Project Manager, Water Security - United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Libya

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BACKGROUND

With little natural precipitation and no rivers, Libya is one of the most water stressed countries in the world. It currently uses ground water at a rate hundreds of times greater than is replenished. The majority of Libya’s coastal ground water is already penetrated by sea water and is increasingly mixed with other pollutants due to the lack of water treatment. To offset this stress, the country is increasingly reliant on fossil water from deep within the desert. The process of extracting this water is, however, becoming increasingly tenuous and costly as infrastructure in the Man Made River ages and is damaged. Water tables in the fossil aquifers, particularly the Murzuq Aquifer in the south-west, are also lowering and will eventually be exhausted.

Normally, a country as wealthy and water stressed as Libya would rationalise water use and diversify its water resources. An increase in water tariffs would incentivize rationalisation and generate resources for investment. This includes raising the price of water in the agricultural sector which would be encouraged to improve irrigation methods and switch to less water intensive crops. Improvements in water treatment facilities would not only recycle wastewater but avoid ground and coastal water contamination. To diversify its water resources, new desalination plants would need to be built and old ones either retired or upgraded using reverse osmosis rather than thermal desalination technology. While these systems are upgraded, exploitation of fossil water could be improved by upgrading Man Made River Authority (MMRA) infrastructure to reduce leaks and evaporation from its open water reservoirs.

Unfortunately, due to poor governance, the conflict and inverse incentives related to its rentier economy, Libya has not moved in this direction. Instead its reliance and over exploitation of fossil water has increased despite the progressive depletion of this finite resource. Rather than increasing tariffs, water continues to be free both to the public and to private enterprises including large and small agriculture projects. Agriculture continues to consume over 80% of Libya’s water with much of that being used through open sprinkler irrigation. Libya’s six remaining desalination plants are old and increasingly ineffective, and its wastewater treatment plants are largely inactive leading to increasing environmental and health problems. MMRA infrastructure is increasingly decrepit, and the Ministry of Water estimates that over half of the water generated is lost due to leakage and evaporation.

There is no more immediate nor more impactful threat than water security in Libya. If Libya is to remain viable as a country, the water system needs to be reformed. Investments must be channelled to stabilize the existing systems, particularly the MMRA, allowing more time for more sustainable systems to develop into a more diversified, decentralised, resilient and cost-effective water management system.

Given the governance regime in the water sector, such an effort requires multiple lines of effort to be implemented in parallel. This includes stabilizing the MMRA to avoid its collapse and reduce waste. It includes encouraging a process of policy reform that will create the right incentives for water rationalisation, including in the agriculture sector, and for investment in desalination and wastewater treatment. Due to the growing and immediate needs in communities across Libya, a process of developing and implementing local climate resilient water management plans will need to be rolled out across the country. By empowering local communities to care for and value their water resources, demand will reduce and a more inclusive, decentralised and durable water system will be created.

Although the challenges are significant, the following three lines of intervention are proposed as a way forward. These interventions were developed to complement UNDP’s related work in the energy transition and climate change and will be implemented in a manner that is coordinated with and complimentary to the efforts of other partners in the water sector including UNICEF, FAO and the AfDB.

Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Resident Representative (Programme) and the day-to-day work, collaboration and providing direction from the Head of the Environment and Energy Pillar Leader, the Project Manager leads the project implementation in close collaboration with project counterparts, and other UN agencies as appropriate. The Project Manager works in close collaboration with the Country Office as required for optimal project implementation

Position Purpose:

The Project Manager (PM) will support the successful execution of the Water Security project by performing the following functions:

1.Overall project management and coordination

2.Stakeholder engagement, resource mobilization, communications, and partnerships;

3.Implementation of project outputs and activities

All activities will be conducted in line with UNDP’s POPP and as defined in the AMP Regional Project documents.

The Project Manager will work closely with: (i) other projects under the Energy and Environment Pillar to ensure NEXUS,

Under the overall supervision of the DDRP, the Project Manager will report to the Energy and Environment Pillar lead

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Overall project management and coordination:

• Manage and coordinate the day to day implementation of all (project) activities;
• Support the recruitment and coordination of project consultants, service providers;
• Supervise and provide guidance to other project staff, consultants and experts;
• Ensure effective project monitoring, evaluation, quality assurance and reporting;
• Liaise with the Senior Water Advisor at UNDP CO
• Organize Project Board and Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meetings, including the preparation of meeting documents and materials;

Stakeholder engagement, resource mobilization, communications, and partnership:

• Maintain collaborative working relationships and coordinate with key project stakeholders in the Energy and Environment Pillar;
• Identify and pursue opportunities for deepening cooperation among key project stakeholders;
• Provide strategic direction for project implementation and opportunities to scale-up activities;
• Develop and review program documents ensuring accountability for program operations and present activities and results in meetings and events;
• Identify and advise on opportunities to mobilize additional funding and resources to increase program impact;

Implementation of project outputs and activities:

• Lead the implementation of activities and delivery of outputs under the project
• Provide strategic guidance, technical inputs and quality assurance for the implementation of all project outputs and activities;
• Develop and deliver guidance, training and capacity building to UNDP Country Offices and/or National Project staff to enhance program implementation;
• Provide strategic guidance as well as technical and operational support to National Project PMUs to enhance program implementation;

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities:

• The PM will be responsible for management and supervision of all project personnel in the Water Security Project.

COMPETENCIES

Core Competencies

Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands

Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

People Management

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found on the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business Management – Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals

Business Management – Partnerships Management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts, and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies

Business Management – Resource Management: Ability to allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical way in line with principles of accountability and integrity

Business Direction & Strategy – Effective Decision Making: Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources

Business Management – Result Base Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results

2030 Agenda / Nature, Climate and Energy / Water: Integrated Water Management

RECRUITMENT QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Master’s degree in Engineering, Science, Economics, International Relations or other relevant field

Experience

• A minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience on project management
• A minimum of 3 years of relevant professional experience with the design and/or implementation of development projects financed by a multilateral or bilateral development agency, or development bank;
• Experience with integrated water management projects and processes;
• Experience in the design and/or implementation of development projects in Arab region is an asset;

Language Requirements

• Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English;
• Knowledge of Arabic language is an asset

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

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