1.4.2 Boosting Proficiency in Water Professionals

ADB, NARBO, UNESCO-IHE, IWC

29 May 2013 – 16:30

Purpose of 5th Symposium

Kenneth Irvine, Chair of Aquatic Ecosystems, UNESCO-IHE

Ian W Makin, Principal Water Resources Specialist, ADB

Yasmin Siddiqi, Senior Water Resources Specialist, ADB

IWRM proficiency certification

Acknowledgements to Carel Keuls and Wim Douven, UNESCO-IHE

Content

1. Background to NARBO IWRM certification

2. Why certification?3. Proposed Certification Program4. Next steps

• Network of Asian River Basin Organizations (NARBO) was established in 2004 following the 3rd World Water Forum, Kyoto, Japan;

• NARBO’s objectives are:– strengthening the capacity and effectiveness of member organizations

in promoting IWRM – improving water governance through training and the exchange of

information and experience among RBOs and their associated water sector agencies.

• Since it foundation, NARBO has implemented seven training programs with over 140 participants

• Certification seen as logical development of training

Background to NARBO IWRM certification

• NARBO training events established with pass/fail criteria – More than attendance required to pass!

• IWRM is complex, requiring a range of skills• It is appropriate to recognize and reward

people with those skills• Certification provides a mechanism for

recognition and confidence in professionalism

Why certification?

• IWRM Proficiency Certification Service with 4 levels proficiency

– Basic IWRM Advocate– Middle IWRM Facilitator– Senior IWRM Leader– Regional IWRM Counselor

• Based on accumulation of experience and training credits

Proposed NARBO Certification Program

• Professional proficiency can be defined as the resultant of competence development, based on – formal education (degree, etc), – work experience, and – informal education (training, workshops,

seminars, conferences, etc.).

Proposed Certification Program

Will require:– An IWRM proficiency competence framework (what

competences are needed at each level); – Institutional accreditation, to quality assure

training and education modalities offered in IWRM competences;

– Certification of training programs of water professional organizations;

– International accreditation of training and education institutes and their formal and informal IWRM learning programs.

Establishing IWRM Certification

NARBO and ADB are supporting:• Development of a framework for a proficiency certification

programme for pilot implementation; • Work to establish service providers for proficiency certification in

specified IWRM competences, including defining a schema of IWRM competences, their levels and assessment;

• Exploring a variety of potential mechanism (e.g. training, workshops, on-line education, work experience and responsibilities) to “roll-out “a NARBO IWRM proficiency certification service across the region;

Next steps

Purpose of 5th Symposium

Feedback welcome

Contact detailsk.irvine@unesco-ihe.org