Regional Project Coordinator at the Niger Basin Authority (NBA)

The Niger Basin Authority (NBA) is an Inter-Governmental Organization of West and Central Africa which is comprised of nine (9) member countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Chad. Its goal is to promote cooperation among its member countries and ensure integrated development in all areas of energy, water resources, agriculture, livestock, fisheries, fish farming, forestry, logging, transportation, communication and industry. NBA’s financial resources come mainly from member countries contributions and assistance of development partners.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Regional Project Coordinator

Recruitment Notice No.: 001 / 2021 / ABN / EPM / DAF / CDRH / DT / NB-ITTAS
Location: Niamey, Republic of Niger
Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible
Project Name: NB-ITTA Project

Context

• The NB-ITTAS Project offers a significant opportunity for the sustainable use of natural resources – water, land, forests, etc. – in the Niger Basin. NB-ITTAS (Niger Basin – lullemeden-Taoudeni / Tanezrouft Aquifer System), involving four implementing partners – NBA (for Components 2, 3 and 4), OSS (for Components 1, 2 and 4), UNIDO (for Component 3) and UNESCO (for Component 4), is the expression of the implementation of the NBA Niger River Basin’ SADP and the development of the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) and Strategic Action Plan (SAP) of the lullemeden-Taoudeni/ Tanezrouft Aquifer System (ITTAS or SATT in French).

The project covers the following aspects:

• Negative impacts of climate change that put pressure on human health, food security and livelihoods and/or resilience in general;
• Degradation of land and other natural resources and changes in the way those resources are used;
• Changes in the hydrological regime; resulting from a combination of climate variability and change;
• Pollution: (i) Industrial pollution; (ii) Mining pollution; (iii) Oil pollution; (iv) Agricultural pollution; (v) Invasive aquatic plant infestations.
• To ensure a proper implementation and follow-up of the Project’s actions on the field, the Niger Basin Authority is launching a call for applications for recruiting a Regional Project Coordinator.

Duration of the Contract
The contract has a duration of (1) year, renewable, with a six-month trial period. The renewal of the contract is subject to a joint evaluation conducted by the NBA Executive Secretariat and UNDP.

Responsibilities and Tasks

• Under the supervision of NBA and UNDP, the Regional Coordinator, in charge of the project as a whole, is responsible for the implementation and follow up of the project as defined by the project documents and following the general procedures and guidelines established by UNDP, UNEP, NBA, OSS, UNIDO and UNESCO.
• In particular, the Coordinator is responsible for leading the project team within the Project Coordination Unit (PCU). He/She is responsible for the financial management of Component 4, as well as the financial and technical monitoring of the other components, following the implementation reports submitted by the other executing agencies.
• The Coordinator will also be responsible for the administrative and technical management of the project, as well as for ensuring relations with all project partners and stakeholders (donors, executing agencies, national focal points, regional steering committee, etc.).
• In general, the Regional Coordinator is responsible for the proper implementation of the PCU’s missions.
• He/She should also report progress and difficulties to the members of the steering committee.

Qualifications and Experience Required
The Regional Project Coordinator will be recruited on a competitive basis through a call for applications published in NBA Member Countries’ national press.

Essential Qualifications:

• Fields of expertise: Environment or water resources;
• Degree: MBA, Engineering Degree, Master’s Degree (MSc) or PhD;
• Knowledge of computer tools: Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, statistical software;
• Languages: Excellent command of French or of English (spoken, written), with preference given to bilingual applicants.

Qualifications desired

• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams;
• In-depth knowledge of the Niger Basin and its ecology;
• Demonstrated ability to manage staff;
• Ease interpersonal relations;
• Excellent negotiating skills;
• Proven ability in computerised project management;
• Knowledge of UNDP project management procedures.

Experience:

• Management of water resources and/or the environment, particularly as regards regional projects;
• Proven experience in project management at national and regional level;
• Experience of working in the countries of the Niger River Basin, OSS, within the framework of international or national organisations involved in development;
• Experience in strategic management and technical supervision functions;
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment;
• Excellent analytical, writing and reporting skills;
• Experience of working in international and/or regional organisations;
• A first experience in running a UNDP project;
• Number of years of experience required: 10 years minimum

Application Closing Date
16:00 GMT; 26th March, 2021.