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.

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