Job Description

Posted on June 3, 2021

POSITION TITLE: WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST
LOCATION: LUSAKA, ZAMBIA
REPORTS TO: FRESHWATER PROGRAMME MANAGER (SENIOR HYDROLOGIST)
Grade: B1
I. Summary of Position
Key elements of the Freshwater programme include a focus on implementation of environmental flows (e-flows) in the Zambezi River Basin and ensuring the conservation of critical wetlands habitats throughout Zambia. Identification of key ecosystems which are critical for their advancement to be Water Resources Protected Areas.
This is a high profile technical position within a fast moving and effective conservation organization, sought to connect our work on species and habitat conservation to the hydrological properties of ecosystems.
II. Essential Functions
Lead the technical engagement with government agencies, NGOs, research agencies and private companies in hydrological modelling, water allocation regimes, impacts of land uses on water quality, quantity and distribution;
Play a critical role in the development processes of new large hydropower infrastructures planned for the region. This will include development of technical documents and participation on scientific committees that advise on their location, design, operating rules and biodiversity offsetting options;
Work with dam operators to implement e-flows
Influence strategic environmental assessments and water allocation regimes of unregulated stretches of the basin to maximize opportunities for e-flows implementation
Have a clear understanding of the Zambezi River Basin’s high water yielding areas and have them prioritized for protection in recognition of their role in ‘driving’ natural flows
Develop an e-flows monitoring and reporting framework.
Contribute to the identification of sources of funding and lead or participate in the development of project proposals.
Analyzing spatial data through the use of mapping software
Responsibilities and Scope
Technical Supervision:
Lead the technical component of WWF Zambia Freshwater Programme with a particular emphasis on the technical implementation of environmental flows and wetlands initiatives in the basin. This includes but is not limited to:
Act as technical point of contact on e-flows assessments in the Lower Kafue River and Luangwa River and Kwando catchments with teams of consultants and catchment stakeholders.
Act as a technical point of contact on identification on Water Resources Protected Areas
Provide technical backstopping on the development of agreements and negotiations with water and power utilities, on topics such as dam operating curves, cross country synchronization of dams, water allocation regimes, and others.
Coordinate the implementation of a Zambezi Basin Freshwater Resources Areas River Basin vulnerability and Connectivity Assessment.
Lead the setup of an environmental flows monitoring program for the basin
Contribute to influencing new hydropower developments in terms of their location, design, operating rules, biodiversity offsetting options among others.
Provide technical backstopping on the development of the Zambia Wetlands Policy and of the National Water Resources Strategy.
Stay abreast of new developments in the field of water or energy policies in the region and ensure timely reaction in cooperation with colleagues
Conduct data evaluation and technical review of reports of ad hoc consultants
Ensure technical documents are written professionally and in such ways that are accessible to a wide variety of stakeholders.
Capacity Building:
Help the Zambezi basin riparian countries to strengthen the capacities of their members/officers for a sound understanding and appreciation of socio-economic issues and ecological complexities as the basis for sustainable hydropower development.
Support to Management:
Provide support in cooperating closely with other offices in the WWF network, when developing positions on policies affecting freshwater ecosystems in the Basin.
Represent WWF Freshwater Program in relevant events or arenas.
Provide assistance in any additional related duties as requested or needed.
Qualifications:
Master’s degree in hydrology, hydropower development, natural and water resources management, fluvial geomorphology or in any other academic field relevant to water resources management.
Minimum Experience and Skills:
7 years practical working experience in water resources management, and/or hydropower development/management and experience working with state agencies and NGOs;
5 years’ experience in the energy sector and related water policy work
Good understanding of hydropower risks and opportunities in relation to hydrological, environmental, economic and social aspects;
Experience with mapping tools such as QGIS, ARC GIS
Knowledge of international standards for hydropower development.
Strong technical knowledge of Hydrology, Integrated Water Resource Management, Meteorology, Sediment transport
Knowledge of environmental flow literature and modelling techniques required especially for Sub-Saharan region.
Strong organizational, data gathering, Report writing and analytical skills
Experiences with multi-stakeholder dialogue facilitation, conflict resolution and negotiation relating to hydropower development;
Proven ability to support national dialogue processes and interact with a range of stakeholders in cross cultural and bi-lingual settings;
Experience working with private sector stakeholders in the water sector
Excellent adherence to WWF’s working ethics of demonstrating reliability, communicating constructively, listening actively, sharing openly and willingly, cooperating and pitching in to help, exhibiting flexibility, showing commitment to the team, working as a problem-solver, and lastly, treating others in a respectful and supportive manner
Flexibility and ability to meet deadlines, work independently and respond to opportunities
Ability to work and communicate effectively, verbally and in writing with a wide range of people in a multicultural environment;
Very good command of the English language is necessary; knowledge of Portuguese is a major advantage.
Preferred Experience and Skills:
All of the above plus:
5 years of working experience in Southern Africa river basins;
5 years of experience in hydrology and river basin freshwater conservation
Experience in the hydropower development process and/or hydropower operations including project feasibility studies, EIA, EIS and water resource planning. This should include direct experience in the project development cycle;
Solid grasp of the key technical and management issues within the energy hydro market. Knowledge of markets and regulatory framework in Southern Africa a plus.
Excellent knowledge in the fields of river basin planning and management, hydrology and fluvial geomorphology.
In-depth knowledge of Zambezi Basin river policies and legislation in at least two of the following fields: environment/water, energy development
Knowledge of GIS application is an asset and good skills in Microsoft Office.
Familiarity with and networking contacts in the Zambezi River Basin member countries’ national agencies, related to the above tasks
To apply for this role, all applicants should email their CVs and Cover Letters to wwfcareers@wwfzam.org no later than 16th June, 2021.