Consultant - Country Engagement Specialist: Malawi

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), a CGIAR Research Center, is seeking an innovative and multi skilled candidate to join its team as a Consultant - Country Engagement Specialist: Malawi.

The Country Engagement Specialist will work with the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and the Alliance for Global Water Adaptation (AGWA) to support the execution of a project assessing and advising a group of countries as they seek to enhance national water resilience in the context of their national commitments to the Paris Agreement.

In 2020, Parties to the Paris Agreement were required to submit their first Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), detailing how they would contribute to the global goals of the Paris Agreement. Most of these NDCs include an adaptation component, and many highlight water as a sector of concern for adaptation efforts. However, few recognize water in its broader context as a resource that, if holistically managed, can enable societal and environmental resilience.

The Country Engagement Specialist will support AGWA and its partners in implementing the Water Resilience Tracker in Malawi to assess the current state of water in the NDCs, National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), and other national climate and development plans, as identified and validated by in-country counterparts from government ministries. The consultant will also support training for government stakeholders and work directly with them to co-design and prioritize recommendations for enhancing water adaptation within their national climate planning.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

The primary responsibilities of the Country Engagement Specialist will be to:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for national country engagement, working directly with national focal points and AGWA’s Regional Water Resilience Tracker Lead to implement project activities.
• Lead the collection of all relevant information, including national climate plans, NAPs, NDCs, and other associated development and sector plans.
• Review and document existing national climate plans and other relevant planning initiatives in target countries.
• Implement the Water Resilience Tracker Tool with country focal points and the technical working group, providing guidance and recommendations for the tool where necessary.
• Ensure that the Water Resilience Tracker Tool and Guidance Documents are relevant and politically/culturally appropriate.
• Support the technical working group in reviewing the Water Resilience Tracker results and co-developing recommendations based on these results.
• Assist country focal points and AGWA in preparations for high-level international events, such as World Water Week and COP30.
• Perform other tasks as defined in discussion with the AGWA Project Manager.

GENERAL DUTIES:

• Liaise with external project partners to ensure that the Water Resilience Tracker Tool development process complements their in-country programs.
• Attend and contribute to consultative meetings and workshops with project partners and stakeholders.
• Support the AGWA Project Manager and Regional Water Resilience Tracker Lead in preparing technical and administrative reports for the funding entity, contributing resource materials and written input as needed.
• Provide written translation and/or verbal interpretation support as required.

Requirements

MINIMUM EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources Management, Water Resource Management, Climate Science, Economics, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:

Essential:

• Minimum of five years of research-for-development experience.
• Strong understanding of water management issues and climate policy frameworks.
  

Desirable:

• Strong network of research and field partners in different parts of East Africa.
• Prior experience working with international organizations.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Essential:

• Sound analytical skills and the ability to synthesize and write persuasively.
• Ability to explain complex development challenges and interdisciplinary work to a policy audience.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders in a multicultural setting, with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of regional languages.
• Persuasive written and oral communication skills in English, including report development, writing, and editing, as well as strong presentation skills when addressing diverse audiences.

Benefits

This is a nationally hired consultancy; therefore, individuals with relevant abilities are encouraged to apply. IWMI offers a competitive monthly rate for this assignment. The duration of the contract will be for a period of one (01) month.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply for the position by following the application instructions at www.iwmi.org/jobs. We will be accepting applications through 24:00 (IST) on Feb 13, 2025 (applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis). Your application must include a CV, cover letter, and three (3) references, which may be contacted if you are shortlisted. Receipt of all applications will be acknowledged, but only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

IWMI believes that diversity powers our innovation, contributes to our excellence, and is critical for our mission. We offer a multi-cultural, multi-color, multi-generational and multi-disciplinary working environment. We are consciously creating an inclusive organization that reflects our global character and our commitment to gender equity. We, therefore, encourage applicants from all cultures, races, ethnicities, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, and gender identities.