Job Description
Functieomschrijving
India is one of the seven delta countries where the Netherlands International Water Ambition (NIWA) is active. The Indian and NL ministers have both signed the agreement establishing the 2 countries’ Strategic Water Partnership, which focuses on water scarcity, flooding and water quality. Programmes have been launched in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. India and NL are working together in Maharasthra on coastal protection and climate adaptation in urban areas, as well as on river purification. At the 2023 UN Water Conference, NL joined with the National Mission for Clean Ganga and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) to introduce a commitment under the Water Action Agenda on Scaling-up Water as Leverage Globally for urban climate resilience.
The commitment is being implemented by employing NL water sector parties and UN Habitat to provide support. Deltares and OOZE architects, Antea Group, Royal HaskoningDHV and IHE Delft Institute for Water Education are yet active in water management in India. Renewed efforts in India by Invest International can make a major contribution to increase NL earning capacity in water management. Water scarcity is a significant issue for India, particularly in agriculture, and people look to NL for help with irrigation techniques.
What you’ll be working on
You are the on-the-ground liaison for the NL–Indian water cooperation under the Strategic Partnership on Water (SWP) and liaison for NL water-related support to CDRI. You will coordinate the water team (2 persons) at the NL Embassy in New Delhi. You will be travelling within India.
The SWP is the main framework for water cooperation between India and NL. Its focus is on water safety and water security; to address water related challenges and promoting sustainable development, to meet the needs of people and ecosystems. It comprises of several programmes and policy instruments, such as Partners for Water and Water as Leverage.
Your main responsibility is to drive the fulfilment of the current SWP (2022-2027) and support the development of the perspective beyond. This includes the implementation of the two-year delta cooperation plan 2026-2027, enhancing synergies between different policy instruments and liaising with relevant stakeholders.
Furthermore, you will serve as the focal point to the India-led CDRI.
Other responsibilities include:
- Lead the establishment and operation of the Centre of Excellence (CoE) on Water, coordinate partners and programmes, support projects and pilots, promote NL water expertise and technology. Identify opportunities for innovation, markets and cross-sector collaboration.
- Drive the bilateral water cooperation as member of the Delta Team India. Local implementation and coordination of NL–India water cooperation, including policy advice, progress monitoring and stakeholder alignment. Support projects, partnerships and (government) delegations.
- Further drive the implementation of the Water as Leverage for Resilient Indian Cities programme. Integrating NL expertise into urban river management frameworks in Indian cities and coordinating with partners. Reporting progress to the SWP Joint Working Group and representing NL at key events.
- Lead the water activities under the NL membership of CDRI. Supporting the implementation of UWIR in India and coordinating with CDRI and partners.
- Guiding inputs of Deltares and representing NL in governance meetings and participating in related events.