Water Reforms Activity Manager (MDIH) – Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Lesotho II
About MCA
The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is a U.S. government corporation focused on assisting countries dedicated to good governance, economic freedom, and investing in people. In May 2022, MCC signed a five-year agreement (“Compact”) with the Government of Lesotho (GoL) aimed at poverty reduction through inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the country.
The Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) – Lesotho II, is an entity established by the Government to act as the accountable entity to implement the Compact, with the authority to bind the Government with regard to all program activities.
Lesotho Compact
The Lesotho Health and Horticulture Compact aims to benefit 2.5 million people by growing, strengthening, and organizing the private sector in Lesotho and improving the government’s coordination to deliver critical services necessary to support private sector development.
It will achieve this goal through investments in Health System Strengthening (HSS), strengthening of the business environment and Market Driven Irrigated Horticulture (MDIH), providing sustainable income for smallholders and increasing climate resilience by replacing rain-fed subsistence farming with irrigated commercial horticulture in select locations.
The GoL is committed to passing several key reforms that will help make this compact successful, including reforms that address gender equality, working conditions and worker safety, as well as land and water rights. All of the Compact’s projects focus on overcoming barriers to the economic inclusion of women, youth, and the rural poor.
Market-Driven Irrigated Horticulture (MDIH) Project
The MDIH Project’s objective is to increase rural incomes related to commercial agriculture, including for women, youth, and the rural poor, and establish a sustainable and inclusive model of irrigation, water resource, and land management. The project provides extensive technical assistance and investments in institutional reforms and capacity building of both the GOL and beneficiaries of the project’s investment in irrigation infrastructure to develop a successful and sustainable horticulture industry. The budget for this project is $118 million.
Position Objective
The Activity Manager, Water Reforms Activity (MDIH) will be responsible for overseeing and implementing the Water Reforms Activity within the Market Driven Irrigated Horticulture (MDIH) Project. This role involves an oversight on the developing and implementation for water management reforms, including support to the review of water resources law and associated regulation. The Activity Manager will also foster compliance with relevant regulations, and collaboration with relevant stakeholders to optimize water resources for sustainable agricultural practices. Additionally, the Activity Manager will oversee water resources technical assistance to government, including the efforts in training and capacity building of water and irrigation sectors, of effective water resources management.
Key Responsibilities
- Support preparation and implementation of national and local level water reforms including policy, legal, regulatory and administrative frameworks and tools in line with best international practices in water resources planning and management. Conditions Precedents related to water resources management including enactment of Water Act, Irrigation Policy and Irrigation Act.
- Lead MCA-Lesotho technical assistance projects to the Ministry of Natural Resources entities including the water resources planning and management capacity strengthening for Department of Water Affairs (DWA) and dam safety approach and regulations for the Commissioner of Water.
- Foster coordination and collaboration with stakeholders on issues related to water resources management including Integrated Catchment Management (ICM) or Watershed Management Plans (WMP), Water and Sanitation (WASH) and climate change mitigation and adaption projects.
- Coordinate with irrigation sector to integrate water resources management issues and requirement related to establishment, operation and maintenance of irrigation schemes including the MDIH Project.
- Coordinate with the Environmental and Social Performance (ESP) team to identify issues, aspects, risks and impacts on resources emanating from establishment of the proposed irrigation schemes, in accordance with Lesotho and MCC policies and guidelines.
- Coordinate with the Gender and Social Inclusion team to ensure integration and alignment of gender and social requirements for the Compact in water resources planning and management, in accordance with Lesotho and MCC policies and guidelines.
- Collaborate with government agencies, local councils, and community stakeholders to promote policy reforms and regulatory frameworks conducive to efficient water resource management.
- Contribute in providing strategies for training and capacity-building support to Water User Organizations (WUOs) to enhance their understanding of water governance principles, rights, and responsibilities.
- Produce required status updates, routine monitoring reports and timely communications to the ESP Director, highlighting key implementation issues and opportunities.
- Prepare communications materials that highlight the Compact projects and activities, successes, and lessons learned.
- Assist in the preparation of the progress reports for the MCA Management and the Boards, as well as MCC and Government of Lesotho.
- Perform other tasks and responsibilities related to environmental, social, health and safety issues as requested by the Director ESP.
- Travel to project sites for supervision visits as required to implement the project.
Qualifications and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in water resources management, environmental science, agricultural engineering, or related field; Master’s degree preferred.
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in water resource management, with a focus on agricultural water use and irrigation systems.
- Demonstrated experience in project management, including planning, implementation, and monitoring of water reform initiatives.
- Experience in gender and social inclusion as well environmental and social requirements.
- Experience working with donor projects in developing countries.
Skills and Competencies
- Knowledge of water policy, regulations, and governance frameworks relevant to Lesotho’s agricultural sector.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess complex water management challenges and develop practical solutions.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, community leaders, and technical experts.
- Proficiency in English required; proficiency in Sesotho preferred.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant software applications for data analysis and reporting.
How to apply
Complete applications must be submitted online, on or before Friday March 29th, 2024.
Applications should be accompanied by the following documents:
- Curriculum vitae containing detailed work experience;
- Cover letter confirming interest and availability;
- Soft copies of higher education and professional certificates (if available);
- A completed online application form (can be accessed from https://lesotho-jobs.tenderwell.app – CV Template MCA Lesotho II)
Only applications that are submitted on or before the deadline will be considered.
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Submit your application online via: https://lesotho-jobs.tenderwell.app – Hard copy applications will not be considered.