Position: Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Development Specialist

Location: Taiz Governorate, Yemen (with possible travel to project sites in Al-Mawaset and Al-Selw districts)

Sector: FSL

Reporting To: Project Manager

NMO is a registered national NGO with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor No 284 Our mission is to take the lead to empower communities in Yemen through humanitarian response and sustainable development programs in a professional way through effective partnerships NMO started its activity in Yemen since 2012 and has been implementing projects in 5 sectors namely FSL, Education and Child Protection, WASH and Health ,Protection, Shelter and CCCM , and Governance and skill-building

Nahda Makers Organization does not tolerate all forms of abuse such as (exploitation, sexual assault, harassment, bullying, discrimination

Background:

The "Integrated Water Resources Management to Enhance Resilience of Agriculture (ERA) and Food Security" project aims to enhance the resilience of vulnerable communities in Al-Mawaset and Al-Selw districts of Taiz Governorate by improving water resource management, agricultural productivity, and food security. A key component of the project is strengthening institutional capacities and governance structures to ensure sustainable water management and inclusive decision-making processes.

The donor, UNDP, will conduct a comprehensive study to assess the institutional capacities of government water institutions, Water User Associations (WUAs), and local governance bodies. The Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Development Specialist, to be hired by NMO, will be responsible for validating the outputs of this study and implementing its recommendations to strengthen institutional capacities and improve water governance.

Objective of the Assignment:

The Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Development Specialist will provide technical expertise to validate the findings of the UNDP-led institutional capacity assessment and implement its recommendations. The specialist will focus on strengthening the capacity of government institutions, WUAs, and local communities in water governance, sustainable resource management, and inclusive decision-making, ensuring alignment with project goals and national strategies.

Scope of Work:

The specialist will be responsible for the following tasks:

1.Validation of UNDP Study Outputs

• Review and validate the findings, gaps, and recommendations of the UNDP-led institutional capacity assessment.
• Collaborate with UNDP and project stakeholders to ensure the study outputs are accurate, relevant, and actionable.

2.Implementation of Study Recommendations

• Develop a detailed work plan to implement the recommendations of the institutional capacity assessment.
• Strengthen the capacity of government water institutions, WUAs, and local governance bodies based on the study’s findings.

3.Capacity Building Program Design and Implementation

• Design and implement capacity-building programs tailored to the needs identified in the study, focusing on water governance, resource management, and conflict resolution.
• Deliver training workshops, including:
• 50 training programs for government institutions and WUA personnel.
• 40 technical training workshops for 1,000 smallholder farmers and women-headed households.
• 23 soft skills workshops for 560 women.
• Develop training materials, manuals, and tools to support capacity-building activities.

4.Strengthening Water Governance Structures

• Support the establishment and capacity-building of Water Women Leaders Groups (WWLGs) bodies for decision-making related to irrigation water.
• Strengthen the operational capacity of 13 WUAs by providing infrastructure, tools, and training for effective water resource management.
• Facilitate the development of policies and frameworks for equitable water allocation and conflict resolution.

5.Community Engagement and Participation

• Promote inclusive decision-making processes by ensuring the active participation of women, youth, and marginalized groups in water governance.
• Conduct community awareness campaigns on sustainable water management practices.

6.Monitoring and Reporting

• Monitor the implementation of study recommendations and the effectiveness of capacity-building programs.
• Prepare progress reports, including updates on institutional strengthening activities and recommendations for improvement.
• Document best practices and lessons learned for knowledge sharing and replication.

7.Coordination and Collaboration

• Work closely with the Project Manager, UNDP, government institutions, WUAs, and community leaders to ensure alignment with project objectives.
• Collaborate with other project team members to integrate institutional strengthening activities with broader project interventions.

Requirements

Qualifications and Experience

1.Education:

Advanced degree (Master’s or equivalent) in water resource management, agriculture, environmental science, public administration, or a related field.

2.Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in institutional strengthening, capacity development, and water governance.
• Proven experience in implementing capacity-building programs for government institutions, community organizations, and local governance bodies.
• Strong knowledge of water resource management, agricultural value chains, and food security issues.
• Experience working in conflict-affected or fragile states, preferably in Yemen or similar contexts.

3.Skills and Competencies:

• Excellent facilitation, training, and workshop delivery skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, community leaders, and vulnerable populations.
• Proficiency in Arabic and English (both written and spoken).
• Strong report-writing and documentation skills.

4.Personal Attributes:

• Commitment to gender equality and social inclusion.
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to work in challenging environments.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Deliverables:

1.Validation report of the UNDP-led institutional capacity assessment.

2.Detailed work plan for implementing study recommendations.

3.Training workshop reports, including participant feedback and recommendations.

4.Progress reports on institutional strengthening activities.

5.Final report summarizing achievements, challenges, and lessons learned.