Mekong River Commission
The role of MRC is to promote and coordinate sustainable management and
development of water and related resources for the countries’ mutual benefit and
the people’s well-being.
MRC Secretariat
is now recruiting a highly qualified candidate for the position of
CHIEF TECHNICAL
ADVISOR
Climate Change and
Adaptation Initiative (CCAI)
Environment Division
International:
Post level L-5, based in Vientiane, Lao PDR
The MRC Climate
Change and Adaptation Initiative (CCAI) is a collaborative regional initiative
of MRC member countries aiming to support the countries in adapting to the new
challenges posed by climate change with the objective of guiding climate change
adaptation planning and implementation through improved strategies and plans at
various levels and in priority locations throughout the Lower Mekong Basin (LMB).
The Chief Technical Advisor will assist and provide guidance on the coordination
and implementation of activities of the CCAI, especially technical guidance,
work planning, training etc.
The job
description and other information can be obtained at MRC website
http://www.mrcmekong.org. Women are encouraged to apply. Only short-listed
candidates will be notified.
Application
procedures:
The
application should include (i) a cover letter outlining clearly how the
candidate meets the requirements of the position, (ii) a detailed CV, and
(iii) MRC Personal History Form.
The position tittle and
division/section must be indicated in the cover letter. The
application should be sent to:
Mekong River
Commission Secretariat
P.O. Box 6101, Vientiane, 01000, Lao PDR
Email:
mrcs@mrcmekong.org
Closing
date for applications: 15 July 2011
JOB DESCRIPTION
Title:
Technical
Advisor
Functional
Title: Chief Technical Advisor
to Climate Change and Adaptation Initiative (CCAI)
Division:
Environment Division (ENV)
Level:
L- 05[i]
(International
Professional)
Duration: One-year contract with possibility of
extension based on satisfactory performance
Location: MRC Secretariat, Vientiane, Lao PDR
Reporting
to: CCAI Programme Coordinator
1.
The Mekong River Commission
The Mekong
River Commission (MRC) was established by the 1995 Agreement on Co-operation
for the Sustainable Development of the Mekong River Basin, between the
governments of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Viet Nam. In accordance with this
Agreement, the Mission of MRC is: “To promote and coordinate sustainable
management and development of water and related resources for the countries’
mutual benefit and the people’s well being by implementing strategic programmes
and activities and providing scientific information and policy advice”.
2.
The Environment Division and the
Climate Change and Adaptation Initiative
The Environment
Division is a cross-sectional division of the MRC which generates data,
information and knowledge in order to balance economic development and
environmental conservation in decision-making. In addition to establishing
systems for monitoring the Basin’s environmental health, improving policies and
legislation, encouraging co-operation among the riparian countries, the Division
is also in charge with climate change activities, increasing environmental and
climate change awareness amongst the public.
The MRC Climate
Change and Adaptation Initiative (CCAI) is a collaborative regional initiative
of MRC member countries aiming to support the countries in adapting to the new
challenges posed by climate change with the objective of guiding climate change
adaptation planning and implementation through improved strategies and plans at
various levels and in priority locations throughout the Lower Mekong Basin (LMB).
The CCAI Framework started implementation in 2009. Under this framework, the
CCAI Office of Climate Change and Adaptation was established within the MRC
Environment Division to undertake the coordination and facilitation and drive
the process of the CCAI implementation.
3.
Job Summary
Under the
overall supervision of the Division Director and the direct supervision by the
CCAI Coordinator the CTA will assist and provide guidance on the coordination
and implementation of activities of the CCAI, especially technical guidance,
work planning, training etc.
4.
Key Tasks
The incumbent
performs the following tasks:
-
Supervise CCAI programme officers and
specialists (both riparian and international) and consultants, particularly
concerning technical aspects;
-
Support the Programme Coordinator in
coordination and implementation of programme activities, organize and facilitate
in preparing the implementation plan; and in collaborating with other MRC
programmes and sections;
-
Support the Programme Coordinator in
drafting progress reports, annual performance reports, completion report and
other routine reports in accordance with MRCS procedures and specific
requirements of the CCAI;
-
Support the Division Director and
Programme Coordinator in providing programme outputs and products and
coordinating with development partners and others to achieve programme
objectives and funding support;
-
Draft Terms of References for and
participate in a recruitment of programme staff and contracting for the
experts/consultants;
-
Draft, formulate and update the CCAI
annual work plan;
-
Advise on technical aspects of the
design, preparation and implementation of activities, and check the quality of
related material and TOR before submission to Member Countries for comments
and/or consideration;
-
Guide and support the implementation
of basin-wide pilot activities on climate change adaptation;
-
Guide and coordinate the preparation
of the triennial report on the Status of climate change adaption in the Mekong
River basin;
-
Guide and support the establishment
and operation of the Mekong Panel of Climate Change;
-
Guide the establishment and operation
of networks with implementation and collaboration partners including other
regional organisations within the field of climate change and adaptation in the
Mekong Region and develop the coordination mechanism;
-
Coordinating and communication with
senior management officials of the MRC programmes and stakeholders for knowledge
sharing and dissemination of CCAI results and outcomes;
-
Guiding and supporting general
advocacy, promotion and dissemination of CCAI results and outcomes with
stakeholders and civil society;
-
Provide on the job training to
programme officers on technical issues;
-
Performing any other duties related to
the coordination and implementation of CCAI as assigned by the Programme
Coordinator and Director of Environment Division
5.
Scope of Authority
(a)
Supervision requirements:
The incumbent supervises Programme Staff for all technical
aspects.
(b)
Level of autonomy:
Large decisions are generally recommendatory, unless in line with
MRC policy.
(c)
Level of problem solving required:
Problem solving can be complex and the incumbent must display
initiative and creativity.
(d)
Level and type of communications
required:
Communications are wide, both
within and outside of the organisation, and extensive written documentation is
required of the position.
6.
Competence Requirements
(a)
Core Values:
Integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity.
(b)
Core Competencies:
Communication, teamwork, planning and organising, accountability,
creativity, client orientation, commitment to continuous learning, and
technological awareness.
(c)
Managerial Competencies:
Vision, leadership, empowering others, building trust, managing
performance, and judgement/decision-making.
7.
Post-Specific Qualifications
-
MSc level
degree or higher in related field (within the fields
of water resources management, environmental science, environmental management,
economics, rural development, development management, or other fieds with
relevance to climate change adaptation);
-
At least 15
years experiences in that has relevance to current
climate change adaptation challenges and development projects asuch as water
resources management, environmental management, disaster preparedness,
agricutural development and rural development;
-
Proven good knowledge on climate
change and its impacts on natural systems, economic development and livelihood
in the Mekong context, and climate change adaptation and mitigation;
-
Experience in institutional
development and capacity building, development project planning, programming,
strategy formulation, project preparation and project implementation work in
developing countries and LMB countries including procurement of services and
contracting is required;
-
Experience with and good knowledge of
the Mekong riparian countries and the Mekong River Basin is desirable.
-
Advisory and oversight role through
working experiences are a must;
-
Ability to work, communicate and
co-operate in a multicultural and international environment;
-
Excellent proficiency in written and
spoken English. Written proficiency is proven and recorded by quality
international publications and reports. Working knowledge of one or more
riparian languages desirable.