Research Officer, Lebanese Centre for Water Management and Conservation

I.  Position Information
Job Title: Research Officer, Lebanese Centre for Water Management and Conservation 
Duty Station: Beirut, Lebanon
Reports to: Project Manager 
Coordinates with: Ministry of Energy and Water National Focal Point
Award reference: 00072975
Pay Level: SC-6
Source of Funding: IC
Duration of Employment: 1 year with possibility of extension

II. Scope/Objective 
At this initial stage the programme will focus on providing technical support to the Ministry of energy and Water (MEW) for the establishment and running of the secretariat of the Mediterranean Basin Organisations (MENBO), will identify needs of the government in the water management sector, raise awareness on the most pertinent water issues, and initiate the collection of technical data on water resources in Lebanon.  The promotion of water conservation and problems facing the water sector in Lebanon will be delivered on a continuous basis throughout the project through national awareness campaigns and events.  The project will also update the existing national hydrogeological studies.  A groundwater database, including GIS maps, will be established at the Ministry of Energy and Water.
The Research Officer will be responsible for technical information collection and providing sound advice and technical support for the delivery of the project outputs.  The Research Officer will be under the direct supervision of the Project Manager and will support the Project Coordinator/Resource Mobilisation Expert.

III. Functions / Key Results Expected

1. Water Database/Library:

- Collect and compile all available water data and reports in order to initiate the establishment of a water library 
- Analyse available water data and determine data gaps and needs
- Assess the feasibility of establishing an online water library and undertake necessary steps to initiate it

2. Research Support

- Review, revise and provide technical advice on all project reports, terms of reference and other documentation
- Liaise with the different stakeholders to collect information and coordinate on the technical aspects of the project activities
- Undertake necessary research for proposal writing and assist in resource mobilisation
- Provide assistance as needed in preparing background documents, writing progress and final reports for the project;
- Prepare relevant summaries, fact sheets and presentations on water issues
- Support the Ministry of Energy and Water in the development and implementation of its national water strategy as requested
- Provide technical backstopping support for the sub-contractors and hydro-geologists working on the groundwater assessment 
- Assist the project manager in the implementation of all project activities, including the MENBO, awareness raising activities, groundwater assessment, etc.
- Support in the identification of technical capacity building needs in the water sector and undertake research to develop training material and information

IV. Competencies 
- Extensive knowledge of the international and local context relating to water and environmental issues; 
- Strong research and report-writing skills 
- Good IT skills
- Good interpersonal and communication skills

V. Recruitment Qualifications
Education: University degree, preferably with 3 years of experience in hydrogeology, environmental, civil engineering or environmental sciences or water science or closely related field.
Experience: Experience in development projects and/or with UNDP or other international organisations is a plus
Language Requirements: Effective verbal and written communication skills in both Arabic and English. French is a plus.

Applying to vacancy VAC987: Research Officer, Lebanese Centre for Water Management and Conservation