Euro-Mediterranean Information System on know-how in the Water sector - News for 2008/01

New Academic Alliances Between Canada and Developing Countries

2010-10-28T17:54:33Z

The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the Canada Research Chairs Program are launching an initiative to pair leading researchers from universities in Canada with those in developing countries to collaborate on issues of mutual concern. Each team will receive up to CA $1 million over five years to address key development challenges while mentoring a new generation of scholars and practitioners.

The International Research Chairs Initiative will support the creation of up to five IDRC Research Chairs based at universities in the developing world. Each Chair will define a five-year research program in collaboration with a top Canadian researcher. …

…Researchers and representatives from Canadian universities or from universities in eligible developing countries are invited to apply for funding under this initiative, which will encourage research in four areas:

Environment and natural resource management
Information and communication technologies for development
The impact of science, technology and innovation policies on development
Social and economic policy related to poverty reduction, growth, health and human rights

Winning water schemes scoop awards: Waterwise organisations and individuals in the US have been rewarded for their efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle the wet stuff

2010-10-28T17:54:33Z

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) handed out accolades to the winners of its national 2007 Water Efficiency Leader awards.

Four of the six winners were from states in the south of the country, which has been hit by severe drought this year - a problem highlighted by forest fires that ravaged California in October.

Winners included Arizona-based computer technology firm Intel Corporation, which recycles 75% of the water used in its manufacturing processes, and the Santa Clara Valley Water District, a Californian water management agency which helped its local community reduce water demand by 12%.

Lackland Air Force Base, in Texas, scooped the Military Award for schemes including purchasing recycled wastewater to irrigate their parade ground and golf course.

The Individual Award was handed to Allan Dietemann, a water expert at Seattle Public Utilities, who has worked to promote water conservation to governments, businesses and homeowners for more than 20 years.

The other winners were snack manufacturer Frito-Lay, which makes Doritos, and the Kentucky Pollution Prevention Centre.

The winners were picked by a panel of national water experts, who were looking for entries that displayed the best leadership, innovation and water savings.

EPA launched the awards last year to encourage wider adoption of water efficiency measures in the US.

Beauty products 'contaminating water supplies': Ever wondered what happens to the chemicals in your shower gel and shampoo after they have gurgled down the plughole?

2010-10-28T17:54:33Z

According to a new report from the Royal Society of Chemistry, ingredients from beauty products and other everyday household items such as medicines are contaminating UK water supplies even after being processed at water treatment plants.

Launching the report on Monday, the organisation called for more research into the problem and for Government and the industry to place greater emphasis on the future quality of water to protect human and environmental health.

A team of nearly 30 scientists found that contaminants are entering the water system through excretion of medicines and by-products and the use of personal health care products - releasing chemicals that UK water treatment waste works are not designed to remove.

The publication of the report is the first step in a campaign to make water supplies more sustainable in the face of massive population growth, climate change and man-made pollution.

Vacancy announcement: Regional programme coordinator/ IUCN Regional Office for West Asia/Middle East (WAME)

2010-10-28T17:54:33Z

Location:                                 IUCN Regional Office for West Asia/Middle East (WAME), Amman (Jordan)

Reports to:                              IUCN – WAME Regional Director

Availability:                             Immediately

Duration:                                 2 Years with possibility of extension

Function group:                       P2

Expected start date:                 March 1st 2008

BACKGROUND

The World Conservation Union (IUCN) is seeking a committed professional with experience in conservation, with strong leadership skills and a vision for sustainability in the West Asia/Middle East region, to join its Regional Office as Regional Programme Coordinator. The position is based at the Regional Office in Amman, Jordan and will involve periodic field missions and assignments. The Regional Programme Coordinator will be supervised technically and administratively by the Regional Director.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the overall supervision of the Regional Director for West Asia/Middle East and in close liaison with the Senior Coordinator, Global Programme at IUCN Headquarters, the Regional Programme Coordinator is responsible for the strategic development, steering and monitoring of the IUCN programme for WAME, which consists of programme activities (projects) that are implemented in close partnership with IUCN members, Commissions and partners and are linked with global thematic programmes based at IUCN Headquarters in Switzerland and elsewhere.

The principal tasks to be undertaken include:

Planning:

1.       Coordinate IUCN’s WAME programme in close collaboration with IUCN’s members, Commissions and partners, and centres of excellence in the region.

2.       Ensure the implementation of a regular planning cycle, the use of a common set of methods and tools and standards for planning in WAME.

3.       Ensure the implementation of training and capacity building in planning skills and functions.

4.       Monitor the quality of planning activities and planning skills at all levels.

5.       Develop new initiatives and responses to emerging issues.

Coordination of the programme:

1.       Manage the work of the WAME programme for effective planning, approval, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and reporting.

2.       Develop and implement annual work programmes and project activities that contribute to the emergence of a strategic IUCN programme at the regional level, in association with relevant IUCN members, commissions and partners.

3.       Coordinate and lead on the preparation of the Intersessional Plans, situation analysis and business plans

4.       Ensure coordination and linkage between IUCN Secretariat component programmes (global thematic programmes and regional programmes).

5.       Assume the day-to-day management of thematic programme staff to ensure coherence of the programme, synergies among activities and joint programming, and reporting on that to the Director

6.       Maintain the Regional Consolidated ABC List and oversee that Project information in the KN is updated

7.       Support technical staff in implementing good programme management practices and ensure the provision of coaching and mentoring in good management and reporting;

8.       Ensure that human capacity and financial resources match programme needs in liaison with the Regional Director, Programme/Project Officer and Head of Operations.

9.       Implement an integrated training programme at regional level in programme planning and project cycle management, monitoring and evaluation and reporting.

10.   Ensure that standards for programme performance are put in place and used.

11.   Ensure that a monitoring and feedback process is in place.

12.   Manage the quarterly and annual reporting process in a manner that meets IUCN’s reporting requirements.

13.   Provide leadership in feeding the results of project/programme activities into WAME communication activities, and respond to requests about the programme.

14.   Represent IUCN in relevant fora (international conventions, policy forums, national and international meetings etc), at the request of the Regional Director, giving appropriate and high quality technical representation of the programme.

Managing the project portfolio:

1.       Provide overall strategic guidance and ensure effective development and maintenance of the region’s project portfolio and pipeline, including project formulation, submission to donors, implementation, monitoring and delivery of high quality technical reports and products.

2.       Provide overall quality assurance of project implementation.

3.       Supervise the overall financial management and viability of the project portfolio, manage and report on funds used in project activities as per IUCN rules and regulations and maximise opportunities for developing long-term relations with donors.

4.       Assist Finance in regular monitoring of the thematic programme’s budgets and advise managers and the Regional Director on progress and problems associated with programme and budget delivery

Supervision of programme staff, consultants and interns.

Undertaking other tasks at the request of the Regional Director to ensure the effective implementation of the programme, including representing IUCN WAME Regional Office at national and international meetings and assisting the Regional Director in developing and maintaining local, regional and national working relationships with key partners.

QUALIFICATIONS

This position carries considerable responsibility for programme development within a growing regional programme and requires good organisational capacity, a willingness to travel and work in a multilingual environment and to be part of a team striving for a common objective.

This position requires a strong background in programme and project management with:

·       At least 5 years’ experience in an international environment, preferably in countries covered by the IUCN WAME region;

·       High level of knowledge about international and West Asia/Middle East technical and political issues related to biodiversity, nature conservation and sustainable development;

·       Postgraduate/advanced degree in a subject related to conservation and sustainable development, e.g. environmental economics, biology, environmental sciences, etc.

·       Extensive background in project design, development, management and monitoring, with at least 10 years’ experience in managing multinational conservation and/or sustainable development programmes in an international environment;

·       Good analytical skills, and a demonstrated ability to think strategically;

·       Proven capacity for fundraising through bilateral or multilateral partners;

·       Demonstrated skills in strategic planning, conservation policy, project/programme cycle management, performance management and monitoring and evaluation;

·       Demonstrated skills in training and facilitation;

·       Effective verbal and writing communication skills, both in English and Arabic; other language are an asset;

·       Proven experience in managing human resources and leading a small team of multicultural and multidisciplinary professionals;

·       Excellent managerial, interpersonal and team building skills;

APPLICATIONS

Interested candidates who meet the qualification requirements are requested to submit at the latest by January 21, 2008 their curriculum vitae, a supporting letter of motivation in English, and the names and contact details of three referees, including one recent employer.

Applications by email are preferred. They should be sent only to the following email address:
Human Resources Officer
The World Conservation Union (IUCN)
West Asia/Middle East Regional Office
Fax: ++962 6 5680355
E-mail: hr.wescana@iucn.org

Regional candidates are encouraged to apply.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for further interview.

EBRD helps improve water and waste water systems in Croatian capital: €60 million to help modernise Zagreb’s water and sewage system

2010-10-28T17:54:33Z

The EBRD is lending €60 million to the Zagreb water company to help finance capital investments in the city’s water and sewer network in order to reduce water leakages and improve the service for a growing number of local residents.

The EBRD finance is being provided to Zagrebacki Holding, a multi-purpose municipal service company wholly-owned by the City of Zagreb, under the EBRD’s A/B loan structure. The A-Loan of €30 million will be provided by the EBRD and the B-Loan of the same amount will be syndicated.

In addition, the Dutch government has provided €495,000 in technical cooperation. A total of €195,000 was used to assist the company prepare an investment programme in the water and sewer sector. The remaining grant funds will be used to assist the company with the development of a programme focusing on commercialisation and organisational improvements of Zagreb Holding.

The City of Zagreb and the EBRD have been working together for the last 10 years on infrastructure programmes, including Zagreb’s waste water treatment plant and the city’s solid waste management programme.

The EBRD funding will be used to finance the expansion of the sewer network and to upgrade and modernise the water supply system. These projects are valued at an estimated €100 million. The project will help connect new residential developments to the sewer system, allowing the entire population of the City to be provided with water and sewer networks. In addition, the existing water supply network will be improved which will result in significant reductions of water losses.

Signing the agreement, EBRD’s Director for Croatia, Charlotte Ruhe, said that this loan will help modernise the City’s water network and support Zagrebacki Holding in improving the quality and cost of its services to the people of Zagreb.

The CEO of Zagreb Holding, Mr Slobodan Ljubicic said this signing is the continuation of excellent cooperation with EBRD on major environmental infrastructure programmes in the City of Zagreb. Zagrebacki Holding provides a wide range of services to the City and its population, including public transport, water supply and sewage, gas distribution, road maintenance and other services. The company in its current form was created in 2005 by merger of a number of municipally-owned companies.

So far, the EBRD has invested more than €1.9 billion in Croatia in 83 projects across all sectors of the economy, with a concentration on the financial sector and on infrastructure. In addition, the Bank helped mobilise €3 billion from other sources.

New WISIONS call on Water for Energy and Energy for Water

2010-10-28T17:54:33Z

WISIONS is an initiative of the German Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, on behalf of the Swiss Foundation ProEvolution. One action field is called PREP, the Promotion of Resource Efficiency Projects. PREP’s key objectives are publishing and promoting good practice in energy and resource efficiency. People around the world are asked to present their good practice examples. Topic and target groups thus will vary regularly with the objective of addressing a wide range of issues and stakeholders. The most convincing projects will be published in WISIONS brochures and will be promoted to multipliers, political decision-makers, scientists and activists. By doing this, projects will get the publicity they deserve and provide certain ideas worldwide to improve the efficient use of resources.

WISIONS launched its new PREP-call on the topic ‘Water for Energy and Energy for Water’. Water and energy are precious resources, however, many people in developing countries lack access to save drinking water and sanitation, the withdrawals for agriculture are competing with water users from other sectors, and energy shortfalls due to increased energy demand are predicted. Therefore WISIONS aims to promote good practice examples dealing either with water as a driving agent for renewable energy (e.g. small hydro schemes, wave and tidal power plants) or with the provision of clean and safe drinking water by renewable energy (e.g. solar driven desalination, groundwater pumping or irrigation systems). Up to 5 good practice projects will be chosen for publication and will receive a grant of 500 Euros.

The application deadline is on February 16th, 2008.

The fields of interest include

Projects concerned with socially and ecologically sound small hydropower
Projects that focus on wave or tidal power
Projects that t reduce water poverty by, for example, the desalination of salted or brackish water with the help of renewable energy
Projects that support water treatment systems operating with renewable energy to improve the reuse of water and sanitation to ensure high water quality
Projects that address the use of renewable energy for water pumping and resource efficient irrigation systems

How to participate:

*   Send a brief description of your successfully implemented good practice project dealing with water and renewable energy to info@wisions.net
*   WISIONS gives you feedback of the project’s qualification for application.
*   In case of positive response fill in the application form and send it back to WISIONS.
*   Your project will be published in a PREP brochure and/or on the WISIONS homepage.
*   Has your project been decided for being published in the PREP brochure, you will additionally receive a grant of 500 Euros.
*   All PREP brochures will be available in hardcopy and online. They will be distributed among networks, politicians, scientists and other relevant multipliers.

SMAP III autumn/winter 2007 bulletin on line

2009-05-12T17:39:14Z

An article on “Mediterranean Business Tackling Sustainable Development” features in the autumn/winter 2007 bulletin of the EU-funded SMAP III programme. Other issues reported on are a coastal management project it is carrying out in Algeria, a new e-learning platform it has developed in its effort to build capacity and provide lasting assistance to individuals and institutions working towards sustainable development in the Mediterranean region and the first ever celebration of Coast Day.

SMAP Bulletin is now available for download in English, French and Arabic.

WWC News Update N.31 - La Lettre du CME n.31

2009-05-12T17:39:14Z

The WWC News Update, issue No.31 is now available. To download it, please click on the following link: http://www.worldwatercouncil.org/index.php?id=760

In this issue:

- Editorial: Water also Deserves a Political Gathering - by Loïc Fauchon, President

- Looking back at 2007: On the road to…

- WWC and Forum News

ü Benin Dialogue on Water: for Follow-up…

ü 100 Questions for a Forum

ü Want to Know More about Shadow Water?

ü Water Directors of the Euro-Mediterranean and South-Eastern European Countries

- First Asia-Pacific Water Summit

ü The WWC on Japanese Soil

ü Bridging the 4th and 5th Forum

- News from Members and Partners

ü AfricaSan + 5 – First Announcement

ü The 2008 International Office for Water Training

ü Globalist of the Year

ü Special Focus on Sanitation for the 2008 World Water Week

- In brief

ü 60 Years of Universal Rights

ü Call for Contributions to the Review on the Theme of Water at CSD 16

ü In Ethiopia A New Program Sees the Light of Day

ü Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water

ü The FP2E Denounces Calculations from the UFC – What to Choose’

- Where to meet, Agenda, Publications, A few acronyms

Conclusions : SMAP RMSU Regional workshop on "environmental knowledge and information exchange in the Mediterranean"- Rome 5,6 December 2007

2009-05-12T17:39:14Z

The SMAP RMSU team has published the conclusions of the Regional SMAP-RMSU Workshop on "Environmental Knowledge and Information Exchange in the Mediterranean" held at APAT Headquarters in Rome on 5-6 December 2007.

2010-10-28T17:54:33Z

The Swiss Mountain Water Award: Wanted, innovative water project

2010-10-28T17:54:33Z

The Swiss Mountain Water Award is an innovation competition for water-related projects, which has been held four times so far. It rewards water-related projects which provide a sustainable contribution to added value in the Swiss mountains.

The deadline for submitting innovative projects is 15 April 2008. The total value of the prizes is 60,000 Swiss francs.

Possible ideas for projects are: the development of new technologies for potential sources of water power which have hitherto been unused; new approaches or pilot projects for management of water-related risks; improvement of natural habitats for humans, plants and animals; innovative approaches to agriculture in mountainous regions; new methods for using waste water; new approaches to waste management; adaptation to expected climate changes and alternatives to the current situation; usage models related to water re-use and tourism.

The Swiss Mountain Water Award was created in 2004 by the Government Conference of Mountain Cantons (CGCA).

Veolia Water wins new contract in Fujairah, UAE

2010-10-28T17:54:33Z

Veolia Water has been selected to run the Operations and Maintenance part of the Reverse 0smosis desalination plant of the F2 Independent Water and Power Project in Qidfa, Fujairah.

The originality of the desalination solution being built by Veolia Water lies in the combination of the two main different technologies that will be used simultaneously to meet the growing demand of the population and strengthen the region's development potentials. The Reverse Osmosis (RO) plant has a production capacity of 136,500m³/day and will be operated by Veolia Water while the Multiple Effect Distillation (MED) plant will be operated by Fujairah F2 O&M Company. This innovative combination will allow optimal use of the electricity generated by the power plant, especially during the winter months.

This Operation and Maintenance contract covers a period of 12 years, starting in the summer of 2010, and is in addition to a pre-operational period lasting 3 years. Veolia Water will assist the International Power Plc and Marubeni Corp in improving all aspects of the RO plant as well as in the coordination and preparation for the start-up of all operations.

Veolia Water is very active in this part of the world. The company is strongly developing its presence as operator of water services through different contracts, notably for the management of the wastewater network in the Emirate of Ajman and for the conception, construction and exploitation of a water desalination plant in the Sultanate of Oman.

Veolia Water, the water division of Veolia Environnement, is a world leader in water and wastewater services.

New UN-Water Report: Water Monitoring: Mapping Existing Global Systems & Initiatives

2010-10-28T17:54:33Z

This report, prepared by FAO on behalf of UN-Water, put the accent on Water Monitoring. International coordination in monitoring the state of the world's water resources is needed, in order to guide future investments and efforts in achieving these goals. Governments and donors are increasingly called to put in place a uniform and consistent system to monitor the impacts of water-related initiatives. Crucial in this process is mobilizing the required financial resources of donors and lenders, by showing them that the impact of water-related initiatives in poor countries can be reliably assessed and that their impact on human development and environment sustainability is notable. The report can be downloaded on the UN Water website.