The Volta is a transboundary river, which drains, an area of about 400,000 km2 and is shared by six countries - Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d'lvoire Ghana, Mali and Togo - that are dependent on its natural resources for their development. To institute measures for sustainable transboundary water resources management, the VBA was established by the Governments of the riparian countries with its headquarters in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso .The authority mandate is essentially to:

•  Promote permanent consultation tools among the parties for the development of the basin
•  Promote the implementation of integrated water resources management and the equitable distribution of the benefits resulting from their various utilisations;
•  Authorize the development of infrastructure and projects planned by the stakeholders and which could have substantial impact on the water resources of the basin;
•  Develop joint projects and works;
•  Contribute to poverty alleviation, the sustainable development of the Parties in the Volta basin, and for better socioeconomic integration in the sub-region

Description Of Job

Major Responsibilities:
In general, the Director of Planning and IWRM shall supervise activities enabling the implementation of IWRM through planning of development and management of water resources of the basin. Specifically, he shall:

•  Manage collaboration and or cooperation relations between the VBA and its stakeholders to allow for regular consultations of the key actors and efficient coordination of on-going activities in the basin;
•  Design and establish a monitoring and evaluation system for development activities in the Volta basin;
•  Lead the process of harmonization of legislation on water of the Member States based on the tools and core principles of IWRM;
•  Supervise the design of a Master Plan for Development and Management of Water Resources of the basin;
•  Participate in negotiations on funding and implementation of the Master Plan of the basin;
•  Prepare annual activity reports on development and co-ordination of basin plans for the attention of the Executive Director

Qualification Required & Experience

The candidate must have:

•  At least a Masters degree in Civil Engineering or in Water Resources or Environmental Management, Rural Development, Development Economics or equivalent
•  Additional training or qualification in Development Planning, River Basin Development and Management or GIS will be an advantage;
•  At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in water and environmental resources management;
•  Good communication skills and ability to lead a multidisciplinary team and work with partners;
•  Good command of either French or English and ability to speak the other

How To Apply For The Job

Interested candidates should submit the following documents to the Executive Director of the VBA:

•  Application letter;
•  Birth certificate or any other document that can serve the purpose;
•  Report of court of justice not more than three months old;
•  Certified true copy of titles, degrees, diplomas and qualifications;
•  Two passport-size photographs;
•  Copy of citizenship or any other relevant document testifying citizenship
•  Recent curriculum vitae indicating the names and addresses of 2 referees and certified as true by the applicant

Applications should be forwarded to one of the following addresses:

•  By email: secretariat.abv@abv-volta.org or secretariat.abv@gmail.com;
•  By post: 10 BP 13621 Ouagadougou 10, Burkina Faso
•  By direct deposition at the Executive Directorate of the VBA at Ouaga 2000, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso; Tel:+ 226 50376067

A copy of the application and supporting documents should be deposited with the VBA National Focal Point in the respective countries of the candidates

Closing Date: 15th September, 2012

For further information, please consult the VBA website: www.abv-volta.org