Senior Water Management Specialist

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Senior Water Management Specialist

About AMPERES

AMPERES is a mission-driven enterprise committed to finding integrated solutions for the entrenched sustainability challenges facing Southeast Asia, Australia and the Pacific. We have offices in Ho Chi Minh City (Viet Nam) and Perth (Australia). We use evidence-bases, deliberative processes and innovative technology to improve how society interacts with the environment.

• We support governments to improve the sustainability of policy and planning processes through implementation of climate risk & adaptation assessments, Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs), integrated environmental assessments, river basin plans, water, energy and economic modelling and techno-economic studies.
• We empower communities to improve livelihoods through affordable and reliable access to distributed energy & water resources using business models that are viable and centre benefits at the community level.
• We work with companies & industry to decarbonise their business, promote energy independence and reduce operating costs through energy efficiency planning and the development of distributed renewable energy systems.
• We collaborate with researchers & universities to prototype, test & scale innovative technology towards successful commercialisation.

The Role

AMPERES is implementing multiple programs in climate change, water and energy that cover water scarcity management, impacts of hydropower development, climate resilient flood management, renewable energy transition, distributed renewable microgrids, community energy and water/energy policy reform. These programs span the Asia-Pacific region with particular emphasis on the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS)*

The Senior Water Management specialist will play an important role in shaping and leading our portfolio of research and development projects in water, with a particular focus on Vietnam and the GMS.

The Senior Water Management Specialist will be a creative, experienced water professional with a deep understanding of water issues and water management institutions in Vietnam. They will have good capacity to lead inter-disciplinary teams  and a skill in presenting complex information simply to both government and community audiences alike. They will be motivated by a passion to have an impact on environmental health and on improving livelihoods for all people in society.

The Senior Water Management Specialist will have 8 years of professional experience in a water-related field.

Organisation AMPERES

Responsibilities

The Senior Water Management Specialist will report to the Director while being embedded within both the Associates and the technical/ project teams. The Specialist will also mentor directly and indirectly, with the junior technical staff as well as working with engaged partners globally. The Specialist will provide leadership in the development of AMPERES water management sector, technical review and strategy advice and be responsible for:

Project management

• Provide day-to-day project management of AMPERES projects
• Prepare the project plans, M&E and reports in accordance to the requirements of the clients and ensure timely submission of the project deliverables.
• Provide inputs and lead the preparation of detailed ToRs and technical specifications for the activities that are to be implemented under the projects.
• Manage project activities and monitor the progress of the implementation of the work plan.

Technical review

• Provide expert technical, advice and support on all matters relating to water resources management programs, including identifying related areas;
• Working with Communications Officer and the technical team to publish reports and articles and to disseminate project insights widely related information.

Water research program

• Lead and contribute substantial technical input into the development projects in the areas of water resources, water management and sustainable development.
• Provide expert technical and strategic advice and support in the identification of engagement opportunities, preparation of proposals and implementation of partnership activities.
• Develop effective organizational tools for evaluating, assessing and improving effectiveness of the AMPERES water team.
• Lead strategic design for longer term project initiatives and programs that may have a broader impact

Staff mentoring

• Take the role of theme leader and supervise the work of the team members.
• Support the performance of the related technical staff, providing clear direction and regular mentor and feedback on technical support.
• Support the on-going learning and development of the staff.
• Providing knowledge capture and uptake in relevant projects in the regional level and support to ensure integration, uptake and capacity-building within the organization.
• Develop AMPERES staff knowledge and capability in water resources management and support broader collective learning.

Business development

• Lead missions responsible for the identification, preparation, appraisal and administration of water management projects.
• Maintain professional working relationships with water stakeholders in Vietnam and the GMS.
• Lead the development of strategy options to support water resource development efforts.
• Lead cooperation with relevant regional stakeholder and multilateral regional water programs.
• Lead and support the design of regional cooperation activities, including regional organizations, bilateral donors, non-government organizations (NGOs) and other development partners.
• Contribute substantially to the AMPERES Business Plans, strategic reviews and development of the organization as a whole.
• Drive, manage and coordinate cross-stakeholder collaboration initiatives, activities and relationships.

Required

• An enthusiastic professional who has a science, engineering or economics MSc. degree in a field related to water.
• An inquisitive problem-solver ethically committed to sustainability
• An interest to communicate scientific analysis to non-specialist audiences and influence public debate around water issues.
• Very strong qualitative and analytic skills; keen attention to detail and data accuracy.
• Strong writing ability, and report writing skills in both English and Vietnamese.
• Minimum 8-10 years in professional work experience in water sector or an advanced degree (PhD).
• Experience working knowledge in the GMS.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines, juggling multiple competing tasks and prioritizing demands.
• Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to work professionally with researchers, as well as government stakeholders.
• Team player and capacity for flexibility as tasks and priorities shift.
• Ability to self-start and troubleshoot; demonstrated ability to excel in a multicultural environment.
• Approaches work with a professional, positive and constructive attitude, even when under pressure and willing to use logic to challenge prevailing attitudes.
• Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of views.
• Vietnamese citizen living in Ho Chi Minh City or willing to move there.

Preferred

• Experience publishing scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals.
• Experience in statistical analysis and programming (e.g. R or python).
• Advanced degree (MSc/PhD) in a field related to water management.

How to apply

Eligible candidates should submit:

1. cover letter, outlining why you are interested in the position, what are the main skills you bring to AMPERES and highlighting work you have done that meets the requirements;
2. your professional CV emphasising your project experience;
3. example piece of writing (paper, report or similar) where you were the lead author or made a significant contribution (please identify the specific contribution you made in your cover letter).

All submissions should be sent to [email protected] [1] by 22nd August 2022.

Please note that while we greatly appreciate the effort from all candidates in submitting an application, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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* The Greater Mekong Subregion includes Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and Yunnan Province (PRC).