International Waters learning Exchange & Resource Network

IWRM consultant supporting the GEF Trifinio project. OAS. Deadline: 24JAN23

Type of contract: Full-Time Consultant Organizational Unit: DDS Start of consultancy: February 2023 Duration: 6 months – renewal subject to performance Consulting fees: based on experience, training and skills Workplace: Esquipulas, Guatemala Deadline: Send CV and cover letter no later than January 24th, 2023, to water@oas.org
  1. Background

  1. For more than 50 years, the OAS has been working on approaches that take into account the multiple values of water at the watershed level. This level allows us to have a broad vision, not restricted to the place where the water is produced or to the place where it is consumed, but  a complex system, where all sectors coexist, all users, and both upstream and downstream. We have scaled this approach at the transboundary level, 60 percent of the continent is covered by transboundary basins where 70 percent of the total surface water flow crosses, and where 40 percent of the population lives. The most important biodiversity hotspots (and the largest to produce enough water in terms of quality and quantity) found in LAC are shared by one or more countries: Amazonas, the Pantanal, Lake Titicaca, Guarani Aquifer, Trifinio among others. The problems found in transboundary basins are generally the same as those found at the national level; however, its management and governance is complicated by international jurisdictions and the divergent interest of countries sharing the water resources.

  1. Due to its biodiversity, its potential to act as carbon sinks, and the economic and subsistence needs of its populations, the Trifinio region has been the longest-running flagship program in the OAS-Water, with more than 35 years of experience.  The Trifinio Region consists of 7,541 km2, distributed at the point where the borders of El Salvador (15.6%), Guatemala (46.5%) and Honduras (37.9%) converge; it is home to about 1 million inhabitants, of which 50% of the population are women and approximately 15% of the total population is indigenous. The region is considered a priority area for the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor and is one of the few areas that unites the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through its 3 transboundary river basins: Motagua, Ulúa and Lempa.

  1. The project "Promoting Water Security in the Trifinio Region" focuses on improving cooperation for water resources management in the tri national Lempa River basin. The overall objective is to promote water security in the Lempa basin and, at the same time, increase the resilience of the basin's ecosystems to climate variability and change. The project: (1) strengthen environmental governance and transboundary cooperation frameworks affecting the natural resources of the Lempa basin, with an emphasis on transboundary management; (2) identify sustainable financing mechanisms to implement priority actions to solve the transboundary environmental problems of the basin; (3) engage communities and the private sector in demonstration projects to strengthen their capacities to apply ecosystem-based management approaches to activities that support human health and livelihoods; and (4) raise awareness of the benefits of integrated water resources management approaches for human communities and the environment. Together, these activities aim to initiate the transformative changes that will lead the basin towards greater water security and build climate-resilient ecosystems.

  1. Financial resources come from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and are managed by the United Nations Environment Program, and executed by the Water Program of the Department of Sustainable Development, OAS/SEDI in coordination with the Trinational Trifinio Commission (CTPT) and its Trinational Technical Unit (UTT). For implementation, A 'Project Coordination Unit' (PCU) will be created to coordinate the implementation work and report on outputs and results.

  1. The UCP will be responsible for
  1. Coordinate the day-to-day activities of the project;
  2. Ensure project assurance and quality control (QA/QC);
  3. Ensure timely execution of project components and activities;
  4. Consolidate project reports, including technical, environmental and financial progress reports;
  5. Communication of the project to the public, including through the website and the media;
  6.  Communication/coordination with OAS and UNEP and CTPT;
  7. Coordination of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) requirements; and
  8. Facilitate the work of mid-term and final evaluations.

  1. The PCU will carry out effective monitoring and evaluation activities in the field and will submit periodic reports and supporting documentation to the GS/OAS, UNEP and CTPT through the Project Steering Committee (PSC) in accordance with the monitoring and evaluation plan. These include quaterly progress reports, annual project implementation reviews (PIRs), annual project reports, and a final report.  The IWRM Consultant of the project will execute the technical activities efficiently and effectively and with the highest quality standards. It is expected that the PCU of Trifinio will be composed of the following staff 1) Project Coordinator - Regional Coordinator 2) IWRM Consultant 3) Knowledge Management and Communication Consultant 4) Administrative and Financial Professional.

  1. Objective of the consultancy

  1. Under the supervision of the Regional Coordinator, the IWRM Consultant will support the technical coordination of the project, contributing to the daily technical decision making to achieve the results indicated in the Project Document with the highest quality standards and within the defined time and budget limitations. The IWRM consultant is expected to provide a technical overview of all aspects of water security in the project and to use resources effectively. It will be in charge of developing, implementing, supervising and evaluating the assigned activities, providing complete and well-reasoned written contributions, for example, terms of reference, analysis, sections of reports and studies, contributions to publications, and the  water agenda of the Trifinio Region etc.

  1. Activities to be carried out:

  1. The IWRM Consultant will have the following responsibilities and activities:
  • Advise the Regional Coordinator on evaluation and technical documentation.
  • Review the technical presentations and final reports of the consulting firms and individual consultants.
  • Identify the appropriate specialists to act as consultants in the execution of the project components.
  • Support the participation in international conferences and seminars related to the project.
  • Consolidate and prepare the technical sections of the PCU reports for the CTPT, OAS, UNEP and GEF.
  • Represent the project, if the Regional Coordinator is unable to attend.
  • Supports the development of the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis and the Shared Aquifer Diagnostic Analysis, secondary information, drafting technical terms of reference and guiding the identification of problems.
  • Supports technical dialogue to define interventions for the Lempa basin under the principles of Nature-Based Solutions and Ecosystem-based Adaptation.
  • Promotes innovative solutions to support civil society through activities that test, pilot and implement innovative concepts.
  • Explores unusual ideas and opportunities with high potential for impact and then links them to demonstration projects and community needs.
  • Accompanies ideas from the design phase to implementation, and ideally extends the concept and ideas beyond the project partners.
  • Designs detailed field demonstration projects, including conceptual engineering design and sizing of erosion control systems, infiltration trenches, biodigesters, sanitation systems, slow sand filters, and other IWRM and NBS technologies.
  • Lead the pilot project of the Transboundary Conjunctive Use Aquifer and support the process of consultation and revision of protocols/guidelines with the IWRM working group.
  • Integrates new and appropriate technologies, including low-cost technologies, microcontrollers into field demonstration projects and IWRM interventions.
  • Oversees the implementation of field demonstration projects and their alignment with project outcomes and adherence to nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based adaptation principles.
  • Integration of cross-platform technologies such as supply chain traceability systems and knowledge portals.
  • Drafts terms of reference for consultants and companies involved in demonstration projects.
  • Coordinates day-to-day implementation activities in the field (non-administrative).
  • Facilitates work between consultants, companies and responsible technical partners in the three countries.
  • Initiates, develops and maintains a range of working relationships, including with donors, implementing partners, and governmental and development organizations.
  • Promotes community and regulatory participation workshops to expedite innovation and demonstration projects.
  • Selects, proposes and guides the installation of equipment for meteorological and groundwater and surface water monitoring, wastewater treatment, sanitation systems, rainwater harvesting, biogas systems, gabion structures, fog catchers, nurseries and nature-based solutions.
  • Develop indicators to evaluate the performance of IWRM interventions and indicators to analyze and interpret weather monitoring information.
  • Supports the design of the Trifinio Project Knowledge Portal; contributes to the identification of the  technical and business requirements of the Portal; supervises the  work of web developers and designers to ensure that the Portal meets the needs of stakeholders in the Lempa Basin, the implementing agency and the implementing agency; proposes new tools and information technologies, as appropriate, to increase the functionality of the Knowledge Portal in response to the needs expressed by stakeholders; assistsr with the supervision of the operation of the Portal; and supports the Regional Coordinator with the development and implementation of the sustainability plan of the Portal.
  • Contributes from a technical perspective to IWRM educational and capacity-building activities, including by assisting in the design of training modules and manuals, workshops, webinars, awareness-raising events, and by recruiting educators, media production teams and other experts to support the implementation of these activities.
  • Participates in the development of the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA), Shared Aquifer Diagnostic Analysis (SADA) and the Strategic Action Plan (SAP), including through contributions to meetings, public workshops and stakeholder consultations; and support for the design and implementation of the SAP approval strategy.
  • Participates in the preparation of donor round tables organized in support of the SAP investment plan.
  • Prepares various written products, e.g. draft reference documents, analyses, reports and studies sections, contributions to publications, etc.
  • Provides substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., including proposal of topics, identification of participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.
  • Conducts outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makespresentations on assigned topics/activities.
  • Leads field missions, including providing guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties, and drafting mission summaries, etc.

  1. Responsibility

  1. The contractor will work in close coordination with the CTPT through the mechanisms defined in the institutional governance of the project, supervised by the Regional Project Coordinator; and being technically responsible for compliance with these terms of reference with the Department of Sustainable Development (DDS) of the OAS General Secretariat. It will act within the framework of the CTPT General Secretariat in close coordination with the UTT. The work involves frequent interaction with the following: i) Counterparts, senior officials and technical staff in the OAS, the Trifinio Plan and in the funds, programs and other specialized agencies of the UN; (ii) Representatives and officials of national and local governments, international organizations and consultants; (iii) Grassroots organizations and local and indigenous communities of the Lempa watershed

  1. Education and professional experience:
  • Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in water resources, civil, hydraulic or environmental engineering or in a related field such as agronomy or environmental sciences.
  • Minimum 10 years of professional experience, in management, project evaluation using logical framework and results-based management approaches working in IWRM or NBS or EbA related projects.
  • Strong expertise in water security, IWRM, transboundary waters, and ecosystem-based adaptation, including a good balance of technical, socio-economic and environmental knowledge
  • Demonstrated knowledge and professional experience in social innovation approaches such as human-centered design, behavioral perception, qualitative and quantitative user research, design and validation of experiments, and impact assessment.
  • Experience with UNEP, GEF, OAS and partner institutions, and experience in the region, and in at least 1 of the 3 beneficiary countries will be valued.
  • Excellent command of Spanish and preferably the English language.
  • *At least 2 references may be requested from consultants who have passed the first phase of evaluation

  1. Competences:
  • Professionalism: Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
  • Communication: Ability to produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style; good drafting and copy-editing skills. Ability to deliver oral presentations to various audiences. Capacity to develop and facilitate relationships with the media community. Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
  • Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
  • Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
  • Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
  • Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.
  • Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to clients.
  • Commitment to Continuous Learning: Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; shows willingness to learn from others; seeks feedback to learn and improve.
  • Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.