Senior National Programme Officer - Water (Water Governance), Islamabad - Sterling Swift

Job Description

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is Switzerland’s international cooperation agency within the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).Through its SDC office in Islamabad, Switzerland has been engaged in development cooperation with Pakistan for the last 50 years.

To complete its team, the following job vacancy is announced:

Senior National Programme Officer (NPO) Water

(Water Governance)

Main Responsibilities:

The Senior National Program Officer Water will be the focal point for all water related issues in the SDC program implementation team in Islamabad. The NPO Water will work with staff in-charge of projects in the field as well as seeking support and guidance from the water experts team located in Switzerland. The candidate will draw on the knowledge and lessons learned of both these teams, and bring this knowledge and expertise to bear on the policy dialogue within Pakistan.  In addition the NPO Water will represent SDC at local, regional and relevant international forums with specific reference to DRR (Disaster Risk Reduction) and international water networks. The candidate needs to understand water related issues and technologies from an expert perspective, but more importantly he/she must be able to contribute significantly to the analysis, advice  and decision making processes related to water both within SDC itself and  in relation to all SDC partners.

The National Program Officer as a member of the program team of SDC Islamabad is responsible for:

–    Directing the water policy dialogue for SDC Pakistan

–    Policy dialogue and projects / programs regarding water governance in relation to SDC’s program in Pakistan

–  Representing SDC in international water networks and in national dialogue platforms on water and DRR aspects and actively participating in the global SDC Water Network

–    Contributing to the progress and implementation of the programs within the SDC water governance domain

–    Steering, monitoring and evaluating current projects and supporting management regarding the Swiss contribution towards improved water governance in Pakistan

–    Coordinating and communicating with the National and Provincial Government, with Development Partners, as well as with the Private Sector

–    Organizing events relating to water issues in Pakistan

–    Reporting on and observing the socio-political and economic aspects of all water related issues

–    Guiding development policy dialogue with the government and actively participating in donor harmonization in the field of Water

–    Identifying new projects for bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the water sector

–    Periodically reporting on progress and results of supported programs and projects

–    Contributing to annual reporting (results, outputs and outcomes, impact)

 Requirements: 

–      A Masters or PhD degree, preferably focusing on water related subjects

–      At least 6 years of practical experience in the field of Water Resource  Management/ Water Governance (including national water policy and/or trans-boundary/cross-border water issues) ; out of which at least 3 years of experience in Pakistan

–      Knowledge of international treaties and goals relating to Water and DRR

–      Knowledge of policy and regulatory frameworks of the water sector, environmental standards and good practices

–      Familiarity and networking with key stake holders in the water sector in Pakistan (national and provincial Government, research institutions, NGO’s, etc.)

–      Experiences in analysing political, social, economic and cultural conditions in developing countries or transition countries and their use in development programs

–      Experiences and knowledge of instruments and approaches of bilateral and multilateral development cooperation; in particular Project Cycle Management

–      Knowledge of the Conflict Sensitive Project Approach CSPM in particular in Governance and Gender

–      Conceptual and analytical abilities, and negotiation skills

–      Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, effective report-writing abilities

–      Networking abilities are of special importance to this position

–      Sensitivity to political, social, intercultural and gender issues

Important notice: the application has to contain (a) an up to date CV, (b)  a covering/motivational letter which should include why you think you are suitable for this position; salary expectations and two references of people that are not related to you . Only complete submissions will be taken into consideration. No direct application to SDC will be accepted!

The closing date for applications is August 10, 2016. Kindly ensure that you meet all requirements, before applying. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Phone calls will not be entertained