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Project Technical Assistant - GIS, Sustainable Land Management and Demonstration Sites

Internal Vacancy - Internal Candidates Only

Financing Agency: Global Environment Facility (GEF)

GEF Implementing Agency: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

UNDP Executing Agency: Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWPSA)

Location: The Cuvelai and Kunene River Basins in Northern Namibia and Southern Angola

Duty Station: CUVECOM Secretariat, Ongwediva, Namibia, with travel to project implementation areas in Angola and Namibia as required

Tenure: 12 months, subject to satisfactory performance and availability of project resources

BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

The Cuvelai Watercourse Commission (CUVECOM) was established on 16 September 2014 to promote the equitable and sustainable management of the shared transboundary waters of the Cuvelai Watercourse between the Republic of Angola and the Republic of Namibia. The CUVECOM Secretariat is currently based in Ongwediva, Namibia. Adjacent to the Cuvelai River Basin is the Kunene River Basin, which is also shared between Angola and Namibia. Transboundary cooperation for the Kunene Watercourse is undertaken through the Permanent Joint Technical Commission (PJTC), which facilitates cooperation between the two countries in the management and development of the shared water resources of the Kunene Basin. The Global Water Partnership (GWP) is an intergovernmental organisation established in 1996 to support countries in the sustainable and equitable management of their water resources. The network operates globally through regional and country water partnerships and supports countries in advancing Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), climate resilience, water security and transboundary water cooperation. The GWP Africa Coordination Unit is hosted by Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWPSA), based in Pretoria, South Africa. GWPSA coordinates and supports the implementation of regional and transboundary water programmes in Southern Africa and serves as the Executing Agency for the Enhanced Water Security and Community Resilience in the Adjacent Cuvelai and Kunene Transboundary River Basins Project.

ENHANCED WATER SECURITY AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE IN THE ADJACENT CUVELAI AND KUNENE TRANSBOUNDARY RIVER BASINS ("CUVKUN Project")

The CUVKUN Project aims to improve water resources management and strengthen community resilience within the transboundary Cuvelai and Kunene River Basins shared by Angola and Namibia. The basins face increasing pressures associated with climate variability, droughts, floods, land degradation, ecosystem degradation, increasing water demand and limited availability of reliable hydrological and environmental information. Climate change is expected to further intensify these challenges, making improved monitoring, coordinated planning, early warning systems, sustainable land and water management and strengthened institutional cooperation increasingly important. The CUVKUN Project is financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) serving as the GEF Implementing Agency and Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWPSA) serving as the Executing Agency.
The Project supports a range of interventions aimed at strengthening joint management, planning, institutional capacity, technical information systems, community resilience and sustainable management of natural resources within the two transboundary river basins. The activities are implemented under six (6) project components:
Component 1: Strengthening the transboundary and conjunctive water resources management in the Cuvelai River Basin;
Component 2: Strengthening the transboundary water resources management with future development scenario analysis in the Kunene River Basin;
Component 3: Strengthening the governance of the Cuvelai and Kunene River Basins to foster joint management by the two countries in the most cost-effective manner;
Component 4: Strengthening institutional, technical and operational capacity in Angola to sustainably develop and manage the sub-region's water tower located in Angola;
Component 5: Enhancing community participation in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) to build resilience in their livelihoods; and
Component 6: Supporting outreach and Knowledge Management for replication, upscaling and stakeholder engagement.

As the Project advances into implementation, increasing technical support is required for the implementation and monitoring of demonstration sites under Component 5, including the integration of Sustainable Land Management (SLM) practices. In parallel, the Project is undertaking the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) for the Cuvelai and Kunene Basins, which requires significant Geographic Information System (GIS), spatial data management, analysis and mapping support. The Project therefore seeks to engage a Project Technical Assistant - GIS, Sustainable Land Management and Demonstration Sites to provide dedicated technical support to these activities.

PROJECT TECHNICAL ASSISTANT - GIS, SUSTAINABLE LAND MANAGEMENT AND DEMONSTRATION SITES

GWPSA seeks to recruit a Project Technical Assistant - GIS, Sustainable Land Management and Demonstration Sites for the CUVKUN Project. The Project Technical Assistant will be based at the CUVECOM Secretariat in Ongwediva, Namibia, and will work on a full-time basis. The position will provide technical support to the Project Management Unit (PMU), with particular emphasis on GIS and spatial analysis, the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis, Sustainable Land Management and the implementation and monitoring of Component 5 demonstration sites. The Project Technical Assistant will work closely with the Regional Project Coordinator, relevant Component Leads, technical consultants, Member State institutions and other project partners. The CUVECOM/Joint Secretariat and the CUVKUN Project Management Unit will have overall responsibility for the work undertaken by the Project Technical Assistant.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Project Technical Assistant will provide technical support to the CUVKUN Project, with particular focus on GIS, the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA), Component 5 demonstration sites and Sustainable Land Management (SLM). Key responsibilities will include:
Provide GIS, spatial analysis and mapping support to the Project, including the preparation of thematic maps, management of spatial datasets and maintenance of GIS databases for the Cuvelai and Kunene River Basins.
Support the TDA process by compiling and analysing environmental, hydrological, socio-economic, ecological and land-use data; preparing maps of priority transboundary issues and hotspots; and incorporating inputs from Member States and technical specialists.
Provide technical support to the planning, implementation and monitoring of Component 5 demonstration sites, including site assessments, baseline data collection, preparation of site maps, progress monitoring and documentation of implementation challenges and results.
Support the integration, implementation and monitoring of Sustainable Land Management practices within demonstration sites, including mapping of interventions, assessment of land condition and documentation of lessons learned and opportunities for replication and upscaling.
Participate in field missions in Angola and Namibia and support the collection, validation and management of field data, geographic coordinates, photographs, site observations and other technical information.
Maintain organised spatial and technical databases, ensure appropriate data quality, documentation, version control and storage, and support the sharing of approved datasets with Member States, consultants and project partners.
Prepare technical inputs for project reports, field mission reports, presentations, maps, figures, technical briefs and knowledge products, and maintain systematic records of project interventions and progress.
Work closely with the Regional Project Coordinator, Project Management Unit, Component Leads, consultants, Member State institutions and other project partners to facilitate technical coordination, information sharing and follow-up of agreed actions.
Undertake any other related technical duties assigned by the Regional Project Coordinator in support of effective implementation of the CUVKUN Project.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCES

Education:

A Bachelor's degree or higher in Geographic Information Systems, Geography, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Land Management, Agriculture, Environmental Management, Water Resources Management, Geoinformatics, Remote Sensing or another closely related field.
Additional professional training or certification in GIS, Remote Sensing, Sustainable Land Management, environmental monitoring or related disciplines would be an advantage.

Experience:

1-2 Years relevant practical experience in Geographic Information Systems, spatial analysis, remote sensing or environmental mapping.
Demonstrated experience in the preparation of maps, management of spatial datasets and use of GIS tools.
Experience in field data collection, environmental assessments, site monitoring or natural-resource management activities.
Experience or exposure to Sustainable Land Management, ecosystem restoration, environmental management or climate-resilience interventions.
Experience supporting implementation or monitoring of community-level, land-management, environmental or water-resource demonstration projects would be advantageous.
Familiarity with Integrated Water Resources Management and transboundary water resources management would be an advantage.
Previous experience or exposure to the Cuvelai and Kunene River Basins would be an added advantage.
Experience in preparing technical reports, field reports, maps, presentations and other technical documentation.
Experience working with government institutions, development partners, international organisations or donor-funded projects would be advantageous.
Ability to undertake field assignments in remote and rural locations.

Technical Skills

Demonstrated competency in GIS software, including ArcGIS and/or QGIS.
Knowledge of spatial data management, cartography, coordinate systems and map projections.
Ability to collect and manage field geographic information using GPS or related technologies.
Familiarity with Remote Sensing and satellite imagery analysis would be advantageous.
Ability to manage, analyse and present technical and spatial information.
Good proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly

Language

Proficiency in written and spoken English is required.
Knowledge of Portuguese would be a strong advantage given the transboundary nature of the CUVKUN Project.
Knowledge of relevant local languages within the project implementation areas would be an added advantage.

Competencies

Strong technical knowledge of GIS, spatial analysis, environmental mapping, Sustainable Land Management and Integrated Water Resources Management principles.
Strong analytical, problem-solving and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple technical assignments, datasets and priorities effectively.
Ability to translate and communicate technical information clearly through maps, reports, presentations and discussions with both technical and non-technical audiences.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams and collaborate with government institutions, consultants, communities and other project stakeholders.
High level of professionalism, accuracy, adaptability and integrity, with willingness to undertake fieldwork and travel to remote project locations as required.

SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS

This is an internal vacancy and is open to eligible internal candidates only.

Interested candidates should submit the following:

• Candidates should submit a cover letter, a detailed CV and a minimum of three references in English through the online application system and not via email.
• Bamboo link: https://gwpsanpc.bamboohr.com/careers/133
  
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted within 2 weeks after the application deadline.
  
• Questions can be directed to engeline.sebego@gwpsaf.org
• Deadline: 01 September 2026 17:00 GMT

CONFIDENTIALITY AND DATA PROTECTION

The Project Technical Assistantshall maintain confidentiality of all non-public information, data, and documents accessed or generated in the course of the assignment. Such information shall not be disclosed, shared, or used for purposes outside the scope of this role without prior written authorization from the Responsible Party and/or the Regional Project Management Unit. This obligation shall remain in effect during and after the completion of the assignment.

TAXES

A withholding tax will be deducted from the Contractors invoices at the default rate of 15%, or 10% where a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) is applicable for the respective country. GWPSA will provide the corresponding tax certificates and shall not be liable foranyadditionaltaxes payable to the tax authority/authorities in the Consultant's country of origin.