The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), a CGIAR Research Center is inviting applications for the role of Project Leader – Blue Peace Central Asia at our office in Tashkent, Uzbekistan where you will be part of our global mission.

This is a regionally recruited position; therefore, qualified individuals from Central Asia are encouraged to apply.

DISCLAIMER: Please be advised that the availability of this position is contingent upon the receipt of donor funding.

The Project Leader is responsible for spearheading the management and implementation of the Blue Peace Central Asia Initiative 2.0.

Blue Peace Central Asia 2.0 is a regional initiative to improve transboundary water cooperation between Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. This project aims to enhance collaboration and effective management of water resources across the region. It addresses questions related to increasing competing interests in water, fosters the understanding of the region as interdependent, and supports common solutions on water for the benefit of all.

The successful candidate will be expected to leverage their extensive project management and coordination skills to effectively collaborate with IWMI staff, consultants, partner organizations, high-level government representatives, and technical staff to deliver targeted support to the countries participating in this pilot project. Additionally, the person will contribute to designing and delivering high-quality research outputs related to the program.

The person will also be responsible for external representation and engagement with the donor and other key stakeholders at various levels, playing a crucial role in scaling and implementing the solutions provided by the project.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and oversee the implementation of the project strategy, work plans, budget and timelines to ensure alignment with program objectives.
• Sign off on key project deliverables and the release of funding as approved in the project proposal, work plan, and budget
• Coordinate with government agencies, donors, regional water institutions, and international partners to ensure effective project execution.
• Be the internal and external "face" of the project, including interactions with donor, national focal points, project oversight bodies, as well as at events, project management and stakeholder meetings, etc.
• Liaise regularly with IWMI’s and the donor’s Project Management Unit for guidance and support.
• Identify and mitigate risks and challenges in project implementation, ensuring compliance with regional and international standards.
• Ensure the project adheres to technical specifications, deliverables, and performance indicators as outlined in funding agreements.
• Manage the day-to-day operations of the project, ensuring efficiency in administrative functions.
• Establish standard operating procedures (SOPs) for project implementation, ensuring compliance with donor requirements and institutional policies.
• Oversee the procurement process, ensuring transparency and adherence to financial regulations.
• Maintain documentation and filing systems to ensure proper record-keeping of project activities and stakeholder communications.
• Supervise and coordinate the project team, ensuring effective delegation of responsibilities and performance monitoring.
• Promote a collaborative working environment, fostering teamwork and knowledge exchange among project personnel.
• Establish clear roles and responsibilities for team members, ensuring accountability and timely execution of project deliverables.
• Provide input into staff performance evaluations, providing feedback and professional development opportunities.
• Establish an M&E framework to assess project performance, impact, and compliance with key indicators.
• Prepare and submit progress reports, mid-term evaluations, and final project reports to donors, stakeholders, and regional partners.
• Conduct field visits and assessments to monitor project activities and gather stakeholder feedback.
• Utilize data analytics and performance metrics to improve project efficiency and effectiveness.

Requirements

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

Essential,

• PhD or Master’s degree in Geography, Environmental Science, Water Resources Management, or a closely related discipline, coupled with a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in Central Asia and working with Central Asian stakeholders.
• At least 10 years of experience managing large, multi-partner, and complex development projects.
• Experience working on research and development and/or public sector-funded projects that promote, plan, design, and implement water management and climate resilience.
• Experience in overseeing complex development projects in conflict-prone and socially fragile environments.
• Experience managing and navigating partner and stakeholder relationships with governmental, private sector, and community counterparts at various levels of organizational hierarchies (i.e., senior to lower management, and professional staff), and at the regional, national, and local levels.
• Proven experience undertaking participatory and/or co-development processes with national and local stakeholders.
• A record of peer-reviewed and/or technical report publications on subjects relevant to Transboundary water cooperation, data sharing and management with a preference for interdisciplinarity.
• Experience in undertaking or overseeing hydrological, environmental, and social monitoring and evaluation.
• Experience working in interdisciplinary and multicultural teams.
• Experience in capacity-building and training programs for diverse participants.
• Proven experience of working with an international organization abroad.

Desirable,

• Qualification in Project Management (e.g. PMP, PRINCE2 or similar).

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

Essential,

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, managers, project partners, focal points, community members, and other stakeholders.
• The ability to effectively establish priorities and plan, organize, implement, and monitor work activities with limited supervision.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to multitask effectively.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and new procedures quickly.
• Attention to detail, precision, and strong problem-solving skills.
• Excellent oral and written language skills in English and Russian, including effective listening and strong verbal and written communication abilities.

Benefits

This is a regionally recruited position with a competitive salary, an attractive retirement plan, comprehensive international health insurance, life insurance accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, and long-term disability coverage. Regionally recruited staff who are employed at a duty station outside of their home base/country of nationality will also receive relocation assistance, a housing allowance, home-leave plane tickets for self and eligible dependents and education assistance for eligible dependents. The duration of the contract will initially be for a period of three years.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply for the position by following the application instructions at www.iwmi.org/jobs. We will be accepting applications through 24:00 (IST) on March 16, 2025 (applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis). Your application must include a CV, cover letter, and three (3) references, which may be contacted if you are shortlisted. Receipt of all applications will be acknowledged, but only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

IWMI believes that diversity powers our innovation, contributes to our excellence, and is critical for our mission. We offer a multi-cultural, multi-color, multi-generational and multi-disciplinary working environment. We are consciously creating an inclusive organization that reflects our global character and our commitment to gender equity. We, therefore, encourage applicants from all cultures, races, ethnicities, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, and gender identities.