This role involves supporting the implementation of the Climate Resilient Eastern African Transboundary Water Management for Environmental Sustainability (CREATES) project, which operates in the Sio-Malaba-Malakisi (SMM) and Mara transboundary river basins (Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania). The coordinator will work under the direct supervision of the Team Leaders, collaborating closely with key basin authorities and stakeholders at local, national, and regional levels to ensure the successful delivery of the project activities within the assigned basin.
Specific Duties
Project Management
Facilitate the preparation of detailed work plans, budgets, and schedules for project activities implementation in collaboration with partners and stakeholders, guided by the Team Leaders.
Manage processes related to inception, contracting, and start-up of activities, including establishing indicators, benchmarks, and inception workshops.
Coordinate and monitor the administration of project budgets and work plans according to approved external contracts, internal agreements, work plans, internal procedures, policies, and donor requirements.
Manage project consultancy assignments and contracts, monitor progress, and coordinate all related activities.
Coordinate among various stakeholders at community, sub-basin, national, and regional levels.
Supervise all river basin management (RBM) staff if present at the RBM office.
Lead the project’s field-level workshops and similar events.
Ensure timely, high-quality delivery of project outputs and full compliance with donor requirements and IUCN’s internal procedures.
Technical Direction and Capacity Building
Provide technical support for restoration planning, ecosystem-based adaptation, and nature-based solutions, ensuring alignment with IUCN’s tools and standards.
Prepare Terms of Reference and procurement documents for water management infrastructure works and services (including bidding documents, BoQs, Technical drawings, Engineering designs, Technical Evaluations).
Supervise and assure the quality of works and services provided by sub-contractors.
Assess and support the implementation of nature-based solutions contributing to ecosystem restoration, climate change adaptation, and transboundary cooperation (e.g., catchment management plans, wetland investment plans).
Develop and apply guiding criteria for the selection of water management infrastructure based on Nature-based Solutions principles.
Work with communities to select the most appropriate physical water management infrastructure.
Sensitize local communities, in collaboration with Local Government Authorities, County Governments, and Basin Water agencies, on conservation and protection of the environment to ensure sustainable water resource provision.
Develop policy-relevant materials to communicate CREATES findings to stakeholders.
Facilitate technical training in Information Management Systems and Decision Support Systems for water resources management.
Monitoring, Evaluation, Communications, and Knowledge Management
In coordination with the M&E Officer, develop and apply project monitoring instruments and systems, and contribute to the timely submission of all required project reports.
Undertake regular visits to project sites to evaluate programmatic outputs and impacts (quantitative and qualitative).
Document case studies, best practices, and lessons learned, and develop communication materials for target audiences.
Ensure project activity sustainability in collaboration with beneficiaries and authorities.
Participate in Project annual, semi-annual, and quarterly PMU and Steering Committee governance meetings, presenting project performance.
Fundraising and Project Development
Support the identification of new funding opportunities and assist in preparing concept notes, project proposals, and partnership agreements to scale out project activities in the water sector restoration and NbS portfolio.
Support networking with key development partners, national institutions, and NGOs to facilitate project implementation and portfolio expansion.
Keep abreast of development needs and Programme opportunities in the landscape, aligning with implementing partners' priorities and programmatic principles.
Stakeholder Engagement and Capacity Building
Foster and maintain strong partnerships with stakeholders, including government agencies, regional intergovernmental entities, civil society organizations, and research institutions.
Design and deliver capacity-building activities and provide technical support to project partners and stakeholders.
Contribute to the coordination and facilitation of regional platforms, knowledge-sharing initiatives, and community-of-practice events on NbS and ecosystem restoration.
Representation
Network and liaise with all partners and potential partners, developing and maintaining strong relationships across all sectors (including the private sector).
Maintain good working relationships with development partners, non-state actors, the private sector, community leadership, and visiting donor teams.
Represent IUCN at strategic, political, and technical meetings, seminars, and other events as required.
Additional Tasks
Support the preparation and dissemination of technical reports, case studies, policy briefs, and communication materials related to water, NbS, restoration, and climate resilience.
Undertake any other tasks assigned by and mutually agreed upon with the line manager.
How to Apply
Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the “Apply” button.
Applicants will be asked to create an account and submit their profile information via the following link:
Applications will not be accepted after the closing date (13 October 2025, midnight Swiss time, GMT+1 / GMT+2 DST). Please note that only selected applicants will be personally contacted for interviews.
Other job opportunities are published on the IUCN website: https://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/