Water Resources Knowledge Management Specialist (KMS)

Reference	KMS
Job Type	Full-time
Job Status	Sourcing
Date Posted	Friday, 28 June 2013
Location	Entebbe, Uganda
Duration	This is a regional position. Contract duration will initially be for one (1) year with a 6-month probation period.
Job Description	Job Title:      Water Resources Knowledge Management Specialist (KMS) Position:        Regional Reports to:    Head, Water Resources Management  Introduction The Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) is an inter-governmental organization initiated and led by the Nile riparian countries to promote joint development, protection and management of the common Nile Basin water resources. NBI has a Shared Vision, namely: \\\'to promote sustainable socioeconomic development through the equitable utilization of\\\', and benefit from, the common Nile Basin water resources\\\'. A wide range of programs and projects are currently under varying stages of identification, preparation and implementation under NBI designed to contribute towards the realization of the NBI Shared Vision. The NBI provides a unique forum for the countries of the Nile Basin to move toward a cooperative process to realize tangible benefits in the basin and build a solid foundation of trust and confidence. The Nile Council of Ministers [Nile-COM] serves as the highest decision-making body of the NBI. The Nile-COM is supported by the NBI Technical Advisory Committee [Nile-TAC], which is composed of two senior officials from each member country. NBI is managed from three Centers. The first Centre at Entebbe, Uganda, forms the NBI Secretariat (Nile-SEC) and was launched in September 1999. It has a coordinating role across the Basin, supports the platform for Basin-wide dialogue, and provides and manages an interactive, intelligent, basin knowledge base. Another Centre at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (ENTRO) and a third Centre at Kigali, Rwanda (NELSAP-CU) both manage the facilitation of cooperative water resources development in their respective sub-regions. A series of confidence and capacity building projects under an initial Shared Vision Program (SVP) were initiated along with the Subsidiary Action Programs (SAPs). Most SVP projects were concluded in December 2009 except two which have second phase and will terminate successively by December 2012. The SVP was followed by an Institutional Strengthening Project (ISP) covering a wide range of institutional, technical and management capacity building. NBI Core Functions: the NBI performs three core functions: \\\"    Building Cooperation. The NBI convenes the Nile Council of Ministers and provides a platform upon which the member countries can negotiate issues of water management and development. \\\"    Water Resource Management. The NBI provides member countries with analytic tools and a shared information system that will enable monitoring and the sustainable management of the basin. \\\"    Water Resource Development. The NBI assists member countries to identify development opportunities and prepare projects and seek investments. Development programs are focused on power trade and generation, agriculture and watershed management. NBI Secretariat (Nile-Sec):The Nile Secretariat is responsible for the overall corporate direction of the NBI as defined by the Nile Council of Ministers. Its operations are divided into two main programs: the Basin Cooperation Program and the Water Resources Management Program. The Executive Director position is chosen every two years on a rotating basis by the member countries.  The Nile Secretariat is located in Entebbe and has a staff complement of approximately 30 persons. Water Resources Management Department (WRMD): the Nile-Sec has established the Water Resources Management Departmentto advance the implementation of its water resources management functions.   These functions include development of basin wide policies, expanding the knowledge base, provision of expert analytical services using the Nile Basin Decision Support System (NB DSS), and monitoring the state of the basin. In this regard, the WRMD shall be the technical unit at the Nile-Sec for all aspects of basin-wide water resources management. Knowledge Management: in the context of NBI, knowledge management constitutes all activities geared towards systematic capturing, archiving, and effective utilization of knowledge resources generated through NBI\\\'s programs. In this regard, KM activities transform NBI as a learning organization thereby greatly leveraging the use of the wealth of knowledge it has accumulated on cooperative management and development of the shared Nile Basin water resources. Effective Knowledge Management, thus,  leads to enhanced shared understanding of the water resources of the Nile Basin thereby supporting informed riparian dialogue for a sustainable management of the shared Nile Basin water resources, on one hand, and efficient design, and implementation NBI\\\'s activities and avoiding duplication of efforts and wastage of resources. NCORE project: Nile Cooperation for Results (NCoRe) Project is the first project of the second NBI Strategic Action Program (2012/13 - 2016/17).  The proposed NCoRe project focuses on results in three key areas:  (i) enhancing the platform for cooperation in the Nile basin; (ii) providing NBI stakeholders with tools and knowledge resources for climate resilient water resources management; and (iii) advancing climate resilient and regionally significant water resources development. The Nile-Sec intends to employ the services of a Water Resources Knowledge ManagementSpecialist to strengthen its Water Resources Management Department, in general, and realize the results of NCoRe project, in particular. Scope of work  The scope of work for this position constitutes all activities geared towards systematic capturing, further processing (value addition), archiving, and effective utilization of knowledge resources generated through NBI\\\'s programs. The specific scope of work shall include, but not limited to, the following: Knowledge system development and management  -    Identify strategic knowledge gaps that are needed for NBI\\\'s business at various levels, such as for water resources management, policy analysis (environmental and social management), stakeholder involvements, etc. The knowledge gaps so identified should address the needs of decision makers, NBI management and program/project staff, national NBI offices, and the wider public. -    Develop specifications of knowledge contents that are needed to fill those gaps; periodically update the status of filling those gaps and also update the list of knowledge gaps. -    Lead the development, deployment and maintenance of NBI Knowledge system, including day to day operation of the system once deployed -    Liaise with SAPs in the identification of knowledge gaps, available knowledge resources and preparation of knowledge products Knowledge generation, archiving and maintenance  -    Develop an inventory of available knowledge resources in NBI centers that can be used to fill the gaps and those knowledge contents that need to be generated to fill the gaps -    Based on existing knowledge resources and additional analysis as needed, prepare knowledge products (contents) to support basin-wide water resources management in the Nile Basin. Such knowledge contents, for example, shall include Water balance of the various sub-basins of the Nile; Hydropower development opportunities;  Agriculture development opportunities (rain fed and irrigated);  Climate Variability and Change Implications on Nile Basin; Socio-economic profile of the Nile Basin. -    Contribute to the preparation of strategic papers planned under Component 1a of NCoRe, including supporting technical analysis and review of working papers. -    Collaborate closely with the GIS/RS and Information Systems Specialist in the production of knowledge products to meet needs of various NBI stakeholders. -    Assist in the identification of indicators for river basin monitoring and evaluation of these indicators on a periodic basis as per the guidance from Head, Water Resources Management -    Lead the design, development, production and dissemination of the Nile River State of the Basin report -    Collaborate with the NBI communication team in the production, dissemination of knowledge and communication products Project Management Support -    Develop the concept for and implement cross NBI-center coordination mechanisms on knowledge management. This mechanism shall, among others, to enhance knowledge sharing and ensure consistent approaches are used for knowledge production, systematic archiving and dissemination. -    Supervise consultants\\\' performance, relevant to specialty, to ensure the relevance and quality, including reviewing of technical documents. -    Contribute to the periodical reports prepared by the WRM Department. -    Maintain quality assurance and facilitate effective monitoring and evaluation. -    Carry out other related tasks as requested by the Head of the Water Resources Management Department. The workstation will be Entebbe, Uganda, although work is likely to necessitate trips to the other Nile Basin countries. NBI offers a competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with the qualifications and relevant experience. Women candidates are encouraged to apply.
Qualifications	- A Masters level degree in Water Resources Management with working experience on knowledge management, - Additional experience in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Science, or other technically related discipline would be of advantage; - A minimum of six years of working experience of which four years must be specialized, with recognized technical expertise in designing, developing and management of knowledge systems for river basin management - Experience in the field of water governance and information management would be beneficial. - Experience and demonstrated skills in networking and outreach; - Demonstrated excellent writing skills, analytical and presentation and reporting skills; - Strong interpersonal and communication skills; - Outstanding computing skills, including full fluency in the Microsoft Suite of Programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Photoshop). Extensive familiarity with internet browsers and search engines. - Proven ability to operate in a multi-cultural environment and to interact positively with a wide range of stakeholders within an international and multi-government context; - Proven ability to be a valued and contributing member of a multi-disciplinary team and to exercise high-level inter-personal skills in all situations;
How to Apply	Interested and qualified candidates are advised to visit the NBI website at www.nilebasin.orgto download the full job description and person specifications, and to submit their applications electronically to the Executive Director at: recruitment@nilebasin.org. Application/cover letters clearly indicating the position and accompanied by detailed curriculum vitae should reach the Executive Director not later than 22 July 2013. Women candidates are encouraged to apply. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.