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

Mekong Integrated Water Resources Management Project (M-IWRMP), Planning Division
International: Post level L-5, based in Vientiane, Lao PDR 

The Mekong-IWRM Project aims to strengthen the enabling framework and capacity for IWRM in the Lower Mekong Basin,  explore and establish MRC’s role as a facilitator of significant water resources development projects, guided by IWRM principles. The project will be implemented at regional, national and transboundary levels, which form the three respective components of the project. The Chief Technical Advisor will be responsible for the provision of technical direction and management advice and support to the overall coordination and management of the project and its regional as well as transboundary components. 

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: 9 August 2011 

JOB DESCRIPTION

Updated: June 2011

Post title:                  Chief Technical Advisor, Mekong-IWRM Project

Project:                    Mekong-Integrated Water Resources Management Project

Division:                   Planning Division

Post level:                L - 05 (International Professional Staff)[i]

Contract type:           Fixed-term appointment

Duration:                  One-year contract renewable subject to the available of fund and satisfactory performance

Duty station:             MRC Secretariat, Vientiane, Lao PDR

Reporting to:            Project Coordinator, Mekong-IWRM Project  

1.             The Mekong River Commission and MRC Secretariat

The Mekong River Commission (MRC) was established by the 1995 Mekong Agreement between the governments of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. The role of the MRC is to coordinate and promote cooperation in all fields of sustainable development, utilisation, management and conservation of the water and related resources of the Mekong River Basin. The mission of the 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”.

The MRC Secretariat is the operational arm of the MRC. It provides technical and administrative services to the JC and the Council to achieve the MRC’s mission.

2.             The Planning Division

The Planning Division works towards the implementation of MRC’s core programmes including the Basin Development Plan (BDP) Programme and the Mekong Integrated Water Resources Management Project (Mekong-IWRMP – the follow up project of the former Water Utilization Programme), the Initiative of Sustainable Hydropower (ISH) and the Watershed Management Project  .

The Mekong-IWRM Project aim is to strengthen the enabling framework and capacity for IWRM in the Lower Mekong Basin, and explore and establish MRC’s role as a facilitator of significant water resources development projects, guided by IWRM principles. The project will be implemented at regional, national and transboundary levels, which form the three respective components of the project.

3.             Job Summary

Under the overall supervision of the Director of Planning Division of the Mekong River Commission Secretariat, the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) will report to the Project Coordinator. He/she will be responsible for the provision of technical direction and management advice and support to the overall coordination and management of the project and its regional as well as transboundary components.

4.             Key Tasks

The incumbent performs the following tasks during the implementation phase of the M-IWRMP:

-             Ensure awareness raising, implementation and institutionalisation of state-of-the-art IWRM/RBM fully aligned with the M-IWRMP philosophy and the MRC policy including the MRC strategic plan.

-             Support and improve the implementation of the MRC’s Procedures between MRC programmes and the countries as well as the finalisation of pending technical guidelines.

-             Ensure the smooth and coordinated implementation of activities within the regional component (AusAID funded) as well as the transboundary component (expected World Bank Grant) and ensure harmonised approaches that also support the national project component.

-             Design processes, provide inputs and lead technical discussions among MRC programmes and concerned national line agencies and NMCs and for the detailed design and implementation of the regional and transboundary components;

-             Provide advice and technical support to the national line agencies, National Mekong Committees of the national and transboundary components while ensuring the synergies between the three components of the regional, transboundary and the national;

-             Support the coordination and management of the three components as part of the implementation framework with adequate monitoring and evaluation mechanisms;

-             Advise on necessary short term technical inputs for programme and/or project related reports and prepare Terms of References to mobilize these inputs;

-             Keep improving and monitoring the project performance management framework through progressive discussion with all involved.

-             Help prepare six moth and annual report of the M-IWRMP;

-      Prepare technical reports and document needed for project implementation success as well as prepare presentations for M-IWRMP meetings and other external events.

-      Advise Planning Division/MRCS on required actions to ensure timely and effective implementation of the regional and transboundary components.  

The following tasks are subject to adjustments as in line with the Inception report.

-             Lead the technical implementation of the project, including but not limited to

o  the technical and management arrangements of each component (regional, national and transboundary) to ensure their synergies;

o  the provision of advices to the National Implementing Agencies, World Bank for the national and transboundary components within the overall framework of the project;

o  the quality control of the project technical approaches and quality of outputs; and

o  the implementation of the Project Performance Management Framework.

-             Support the Project Coordinator in the preparation of necessary guidelines and processes for the synthesis of the project overall Project Implementation Plan (PIP), the consolidation of project reports and the other coordination and management activities;

-             Support the Project Coordinator in the preparation of necessary guidelines and/or technical documents for the establishment of appropriate mechanisms for the division of roles, budgets and accountability of MRC programmes in the implementation of regional component activities;

-             Prepare or manage the preparation of technical reports of the regional component and other project related technical reports;

-             Support the Project Coordinator in the preparation of the project progress reports;

-             Provide advice to the Director of Planning Division and contribute to MRCS activities to enhance linkage between the MRC process, the implementation of procedures and technical guidelines, other MRC activities and the MRC’s move toward core functions in the longer term;

-             As a cross cutting task, coach and share knowledge and skills to riparian staff of PD/MRCS and the NMCSs and line agencies;

-             Perform other duties as assigned by the Supervisor and Director of Planning Division.

5.             Scope of Authority

(a)   Supervision requirements: The incumbent has no supervision responsibility.

(b)   Level of autonomy: Decision making is largely recommendatory.

(c)   Level of problem solving required: An ability to think creatively and solve complex problems is required.

(d)   Level and type of communications required: Communications are wide, both within and outside of the organisation. High level in reporting writing skill is required.

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, building trust, empowering others and judgement/decision-making.

7.             Post-Specific Qualifications

-          M.Sc. or higher degree(s) in water and natural resources planning/management or a related field;

-          At least 15 years experience in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), River Basin Management and in planning and administration of development projects in developing countries;

-          Track record of experience in the preparation and implementation of World Bank and other financial institutions’ projects is an advantage;

-          Experience with and good knowledge of the Mekong riparian countries and the Mekong River Basin and should have a proven experience of working in an international environment;

-          Knowledge/experience within development project design, planning, preparation and execution/ management is a must;

-          Excellent communication and organization skills. Experience with institutional development in the field of natural resources management is an advantage;

-          Fluency in English both spoken and written is required.   

Remark: This job description subjects to further revision based on the development of the project.

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