Water Management Officer

INTRODUCTION TO GGGI

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies. To learn more please visit about GGGI web page. 

 POSITION SUMMARY

The Water Management Officer is assigned to the GGGI’s Kyrgyzstan Country Office and will be based at the GGGI Country Office in Bishkek, the Kyrgyz Republic. S/he will support GGGI’s sectoral water and disaster risk portfolio in Kyrgyz Republic, and act as the organization’s focal point for issues related to water resources, flood and drought management, and hydrology of extreme hydrological events in Kyrgyz Republic and other neighboring countries in Central Asia.

 In this role, the Water Management Officer will provide technical support and coordinate with the Project Manager on the MOE-financed project “Strengthening Climate Resilience through Introduction of Innovative Smart Techniques in Flood and Drought Management in Central Asia (2024-2027)” and oversee key outcome and output areas related to water and flood governance, hydrological infrastructure(pumping and water gate system) using early warning surveillance systems, and associated policy and planning at national, provincial and local levels in Kyrgyz Republic.

 The Water Management Officer’s primary goal is to ensure robust and long-lasting results at all levels of the country program of GGGI Kyrgyzstan office, and s/he will have the opportunity to affect real change and impact on the national water and flood management and climate resilience agenda of the Kyrgyz Republic

 This requires knowledge and expertise in water resources management, hydrology, stormwater management, meteorological and hydrological infrastructure and socio-economic aspects of these infrastructure, with links to climate change mitigation and adaptation.

PURPOSE

• Reporting to the Project Manager and Country Representatives of GGGI Kyrgyzstan Country Office, s/he provides high quality technical expertise on water resources management, flood management, hydrological service and early warning system, with special linkage to climate change and climate resilience.
• Provide associated leadership in the water, flood and drought governance sector, including in terms of investment projects and technologies for emissions reduction and strategies for nature-based solutions, to foster resilient, low-carbon growth.
• Actively scope, ideate and participate in technical design and development of new business in the water and flood management sectors, including engagement with new and prospective clients and partners.
• Analyze barriers of implementation of priority climate interventions and estimate costs and investment requirements.

ENGAGEMENT

• Lead day-to-day communication around flood and water-related disaster governance with counterparts in Government of Kyrgyz Republic at national (central), provincial, district and village levels, ensuring synergy and alignment between GGGI’s water and flood management portfolio and the Government of Kyrgyz Republic’s strategies, targets and directions
• Engage and lead GGGI’s national and provincial water resources management work across multiple dimensions, including policy, planning, regulation, facility development, operation and capacity development, as required by portfolio projects.
• Support the overall implementation of the flood and drought management project of Kyrgyz Republic including technical / strategic oversight, team management and engagement with counterpart governments, donors and other stakeholders.
• Coordinate with GGGI experts and other GGGI units and departments at country level to ensure high quality delivery of project activities.
• Engage with private sector to originate and/or structure projects and infrastructure to support improvements in water resources, flood and water management in the Kyrgyz Republic.

DELIVERY

• Effectively lead and plan project activities and targets, and track and monitor progress at the project level through standard tools within GGGI’s management processes and systems and ensure that the key performance indicators are met and/or exceeded.
• Manage and coordinate technical teams, staff, consultants, and consulting firms on climate, environmental, or water management projects to ensure sound project delivery and effective day-to-day operations in the field.
• Monitors project implementation, prepare periodic technical and narrative reports, and recommend adjustments to budget and work plan.
• Develop execution modality and documents for assigned projects. Capture lessons learned to support refinement and improvement of the execution modality.
• Ensure that social, environmental and other safeguards and co-benefits, including poverty reduction are adequately mainstreamed and/or applied in all deliveries and outputs.

REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATIONS

• An advanced degree (master’s or graduate degree) in hydrology, meteorology, water resources management, environmental management or environmental engineering, or related fields
• At least 5 years specialized experience relevant to position can be considered. Proven operational competence in project design, implementation, financial management, monitoring and evaluation of development projects.
• Experience in procurement of hydro-meteorological equipment and its deployment in developing countries; Practical experience in the design, use and management of hydro-meteorological networks.
• Experience in engaging with and/or working for the private sector on climate change and environmental issues will be a plus.
• Experience in the generation, use of application of hydro-meteorological information and services to national or regional development will be a strong asset.
• Exceptional skills in building productive working relationships with colleagues, field offices, stakeholders, donors and other government partners.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills including proven experience in the preparation of written technical reports and proposals in an accurate and concise manner.
• Good knowledge in monitoring and evaluation systems on water and flood management within a performance-based management context
• Experience in policy formulation, capacity building and multi-stakeholder engagement within technical areas.
• Fluency in written and spoken English, Russian and Kyrgyz communication is required for this assignment.
• Must be entitled to work in the Kyrgyz Republic 

FUNCTIONAL

• Excellent understanding of water resources management, flood hydrology, hydrometeorology, water-related disaster risk and water management systems
• Familiarity with climate change and green growth in the context of developing countries and the development of marketable and bankable projects.
• Strategic thinker and solutions-oriented manager with good ability to multitask and work in a matrix environment
• Detail-oriented person, who strives for quality and consistency in all outputs and communications
• Output-oriented, demonstrating creativity, innovation and an entrepreneurial drive
• Highly organized and able to effectively and efficiently multi-task and prioritize
• Ability to engage and work closely with public sector officials at national and local governments.
• Comfortable working both in a team and independently

CORPORATE

• Understand and actively support GGGI's mission, vision and values.
• Demonstrate outstanding stakeholder engagement, client relationship, communication, teamwork, and consensus building.
• Process and share information easily and be excellent at problem solving.
• Manage emotions and stress positively, build rapport and resolve conflict easily.
• Promote creativity and innovation among staff.
• Work effectively with other teams of a high degree of cultural and professional diversity (cultural awareness)

ABOUT THE PROJECT

The Kyrgyz Republic became the 37th member of GGGI in 2020. Since then, the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic has signed a Host Country Agreement with GGGI in 2024, and two Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) for GGGI to cooperate with the Ministry of Economy and Commerce and Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision.

GGGI, in collaboration with Ministry of Economy and Commerce and Ministry of Emergency Management Situation of the Kyrgyz Republic, is implementing the project “Strengthening Climate Resilience through Introduction of Innovative Smart Techniques in Flood and Drought Management in Central Asia (2024-2027).” The project is funded by the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Korea, in partnership with Korean partners including the Korea Export Promotion Association for Government Contractors (KEP) and the Asia Water Council (AWC)/K-Water.   

The overall objective of the Project is to strengthen the climate and disaster resilience of people and communities in vulnerable regions of the Kyrgyz Republic and Uzbekistan through integrated and effective landslide and flood management techniques.