IUCN Asia’s Regional Water and Wetlands Programme tackles the three pillars of water management: i) strengthen the conservation of freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity; ii) support water governance mechanisms that are multi-level, multi-sectorial and inclusive, leading to sustainable and equitable use of water resources in the region; and iii) promote water investment decisions and planning that address the multiple values of nature and incorporate biodiversity knowledge to provide Nature-based Solutions (NbS) to pressing societal challenges in the region (e.g., climate change, food security, and water security).

The Water and Wetlands Programme supports regional initiatives on water governance, such as BRIDGE Mekong, Salween and Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna river basins, aimed at strengthening water cooperation among countries at all levels. Recently, IUCN has engaged in large-scale programmes to improve water resources management through a transboundary approach (GEF IW project) and a climate adaptation angle (GCF). Several water-related projects are being implemented under the umbrella of NbS for adaptation. At the national level, many water-related projects are being implemented to strengthen fisheries management, support the development of management plans for key ecosystems, and support species conservation.At the subregional level, the programme priorities include supporting the capacities of countries sharing a river basin in cooperative implementation of effective transboundary water management arrangements.

IUCN Asia is recruiting a Regional Coordinator to coordinate and manage the Water and Wetlands Programme regionally. As a member of the Science and Strategy Group (SSG), the Regional Coordinator, Water and Wetlands, will work closely with regional water team members (Programme Officer, Water and Wetlands NbS and Programme Officer, Water and Wetlands South Asia) and technical country staff, focusing on water and wetlands as well as other key ecosystems in Asia.

1. MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the guidance of the Regional Director and direct supervision of the SSG’s Head of Programme Management, the Regional Coordinator serves as IUCN Asia’s focal person for the Water and Wetlands Programme and leads the growth of the regional programme and portfolio of projects, implementation of project activities, partnership building, policy engagement and capacity building.

2. SPECIFIC DUTIES:

The Regional Coordinator will be responsible for the following specific duties:

2.1. Programme Development
• Provide strategic leadership in developing and managing the regional water and wetland thematic programme.
• Map out IUCN-Asia's strategic priorities related to water and wetlands, including ecosystem protection, water governance, and NbS for water management.
• Seek new funding opportunities for water and wetlands by developing alliances with donors, Members, and partners.
• Develop new project concepts and proposals on water and wetlands, focusing on new regional initiatives and aligning with the IUCN regional and global agenda.

2.1 Programme Implementation and Portfolio Management
• Coordinate and lead the technical implementation and ensure quality control for planning, delivering, monitoring and evaluating regional water and wetland projects, including budget management and reporting.
• Coordinate and support IUCN regional staff and country programmes in developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating water and wetlands projects.
• Lead programme management staff in ensuring quality assurance for the project portfolio and its full compliance with IUCN policies and standards.
• This role includes but is not limited to:
- Act as the regional manager of the BRIDGE Mekong, Salween and Meghna regional programme on water governance projects.
- Lead the finalisation of the GCF proposal on Wetlands-based Adaptation in South and Southeast Asia, in close coordination with AFD.
- Provide technical support to finalise the PPG for the GEF IW project “Enhancing transboundary fisheries management in the Lower Mekong Basin” and support IUCN’s role as an Implementing Agency.
- Provide support to the execution of the two GEF IW programmes, “Enhancing Sustainability of the Transboundary Cambodia - Mekong River Delta Aquifer” and “Fostering Water and Environmental Security in the Ma and Neun/Ca Transboundary River Basins and Related Coastal Areas”.
- Supervise the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) for the implementation of the Adaptation Fund project, Mekong South Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) Project, and provide technical inputs and guidance on the integration of NbS for water.
- Provide the Secretariat for the Indo-Burma Ramsar Regional Initiative (IBRRI) and ensure that all activities (meetings of the Steering Committee, workshops, training, field visits, fundraising, political liaison) are implemented according to plan.

2.3 Networking, Partnership Building and Communications
• Develop and support a system of water, wetlands, and Ramsar focal points in IUCN country offices and create in-house networks of thematic expertise that draw upon regional and country office staff.
• Maintain regular contact with IUCN Members and partners to build relationships and explore new areas of cooperation for the IUCN programme in general and the SSG in particular.
• Act as the Focal Point for the Ramsar Convention in Asia (Asia-Oceania staff) and represent the region at Ramsar-related events (e.g. Ramsar CoP). This includes representing the Indo-Burma Regional Ramsar Initiative (IBRRI) Secretariat during events and meetings as requested.
• Represent IUCN at regional and global water related events (e.g., World Water Forum).
• Contribute to information sharing, lesson learning and documentation of project and programme experiences.
• Engage IUCN’s Members, partners, and donors to facilitate the dissemination of learning and ensure effective participation in and leverage of resources for IUCN’s natural resource and RBA-related work in the region.

2.4 Capacity Development and Technical Support
• Stay abreast of the latest developments in water and wetlands management from within and outside IUCN and help ensure that relevant publications, tools, and best practices are made available to regional and country programme staff.
• Provide technical oversight, advice and backstopping to help promote the use of best practice approaches on water and wetlands management by IUCN staff in the region.