Institutional Strengthening Specialist

About the role

The Institutional Strengthening Specialist will design, implement, and monitor strategies to enhance governance, capacity, and sustainability of water resource management institutions under the Bihar Water Security & Improvement Management Project. The role supports state and local agencies in improving planning, service delivery, community participation, and long-term resilience.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct institutional capacity assessments of WRD, PHED, PRIs, and WUAs and prepare gap analysis and reform roadmaps.
• Develop a comprehensive Institutional Strengthening Framework aligned with state water policy, IWRM principles, and climate‑resilient approaches.
• Design training modules, manuals, SOPs, and knowledge products for officials and community institutions; facilitate trainings, exposure visits, and workshops.
• Strengthen coordination among departments, promote participatory water governance, support formation of Water User Associations, and integrate gender and social inclusion.
• Develop KPIs, MIS, and reporting frameworks; support performance‑based monitoring and contribute to project results reporting.
• Prepare institutional sustainability and exit strategies, including financial mechanisms and transition plans for post‑project continuity.

Required profile

• Master’s degree in Public Administration, Public Policy, Water Resources Management, Development Studies, Institutional Economics, or Civil/Environmental Engineering.
• 10–15 years of experience in institutional reforms, water sector governance, and capacity building in public‑sector projects.
• Experience with externally aided projects (World Bank, ADB, JICA) and working with state governments in India, preferably Bihar.

Required skills