1. Background
NELSAP Coordination Unit (CU) within its mandate facilitates jointly agreed transformative in-country projects with regional impact/significance and trans-boundary cooperative investment projects related to the common use of the Nile Basin water resources. NELSAP- CU is in the process of recruiting for the position of the Water Resources Officer (GIS/Modeller). The Water Resources Officer (GIS/Modeller) will occupy a key position in NELSAP- CU with responsibility for its operations across a broad spectrum of activities.
2. Job Purpose/Role
The Water Resources Officer (GIS/Modeller) will provide the necessary technical expertise to support implementation of the Nile Cooperation for Climate Resilience (NCCR) Project with specific focus on using available information, appropriate models and tools to build resilience and ability of the Nile Equatorial Lakes (NEL) member states to adapt and respond to climate change and weather extremes.
3. Key responsibilities
The functions and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
a) Contract management and supervision of consultants during implementation of the NCCR Project including but not limited to: (i) development of flash flood early warning system; (ii) identification of investment options for management of flood and drought in the Nile Basin; and (iii) Water Quality Investment Planning and Prioritization;
b) Operations and maintenance of the Nile Basin Flash Flood Early Warning Systems (FFEWS), interpretation of warning information and configuration of the dissemination of warning information;
c) Coordinate capacity building trainings of all water and related analytical products for effective use of information services by member countries;
d) Water resources planning and documentation: which involves (i) reviewing proposed actions (projects) and ensuring that technical water resources information and data are considered in planning and decision-making, that these considerations are documented; (ii) proper and technically sound processes are used in identification of investments for water resources management and development; and (iii) analysing and managing water resources information for all NELSAP CU projects and sub-basin projects;
e) Development and Use of the Nile Basin Decision Support System (NB DSS), Nile Basin Data and Analysis Services (NB-DAS) and Integrated Knowledge Portal (IKP): Contributes to the development, use and update of the wider NB DSS;
f) Creation and maintenance of spatial data repository for NELSAP CU; Maintain and expand the data repository and related meta database:
g) Prepare Meta data and develop thematic maps products
h) Advocate and ensure compliance to data and mapping standards
i) Work closely with thematic specialists (water resources and socio-economic development) at the NELSAP CU to identify needs for spatial data/information to support water resources management efforts;
j) Plan and execute the processing of digital imagery and GIS/Remote Sensing information layers using specialized image processing software such as ERDAS Imagine, ArcGIS, NB DSS GIS tools or similar software. Knowledge of drone imagery products and use of cloud computing platforms (e.g. Google Earth Engine) desirable.
k) Support NELSAP CU communication functions to design, develop and produce thematic maps to communicate with decision makers and wider public on critical issues and provide facts about the Nile Basin for NELSAP CU corporate documents
l) Work with Relevant staff in the development of Knowledge products such as Posters, Flyers, messages, brochures, Newsletter articles, Website Articles and other relevant documentation to market activities of NELSAP CU. This includes organizing exhibition to market NELSAP CU products during regional meetings for NELSAP CU governance and donors
m) Work closely with the NELSAP CU IT team to maintain the NELSAP CU web-site, ensure consistency of project websites and carry out periodic reviews to improve navigation, feel and look of the website, and ensure proper updates of the website in the official languages of NELSAP CU.
n) Development of hydrometeorological data monitoring framework and support its implementation in the NEL countries including capacity building in data manipulation, network planning, maintenance and data processing;
o) Undertake spatial data modeling to generate information products like erosion maps, flood maps; Support the development of relevant technical communication products, including interactive documents; Participate in NELSAP/NBI efforts for outreach and training – working with interns and providing in-person and online training, and facilitating online technical webinars.
p) Participate in evaluation of technical and financial proposals;
q) Prepare annual budgets and work plans for the water resources management and development sub-program;
r) Performs any other related duties as assigned by the NELSAP CU Program Officer for Water Resources Management and Development
4. Qualifications and experience
The Water Resources Officer (GIS/Modeller) shall have the following minimum qualifications and experience:
- Masters of Science (MSc) degree in Water Resources Management, Water Resources Engineering, Hydro-informatics or related field
- Bachelor of Science (BSs) degree in hydro-informatics, physical sciences or related field;
- Professional qualification/ Certification in GIS or Remote sensing is an added Advantage;
- At least 7 years of work experience after Master degree, five (5) years must have been related to the use of different water resources planning models and GIS in planning development, monitoring, and management of water resources systems;
- Skill in providing technical support and training in the use different water resources planning models and GIS;
- Practical experience and knowledge in the use of Multi-Criteria-Analysis (MCA), Cost-Benefit-Analysis (CBA), script writing and different managers of the Nile Basin Decision Support System (NB DSS) and the NB-DAS;
- Skill in reading, understanding, developing, manipulating, and analyzing geographic information in a variety of data formats, including raster and vector data.
- Proficiency in the use of ERDAS Imagine, ENVI, IDRISI, ArcView, Arc Info, ArcGIS or other similar software and knowledge and experience in OGC online data services/APIs, web mapping and web mapping tools;
- Extensive experience in the use, calibration and validation of different strategic water resources planning models related to water balance, water accounting, basin planning, groundwater and water quality management, forecasting, and climate scenario analysis on watersheds;
- Good management skills, including ability to provide strategic guidance, technical oversight, prepare work plans, and manage budgets and project expenditures;
- Excellent teamwork and interpersonal skills in operating collaboratively across organizational boundaries on a wide range of technical issues as well as networking with ministry-level partners, development partners and NGOs;
- Strong communication and presentation skills including ability to develop proposals, concept papers, position papers as well as write reports and prepare relevant publications;
- High level interpersonal and cross-cultural skills including ability to build alliances and collaborative relationships with sensitivity to diversity;
- Fluency in spoken and written English or French language.
5. Duty Station
The Water Resources Officer (GIS/Modeller) will be stationed at the NELSAP-CU, Kigali, Rwanda but shall be travelling extensively in the Nile Equatorial Lakes Region.
6. Employment Terms
The Water Resources Officer (GIS/Modeller) will be recruited for a Contract period of one (1) year, which will be extended on renewable terms based on performance, need of service and availability of funds.
7. How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates are invited to apply by submitting a cover letter, curriculum vitae and academic documents including the date of birth and nationality by Tuesday 5th October 2021 before 17:00hours Rwanda time, addressed to the Acting NELSAP Regional Coordinator, through email: nelsapprocurement@nilebasin.org with copy to nelcuvacancy@nilebasin.org. The e-mail application subject title should clearly indicate “NELSAP Water Resources Officer (GIS/Modeller)”. All applications must be delivered via e-mail to the addresses mentioned above. Only candidates who meet the requirements and are short-listed for the interview will be contacted.
Signed by,
_____________________
Maro Andy TOLA
Ag. Regional Coordinator
Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Program Coordination Unit (NELSAP-CU)
