Senior Groundwater Management Specialist

• Job Title: Senior Groundwater Management Specialist

The Specialist is expected to contribute to groundwater related activities under Components 1 of the project, specifically on Activities Support the development of local aquifer management plans and participatory aquifer management at field level) as described below:

Activities

1.1.3: Using the results of the aquifer delineation and assessment as well as the management plan (Activity 1.1.2), this activity will implement field-based and participatory groundwater monitoring and management trials starting in Year 2 of the project.

This activity will be combined with Subcomponent 2.3 as a part of Climate and Business Field Schools (CBFSs) for some selected groups. Farmer Groundwater Schools (FGWSs) will be used to engage farmers and other groundwater users across selected aquifer units in the participatory monitoring of aquifer groundwater levels and salinity profiles.

Participants in the field schools will be trained in participatory hydrology monitoring, including provision and training in the use of piezometers and associated capacity building in data collection, recording and analysis.

Field school groups will be supported to develop 'groundwater management action plans' with specific provisions for coping with the extreme events predicted to increase in intensity and frequency with climate change, particularly with regard to preserving the critical buffering function of aquifers.Linkages will be made between the field schools and staff in the provincial Agriculture and Irrigation Departments throughout the implementation process.

In addition, the groundwater modelling and feasibility mapping of project districts carried out under Activity 1.1.2 will serve to guide future investments in aquifer management that can maintain the climate change buffering capacity of functional aquifer units and reduce the risks to agricultural production and associated livelihood

Tasks and responsibilities

• Organize meetings, visits, and workshops related to groundwater participatory management among national, provincial and district level stakeholders and keep records of these events.

• Participate in meetings with local stakeholders and project teams to understand the groundwater-related conditions at the target areas (Sanghar, Umarkot, Khanewal and DG Khan)

• Develop training materials for participatory aquifer monitoring water-related training for farmers at the climate-water focused farmer field schools (hereafter water schools) and provide training to selected government and partner trainers through face-to-face training

• Provide training to farmers at the water schools on participatory aquifer monitoring and water-related subjects. Also supervise partners providing water school sessions.

• Develop data collection template(s) and a data collection and record keeping guide in local language.

• Contribute to the development of Aquifer Management Plans for the 4 districts in collaboration with the national and international consultants.

• Perform other tasks related to participatory groundwater management under component 1 as requested by supervisor.

• Support project-level coordination with the stakeholders in Lahore when requested by the supervisor

• Master's degree in water management or natural resources management. Master's degree in governance/sociology/community development is also accepted if the thesis or graduation project is related to water resources management, hydrogeology, engineering related to water, or similar field.

• 12 Years of professional experience (11 years if the candidate has a PhD in a relevant subject) in water governance, hydrogeology, hydrology, water resources management or related field.

• Working knowledge of English

• National of Pakistan

Technical/Functional Skills

• Excellent skills in written and spoken English.

• Sound knowledge of groundwater management is desirable.

• Experience in working or coordinating with governmental organizations and engaging farmers in natural resources management is desirable

• Strong analytical and report writing skills in English;

• Computer skills in Office Applications Including Excel, Word, Outlook, Power Point;

• Fluency in a local language(s) spoken in the 4 target districts is an asset.
Selection Crtieria

• PhD is an asset.