Backstopping Mandate for the RésEAU cum AGUASAN

1. Thematic learning, capacity strengthening, training, and networking 

• Promoting thematic knowledge exchange, discussions, and networking at regional and global level in Switzerland and SDC countries of intervention, through (e-)workshops, learning journeys, training, and webinars; with a particular focus on remote tools.
• Promotion and support to the active and independent functioning of Sub-RésEAUs in different geographical regions. Support in developing and facilitating regional learning activities. 
• Providing support for thematic expert inputs, field visits, peer learning and review and mentoring to RésEAU members and promoting their participation in respective activities of SDC and its partners.
• Identification of new strategic partners and new members of the RésEAU taking into consideration the upcoming restructuring of knowledge networks into a ‘Cluster Green’ composed of the three thematic networks i.e. Agriculture and Food Security, Climate, DRR and Environment, and Water (RésEAU).
• Membership management of the RésEAU and surveys utilized for strategic steering. 

2. Knowledge generation, capitalization, and conceptualization  

• Analysis of SDC’s water portfolio and thematic content, e.g. scoping studies, trend sheets, policy work.
• Capitalizing experiences and extracting lessons learned from selected SDC projects and programs through learning journeys, capitalization products, brochures, reports etc.
• Formulation of key findings, results, messages and key recommendations for further improvement and development of SDC interventions in connection to water.
• Developing concepts and approaches that stimulate innovative reflection for the creation of new work streams and working modalities both within SDC as well as for partners and other relevant stakeholders related to water issues.
• Extracting and sharing relevant information among RésEAU members, including from other fields than the water sector ‘sensu stricto’ (‘nexus-understanding’).
• Securing the conduction of global and regional face-to-face and capacity-strengthening events such as the AGUASAN annual workshops and its quarterly meetings.

3. Information sharing, mainstreaming and policy influencing

• Developing policy messages that provide inputs and guidance for various internal and external strategic and operational documents, and thus supporting strategic reflection, and shaping of a forward-looking ‘Theory of Change’ in the water domain.
• Support the effective implementation of initiatives, the further development and adoption of concepts and the nourishment of policy dialogue and influencing at various levels (e.g., through regular RésEAU Updates, and the digital tools Shareweb and Dgroups).
• Periodical collection, compilation, and dissemination of novel thematic insights for the RésEAU and Sub-RésEAU members and other target groups (including thematic RésEAU Brief and the use of communication platforms).
• Providing know-how and support services for developing appropriate internal and external communication products on SDC’s water activities and positions.
• Awareness-raising campaigns to foster youth inclusion, Nexus understanding (e.g. the 1 Million Youth Actions Challenge, No Blue No Green Campaign) and RésEAU member’s successes.
• Developing Youth and Gender strategies and action plans for their stronger representation in water-related issues.

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