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TOR – Chief Technical Advisor

Background

Based on the criteria below, the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) will be recruited for the project “Enhancing environmental security and transboundary cooperation in the Golok/Kolok River Basin” implemented by MERFI as the executing agency, with endorsement by ONWR, DID, and FAO. The CTA will be responsible for the overall management of the Project, including the mobilisation of all project inputs, supervision over project staff, consultants and sub-contractors. The CTA will also be responsible for overseeing the engagement process relevant for Components 2 and 4, supporting the design and implementation of pilots, and manage the supporting activities in Component 6.

The CTA will report directly to Dr Alexander Smajgl, MERFI’s Managing Director, as the Project Executing Agency, with technical oversight from FAO and strategic guidance from the Regional Steering Committee.

Duties and Responsibilities

The CTA will be responsible for project management activities including:

Project planning and coordination

Plan the activities of the project and monitor progress against the approved work‑plan.
Supervise and coordinate the production of project outputs, as per the project document in a timely and high quality fashion.
Coordinate all project inputs and ensure that they adhere to MERFI and FAO procedures.
Coordinate with MERFI project staff in the recruitment and selection of project personnel, consultants and sub‑contracts, including drafting terms of reference and work specifications and overseeing contractors’ work. Final approval of contracts and payments will be made by MERFI’s Managing Director in line with MERFI’s Financial Management Policy.

Supervision and team management

Supervise and coordinate the work of all project staff, consultants and sub‑contractors ensuring timing and quality of outputs.
Assists and advises the national teams responsible for activity implementation.
Promote gender inclusion by ensuring women’s participation in project design, staffing, budgeting, governance, training, and equitable access to benefits.

Financial management

Manage requests for the provision of financial resources by FAO, through advance of funds, direct payments, or reimbursement using the FAO provided format.
Work with MERFI project staff to prepare, revise and submit project work and financial plans, as required by Regional Project Steering Committee and FAO.
Monitor financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports, submitted on a quarterly basis.
Ensure that all recruitment, contracting, and financial management processes comply with MERFI’s Financial Management Policy and any donor policies annexed to project contracts (e.g., FAO requirements).

Risk and compliance

Manage and monitor the project risks initially identified and submit new risks to the Regional Steering Committee for consideration and decision on possible actions if required; update the status of these risks by maintaining the project risks log.
Report project progress to the steering committees, and ensure the fulfilment of RPSC directives.
Perform other related duties as mutually agreed with MERFI and FAO, consistent with the scope of the project.

Stakeholder engagement and liaison

Liaise with FAO, Regional Steering Committee, relevant government agencies, and all project partners, including donor organisations and CSOs for effective coordination of all project activities.
Facilitate administrative support to subcontractors and training activities supported by the Project.
Oversee the exchange and sharing of experiences and lessons learned with relevant community‑based integrated development projects nationally and internationally.
Participate virtually or in person Regional Steering Committee meetings, technical workshops, and training sessions relevant to project implementation.

Reporting and dissemination

Oversee and ensure timely submission of the Inception Report, Project Implementation Report, Technical reports, quarterly financial reports, and other reports as may be required by FAO, GEF and other oversight agencies.
Disseminate project reports and respond to queries from concerned stakeholders.

Capacity building

Assist community groups, municipalities, CSOs, staff, students and others with development of essential skills through training workshops and on‑the‑job training thereby increasing their institutional capabilities.

Component 2 and 4

The CTA will be responsible for coordinating the engagement and visioning processes. The CTA requires 10 years or more experience in participatory processes and in designing and conducting visioning processes, particularly in southeast Asia. The CTA needs to be experienced in working closely with the Governments of Malaysia and Thailand.

Component 3

The CTA will be responsible for coordinating the implementation of the pilots and oversee the technical aspects of the work in both countries. While this respsonibility will be largely shared with the national coordinators it will be critical that the CTA adopts a regional, whole-of-basin perspective for the implementation of pilots and leads the assessment of upscaling strategies from a technical perspective.

Component 6

The CTA will be responsible for overseeing the technical aspects of the identifying and realising learning potential utilising the IW-LEARN network as well as through the coordination with other relevant projects in the region.

Required skills and expertise

A university degree (MSc or PhD) in a subject related to natural resource management or environmental sciences.
At least 10 years of experience in natural resource management (preferably in the context of water resource assessment and management).
At least 10 years of experience in conducting integrated assessments in the context of policy and planning supporting processes in Southeast Asia.
At least 10 years of demonstrable project/programme management experience.
At least 10 years of experience working with ministries, national or provincial institutions that are concerned with natural resource and/or environmental management.

Competencies

Strong leadership, managerial and coordination skills, with a demonstrated ability to effectively coordinate the implementation of large multi-stakeholder projects, including financial and technical aspects.
Ability to effectively manage technical and administrative teams, work with a wide range of stakeholders across various sectors and at all levels, to develop durable partnerships with collaborating agencies.

Ability to administer budgets, train and work effectively with counterpart staff at all levels and with all groups involved in the project.
Ability to coordinate and supervise multiple teams across multiple countries in their implementation of technical activities in partnership with a variety of subnational stakeholder groups, including community and government.
Strong drafting, presentation and reporting skills.
Strong communication skills, especially in timely and accurate responses to emails.
Strong computer skills, in particular mastery of all applications of the MS Office package and internet search.
Excellent command of English.