund from WUSCs, ensuring sustainable governance, guiding water tariff setup and collection by WUSCs, and facilitating VMW selection and mobilization. Support in ensuring compliances and standards are met in construction work by the vendors and/or in orientation and capacity building trainings,
• Facilitate and support the training and capacity building of LGs, WUSCs, OWSCs/SWMCs, subcontractors, vendors, public officials and communities,
• Participate in periodic reviews of progress under the work plan and adapt plans and activities as appropriate in collaboration with other team members,
• Support the Watershed Advisor in preparation and update of quarterly Political Economic Analysis (PEA) based on the field level observation, coordination with the LGs and stakeholders,
• Actively contribute to contractual deliverables, including the development of annual work plans and weekly, annual, or quarterly reports, by supporting the Watershed Advisor in the planning and implementation of activities related to WASH, watershed and biodiversity conservation, and the payment of ecosystem services,
• Support Watershed Advisors in preparing and submitting periodic reports (weekly, monthly, biannual, and other status reports, etc.) as needed to report field-level USAID Karnali Water Activity related activities,
• Contribute to good, frequent, and direct communications with the USAID Karnali Water Activity Watershed Office, Surkhet Office, and Kathmandu Office as required.
• Other duties as assigned by the COP, DCOP, or supervisor.

Qualifications:

• Master’s or bachelor’s degree in any of the fields (Water and Sanitation, Watershed Management, Water Resources Management, Hydrology, Rural Development, Public Administration, Management, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Management, Forestry or Engineering) with 8 years of relevant experience or master’s degree with 4 years of experience. (Subtract one year of experience for applicants from excluded groups),
• Experience in supporting water supply sanitation and hygiene (WASH), watershed management, water resources management or environmental management sector, 
• Experience in Facilitation skills, social mobilization skills, knowledge, and experiences on WASH, 
• Working with LGs, line agencies, NGOs/CBOs and with local communities preferably with the Karnali River Basin is desirable,
• Training and capacity building of public officials, users’ groups, and communities with skills of community mobilization, 
• An energetic, forward-thinking, and creative individual with high ethical standards, integrity, and appropriate professional image, 
• An extremely well-organized and self-directed individual with sound technical skills, analytical ability, good judgment, and strong operational focus, 
• Ability to work with the multidisciplinary team and conduct local field visits and monitoring trips as required,
• Familiar with the local planning process and the functions of the local governments,
• Good written and oral communication skills in both Nepali and English.

LEVEL OF EFFORT, LOCATION, AND REPORTING

The level of effort is 260 days per year. The employment contract will be on a yearly basis, with possible extensions until the close of the project. The Watershed Coordinator reports to the Watershed Manager.  The position is based in Rara Watershed.

APPLICATION LINK: 

https://fs23.formsite.com/OLJTgx/mxf0vxre76/index

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Please fill out the required information and upload CV. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as interviews will be conducted soon. Please note, due to the volume of applications that we receive and the urgency to fill-up positions only shortlisted applicants will receive notifications on next steps.

Interested candidates should submit their application no later than September 29, 2024.

DAI promotes workforce diversity and considers excluded groups to include women, Dalits, indigenous ethnic groups, Madhesi, Muslim, persons with disabilities, people living in remote areas, and sexual and gender minorities.

ABOUT DAI

DAI is a global development company with corporate offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, EU, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Palestine and project operations worldwide. We tackle fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. DAI works on the frontlines of global development. Transforming ideas into action—action into impact. We are committed to shaping a more livable world.

DAI and its employees are committed to confronting racism and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work.  DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner.

DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.

This SOW is only a summary of the typical functions of the job, and not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all responsibilities, tasks, and duties.