Wetlands Expert – Entebbe – Nile Basin Initiative

About US:
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.’ 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.

Job Summary: The Wetlands Expert will support Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) in the timely and efficient implementation of the components of the Wetlands project implemented by the Nile-SEC.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:
· Prepare detailed work plans, budgets and oversee implementation implementation of activities of the Wetlands Project;
· The incumbent will also develop concept notes on major studies of the project, in particular on the Transboundary Wetlands Diagnostic Analysis, the Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) Study and the Nile Basin Wetlands as Green Infrastructure Study. The concept notes are intended to raise awareness of stakeholders, support preparations for carrying out the studies and enhance the benefits of these studies on creating better understanding of values of Nile Basin wetlands.
· Provide substantive (subject-matter) inputs and technical oversight to the transboundary wetlands Diagnostic and The Economics of Ecosystem and Biodiversity (TEEB) studies, and Wetlands as Green Infrastructure Study
· The incumbent will also provide technical oversight to development of wetlands management plans for the Sudd; contribute to the formulation of wetlands management plans of the four Nile Equatorial Lakes (NEL) pilot sites
· Oversee the development of a basin-wide wetland management framework plan
· Coordinate required stakeholder processes for the basin-wide project activities
· Plan for, organize and implement knowledge transfer from the project to other relevant NBI river basin management and development projects
· Prepare and submit regular progress and substantive reports to support monitoring of implementation of the Wetlands project
· Work closely with Nile-SEC communication and knowledge management team to disseminate knowledge products from project implementation activities
· Offer technical oversight in the preparation of Nile Basin wetlands knowledgebase, wetlands atlas and their maintenance and dissemination;
· Organize project related workshops, roundtables and discussion groups to support the implementation of the project and dissemination of results
· Design, organize and implement training and awareness raising activities to support project implementation and maximize impacts of project outputs for sustainable management of Nile Basin wetlands

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
· The ideal candidate should hold an MSc in Environmental management, bio-diversity protection of freshwater aquatic ecosystems, freshwater ecology, or closely related fields
· At least ten years of practical (hands-on) experience after MSc degree in wetlands conservation, formulations of wetland policies and strategies and planning for wetlands protection and sustainable use;
· Prior experience and very good skills in stakeholder facilitation and in leading groups of professionals in project implementation process
· Significant exposure in valuation of ecosystem services is an added advantage
· Working knowledge of GIS is an added advantage
· Prior experience in working in multi-cultural environment, preferably experience in a river basin management context
· Excellent communication (training, presentation) and writing skills are required
· Broad knowledge and understanding of environmental and social management frameworks

How to Apply:
All suitably qualified applicants are advised to send their applications electronically to the Executive Director at: watervacancy@nilebasin.org. The application/cover letters should clearly be indicating the title of the assignment and accompanied by detailed curriculum vitae.

Deadline: 15th October 2015