Basin Coordinator, Creates- Kakamega at International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

Specific Duties:

• Lead project management initiatives.
• Facilitate the development of comprehensive work plans, budgets, and schedules for project implementation in collaboration with partners and stakeholders under the guidance of Team Leaders.
• Oversee processes related to project inception, contracting, and start-up activities, including the establishment of indicators, benchmarks, work plans, and inception workshops.
• Coordinate and monitor the administration of project budgets and work plans, ensuring compliance with approved contracts, internal procedures, and donor requirements.
• Manage project consultancy assignments and contracts, tracking progress and coordinating all related activities.
• Engage with various stakeholders at community, sub-basin, national, and regional levels.
• Supervise all river basin management (RBM) staff, if applicable.
• Lead field-level workshops and related events for the project.
• Ensure timely and high-quality delivery of project outputs, adhering to donor requirements and IUCN’s internal procedures.
• Provide technical direction and capacity building in restoration planning, ecosystem-based adaptation, and nature-based solutions, ensuring alignment with IUCN standards.
• Prepare Terms of Reference and procurement documents for water management infrastructure projects, including bidding documents, BoQs, technical drawings, and engineering designs.
• Supervise and ensure the quality of work performed by subcontractors.
• Assess and support the implementation of nature-based solutions that enhance ecosystem restoration and climate change adaptation, facilitating transboundary cooperation among communities.
• Develop guiding criteria for selecting water management infrastructure based on nature-based solutions principles.
• Collaborate with communities to identify appropriate water management infrastructure.
• Educate local communities, in partnership with government authorities, on environmental conservation to ensure sustainable water resource management.
• Create policy-relevant materials to communicate findings from the CREATES project to stakeholders.
• Facilitate technical training in Information Management Systems and Decision Support Systems for water resource management.
• In coordination with the M&E Officer, develop and implement project monitoring instruments and systems.
• Contribute to the timely submission of all required project reports.
• Conduct regular site visits to evaluate project outputs and impacts, both quantitatively and qualitatively.
• Document case studies, best practices, and lessons learned, developing communication materials for target audiences.
• Ensure sustainability of project activities in collaboration with beneficiaries and authorities.
• Participate in project governance meetings and present on project performance.
• Support the identification of new funding opportunities and assist in preparing concept notes, project proposals, and partnership agreements to expand project activities.
• Network with key development partners, national institutions, and NGOs to enhance project implementation and portfolio growth.
• Maintain strong partnerships with stakeholders, including government agencies and civil society organizations.
• Design and deliver capacity-building activities, providing technical support to project partners.
• Coordinate regional platforms and knowledge-sharing initiatives on nature-based solutions and ecosystem restoration.
• Network and liaise with partners to develop and maintain strong relationships across various sectors.
• Represent IUCN at strategic, political, and technical meetings as required.
• Assist in preparing and disseminating technical reports, case studies, and communication materials related to water management and climate resilience.
• Perform additional tasks as assigned by the line manager.

Requirements

Education:

• Graduate degree in water resources management, integrated water resources management, civil engineering, environmental management, or related fields.

Professional Experience:

• Demonstrated expertise in Integrated Water Resources Management, nature-based solutions, transboundary water management, and climate change adaptation.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant regional experience in project work related to IWRM, nature-based solutions, and climate change adaptation.
• Experience with Information Management Systems and Decision Support Systems for water resources management is advantageous.
• Practical experience in supervising and ensuring quality in water management infrastructure projects.
• Experience working in developing countries, particularly in Africa.
• Familiarity with IUCN, UNEP, River Basin Organizations, and national governments is a plus.
• Respect for gender, age, and cultural diversity.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to engage effectively with local stakeholders and communities.
• Proven track record in managing international and multi-stakeholder projects, particularly those funded by bilateral or multilateral donors.