Contract: 1-year fixed term
One Oxfam Grade: C1 National
Salary and benefits: N/A
Department purpose: The Oxfam in Asia regional platform contributes to and implements Oxfam’s Global Objectives and Strategy and leads the implementation of Oxfam in Asia’s Strategic Framework, by providing vision and strategic direction to all of Oxfam’s work in Asia. This includes Oxfam’s humanitarian responses and the localization of humanitarian leadership, long-term development programming, and influencing work. Responsible and accountable for the strategic direction and effective management of the programming in Asia, effective management of financial and human resources in line with Oxfam policy, and providing high-level support and representation for advocacy, fundraising, and any other representational purposes in support of Oxfam’s work and interests while ensuring gender justice and feminist principles are adopted.
Team purpose: The Mekong Regional Water Governance Program (MRWGP) focuses on inclusive and equitable water governance, addressing climate change, water security, and social accountability. MRWGP oversees regional projects funded by DFAT and SDC, ensuring sustainable water governance across Cambodia, Thailand, Lao PDR, Vietnam and Myanmar. The Mekong Inclusive Water Governance and Climate Resilience Program 3 (IP3) (2025-2029) integrates water governance and climate resilience for regional policy impact. The program aims for - More sustainable and resilient livelihoods of riparian communities in the Mekong Sub-region and prioritises three interconnected pillars. Pillar 1: Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) and Feminist Influencing; Pillar 2: Inclusive Water Resource Governance; Pillar 3. Climate Resilient Communities.
Job purpose: The Water Resource Governance Thematic Lead will provide strategic and technical leadership across Inclusion Project 3 (IP3), focusing on inclusive, community-driven water resource governance. The role supports program design and implementation that centres the knowledge, agency, and priorities of frontline communities. It will lead to technical capacity strengthening, cross-country learning, and influencing priorities with a focus on advancing inclusive water governance in the Mekong region. This position involves coordinating with regional and country-level teams, facilitating technical learning and integration of Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) principles, and contributing to evidence-based policy research and advocacy. The role ensures that project delivery remains responsive to the political, technical, and ecological dynamics within the region.
DIMENSIONS of the Role
Strategic Leadership and Program Delivery: The role is responsible for developing and implementing strategies that shape programming and policy through effective water resource governance mainstreaming and standalone activities. Provides leadership in thematic areas—water resource governance, hydro-power, energy alternatives and river protection.
External Engagement and Representation: Significant external-facing responsibilities, including engaging governments, regional partners, civil society, donors, and regional and global networks to influence narratives, policy, and practice. Builds and sustains relationships across government bodies, civil society, partners, and donors to further programmatic and influencing goals.
Technical Expertise and Advisory Support: The role serves as a senior technical specialist on Water Resource Governance - advising internal teams and leading matrixed teams and partners across multiple countries. Applies and shares in-depth technical knowledge (e.g., water resource governance, hydro-power, just energy transition) and translates this into influencing materials and evidence-based advocacy.
Capacity Strengthening and Technical Support: Provides targeted capacity development to Oxfam teams and partners across multiple countries, equipping them with tools, knowledge, and confidence to apply inclusive, rights-based approaches to water resource governance. Supports practical understanding of the political, social, economic, and administrative systems in place that influence how water resources are managed, used, and protected in the Mekong.
Key Responsibilities:
Technical Leadership
Team purpose: The Mekong Regional Water Governance Program (MRWGP) focuses on inclusive and equitable water governance, addressing climate change, water security, and social accountability. MRWGP oversees regional projects funded by DFAT and SDC, ensuring sustainable water governance across Cambodia, Thailand, Lao PDR, Vietnam and Myanmar. The Mekong Inclusive Water Governance and Climate Resilience Program 3 (IP3) (2025-2029) integrates water governance and climate resilience for regional policy impact. The program aims for - More sustainable and resilient livelihoods of riparian communities in the Mekong Sub-region and prioritises three interconnected pillars. Pillar 1: Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) and Feminist Influencing; Pillar 2: Inclusive Water Resource Governance; Pillar 3. Climate Resilient Communities.
Job purpose: The Water Resource Governance Thematic Lead will provide strategic and technical leadership across Inclusion Project 3 (IP3), focusing on inclusive, community-driven water resource governance. The role supports program design and implementation that centres the knowledge, agency, and priorities of frontline communities. It will lead to technical capacity strengthening, cross-country learning, and influencing priorities with a focus on advancing inclusive water governance in the Mekong region. This position involves coordinating with regional and country-level teams, facilitating technical learning and integration of Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) principles, and contributing to evidence-based policy research and advocacy. The role ensures that project delivery remains responsive to the political, technical, and ecological dynamics within the region.
DIMENSIONS of the Role
Strategic Leadership and Program Delivery: The role is responsible for developing and implementing strategies that shape programming and policy through effective water resource governance mainstreaming and standalone activities. Provides leadership in thematic areas—water resource governance, hydro-power, energy alternatives and river protection.
External Engagement and Representation: Significant external-facing responsibilities, including engaging governments, regional partners, civil society, donors, and regional and global networks to influence narratives, policy, and practice. Builds and sustains relationships across government bodies, civil society, partners, and donors to further programmatic and influencing goals.
Technical Expertise and Advisory Support: The role serves as a senior technical specialist on Water Resource Governance - advising internal teams and leading matrixed teams and partners across multiple countries. Applies and shares in-depth technical knowledge (e.g., water resource governance, hydro-power, just energy transition) and translates this into influencing materials and evidence-based advocacy.
Capacity Strengthening and Technical Support: Provides targeted capacity development to Oxfam teams and partners across multiple countries, equipping them with tools, knowledge, and confidence to apply inclusive, rights-based approaches to water resource governance. Supports practical understanding of the political, social, economic, and administrative systems in place that influence how water resources are managed, used, and protected in the Mekong.
Key Responsibilities:
Technical Leadership
- Provide strategic and context-specific technical guidance on water resource governance, transboundary political economy analysis, and integrating gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI) throughout all programmatic components.
- Collaborate with the GEDSI, and Climate Resilience and MEAL leads to co-design and implement activities, events and plans aligned with Oxfam’s feminist principles and programmatic objectives.
- Identify and engage women leaders and champions of inclusive water governance reforms among water administrations and agencies, such as water user groups, businesses, universities, media, and/or civil society at large.
- Lead technical learning and ensure that innovations and good practices in water resource governance are shared across country teams and partners.
- Lead technical initiatives across regional and country-level teams to ensure that interventions in water governance are aligned with the project’s inclusion objectives.
- Support institutional and policy development efforts to further transboundary water cooperation, advise on the drafting of policy brief, position papers that link to regional policy and regulation, policies and studies that promote IWRM, regional project transparency, accountability.
- Contribute to program planning and implementation by providing technical input to activities that promote inclusive water governance.
- Deliver subject matter expertise on inclusive water governance approaches, civil society engagement, and gender-responsive policy actions, providing practical guidance to project teams and local partners.
- Provide technical inputs for policy influencing work at both national and regional levels, ensuring recommendations are evidence-based and informed by community needs.
- Lead the preparation of technical documentation, including policy briefs, learning papers, and donor reports, in close collaboration with Monitoring Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) and communications specialists.
Capacity Strengthening and Learning
- Strengthen the capacity of partners and Oxfam teams through tailored technical support, mentorship, and training on inclusive and feminist approaches to water resource governance.
- Facilitate cross-country learning exchanges, peer-to-peer platforms, and thematic workshops to deepen shared understanding and practice on water resource governance.
- Support partners in developing locally grounded methodologies and tools for river protection that promote community ownership and sustainability.
- Provide coaching and backstopping to country teams on operationalizing water resource governance commitments in planning, implementation, MEAL, and influencing.
- Influencing, Advocacy and Representation
- Develop evidence-based regional influencing strategies focused on water resource governance and community rights.
- Represent Oxfam and the program in regional and international forums, dialogues, and policy spaces, building visibility and momentum for feminist and inclusive water resource governance.
- Coordinate and commission policy briefs and advocacy materials informed by community experiences and partner knowledge, targeting key government and multilateral actors.
- Build and maintain strategic relationships with civil society, research institutions, donors, and regional bodies to advance collective influencing priorities.
- Ensure the quality and contextual relevance of all technical outputs, including knowledge products, MEAL tools, and advocacy materials, with attention to the Mekong region’s ecological, socio-political, and institutional dynamics.
- People and Partnership Coordination
- Coordinate with regional partners, consultants, and Oxfam technical leads to ensure coherent and accountable implementation of technical components of the project.
- Promote collaborative ways of working across country teams, ensuring alignment with shared learning goals and strategic coherence.
- Contribute to internal planning, coordination, and reporting processes, ensuring that lessons inform project reviews, donor reporting, and scale-up strategies.
Job Requirements
Essential
Qualifications: Advanced Degree in Environmental Science / Hydrology / Water Resource Engineering, Public Policy / Political Science / Law or Development Studies.
Proven Technical Expertise in Water Resource Governance: (8+ years progressive experience) providing technical leadership in water resource governance in multi-country or regional contexts.
Strong understanding of inclusive, rights-based approaches, and practical experience integrating GEDSI considerations into climate and natural resource governance initiatives.
Strategic Leadership and Program Delivery Experience: Experience in developing and implementing strategies that shape multi-country programs and policy, with a track record of influencing water resource governance agendas.
Strong External Engagement, Influencing, and Advocacy Skills: Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with a wide range of actors—governments, civil society, donors, and multilateral institutions—to advance policy influence and program impact.
Capacity Strengthening and Partnership Facilitation: Experience in delivering tailored capacity development to civil society partners and internal teams, including training, mentoring, and technical accompaniment. Ability to facilitate learning exchanges and co-create context-specific tools and strategies that strengthen locally led and feminist approaches to water resource governance.
Fluency in a Mekong language and a high level of competency in written and spoken English, with the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and adapt messaging for diverse audiences, including partners, policymakers, and communities.
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