Director of Cap-Net - UNOPS

Cap-Net is an international network for capacity development towards sustainable water management. It is a project of UNDP and has been operational for more than eight years since 2002 with financial support of the Dutch, Norwegian and Swedish Governments, and the European Union Water Facility. As a network it is composed of over 20 autonomous regional and country networks for IWRM capacity building, international thematic networks and international partners. Institutionally the Cap-Net project is embedded in the UNDP Water Governance Programme with strong working relations with the Water Governance Facility, a UNDP programme hosted and managed by SIWI. Operationally the project is being implemented by UNOPS, currently with five staff at the Cap-Net secretariat, hosted by the Water Research Commission in Pretoria, South Africa, with administrative backstopping by UNOPS HQ in Copenhagen, Denmark. Cap-Net has collaborative programmes with several international partners including the Global Water  Partnership, UNESCO-IHE, the World Meteorological Organisation, UN-HABITAT, Water Integrity Network, and others. With these partners, and in collaboration with partner networks, capacity building programmes on subjects relevant to IWRM are being developed and implemented, and appropriate training packages developed.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Director is the ‘Chief Executive Officer’ of Cap-Net and the Head of its Secretariat. The Cap-Net Director will be responsible for the overall management of the Cap-Net Programme including its strategy, work programme, funding, personnel, partnerships and institutional networking. The Director reports to and is responsible to the Cap-Net Management Board for the activities of the Secretariat and of the Cap-Net Programme at large.

Management/Oversight

• Supervise the efficient management of Cap-Net’s on-going business and manage the Secretariat team including administration, communications, financial, human resources etc. within the Cap-Net.

• Recruit/appoint such staff/consultants as may be required to carry out programme objectives.

• Ensure that Cap-Net has sufficient resources for its agreed activities and supervise proper use of those resources in compliance with UNOPS financial rules and regulations.

• Have responsibility for the appraisal of the performance of all staff of the Secretariat.

Cap-Net Strategy and Programme

• Provide strategic leadership of the Cap-Net network, ensuring continuous attention to how the overall objective of Cap-Net is best achieved, overseeing further expansion and development, providing advice and support to staff, regional partner institutions/networks and all other Cap-Net activities, and recommending new initiatives for Cap-Net’s development.

• Ensure implementation of the Cap-Net Strategy as well as appropriate management and monitoring mechanisms for the all functions of the Programme and their associated budgets.

• Provide strategic management and oversight for the development of a strategy for the institutional future of the Cap-Net Programme.

• Build partnerships with international, national and donor institutions.

• Build effective communications with existing partners and develop new partners as appropriate.

• Ensure appropriate consultation with, support and information to, all Cap-Net partners, helping them to develop and to become effective in outreach in their own countries and regions.

• By example, show Cap-Net as a leader in both IWRM and in capacity building for impact.

• Maintain strong links with UNDP.

Governance and reporting

• Prepare and manage the implementation of Cap-Net annual work plans in fulfillment of the overarching Strategic Plan.

• Have overall responsibility for financial management and accounting for the Programme.

• Ensure reporting, preparation, and follow-up for the meetings of the Management Board and the Chair as needed.

• Fulfil required functions with respect to Cap-Net operations e.g. approving new Partners of the Network, issuing statements and entering into obligations in the name of and on behalf of the Programme.

• Provide all necessary information and report to the Management Board bi-annually on Cap-Net activities.

Representation for Cap-Net

• Be a powerful external advocate for capacity building in integrated water resources management.

• Represent Cap-Net in global, regional, national and sub-national events and in international meetings, at donor meetings and other fundraising activities, as speaker and/or spokesperson for Cap-Net.

Competencies

• A proven and strong commitment to capacity building in developing countries.

• Extensive working experience in the area of water management, preferably in integrated water resources management.

• An extensive and demonstrable network of high-level personal contacts in the water sector.

• Knowledge about modern tools and concepts of knowledge management and ICT.

• Previous management responsibilities, preferably within networks and in a regional or international environment

• The ability and skills to promote and inspire effective collaboration between individuals, organisations and networks.

• A consultative, collaborative and participatory way of working.

• The willingness to travel abroad frequently, for relatively short periods.

Education/Experience/Language

• An advanced degree in natural science, engineering, water management, environmental

economics, social science or equivalent education.

• At least 15 years experience in working on water management and development issues.

• In country experience of water sector reform including interaction with ministries and sub-national structures, capacity building, stakeholder and donor coordination.

• High-level and highly effective working experience of managing capacity building initiatives and/or projects in developing countries, preferably on water and sanitation related issues.

• Experience in handling senior-level relationships with academic institutions, governments, UN organizations, bilateral donors and NGOs.

• The ability to communicate effectively in English and, preferably in French and/or Spanish, or any other official working language of the UN.

The selected candidate will be responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

Qualified candidates may submit their application, including a letter of interest, complete Curriculum Vitae and an updated United Nations Personal History Form (P.11) (available on our website), via email to iwvacancies@unops.org Kindly indicate the vacancy number and the post title in the subject line.

For more information on UNOPS, please visit the UNOPS website at www.unops.org