Consultant for the Development of the Strategic Basin Investment Programme

Job Posting Organization:
The Zambezi Watercourse, which spans eight Southern African nations and covers an area of 1.4 million km², is a vital natural resource that supports over 51 million people projected by 202

• The organization, ZAMCOM, is focused on addressing the challenges faced by this watercourse, including climate change, poverty, environmental degradation, and governance issues. The Zambezi Watercourse is under significant pressure, with over 60% of its population living in rural areas that depend on rain-fed agriculture, making them vulnerable to climate variability and land productivity decline. ZAMCOM's mission is to implement the Strategic Plan for the Zambezi Watercourse (ZSP: 2018 – 2040), which is centered on infrastructure development, livelihood support, environmental protection, and water resources management. The organization aims to improve policy frameworks and institutional capacities to tackle climate change, water management, and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security in an integrated manner, while also addressing fragmented governance and coordination issues across sectors.

Job Overview:
The consultancy position is aimed at developing a comprehensive integrated Strategic Basin Investment Programme for the transboundary Zambezi Watercourse. The expert will work under the supervision of the Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa and the Land and Water Resources Management Specialist at SFS. The primary focus of this role is to ensure that the investment plan/programme effectively addresses the challenges faced by the Zambezi Watercourse, including resource sufficiency, activity convergence in geographic zones, land ownership, and demand-driven community-level sub-projects. The consultant will be responsible for conducting thorough stakeholder mapping, engaging with various stakeholders, and assessing the effectiveness of past and ongoing management approaches in the basin. The role requires a consultative and technical approach to develop a strategic investment plan that enhances resilience, promotes sustainable resource management, and supports socio-economic development in the region.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake a variety of tasks, including: developing a comprehensive Draft Inception Report for a regional Project Inception Meeting; mapping regional, national, and local stakeholders and preparing a stakeholder engagement plan; conducting a desk review of initiatives impacting the basin; performing SWOT analysis and diagnosing issues in the basin; conducting field visits for consultations with stakeholders; assessing the effectiveness of past management approaches; conducting technical and financial feasibility analyses; developing institutional arrangements for programme governance; estimating economic costs and benefits; identifying risks and mitigation measures; integrating gender and social inclusion strategies; preparing a comprehensive Situational Analysis Report; and presenting the Draft Basin Investment Programme to stakeholders for validation. The consultant will also prepare final project documents, including the Basin Investment Programme and Project Proposal Documents.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree (Master’s degree or higher) from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in fields such as water resource management, natural resources management, environmental management, or natural sciences. Those with a bachelor's degree must have two additional years of relevant professional experience. A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in assessing investment needs and developing action/investment plans in water, natural resources, or related fields is required, along with experience in preparing at least two investment plans/programmes. A working knowledge of English (Level C) is also mandatory.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced degree in relevant fields such as water resource management, natural resources management, environmental management, or natural sciences. Candidates with a bachelor's degree must have additional professional experience to qualify. The educational qualifications should be from institutions recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO, ensuring that the candidate has a solid foundation in the necessary disciplines related to the work of the organization.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in assessing investment needs and developing action/investment plans in water, natural resources, or related fields. Candidates should have a proven track record of preparing at least two investment plans/programmes, demonstrating their capability in this area. Experience in project preparation and familiarity with multi-stakeholder approaches are also essential for this role, as the consultant will be engaging with various stakeholders and organizations throughout the project.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English (Level C) is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be beneficial but is not specified as a requirement. The ability to communicate effectively in English is crucial for engaging with stakeholders and preparing reports and documentation related to the project.

Additional Notes:
The job is remote, allowing for flexibility in work location. The position is likely to involve a contract duration that is not specified in the job ad. The seniority level is not explicitly mentioned, but the extensive experience and advanced educational requirements suggest a senior consultancy role. Compensation and benefits details are not provided in the job description, and candidates may need to inquire further about these aspects during the application process.