Institutional Strengthening Specialist
Job Description
1. Position Objective
To design, implement, and monitor institutional strengthening strategies aimed at enhancing governance, capacity, operational efficiency, and sustainability of water resource management institutions under the Bihar Water Security & Improvement Management Project.
The expert will support state and local water agencies in improving planning, service delivery, community participation, policy implementation, and long-term institutional resilience.
2. Key Responsibilities
️ A. Institutional Assessment & Diagnostics
Conduct institutional capacity assessments of:
Water Resources Department (WRD)
Public Health Engineering Department (PHED)
Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs)
Water User Associations (WUAs)
Identify gaps in governance, staffing, systems, coordination, and performance.
Prepare Institutional Gap Analysis & Reform Roadmap.
B. Institutional Strengthening Strategy Development
Develop a comprehensive Institutional Strengthening Framework aligned with:
State Water Policy
Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) principles
Climate-resilient water management approaches
Recommend restructuring models, delegation frameworks, and accountability mechanisms.
Support policy reforms and regulatory strengthening.
C. Capacity Building & Training
Design training modules for:
State and district-level officials
Technical and field staff
Community institutions (WUAs, SHGs, PRIs)
Conduct Training Needs Assessment (TNA).
Develop manuals, SOPs, operational guidelines, and knowledge products.
Facilitate exposure visits and workshops.
🤝 D. Stakeholder Engagement & Governance Support
Strengthen coordination among departments and agencies.
Promote participatory water governance models.
Support formation and strengthening of Water User Associations.
Integrate gender and social inclusion in institutional processes.
E. Monitoring & Performance Systems
Develop KPIs for institutional performance.
Design MIS and reporting frameworks.
Support introduction of performance-based monitoring systems.
Contribute to Results Framework & Project Monitoring Reports.
F. Sustainability & Exit Strategy
Develop institutional sustainability plans.
Support financial sustainability mechanisms.
Prepare transition strategies for post-project continuity.
3. Qualification & Experience
Education
Master’s degree in:
Public Administration / Public Policy
Water Resources Management
Development Studies
Institutional Economics
Civil/Environmental Engineering with institutional reform experience
Experience
Minimum 10–15 years of relevant experience in:
Institutional reforms
Water sector governance
Capacity building in public sector projects
Experience in externally aided projects (World Bank/ADB/JICA) preferred.
Experience working with state governments in India, preferably Bihar.
4. Technical Competencies
Knowledge of IWRM principles.
Understanding of water governance frameworks in India.
Experience in institutional capacity assessment tools.
Familiarity with decentralization, PRI systems, and water user associations.
Strong documentation and policy drafting skills.
Experience in climate-resilient water planning (desirable).
5. Deliverables
Institutional Assessment Report
Institutional Strengthening Strategy & Action Plan
Training Modules & Capacity Building Reports
SOPs & Operational Guidelines
Performance Monitoring Framework
Quarterly Progress Reports
6. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Adoption of recommended institutional reforms.
Improved coordination between departments.
Number of officials trained and capacity enhanced.
Functional Water User Associations strengthened.
Improvement in governance and reporting systems.
At Surbana Jurong, we put talent, hard work, teamwork and a fun workplace together to approach problems and solve them creatively and collaboratively. Join us in making a positive impact on the world!