Senior Water Supply Project Officer job position at Water for People. Deadline 15th October 2021

Job Description Senior Water Supply Project Officer

Title: Senior Water Supply Project Officer

Duration: One Year with possibility of renewal                

Department: Water For People/USAID Funded THRIVE WASH project

Supervisor’s title: Deputy Chief of Party  

Organizational context:                                                                                          

Water For People is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) that works with people and partners to develop innovative and long-lasting solutions to the water, sanitation, and hygiene problems in developing countries.  The organization strives to continually improve, experiment with promising new ideas, and leverage resources to multiply its impact.

Water For People is currently operating in 9 countries including Rwanda where Water For People is supporting WASH interventions in the Districts of Rulindo, Kicukiro, Gicumbi, and Karongi.

Water For People has secured funds from USAID for the Thrive WASH “Isoko y’Ubuzima”  project that will operate in 10 Districts of Rwanda from 2021 to 2026.

It is against this background that Water For People in Rwanda is seeking to recruit a Senior Water Supply Project Officer with the following qualification and competencies:

Position objective:

Under the supervision of the Deputy Chief of Party, the Senior Water Supply Project Officer is responsible for running and supervising water supply activities under the THRIVE WASH Project Strategic Objective 2 title ‘’Water Supply Services Improved’’ which s/he will lead.

Specifically, she/he ensures the overall success of the field Water Supply activities related to construction/rehabilitation of water and sanitation works are completed on time and respect both the USAID and national standards. 

Further objective for the Senior Water Supply Project Officer concerns the capacity building and mentoring of technical staff (operations engineer, water supply engineer, sanitation officer, district facilitators) and where necessary, partner Water Supply district staff.

The Senior Water Supply Officer will also be part of the Project Management team along with the Leads of Strategic Objectives 1 and 3, together with the Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, Private Sector Development Advisor, and the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager with the objective of achieving the THRIVE WASH Project Objectives. 

Major responsibilities and duties:

• Liaise with the DCOP and PSDA to plan and monitor the implementation of water supply activities on the field;
• Manage a team of field engineers and prepare periodic work plans against project objectives;
• Provide technical direction and advice to ensure that project activities under are designed and implemented in line with the Project intended results;
• Plan and review of district water detailed engineering designs;
• Oversee appropriate technical design, execution, and evaluation of progress for the construction and rehabilitation work of water supply systems;
• Coordinate with project field engineers to ensure the construction and rehabilitation of water supply infrastructure is done on time and respect USAID and national standards;
• Support the district in the elaboration of its Water Supply Plan, and in its effort to strengthen capacities of the District Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (DWASHB) Board, District Water Offices, water private operators, local entrepreneurs in sanitation and hygiene, etc. to ensure full and reliable Water Supply services;
• Work with water private operators to gain a better knowledge on water service reliability and water business viability, and set up KPIs;
• Coordinate with VEI in building the capacity of POs and WASAC district support engineers on the design and implementation of District Metered Area (DMA) for technical Non-Revenue Water reduction;
• Participate in assessments and surveys where his/her expertise is needed;
• Document lessons learned and best practices for knowledge sharing;
• Gather and report all Water Supply field reports from field engineers under his/her supervision to the DCOP on monthly basis or at any time needed;
• Identify and monitor risks, constraints or escalating issues, and inform supervisor;

• Assist the DCOP and the THRIVE WASH Project Steering committee in the preparation of reports;

• Ensure that all data and information is updated, well organized and easily accessible; and that lessons learned, and best practice are capitalized;
• Coordinate with the consortium to ensure a common approach, synergy, and sharing of information;
• Represent THRIVE WASH Project externally and collaborate/coordinate with local authorities, counterparts, partners, and stakeholders.

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Hydraulic, Civil Engineering, Environmental Sciences or any related field
• At least five (5) years of working experience in water and sanitation sector;
• Understanding of community-level water supply development
• At least 2 years of experience working in an International NGO
• Knowledge of the Rwandan administrative framework

• Excellent organizational/logistic, communication, and interpersonal skills

• Maintain sound ethical principles, integrity, and transparency of the due process
• Fluent in English, knowledge of French and Kinyarwanda would be an advantage;
• Ability to work in a team on the field, interpersonal qualities, flexible with respect to job priority
• Experience in managing teams essential
• Initiative, availability/capacity to learn
• Organized and rigorous

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)

• Track delivery against THRIVE WASH Project goals and objectives,
• Support the design and implementation of baseline assignments and other surveys and gathering information for reporting and periodic updates using approved monitoring tools and methodology,
• Use monitoring results to inform decisions,

 Reporting

• Update and maintain the project reporting calendar,
• Work with the team to prepare concise periodic reports and produce a synthetic and analytical progress report to guide management decision-making.
• Maintain grant reporting schedules, work with project team to draft narrative and financial reports prior to donor deadlines, review reports for consistency with project objectives and timelines, as well as for adherence to USAID requirements.

Supervisory duties

• Oversee the technical and administrative management of THRIVE WASH Project Water Supply Engineers and District Facilitators; and Technical supervisory role for the Water Supply Operations Manager under VEI
• Develop the capacity of field engineers on different project policies and procedures

 Competencies:

• Connects to the Mission – Embraces the mission of Water For People and is passionate about advancing the dynamic role it plays in leading social impact in international development.
• Demonstrates Ethics and Integrity – Understands ethical behavior and business practices, and ensures that own behavior is consistent with these standards and aligns with the values of the organization.
• Manages through Ambiguity – Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in responding to change and ambiguity. 
• Demonstrates Cultural Awareness – Able to engage a wide range of stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds and cultures.
• Action-oriented – Maintains an attitude of open, curious, and proactive learning, continually expanding own area of understanding and expertise.
• Connects with Others – Listens and fosters open communication through questioning, dialogue, and information sharing.
• Self-confident – Demonstrates humility, mature confidence, and courage to innovate, risk, and lead in own role.

 Employment Conditions:

• The Senior Water Supply Project Officer will be based in the Kigali office, with frequent field visits mainly in the ten districts where the project is operating.
• Travel within Rwanda will be required. International travel may also be required from time to time.
• The contract between Water For People—Rwanda and the Senior Water Supply Project Officer is for one-year renewable based on performance, with a three months’ probation.
• The Senior Water Supply Project Officer will comply with applicable in-country rules and regulations.
• It is expected that the Senior Water Supply Project Officer will follow the policies and procedures of Water For People—Rwanda.

How to Apply:

• If you are both qualified and Water For People interests you, please visit our Career Center and apply with an application letter along with detailed curriculum vitae (resume), relevant academic documents, and contact details of at least three (3) referees to this position. Please submit your application materials in English. In-person visits or phone calls are not allowed!
• Applications need to be received no later than October 15, 2021, at 5:00 pm (Rwanda time).

Note:   Women are encouraged to apply!

Done at Kigali on October 8, 2021 

Water For People

KG 626 ST; House #11

P.O Box 7022 Kigali, Rwanda