Vacancy - Regional Knowledge and Networking Officer (RKNO)

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) was founded in 1948 and brings together over 1,000 members (States, government agencies, NGOs and affiliates) and some 11,000 scientists and experts from 160 countries in a unique worldwide partnership.  Its mission is to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable.  Within the framework of global conventions IUCN has helped over 75 countries to prepare and implement national conservation and biodiversity strategies.  IUCN has approximately 1,000 staff, most of whom are located in its regional, country and outposted offices while some 130 work at its Headquarters in Gland, Switzerland.  IUCN is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from qualified women and men.

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Position:                      Regional Knowledge and Networking Officer (RKNO)

Location:                     Amman, Jordan 

Direct reporting:          Regional Water Resources & Drylands (REWARD)

                                    Programme Coordinator

Availability:                 Immediate

Duration:                      One year with possibility of extension

Function Group:           P1

BACKGROUND

The IUCN Regional Office for West Asia (ROWA) in Amman, Jordan, is seeking a new staff member with immediate effect to be responsible for the further establishment, management and facilitation of the Regional Water Knowledge Network (RWKN) that will form the central part of the Regional WESCANA Water Project. The WESCANA project is funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DGCS/Italy).

The RKNO, through the RWKN, shall coordinate and manage links and information flows within the WESCANA Project and with other regional initiatives, in order to support the country teams and the members in the RWKN and its different sub-networks towards the achievement of the objectives of these networks.

The RKNO will support the effective communication between the Demonstration Projects' Nodes and all other RWKN members in order to ensure the sharing of relevant know-how and experiences. Furthermore, he/she will support the WESCANA Project Manager and the REWARD Programme Coordinator in all external networking activities that enhance IWRM in the WESCANA Region. 

The position requires active interaction and communication with government and non-governmental organizations, private sector, local organizations, IUCN members and the WESCANA direct Partners and Donors, to maximize the impact of the Programme. He/she will be accountable to the Project Manager, who reports to the Steering Committee of the WESCANA Project and is accountable to the IUCN REWARD Programme Coordinator

RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the REWARD Program Coordinator and in collaboration with IUCN ROWA team, the Regional Knowledge and Networking Officer will be charge of:

1.       Establish and maintain sound and productive working relationships with WESCANA Network Members and stakeholders at different levels:

a.       Assist the WESCANA Project Manager and the REWARD Programme Coordinator in the establishment and management of the Regional Water Knowledge Network and its sub-networks.

b.       Strengthen the partnership spirit with the RWKN Nodes and Members and with stakeholders in different governmental and non-governmental bodies.

c.       Support the Knowledge Nodes in the RWKN to develop clear TORs for the sub-networks they will facilitate and organize (mandate, focus, modes of operations... and work plans).

d.       Facilitate the interaction with and support the RWKN Sub-Networks to implement their work plans.

e.       Facilitate the process of developing a strategy to ensure the sustainability of the RWKN and its sub-networks.

f.         Develop concept papers and proposals to strengthen the RWKN and sub-networks for the submission of proposals (donors and other relevant organizations).

g.       Ensure that each Node and Member fulfill its responsibilities according to the TOR and work plan of the RWKN Sub-Networks.

h.       Facilitate the interaction between the RWKN Sub-Networks and the Demonstration Projects.

i.         Participate in and organize workshops, conferences and training events according to programme work plans.

2.       Ensure strong information flows between all interested parties concerned (within and outside the WESCANA RWKN).

a.       Ensure effective information flow among all staff, members and partners and stakeholders involved.

b.       Organize and manage information, documentation and dissemination of programme activities and results within the WESCANA Project and with other fora on IWRM.

c.       Ensure awareness raising (e.g. through news letter etc...) and sharing of experiences and lessons learned from the demonstration projects within  the RWKN with at least one representative member for each of the 24 WESCANA countries

d.       Advice and coach staff in developing plans to strengthen regional links and information sharing between countries in the region.

e.       Develop plans in close consultation with all partners for information sharing and coordination to strengthen regional policy and technical fora and consolidation of regional, national and international programmes.

3.       Support the WESCANA Project Manager by managing the RWKN in coordinating the WESCANA efforts with REWARD, WANI (IUCN Water & Nature Initiative) and other regional and international initiatives and activities in order to contribute to the consolidation of regional and national programmes in sustainable management of water resources.

a.       Develop and oversee maintenance of a WESCANA institutional memory for networking; data base on organizations working in IWRM for purposes of strategic alliances, fund raising and information sharing.

b.       Support the PM and the REWARD Programme Coordinator in keeping abreast of latest developments both at the regional and national level in integrated water resources management, and contributes to the debate in this sector.

c.       Ensure direct links on relevant networking, knowledge and learning activities with REWARD and the Water & Nature Initiative (WANI) of IUCNs Global Water Programme.

d.       Establish and maintain links with other regional networks in the West Asia Region, such as the Global Water Partnership (GWP-MED), the Arab Water Council, Arab League, CEDARE, etc

SELECTION CRITERIA

• A Bachelors Degree in level in relevant development related fields in communication and media-information possibly applied to water and natural resource management.
• Minimum 8 years experience in communication and media-information at the regional, national and local levels, preferably in an international organization or a non-governmental organization with a style awareness and promotion programmes and campaigns and networking and process documentation activities
• Experience in community participation and stakeholder approaches is an advantage
• Experience in organizing and facilitating workshops and e-conferences.
•  
• Strong information and communication technology skills
• Capable of ensuring and facilitating the coordination and collaboration of diverse network groups.
• Experience with networking and process documentation activities
• Excellent communication  and interpersonal skills with international and local expert staff (team player, good reporting skills)
• Native speaker/writer in Arabic and good command of both spoken and written English. French is an asset.
• Good proficiency in MS applications, especially MS Publisher in both Arabic and English.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The Regional Knowledge and Networking Officer will be stationed in Amman, Jordan at the offices of IUCN. This position requires regular travel to WESCANA direct Partners and Donors in the WESCANA Region.

IMPORTANT NOTE

Applicants are asked to submit their CV in English along with the names and contact details of two referees, one of whom should be a recent employer to:  hr.rowa@iucn.org or fax number+962 6 55 46 915. Deadline for submissions is Tuesday July 9, 2009.