Project Analyst on Water Resources Management [Open to external applicants)

• Provide specialized knowledge and expertise in water resources management and climate-resilient water use, ensuring their integration into national development plans and activities supported by the Project;
• Review and analyze existing national and sub-national activities, policies, strategies, legal frameworks, and regulations related to water management, hydraulic structure construction, irrigation, agriculture, and climate adaptation, identifying gaps, barriers, and opportunities for improvement;
• Assess the institutional and regulatory framework governing water allocation, water use, irrigation water supply services, and water efficiency, ensuring coherence with national priorities, regional cooperation objectives, and relevant international commitments;
• Support the development, revision, and implementation of water management and sustainable irrigation policies, strategies, guidelines, and action plans, drawing on international best practices and stakeholder consultations;
• Contribute to the design of monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) frameworks for project-supported interventions in water sector, including indicators related to water use efficiency, and climate resilience, etc.;
• Analyze and advise on financial mechanisms, and funding opportunities (public, private, and donor) relevant to sustainable water management, irrigation modernization, and digital solutions in water sector;
• Promote the mainstreaming of sustainable water management principles-including Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), NEXUS and efficient irrigation-into agriculture, rural development, and water-related policies, programmes, and plans;
• Support the establishment and/or strengthening of institutional coordination mechanisms and operational procedures for improved governance of water resources and irrigation development in Kazakhstan.

• Support effective collaboration with relevant government agencies, partners, and stakeholders to facilitate the implementation of project activities related to water management, hydraulic structures and irrigation;
• Engage with policymakers, government officials, NGOs, and community leaders to build consensus and support for inclusive and participatory approaches to water management and governance;
• Coordinate among various stakeholders involved in water management, irrigation modernization, and climate resilience to ensure coherence and efficiency;
• Assist in translating technical and policy-related content into clear, accessible messages tailored to different audiences, including decision-makers, practitioners, and end users;
• Design and conduct capacity-building activities related to water management, irrigation efficiency, digital and smart irrigation technologies, and climate-resilient practices enabling stakeholders to understand and contribute to effective water management;
• Prepare and contribute to technical reports, policy briefs, analytical papers, presentations, and communication materials documenting project progress, lessons learned, and policy recommendations in line with UNDP reporting standards.
• Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing and advocacy relevant to the project.

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

• Business Acumen:

• Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome
• Knowledge and understanding of the operational frame
• Works in the organization and ability to make good judgments and quick decisions within such frameworks
• Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization
• Negotiation and Influence:

• Reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiates mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and creates win-win situations

• Human- centered Design:

• Ability to develop solutions to problems by involving the human perspective in all steps of the problem-solving process. Knowledge and understanding of human centred design principles and practices.
• Knowledge Generation:

• Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.
• Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches.
• Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.
• Knowledge Facilitation:

• Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas.
• Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange.
• Risk Management:

• Identify and organize action around mitiating and proactively managing risks

• Nature:

• Water Governance: Water governance for sustainable solutions

• Advanced University Degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Water Management, Water Engineering, Engineering, Climate Studies, or a related field is required, or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor's degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

• Applicants with a master's degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience.
• Applicants with a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience at the national or international level in water management, water engineering, or related projects.

• Fluency in English and Kazakh and/or Russian.

• Experience in preparation of technical documentation on water infrastructure construction projects.
• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.).
• Experience in preparation of analytical reports and presentations for management and institutional stakeholders.
• Experience in coordination with public authorities, stakeholders and governmental experts in the water and infrastructure sectors.
• Experience in monitoring and reporting on implementation of national policy priorities, strategic directives.
• Knowledge of water infrastructure construction rules and regulations.
• Experience with hydraulic/hydrologic modeling instruments.

United Nations Development Programme