Community flood risk management specialist

Scope of the project

The project is part of the Shire River Basin Management program. This is a 15-year program which overall program development objective is to generate sustainable social, economic and environmental benefits by effectively and collaboratively planning, developing and managing the Shire River Basin’s natural resources. The program is implemented over 3 phases.

During the first phase (SRBMP-I) coordinated inter-sectoral development planning and coordination mechanisms will be established, up-scalable systems and methods to rehabilitate sub-catchments and protect existing natural forests, wetlands and biodiversity will be developed, urgent water related infrastructure investments will be undertaken and additional infrastructure investments will be prepared.

The principle aim of the flood risk management project is to support the implementation of the Integrated Flood Risk Management Plan (IFRMP) for the Lower Shire in collaboration with other initiatives. This includes:

• Implementation of improved flood management structures in the Lower Shire (Chikhwawa and Nsanje districts) resulting in a better preparedness and reduced vulnerability for 40,000 households in flood-prone areas (approx. 450 villages).
• An effective and sustainable plan of interventions to improve climate resilience in the Elephant marshes and the design and implementation of measures to ensure that its buffer functions are maintained.
• Capacity building of communities and support to the implementation of community based flood forecasting and early warning systems.

Role:

• lead the process of flood risk and vulnerability assessment, being responsible for the technical guidance of the national team;
• coordination of planning with key stakeholders (e.g. CPCs);
• guide and oversee lower level planning, design and implementation of interventions with communities;
• responsibility for organizing/delivering capacity development activities in flood risk and vulnerability assessment. She or he would ensure that environmental considerations are integrated into all plans;
• Participation to project execution and supervision missions within Malawi;
• Provide expert advice to local managers;
• Participate in high level dialogue and collaboration with key government line departments, and other critical stakeholders, including World Bank and other partners;
• Coordinate missions of short term consultants and assure quality standards in consultancy reports;
• Participate in the development of national flood risk management guidelines;
• Organize trainings and study tours and provide capacity building.

Profile:

• Minimum Masters-degree in Hydrology, Water Ressources, Natural Resources Management, Flood Risk Management, Disaster Risk Management or other field relevant to participatory community based flood risk management;
• At least 8 years of experience in facilitating implementation of sustainable community based integrated flood risk management interventions. Alternatively the candidate must have a Bachelors-degree in the relevant field with a minimum of 10 years relevant experience;
• A strong technical background in flood risk management and catchment processes, with a proven track record of successful delivery of flood risk planning studies;
• Technologically literate, an organizer and strive for quality and accuracy;
• Highly developed communication and advocacy skills, including the ability to write concisely and clearly;
• You have an outspoken client orientation. You take personal responsibility and accountability for timely response to client queries, requests or needs, working to remove obstacles that may impede execution or overall success;
• You have a drive for results, with personal ownership and accountability to meet deadlines and achieve agreed-upon results;
• You are commited to teamwork, and you collaborate with other team members and contribute productively to the team's work and output, demonstrating respect for different points of view;
• You actively seek knowledge needed to complete assignments and share knowledge with others, communicating and presenting information in a clear and organized manner;
• You are very fluent in English.