Water Resource Management Adviser - BESIK Program, Dili

 

Aurecon provides management, engineering and specialist technical services for public and private sector clients globally with projects in over 80 countries across Africa, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and the Americas. We seek to foster human achievement in all aspects of our work. We work with governments, communities, the private sector, NGO and other partners to deliver basic services.

Aurecon (as IDSS) have successfully implemented the first phase of BESIK (Bee, Saneamentu no Ijene iha Komunidade (2007-12) and have now commenced activities for the BESIK phase 2. BESIK is funded by the Australian Government through AusAID to provide assistance to the Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste for the development of rural water supply, sanitation and hygiene (RWASH) activities. BESIK works closely with key ministries, NGOs, private sector and other institutions. It is an AUD$43million program funded over four-years.

 

We are currently recruiting for the following roles:

• Water Resources Management Adviser, AusAID Advisor Remuneration Framework (ARF) Category, C3
• Rural Water Services Adviser, AusAID ARF category, C3
• Organisational Development Adviser, AusAID ARF Category, C3

 

All positions will be based in Dili but with regular travel to districts. 

 

Please submit your application online:

https://careers.idss.com.au/jobDetails.asp?sJobIDs=850097&stp=IDSSW&sLanguage=en

 

A covering letter addressing selection criteria in the job descriptions (below) and a CV should be submitted by the closing date, Wednesday 14th November.

 

Candidates should have qualifications in a relevant field, excellent communications skills (including across cultures), sensitivity to gender and social inclusion and experience in working in a complex development environment. Candidates with an understanding of the development context in East Timor and with a proven background of working with AusAID are strongly encouraged to apply.

Conditions for employment, including rate scales and allowances, will be as per the AusAID ARF Guidelines. Personnel employed on the BESIK program must adhere to Aurecon child protection, anti-fraud and other key policies.

 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

 

Australian Aid—managed by Aurecon on behalf of AusAID.

 

 

Terms of Reference

Water Resources Management Adviser

 

BRIEF EXPLANATION OF ROLE

Bee, Saneamentu no Ijene iha Komunidade (BESIK), Phase 2, is funded by the Government of Australia through AusAID to provide assistance to the Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (GoTL) for the development of rural water supply, sanitation and hygiene (RWASH) activities in Timor-Leste. BESIK Phase 2 is a $43m program funded over four years. Assistance is provided as a contribution to a Sector Wide Approach reflected in the Sector Strategy. The Managing Contractor for BESIK is Aurecon (previously IDSS)

 

The Water Resources Management Adviser (WRMA) will be located within the Ministry of Public Works, in the National Directorate for Water Control and Quality (DNCQA), and work with the Department of Water Resources Management and the Department of Water Resources Policy and Planning to strengthen Water Resources Management in Timor-Leste. 

 

DNCQA have requested technical and mentoring support in establishing sustainable groundwater management capacity in Timor-Leste and for further development of the National Policy for Water Resources Management.

 

The WRMA will also support DNCQA in their work with the Australian Government funded Climate Adaptation Initiative. A key strategy of the Timor-Leste National Action Plan for Adaptation to Climate Change is to have greater understanding of water resources in Timor-Leste.

 

Responsible to:                 BESIK Program Director (PD): For strategic direction, tasking and performance review

                                                Operations Manager (OM): For Aurecon contract related matters and administrative matters

Works with:                        Director of DNCQA and heads of Department of Water Resources Management and Water Resources Policy and Planning, Senior Engineering Adviser-WASH and other BESIK team members

Duration:                             Full time until 16 September 2016

ARF level:                            C3

Location:                             Dili, Timor-Leste, with regular travel to the districts

 

KEY PROGRAM OUTCOMES TO WHICH THE POSITION WILL CONTRIBUTE:

·         DNCQA performs Ground Water Resource Management functions critical to sustaining rural Water Supply - Central SD Outcome 3 (70%)

·         DNCQA effectively plan, budget and monitor for equitable and sustainable service delivery - Central MS Outcome 1 (30%)

 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

DNCQA performs Ground Water Resource Management functions critical to sustaining rural Water Supply

·         With DNCQA, document the water resource management systems required,  then outline a capacity development plan aimed at strengthening those systems and key DNCWQ

• Support DNCQA to identify human resource and staff capacity needs required to implement ground water management systems in Timor-Leste, and develop a capacity development plan based on above for a core team in DNCWQ
• Identify options for regional training and as appropriate conducted ongoing orientation, training and mentoring, citing the importance of monitoring and control
• Coordinate the development and conduct of training in groundwater Information Management Systems to analyse groundwater data (linking with existing systems developed for surface water analysis supported by Norwegian Government)
• Assist DNCQA in setting up the mechanism for well/borehole licensing or issuance of water permits for groundwater development (drilling)
• Assist DNCQA to:
  • develop a data collection system for groundwater sources in the country including pertinent information needed for groundwater analysis – e.g. kind, type and thickness of aquifer, depth, water quality, flow rate (capacity), well set up

o   prepare a plan (logistics and management) to map out all existing wells in the country in coordination with the District Government (DNSAS/SAS, Agriculture, Forestry, Irrigation) – including monitoring parameters and data collection scheme

• • identify potential groundwater resources and stressed zones (with potential groundwater contamination) in the country, including liaison with JICA and others on watershed management
  • develop a list of the existing equipment and any further monitoring equipment required.
• Work closely with other donors and programs involved in Water Resources Management (including INGOs programs, UNDP, Government of Norway, JICA)
• With other BESIK advisers, support strengthening DNSA (& BESIK) capacity to sustainably access groundwater for rural water supply, and protection of water resources, through community based rural water programs

 

DNCQA effectively plan, budget and monitor for equitable and sustainable service delivery:

National Water Resources Management Policy: Approval and Implementation

• Support DNCQA in planning and budget development in line with national plan outcomes
• Together with the Social Inclusion and Gender Adviser, provide support to DNCQA to identify and plan for mainstreaming gender in Water Resources Management
• Support DNCQA to plan and implement a process to finalise the current draft National Water Resources Management Policy, including identifying any further technical inputs that maybe required in finalizing this policy, including those on specific environment, community and gender equity
• Assist DNCQA in preparing reports and recommendations for policy makers and DNCQA management especially those that affect the utilization and sharing of resources
• Act as technical advisor to the DNCQA and any specific intra-government bodies that may be established (e.g. proposed Water Resources Management Council and UNDP NAPA program)
• With the BESIK Program Director, support the DNCQA, and the Ministry of Public Works more broadly, to have an increased profile across the GoTL and key sector stakeholders

 

Climate Adaptation Initiative

• Support DNCQA role in the National Action Plan for Adaptation, which has the primary objective to “Promote Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) to guarantee water access in a climate change context” including close coordination with the other actors, particularly the Secretary of State for Environment
• Provide technical advice on Water Resources Management to the Australian Government funded Timor-Leste Climate Adaptation Initiative
• Liaise closely with the Australian Department of Climate Change and Geosciences Australia and any other AusAID funded initiatives regarding regional and Timor-Leste specific initiatives

 

General WRM Adviser Functions

·         Develop a workplan with DNCQA counterparts to map out adviser activities for the 4 year period

·         Manage the BESIK budgets and activities related to Groundwater Resources Management and Water Resources Policy and Planning

·         Comply with all program operational, administrative and contractual requirements

·         Other duties as required by and in agreement with the Program Director

 

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Required:

• Relevant degree in water resources management, hydrogeology or environmental/earth sciences
• At least 10 years of experience in groundwater development and management (particularly in hydrogeology) with experience of groundwater management in tropical mountainous terrain and coastal areas an advantage
• Experience in environmental management and climate adaptation
• Demonstrated experience in policy development and working across a number of Government Ministries
• Fluency in English with strong written and oral communication skills

 

Desirable:

·         Proficiency in Tetun, Portuguese or Indonesian languages

·         Experience working in a public administration environment

·         Experience working and delivering results in an AusAID-funded project

·         Experience in mainstreaming gender in Water Resources Management

·         Work experience in East Timor

 

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

It is essential that the Water Resource Management Advisor can establish effective working relationships with the full range of key stakeholders, including senior government officials, national staff, Program Officers, and staff of development agencies. This requires genuineness of approach and integrity, in order to build mutual respect and trust. The key personal attributes of such a person include:

• Sensitivity to other cultures and the ability to act appropriately
• Ability to work according to agreed principles and model the desirable behaviours including cooperation, a focus on the wider goals and able to handle conflict appropriately and constructively