Senior Programme Manager, Transboundary Water Management

Oct 12, 2018 | Stockholm International Water Institute
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The Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) is a policy institute that generates knowledge and informs decision-making towards a water wise world. SIWI conducts research, builds institutional capacity and provides advisory services in developing countries in areas related to water governance, transboundary water management in perspectives of for example climate change, energy and food and urbanization. SIWI organizes World Water Week – the leading annual global meeting place on water and development issues – and hosts the Stockholm Water Prize and the Stockholm Junior Water Prize. The Transboundary Water Management Department at SIWI is currently is looking for a Senior Programme Manager to become enthusiastic members of the team and contribute to the development and implementation of the department’s portfolio.

The Transboundary Water Management Department (TWM) implements the Shared Waters Partnership (SWP), a global platform that works to improve cooperation over shared waters in regions where water is, or may become, a source of conflict or where water can serve as a catalyst for peace. The programme provides dialogue opportunities for basin stakeholders and enhance knowledge and capacity, building on. The Department also host the UNESCO International Centre for Water Cooperation (ICWC), providing knowledge and capacity through research, training, outreach and policy advice.

Description of Duties

The Senior Manager will implement and develop activities related to transboundary water management and confidence building, with a focus on promoting transboundary cooperation in conflict prone regions. The job is focused on capacity development, exchanges of best practices, facilitation of dialogues, policy development and advice on transboundary water management.  We are seeking a senior programme manager with expertise in transboundary water management both from a technical, economic and political perspective and with strong diplomatic skills and skills in planning and leading workshops and trainings in transboundary basin context. Experience of working in conflict prone regions and of transboundary cooperation in different settings as well as networking skills are important for this position.

The positions will include duties related to:

• Implementation and development of projects and activities promoting cooperation on shared water resources management, with a focus on conflict prone regions.
• Political economy analysis and stakeholder analysis to identify of opportunities and entry points for engagement by SIWI in activities to support cooperation processes in different complex transboundary settings.
• Drafting of internal and external analytical documents and activity plans to support implementation.
• Design, organize and facilitate activities for capacity development and multi-track transboundary dialogues and trust building activities in different transboundary basins, based on identified needs and demands.
• Development of knowledge products, including training manuals and course curriculums and contribute to academic and policy research.
• Identify funding opportunities and develop strategic partnerships and write high quality funding proposals.
• Process and analyze complex documents and prepare reports supportive of SIWI TWM programme
• Programme management, budgeting and reporting.
• Coordinate and network with key collaborating partners.
• Contribute to the full range of SIWI cross-organizational processes.

The Senior Programme Manager will work in the Transboundary Water Management team at SIWI, in close collaboration with other team members. He/she will report to the Transboundary Water Management Director at SIWI.

Expected knowledge and skills

The successful candidate will need to demonstrate the following features:

• Profound experience of transboundary water management and development, with good understanding of cooperation challenges and opportunities at both political and technical level.
• In-field implementation of complex projects in developing and/or conflict affected countries.
• Experience in the development and implementation of capacity building and confidence building activities – preferably in a field related to transboundary water resources management.
• Strong skills in facilitating dialogues among stakeholders at different levels in challenging contexts
• Experience working with the various actors and sectors operating in the field of water management for peace building, economic growth and environmental sustainability.
• Strong analytical skills and experience from conducting political economy analysis, applied research, methods development and/or policy development in transboundary water management and water resources management.
• Strong personal networks in transboundary water settings.
• Excellent diplomatic, facilitation, presentation and public speaking skills.
• Good writing and communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and experience in successful coordination among colleagues to reach common objectives.
• Commitment to, and agreement with SIWI’s core values and vision.

Language and communication skills

• The applicant must have excellent spoken, written and presentation skills in English.
• The ability to speak Arabic, French or Spanish is considered an added advantage.

Education and work experience

• An advanced university degree in a field relevant to transboundary water management.
• A PhD degree in a relevant field is considered to be a merit.
• At least 10 years of experience working with water development issues, including direct experience (at least 2-3 years) of working in developing countries 

Availability to travel

Ability and willingness to travel up to 25% of work time, also to conflict prone regions.

Duty Station

The position will be based at the main office of the Stockholm International Water Institute, in Stockholm, Sweden.

Duration of contract

The position is a two-year contract, subject to renewal upon good performance and availability of funds.         

Starting date

As soon as possible

How to apply for the position

Please submit your CV and a cover letter to applications@siwi.org with reference number 102, by 29 October, 2018.

For more information about the position, contact Kerstin Harnesk, HR Senior Manager, Kerstin.harnesk@siwi.org or Adele.Nerelius, HR Officer, Adele.Nerelius@siwi.org