Project Specialist (Efficient Water Governance, Irrigation Modernization, Digitalization and Knowledge Exchange) [Open to Tier 0, 1, & 2 applicants]

Overview

Provide high-level technical and strategic support on water governance, irrigation modernization, digital transformation, and knowledge partnerships for a project in the Aral Sea region. Contribute to project implementation, develop UNDP Uzbekistan's water-related programme pipeline, and serve as a resource person on water-related issues.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and technical leadership on integrated water resources management, irrigation modernization, climate-resilient water governance, and innovative water-saving solutions.
• Serve as a resource person on water-related issues for UNDP Uzbekistan, providing technical advice and supporting engagement with stakeholders.
• Lead technical assessments, diagnostics, and analytical work on water governance, irrigation efficiency, and related areas.
• Provide technical support for the design and implementation of project activities under Components 1, 2, and 3.
• Advise on the development and operationalization of digital and data-driven solutions for water management.
• Identify, assess, and help adapt international, regional, and national best practices.
• Prepare high-quality technical reports, policy briefs, presentations, and knowledge products.
• Support the design and implementation of the project’s monitoring and evaluation framework.
• Support UNDP Uzbekistan Country Office in identifying, shaping, and advancing a strategic pipeline of water-related initiatives and partnerships.
• Ensure gender-responsive and socially inclusive approaches are integrated across water-related activities.

Required Experience

Minimum 5 (five) years (with a Master’s degree) or 7 (seven) years (with a bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible professional experience in water resources management, irrigation modernization, agricultural water management, or closely related fields is required. Demonstrated experience in integrated water resources management, irrigation efficiency, and introduction of innovative water-saving technologies in arid, semi-arid, or climate-vulnerable contexts. Experience in capacity-building and facilitation with government and community stakeholders. Desired: Demonstrated experience in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), water governance frameworks, and irrigation modernization, with a focus on improving water-use efficiency and climate resilience in water-stressed regions. Proven track record of experience in deploying innovative digital and data-driven solutions for agricultural water management, including precision irrigation, GIS, remote sensing, and decision-support monitoring tools. Strong experience in the full project lifecycle, including conducting technical assessments, feasibility analyses, and developing implementation roadmaps and project pipelines/concepts for water and irrigation investments. Extensive experience collaborating with international development organizations, IFIs, government institutions, and donors on policy dialogue, partnership building, and sustainable agriculture, with a strong preference for regional experience in Central Asia or transboundary contexts.

Qualifications

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Water Resources Management, Irrigation Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Environmental Science, Climate Change, Natural Resources Management, or a related field is required, or A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience, will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

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