WACDEP Senior M&E, Communications & Knowledge Management Officer - Pretoria, S.Africa

WATER, CLIMATE AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (WACDEP), AFRICA

WACDEP SENIOR MONITORING & EVALUATION, COMMUNICATIONS AND KNOWLEDGE
MANAGEMENT OFFICER

Job Title : WACDEP Senior M&E, Communications & Knowledge Management Officer

Duty station : WACDEP COORDINATION UNIT AT GWPSA Secretariat - Pretoria, S.Africa

BACKGROUND

The Global Water Partnership (GWP) is an intergovernmental organisation established in 1996 to support countries in their efforts to implement a more equitable and sustainable management of their water resources. The network spans 13 regions with 2,400 institutional Partners in 158 countries. The global secretariat is in Stockholm, Sweden. In Africa, GWP has regional offices in Central, Eastern, North, Southern and West Africa. More information: www.gwp.org

PROGRAMME

The African Union Heads of State and Government adopted the Sharm el Sheikh Declaration on Water and Sanitation in July 2008, emphasizing their political priority for water and sanitation. The Declaration commits countries to put in place adaptation measures to improve the resilience of countries to the increasing threat of climate change and variability to water resources. In response to the climate change commitments in the Sharm el Sheikh Declaration, the African Ministers Council on Water (AMCOW) in collaboration with Global Water Partnership (GWP), developed the Water, Climate and Development Programme for Africa (WACDEP).

The programme aims to integrate water security and climate resilience in development planning processes, build climate resilience and support countries to adapt to a new climate regime through increased investments in water security.A WACDEP Africa Coordination Unit has been established at the GWP Southern Africa offices in Pretoria, South Africa.
More information: http://www.gwp.org/wacdep

PURPOSE: The purpose of the Senior M&E, Communications and Knowledge Management Officer is to lead the development and implementation of the WACDEP Monitoring & Evaluation framework and to drive the knowledge sharing, learning and communications components of WACDEP for GWP in Africa.

REPORTS TO: Head of WACDEP Coordination Unit

INDIRECTLY REPORTS TO: Senior Programme Manager and WACDEP Coordinator

DURATION: This is a 3-year contract position through GWPSA host – IWMI, following a three month probation period and annual performance.

SPECIFIC DUTIES for 3 main focus areas

The WACDEP Senior M & E, Communications and Knowledge Management Officer will ensure all activities related to WACDEP communication, monitoring and evaluations as well as information management systems are implemented in a timely, efficient and politically sensitive manner in full coordination and consultation with GWP communication and M&E systems. In order to fulfil this task, the officer will carry out regular interactions with the five GWP Regional Communications Officers in Africa, liaise closely with the GWPO communications in Stockholm, the AMCOW Communications unit, as well as target beneficiaries of the WACDEP in Africa.

A. WACDEP M&E Framework and System

• Develop WACDEP M&E framework in consultation with the GWPO Communications, Network Operations unit and the WACDEP Coordination Unit. To ensure the implementation of the M&E framework by the entire Africa programme team (including implementing partners ) and provide regular updates on programme implementation progress

• Contribute to the establishment and maintenance of a dynamic system of monitoring and evaluation as a central element of the WACDEP and support full implementation of the M&E system;

• Contribute to the organization of WACDEP Technical Coordination meetings and all aspects of knowledge sharing across GWP Africa including drafting of meeting /event reports and other documentation as required;

• Develop a database of WACDEP outcomes, outputs and track results on WACDEP outcomes

• Work closely with the WACDEP Regional Programme Managers to ensure M & E is embeded in the WACDEP regional quarterly and annual work plans, progress Reports for submission to GWPO and donors

• Contribute to timely reporting - both internal and external , following GWP and programme requirements and established procedures;

• Support the WACDEP Senior Programme Manager in preparing the necessary TORs for WACDEP implementation and delivery and support in coordinating review and evaluation exercises as required;

• Act as the M&E coordinator and support all activities leading to the WACDEP programme evaluation and ensures follow up of the evaluation recommendations.

B. WACDEP Coordination - Communications Support

• Facilitate the development of and be overall responsible for the implementation of a realistic and practical communications strategy for WACDEP with all GWP Africa regional communications officers, in consultation with key stakeholders, in particular AMCOW, RECs and national governments. Work with programme managers to ensure that communications activities are embedded in the programme and that regular and robust reporting mechanisms are in place throughout the programme.Lead the development of the annual WACDEP communications and knowledge management activities and budget

• Support the GWP Africa regions and countries involved in WACDEP implementation with the development of their own WACDEP communications strategies, and provide advice on their implementation.

• Provide communications training and assistance to country partners as required and/or requested.

• Ensure quality reporting to GWPO of the programme’s activities, outputs, lessons learned, and outcomes on a regular basis, as well as the timely dissemination and exchange of information on the programme to key audiences, including Partners, donors, other GWP Regions, media, relevant organisations and institutions, governments, etc.

• Ensure that the GWP graphical policy is properly applied on all WACDEP communications material, and that the GWP brand and reputation is maintained and enhanced.

C. Communications and Knowledge Management for WACDEP

• Develop, write and edit public awareness material on the programme and its activities, including press releases, publications, newsletters, PowerPoint presentations, etc.

• Working with the GWP Africa WACDEP teams, AMCOW Communications Unit and relevant stakeholders and strategic partners, prepare relevant and targeted communications and knowledge management products and reports on the results of the programme’s progress.

• Coordinate, develop and compile case studies and WACDEP impact stories. Prepare and update WACDEP risks, mitigation measures, issues and lessons learned logs;

• Arrange outsourcing as necessary for services such as translations, design, printing, video production, etc. and ensure necessary liaison with the Senior Programme Officer on content and Finance Officer on budgetary matters

• Seek media opportunities to communicate the programme’s successes.

• Keep the WACDEP website up-to-date.

• Facilitate knowledge and information flows among programme managers, GWP, and AMCOW.

• Ensure that the programme is represented at relevant events (as agreed by GWP regions, GWPO , AMCOW and RECs)

• Undertake field visits, as required.

QUALIFICATIONS, ABILITIES AND EXPERIENCE

• Minimum qualification is a Bachelor’s degree in Communications or Journalism and a post graduate degree in developmental/environmental studies - a major asset

• At least 7 years experience in the planning and management of communication programmes in an international environment.

• Certified M&E training course with a minimum three years of experience in the field with multi stakeholder development projects of national and international agencies

• Demonstrated organizational and programmatic experience for at least 5 years in M&E and/or Knowledge Management and Communications in an intergovernmental or international development orientated organization

• Knowledge and demonstrated experience of outcome mapping and/or Results Based Management

• Demonstrated experience with in developing communication materials (on-line, media/press releases, publications and reports) and conveying messages to different audiences using diverse media

• Ability to analyse complex information from different sources and to synthesise this information into coherent and appropriate knowledge and communication products

• Experience in working with journalist and media networks across the region, continent and globe

• Excellent written and oral communication skills. Fluency in English and French required.

• Ability to coordinate and manage multiple tasks with excellent project management skills.

• Service-oriented work style, with excellent interpersonal skills and teamwork. Able to work effectively and harmoniously at all levels. Experience in a multicultural environment.

• Clearly and concisely express ideas and concepts in written and oral form and to listen to and acknowledges others' perspectives and views.

• Demonstrated ability to draft progress reports for donors and government partners in collaboration with programme managers.

• Computer skills, including internet navigation, experience with the Microsoft Suite of programs, and an ability to manage and update web sites.

• Flexibility in fast paced environment of ambiguity, rapidly changing priorities and tight deadlines

• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously

• A willingness to work non standard hours and/or occasional weekends and travel extensively

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Interested candidates should send their CVs and personal motivation letters by email to the ‘Head of WACDEP Coordination Unit’, entitled ‘WACDEP SENIOR M&E, COMMUNICATIONS & KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT OFFICER’ to r.beukman@cgiar.org and vacancies@gwpforum.org with a copy to a.takawira@cgiar.org Applications should reach the Head of the Coordination Unit by 17.00 (South African time) on Friday 21st September 2012.

Please note :

• Experience of working in Africa with African regional and national institutions, an advantage

• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

• The WACDEP Coordination Unit looks forward to receiving your applications.