Water Management Specialist

About RPCO/MRRD:

The Regional Programs (RP) was established in the MRRD compound in 2007 as one of the largest rural support program in terms of scope and coverage area, working across the county. The demand for rural development motivated the program management to operate in several sectors that created a stage for diversified activities, whereas all other national programs of the ministry are engaged in their specific sectors. In addition, the Program responds to expressed needs of the rural people, who require various basic services (community based infrastructures) which no other single rural development program has addressed so far. The program development efforts are focused on helping the poor in dealing with many of the risks they face in their lives  – such as unemployment, low house hold income, low agriculture production, poor irrigation systems, lack of accessibility to market, lack of education and health facilities, lack community based disaster risk reduction infrastructures and insufficient potable water.

Under the portfolio of the Regional Programs the Arghandab Integrated Water Resources Development Project (AIWDP) funded by Asian Development Bank (ADB) will improve the availability and use of water resources for irrigated agriculture in the Arghandab River Basin and the Kandahar region. The project comprises 5 outputs: (i) Dahla dam capacity increased; (ii) reliability of irrigation water supply increased; (iii) climate resilient and productive irrigation technologies and practices introduced; (iv) post-farm value chains developed; and (v) capacity in water resource management and use strengthened. AIWDP is a joint project between Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD), Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAIL) and Ministry of Energy and Water (MEW). MRRD will contribute to outputs 1 and 2

Summary of Duties

The Water Management Specialist will participate in the selection of the subproject’s sites, and in conducting the field surveys of the project sites in which candidate will be responsible for the water management related data collection and analysis of the surveys. Water Management Specialist will report to RP Director and Deputy Director.  

Job Description:

Duties & Responsibilities:

Candidate responsibilities will include but are not limited to;

Lead and assume overall responsibility for water resource related aspects of the case studies sub-projects selection, data collection, analysis, and verification
Coordinate all data collection activities among the surveyors e.g water resources baseline, socio-economic survey, gender, climate change and agronomic surveys
Draft sketches of irrigation schemes, describe and assess existing water resources, supply and demand, and management for prospective subprojects.
Conduct simple water balance analysis of existing and future subproject demand, including cumulative and downstream impacts with adjacent planned development and potential impacts of climate change on water quality and availability.
Assess the irrigation performance of the selected sites.
Assess the water distribution system among the farmers, and outline existence of any water conflict or future possible conflicts
Conduct discharge measurements using current meters or any other acceptable method of measurement
Estimation of conveyance and water use efficiency; Water losses measurement for the selected irrigation schemes, and at the farm level.
Identification of constraints, organizational as well as related to physical infrastructure at the subproject site
Propose recommendations for improving water management practices.
Propose applicable on-farm interventions for command areas.
Report assessment and recommendations as part of the survey reports.
Prepare a plan of operations for water management improvements.
Assess local capacity for community led subproject implementation.
Estimate crop water requirements,
Assume responsibility for finalizing and submitting timely based Due Diligence Reports (DDR) to the project manager.
Perform any other assigned duty.

Job Requirements:

Qualifications /Experience, Skills and Abilities:

Bachelor degree in Water Management, Water Resources or Irrigation with 5 year’s relevant experience. Master degree holders will be preferred.
Familiarity with industry standard current measurement equipment
Documented proficiency in spoken and written English, Pashto, and Dari.
Able to perform work independently in own field of specialization, equipped with knowledge and experience of multiple disciplines
Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
Practical experience in the analysis of hydrological data.
Sound organizational skills and ability to prioritize and deliver assignments in a timely manner often under severe time pressures;
Demonstrated initiative in developing practical approaches that improve efficiency and effectiveness of the project;
Strong inter-personnel skills and commitment to work in a team-oriented, multi-cultural environment;

Travel Requirements

Knowledge of and the ability to travel throughout the subproject location areas is vital to accomplishing the duties for the position. Candidates must be able to travel to all proposed subproject areas.

Reporting Relationships

Reports to: RP Director and Deputy Director. 

Submission Guideline:

Interested Afghans with the required qualifications and experience should submit their applications electronically through vacancies.hrcsd@mrrd.gov.af
While submitting your applications please mention the Title of the position plus Vacancy Number in the subject of the e-mail; please do NOT submit any other supporting documentation or educational certificates with your application. If you are short listed you will be asked to submit electronic copies of your educational certificates and if you are invited to written test you will be required to present the original certificates. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date of the position. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for written test Note: In the interests of open and fair competition and a merit based selection process applicants are advised that lobbying for a position , whether by the applicant or by any person acting on his or her behalf, shall result in the immediate disqualification of the candidate from further consideration. Applicants are strongly advised to inform potential supporters of this restriction which shall be strictly enforced.

Please don’t forget to type the Vacancy Announcement Number (1657/020/HRCSD/RPCO/MRRD) in Subject while applying online. Application without vacancy number will not be accepted.

Submission Email:

vacancies.hrcsd@mrrd.gov.af