State Programme Lead at WaterAid

Grade: H
Department: Service Delivery & Partnerships Unit, Programmes Directorate
Reports to (title): Director of Programmes
Contract Type: 1 year fixed term (renewable)
Direct Reports (titles): State Finance & Admin Officer, Programme Monitoring Evaluation & Reporting Officer, WASH Specialist, Policy & Sector Strengthening Specialist, Logistics/Driver
Travel: At least 60% time travel to support partners

Team Description

• The Service Delivery and Partnerships Unit, within WaterAid Nigeria’s programme Directorate is responsible for engaging with multiple stakeholders in the programmatic value chain to ensure delivery of quality programmes. The recalibration of WaterAid Nigeria’s structure and programming architecture has placed the state as the focus of our work to maximize impact.
• The position of the State Programme Lead is conceived and structured along lines similar to that of a pseudo Country Director albeit with a reduced scope restricted to the state programme.

Specific Context

• WaterAid Nigeria is exploring a collaboration with UNICEF to deliver work in Zamfara State under the auspices of the DFID funded SHAWN II project. The Sanitation, Hygiene and Water in Nigeria (SHAWN) project will aim at strengthening the WASH enabling environment in three Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Zamfara State, working with state level systems towards increasing access to equitable and sustainable WASH services in Bakura, Shinkafi and Maru Local Government Areas (LGAs). The funding is for one year.

Job Purpose

• To successfully coordinate the implementation of WaterAid’s country strategic initiatives at the State level by ensuring that all country thematic activities are properly included in realistic and achievable annual State Programme Plans and delivered through appropriate projects.
• This role will be accountable for conceptualizing programmes/projects, planning the effective delivery of programmatic outcomes that align with these plans in line with WaterAid programmatic principles and approaches; building and nurturing effective collaborations and partnerships with stakeholders (including implementing partners) for the delivery of WaterAid programmes /projects and an improved WASH outcome in the designated WaterAid state programme.
• This role will lead the successful implementation to the programme objectives through supporting and strengthening the key partners such as RUWASSA, SUBEBS and Health sector coordinating entities; Manage and maintain complex relationships across the state government and the donor.

Accountabilities
Effective Programme management:

• Lead the detailed analysis and collaborative programme planning to implement and manage the UNICEF SHAWN II grant in line with the UNICEF/DFID and WaterAid’s objectives; monitor and evaluate progress of the programmes and its projects in line with WaterAid’s PMER standards and guidelines.
• Take leadership for all state level reporting to WaterAid and grant funders on programme activities in the state; Ensure information on ongoing programmes in the state are kept up to date on the Project centre platform.
• Lead the development and maintenance of key strategic relationships from state to local level across the key involved sectors; act as credible WaterAid representative in the State.
• Identify, develop and maintain constructive and cooperative working relationships with partners, state officials and sector stakeholders; act as a worthy and credible WaterAid representative in the State.
• Proactively engage in sector support initiatives and participate in sector coordination meetings at state level, particularly if directly linked to the programme objectives; use these relationships to positively project WaterAid positions on WASH issues and influence policy change in the state
• Ensure that appropriate programme management, quality assurance and monitoring mechanisms are in place to ensure high quality delivery of work by partners, across all critical programme objectives
• Work collaboratively with and draw on the wider support and expertise from within WaterAid to develop and improve the initiatives required for the successful delivery of the programme
• Promote and ensure the mainstreaming of WaterAid programme principles and quality standards in all WaterAid’s programme in the State
• Exercise accountability for management of financial budget and resources at state office; ensure timely and accurate budgets and financial reports are generated and submitted to WaterAid Nigeria Country office to facilitate reimbursements of expenses incurred on overhead and programmatic activities.

Effective donor and grant management:

• Use knowledge of state context to initiate project concepts/ proposals that respond to WASH issues in the state; Work in active collaboration with fundraising team to market grant programmes/project funding opportunities for state programme/projects to potential funders.
• Develop case studies and success stories to demonstrate impact of WaterAid’s work, enhance the visibility of WANG programmes and use as fundraising materials

Partnership management:

• Provide leadership in the identification, engagement and effective management of partner institutions/organization relevant to the delivery of the grant targets Leadership & Team Management
• Lead the development of activity based budgets for state program activities across thematic areas; Accountable for managing budgets aligning the budget with activities and for monitoring to ensure budget performance of multiple partners is according to plan; ensuring good quality financial reports of programmes & from partners in the state are submitted on time. Resolving any inaccuracies in a timely manner. Work collaboratively with Finance & Information Technology (FIT) to ensure timely disbursement of funds required by partners
• Directly supervise state programmes team to deliver high performance; Provide guidance and direction to a multi-functional team, including setting performance objectives and monitoring performance of the members of the state team.
• Coach & mentor team members to enable effective delivery of targets and prioritize achievement of the learning & development priorities of the team.

Person Specification
Essential Criteria:

• Master's Degree in the Social Sciences, Development Studies, International Development, Public Health or other relevant field.
• At least 7 years’ experience working in similar roles, with at least 5 in leadership / management positions
• Proven ability in successfully managing similar sized grant funded programmes/projects funded by international donors in a developing country context.
• Proven ability to influence key state stakeholders and create change, including an understanding of advocacy tools and approaches
• Strong interpersonal skills, ability to build and maintain good working relationships with a variety of colleagues and stakeholders.
• Experience working with partners implementing a grant funded project.
• Strong programme/project management skills, including the ability to ability to initiate, plan, manage and monitor programmes & projects; technical ability to develop programme plans/design log frames etc
• Experience of managing multiple project stakeholders including community level stakeholders; donors; government officials etc
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including strong presentation skills; Experience of project documentation for use in influencing; writing case studies and success stories
• Familiarity with and experience using participatory tools, methods and approaches in project management
• Strong analytical skills
• Above average competence in the use of IT tools. Proficiency in the use of Microsoft suite of computer Applications-Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.
• Experience of leading, managing and motivating others and driving change
• Commitment to WaterAid’s values and a working style that reflects these

Desirable Criteria:

• 10 years’ experience in a similar role
• Knowledge of adult learning approaches
• Knowledge of behaviour change models and approaches.

Salary
Competitive with excellent benefits.