Guatemala: Technical Assistant for Water Security Project

Aug 17, 2022 | International Union for Conservation of Nature
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IUCN is a Union of Members made up of sovereign States, government agencies and civil society organisations. IUCN makes available to public, private and non-governmental entities the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation in an integral manner.


The IUCN, together with the Municipality of Guatemala, the Commonwealth of Greater Ciudad del Sur, Empresa de Transformación Agraria de España -Tragsa- and IGME, the Geological and Mining Institute of Spain, is implementing the Water Security Program for the Metropolitan Region of Guatemala - RMG- with the support of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation -AECID.


The objective of the program is: Promote a "water security" strategy for the "reliable supply of quantitatively and qualitatively acceptable water" for the populations of the Valley of Guatemala City, with a view to meeting the demand for water of the population of Guatemala City and the Greater South City Commonwealth. The project responds to the growing need and demand for water by a growing urban population.


Within the group of beneficiaries of the program, direct and indirect beneficiaries have been identified, which are distinguished:

Direct beneficiaries: the staff of the technical teams and the offices of planning, urban planning and public water and sanitation services of the Mancomunidad Gran Ciudad del Sur, the Municipality of Guatemala City and the INSIVUMEH-National Institute of Seismology, Volcanology, Meteorology , and Hydrology, which will participate in processes to improve their capacities in the management and planning of water resources.


Indirect beneficiaries: the total population included in the Mancomunidad Gran Ciudad del Sur, the metropolitan region of Guatemala City, who are the current users of the drinking water and sanitation systems in the territory.


The intervention falls within the strategic scope of the Water and Sanitation Cooperation Fund Program (FCAS) and contributes to its specific objectives: SO3. Contribute to strengthening the institutional system of the countries for adequate management of the water sector that favors transparent and participatory public management of the resource; and OE4. Promote the comprehensive management of water resources, guaranteeing their protection and preservation.


The intervention zone covers part of the territory of the department of Guatemala, mainly the intervention zone of the metropolitan region, and part of the area of ​​influence that it has over the sub-basins of Xayá and Pixcayá in the Department of Chimaltenango.

The Program contemplates five results, which are described below:

  • The main actors in the Valley of Guatemala have better knowledge for the management of their groundwater
  • The main actors in the Valley of Guatemala have a better understanding of the surface resources that can be used in their supply system.
  • The main actors in the Valley of Guatemala have a better understanding of the Non-Revenue Waters existing in their supply system.
  • Improved institutional capacities for the comprehensive management of water resources.
  • Municipal Political Framework for water management strengthened.

Job Description

The technical assistant in charge of municipal relations will support the coordination of the Project Coordinator, in his municipal and inter-institutional relations, sharing information generated and following up on the processes and products of the project.


The main objective of the position is to support the relationships that must be maintained with the main actors of the project, and to support the documentation of the direct and indirect beneficiaries of the project. The program develops several products that must be followed up, and support in verification documents. The purpose of the position is to provide and strengthen governance and the municipal and inter-institutional relationship that is required.


Additionally, the professional will have tasks to support the IUCN office in backstopping tasks and participation in meetings at a technical level.


The position must comply with the policies, guidelines, standards and procedures established by IUCN for the efficient technical, administrative and financial implementation of the Program, in accordance with the guidelines and requirements of the funding sources, and especially those reflected in:

  • IUCN Policies
  • FCAS guidelines, examples of previous projects and applicable regulations.
  • The Program presented to FCAS-AECID in December 2018 and ROP April or 2019.
  • POA, 2022 and POA 2023.
  • Project closure strategies.

Specific Responsibilities

  • Support in municipal relations, with the aim of following up and continuing the support and products generated by the program.
  • Support in inter-institutional relations with the objective of coordinating activities, socializing results, in order to strengthen support and commitments with the municipalities that are part of the program.
  • Establishment of databases of the main beneficiaries of the project (direct and indirect).
  • Support in the realization, collection and validation of tools, indicators and goals for monitoring and follow-up of project activities.
  • Follow-up in the development of products to be developed within the project, and support in means of verification of each product to be developed.
  • Development of verification reports, in relation to communication strategies and knowledge management of the project.
  • Support in the coordination of activities, to achieve the objectives, results, strategies and activities of the program.
  • Submit monthly plans and reports (written) of the activities, as well as the reports of their tours and others that are required.
  • Provide the necessary accompaniment to the contracted officials and consultants and channel the basic information for the scope of the expected results.
  • Support in the design and dissemination of communication strategies, at the end of the project, support in logistics, invitation and inter-institutional communications, with municipalities, etc.
  • Coordination with the Mancomuidad Gran Ciudad del Sur, in support of interns and supervised professional practice, support in institutional relations, and relations with interns.
  • Summons and support with meeting memory aids, the Petit Steering Committee, the Technical Committee, Alliance for Water, MCGS, Petit Communication Committee, Petit Technical Committee.
  • In the expected objectives of restoration of areas, the technician must support communication with municipalities, follow-up on restoration actions, share information on water recharge maps, infographics, and any support and follow-up that institutions require, on restoration actions.
  • In the expected objectives for the Conflict Resolution Strategy, the technician must support municipal efforts and communications, coordination, with municipalities, key actors in management issues, support in validating instruments
  • In the expected objectives for the Regulations, Associated with Water Resources, the technician must support municipal efforts and communications, coordination, with municipalities, key actors in management issues, support in validating instruments.
  • Follow-up in the development of courses and training that the project will develop, support in coordination and participation of actors, support in tours and main activities of the courses.

Additional Activities to be Developed

  • Follow the general operational and financial provisions of IUCN-ORMACC and the specific ones of the Country Office of Guatemala and the Program Coordination.
  • Participation in the <weekly / fortnightly> meetings of the Program's Technical Team.
  • Support and contribution to the objectives and goals of the Program, following what was agreed with the donor (Financing Agreement contract), the guidelines and procedures of the donor and IUCN.

Requirements

  • Professional or advanced student of a degree in hydrological, geological, forestry sciences, natural resources, management of development projects and/or rural development or related disciplines
  • At least 2 years of experience in the elaboration, planning and execution of participatory projects/programs management of water resources, natural / sustainable rural development preferably in Guatemala.
  • Work experience of at least 2 years in governance of integrated water resources management.
  • Residence and work permit in Guatemala.
  • Be based in the country office in Guatemala and availability to travel inside and outside the country, particularly to the area of ​​the Greater South City Commonwealth.
  • Intermediate level of English
  • Valid driver's license for four-wheel vehicles up to date.
  • Management of software packages and excellent management of computer programs.
  • Desirable: knowledge of the work and municipal relations and Guatemalan institutions in terms of management and management initiatives for water resources, basins, governance.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
  • Ability to work under pressure and provide requested products and reports in a timely, efficient and effective manner.
  • Sensitivity on the issue of gender.
  • Ability to locate, extract and synthesize information.
  • Responsibility, efficiency, reliability, discretion and ability to handle confidential information.
  • Initiative, creativity and commitment with a collective and team work approach.
  • Have their own initiative following their specific work plan and assigned tasks for the fulfillment of goals on established dates.
  • Knowledge, affinity and experience of working with IUCN will be considered a comparative advantage.

Applications

To apply for a position through the IUCN "Human Resources Management System", select the relevant vacancy announcement and press the "Apply" button.

All candidates are required to create an account in the system and provide information about their professional profile. Applications sent after the closing date specified in the announcement will not be accepted. Applications will be received until midnight in Switzerland (GMT +1h or GMT +2h during the summer period / DST). Please note that only selected candidates will be contacted for interviews.

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