BRIGHT is aimed to improve water management in Ethiopia by promoting sustainable and equitable water use for agriculture, industry, and domestic needs in the five basins Abbay, Awash, Omo-Gibe, Rift Valley Lakes, and Tekeze and sub-basins. The Ministry of Water, through its basin administration offices, is responsible for promoting and achieving integrated water resources management in its basins. The focus of the BRIGHT project lies on capacity building, an operationalization of the Basin Administration Offices and of MoWE at large to achieve better water management in the selected basins. Activities of the project are organized under six work packages, namely:

• WP1: Project Management and Coordination;

• WP2: Inception Phase; 

• WP3: Enhancing IWRM capacity of the MoWE, Basin Administration Offices and Regional Bureaus; 

• WP4: Supporting establishment of basin information system for IWRM and generating additional evidence to fill knowledge gaps in the selected river basins;

• WP5: Supporting the preparation/revision of basin plans and facilitating implementation by supporting priority and high impact IWRM projects in target basins; and

• WP6: Supporting establishment of climate-smart IWRM learning sub-basins in the target basins.

All of these packages support institution building.

The project is financially supported jointly by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN) and the European Union (EU) and substantial in-kind contributions by WLRC and The Ministry of Water and Energy of Ethiopia (MoWE). 

WLRC is looking for a well experienced competent Project Manager who, in close consultation with the Director General, the Deputy Director General, Programme Leaders in WLRC, APPM, BRIGHT thematic specialists, and officials/staffs of partner organisations such as the MoWE, BAOs, and Regional Bureaus of Water and Energy, Irrigation and Lowlands, and Agriculture will manage all aspects of the Project and initiate/solicit, forge/create, and maintain partnerships with different partner organizations to lead the project to success. 

Duties and Responsibilities of the BRIGHT Project Manager 

The Project Manager is primarily responsible for deliverables as well as management of the project. S/he shall be accountable and report to the WLRC Director General (DG) and the DDG and shall have the following responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary contact person for the project and lead Project Management and Administration Unit (PMAU) in WLRC;

• Build and develop a strong project team to ensure maximum performance, by providing purpose, direction, and motivation;

• Lead projects from requirements definition through deployment, identifying schedules, scopes, budget estimations, and implementation plans, including risk mitigation;

• Lead the preparation and review of annual action plans and ensure their implementation; 

• Coordinate internal and external resources to ensure that the project adheres to the original scope, schedule, and budget;

• In consultation with the DG, analyze project status and, when necessary, revise the scope, schedule, or budget to ensure that project requirements can be met;

• In consultation with the DG, establish and maintain relationships with relevant client stakeholders, providing day-to-day contact on project status and changes;

• Ensure all project operations are undertaken in accordance with the legal requirements of the GOE, the EU and EKN;

• Deliver flawless reporting to both EKN and the EU reporting portal.

• Oversee budgeting to guarantee compliance with EU regulation and donor reporting guidelines.   

• Spearhead administrative tasks including contract administration, stakeholder engagement, compliance to legal requirements, etc. as required;

• Oversee day to day administrative activities and foster smooth coordination among the different stakeholders and partners in the BRIGHT project implementation such as MOWE, Basin Administration Offices, Regions, Communities and ensure that work is neither overlooked nor duplicated;

• Create strong collaboration between the PMAU at WLRC with Project Coordination Unit (PCU) in MoWE and Project Implementation Unit (PIU) in the five basins and make sure these units are operational as per the agreed protocol for them and the signed MOU with MoWE;

• Design and apply appropriate project management manuals, guidelines, strategies, plans, protocols for different groups involved in the project such as the PMAU, PCU, BIU, and involved contracted partners and submit same for approval by the DG and project task force;

• Upon approval of the project leadership, ensure effective implementation of those project management manuals, guidelines, strategies and plans;

• Identify and mobilize support and advice required from Thematic and Programme leaders in WLRC for the successful implementation, management, planning and control of the project; 

• Participate as member of the WLRC Extended Management Committee and other committees, workgroups, etc., and present progress and challenges of the project, share lessons, and seek informed advice on important challenges, where required;

• Supervise staff and contracted partners employed for the BRIGHT project including supporting, monitoring, and appraising their performance;

• Provide logistical and administrative support to basin administrative office focal persons, thematic specialists, basin and sub-basin resident coordinators and implementing partners;

• Communicate with MOWE and NIWRM – PCU, Basin Administrative Offices, Regional Bureaus, and other partners at all levels, on issues related to the implementation of the project;

• Create enabling working conditions for the project team and stakeholders;

• Ensure responsible usage of project resources, logistics and facility, including vehicles of the project at regional and Head Office levels;

• Ensure that the project’s asset inventories at Head Office and BAOs are properly managed and used as per the rules and regulations of the organization;

• Facilitate the preparation and approval of all payments and transactions to be made by the project;

• Prepare comprehensive high quality periodic reports (activity performance reports, scientific narrative reports, financial reports) and professionally handle correspondences on same;

• Follow timely auditing of project finance with external auditors in collaboration with HR and Resources Division,

• Lead the regular monitoring of project performance and coordinate the mid-term and end-term external project evaluation;

• Attend and cascade training programs organized by partner organizations that can help improve project implementation; and 

Carry out extra duties as assigned by the DG or his representative

Job Requirements

Qualifications/Competencies

• We are looking for a dedicated professional who’s ready for a challenging assignment, who knows how to build a strong team and who is passionate about improving water management in Ethiopia. 

The Project Manager shall have: 

• An advanced university degree (master’s or higher) in water resource management, Project Management, NRM, IWRM, Agricultural Economics, Development Economics, or -related fields,  

• Project Management Expertise: Proven experience in managing complex projects (ideally in water management). This should include experience in:

  • Project planning and scheduling

  • Budget development and control

  • Risk management

  • Stakeholder management (including government agencies, donors, and local communities)

  • Quality control and assurance

• Technical Knowledge: A strong understanding of water management principles and technologies relevant to the Ethiopian context and familiarity with the Ethiopian water sector.

• International Development Experience: Prior experience working on development projects in Africa, particularly in Ethiopia, is a plus. This demonstrates familiarity with the cultural context, donor requirements, and potential challenges.

• Desired Skills and Qualities:

  • Leadership: The ability to provide strong and motivating leadership to a team of researchers, development workers, and civil servants, with affinity to including private sector players.

  • Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Amharic (highly desirable). The ability to effectively communicate complex technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences.

  • Intercultural Competence: The ability to work effectively in a cross-cultural environment and build trust with diverse stakeholders.

  • Problem-Solving: A strong track record of problem-solving and decision-making, particularly in challenging environments.

  • Adaptability: The ability to adapt to changing priorities and unforeseen circumstances.

• Experience in handling, analyzing, and presenting water and land resource data and experience of similar writing /facilitation work of developing national level planning/strategy /policy document.

• Ability to work and lead a team in a transdisciplinary team and in general a good team player.

• Training in and in-depth knowledge of project management principles and supervisory practices,

• At least 10 years of proven track record of project management at similar scopes to the BRIGHT Project or above

Additional essential qualities include:

• Good at Team building.

• Experience working in multi-tasking environment.

• Proven coordination and networking skills

• Dedication to meet deadlines and working in tight schedules.

• Proven experience in working in all or some of the five basins in similar projects like BRIGHT or settings.

Additional Considerations:

• In addition to English and Amharic, knowledge of and experience using other local languages in Ethiopia.

  • Experience working on water management projects in Ethiopia is a plus, but not mandatory.

  • Gender Balance: in line with WLRC’s gender policies, women are especially encouraged to apply.

  • Proven experience in working in all or some of the five basins in projects similar to BRIGHT.

How to Apply

Applicants shall submit the following documents:

• A cover/Application letter 

• Up-to-date CV with copies of academic credentials and related testimonies;

• Names and addresses of three references;

How to Apply

• Application files shall be compiled as one PDF file and sent as e-mail attachment to: jobs@wlrc-eth.org, for any queries, please contact our HR office at: +251116612236

   Application Deadline January 30, 2025.