Community Water Specialist at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Job Ref Code: CWS80119
Location: Nigeria/Yola
Band: 7
Department: Programs/Water for Agriculture
Supervisor: Water Governance Manager
Supervisees: None

Job Summary / Background

• The Community Water Specialist will support the Water Governance Manager in the delivery of USAID-funded Water for Agriculture (WFA) project by building institutional capacity of local government agencies and communities to utilize, manage and develop water assets in an equitable and sustainable manner. 
• The goal and key performance indicator (KPI) of this position is self-financing, good governance and management of water infrastructure projects at community level. 
• This will include successful institution and acceptance of water tariffs to finance operational costs, routine repair and system overhaul. 
• The post holder will support the Water Governance Manager to deliver ‘Component 2: Strengthening Capacity for Water Governance and Management’ of WFA but focusing on the community aspects.  S/he will be required to familiarize her/himself on the conceptualization, implementation and reporting on this component. 

Job Responsibilities

• Under the leadership of the Water Governance Manager, provide technical assistance to relevant government ministries and departmental agencies aimed at ensuring responsible governance of water infrastructure developed / rehabilitated by WFA project. The post-holder:
  • Work with MDAs to develop tools and activities to monitor performance of water infrastructure
  • Enable MDAs to enforce legislation, policies and guidelines that encourage responsible utilization, conservation and management of water assets
  • Build capacity, encourage inter-departmental coordination and improve organizational structure of relevant MDAs to increase effectiveness and efficiencies aimed at providing better oversight to water management entities.
• Under the leadership of the Water Governance Manager, provide technical assistance to targeted communities aimed at ensuring responsible and sustainable utilization and management of water infrastructure developed / rehabilitated by WFA project. The post holder will:
  • Work within the existing government legislation and guidelines to form / strengthen community water management committees.
  • Build technical, financial and organizational capacities of community water management committees using CRS and other INGOs’ training tools such as SMART Skills.
  • Support community water management committees to self-organize, establish democratic governance structures and obtain requisite government registrations.
  • Ensure linkages and sustained engagements between community water management committees and relevant government MDAs for purposes of oversight and support.
• Support target communities to understand the need for, to institute and to manage water tariffs / cost-recovery fees in an equitable and transparent manner.
• Under the leadership of the Water Governance Manager, provide training in good water governance and management practices to communities’ leadership, water assets’ management committees and members of the targeted communities.
• Under the leadership of the Water Governance Manager, support target communities to formulate and implement fundraising and income generation strategies aimed at subsidizing the heavy cost of water assets capital investments / major system overhauls and repairs.
• Work closely with other project staff and with Search for Common Ground (SEARCH) to build communities’ understanding of and capacity to manage competition over water resources and the resulting conflict. The post holder will be required to track and report conflicts over water resources in all targeted communities / LGAs.
• Document case studies and share information on water governance and management best practices and lessons learned within CRS and with local partners and government MDAs.
• Working closely with the Water Governance Manager, prepare monthly, quarterly and annual work plans, budgets, and technical reports on Water Governance activities as part of the overall WFA program planning and reporting cycle.
• Represent CRS in water forums in the absence of the Water Governance Manager

Background, Experience & Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Micro-finance, Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration or other relevant fields.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in provision of financial services particularly to rural unbaked populations.
• Experience working with agricultural and livestock value chains.
• Demonstrated ability to influence private sector actors to generate financial products for the poor and rural communities.
• A deep understanding of the impact and influence of culture, religion and other socio-economic factors in acceptance and uptake of financial services and products.
• An active pro-poor approach to provision of financial services.
• At least 3 years’ experience on similar donor-funded programs. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English; knowledge of Hausa will be an added advantage.
• Strong computer literacy with a full knowledge of office applications.
• Travel Required 60% to field locations in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa

Key Working Relationships:

• Internal: Deputy Chief of Party, Community Liaison, Water Governance Manager, Construction Supervisors, Hydrologist, Geo-Hydrologist
• External: Government ministries departments and agencies, local and international NGOs, coordination platforms and working groups, community leaders

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

• These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.
• Integrity
• Strategic Mindset
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Develops Talent
• Builds Relationships
• Accountability & Stewardship