WASH Specialist - Sanitation at WaterAid

Grade:  E
Reports to: State Programme Lead
Contract Type: 2 years fixed term (renewable)
Travel: 60% time travel to field location within the state

Team Description

• WaterAid Nigeria is almost midway into the implementation of its 2016-2021 country programme strategy which is focused at delivering a more influencing led programme over  a  15 year  horizon.
• This  new  country  strategy  outlines  key  shifts  required  to catalyse change  and  achieve  maximum  impact  for  our  work   in  Nigeria.
• The recalibration of WaterAid Nigeria’s structure and programming architecture has placed the state as the focus of our work to maximize the desired impacts.
• This position will work  as  part  of  the  Programmes  Directorate  which  leads  the  delivery  of  water  and sanitation  services  as  well  as  policy  analyses  for  influencing,  institutional  capacity, sector strengthening, and related support services.

Job Purpose

• Under the direct supervision of the State Programme Lead, the State WASH specialist (water)  will  drive  programmatic  activities  that  will  deliver  model  water  services  in communities,  schools  and  health  facilities  as  well  as  engage  key  stakeholders  of WASH  in  the  State  for  scaleup  and  replicability.
• This  position  will  support  the strengthening of institutional capacity of the structures set up to address water issues in the target LGA and the State at large.
• The role will also build and maintain effective collaborations  with  key  state  agencies  including  the  state  ministries  of  Water Resources, Health, Education, State Primary Health Care Development Agency, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) etc and Rural Water supply and sanitation Agency (RUWASSA).

Key Accountabilities

• Take leadership for the effective implementation of CLTS, Sanitation marketing and hygiene behaviour change activities implemented by WaterAid Nigeria and its partners in the state.
• Work in close collaboration with the Policy & Sector capacity officer to assess institutional capacity of RUWASSA, Ministry of Water resources, LGAs, Utilities, private sector and community actors to deliver sanitation services and to develop management models; use the results of the capacity assessments to design participatory action plans to strengthen capacity of these institutions to deliver sustainable sanitation services .
• As part of the State programme team, work with partners to build ownership and accountability for programmes in line with the programme quality standards outlined in the WaterAid programme accountability framework; make suggestions for improvements where gaps exist. 
• Ensure work plans to deliver all WaterAid funded programme activities are developed with strong inputs and participation of state partners, CSO’s and stakeholders; support partners agree to and commit to implementing the work plan and deliver key milestones. 
• Facilitate and supervise the feasibility studies and design of technology and management models; promoting and supporting the scaling up/replication of such models across the LGA’s and in the state financed projects 
• Ensure all infrastructure constructions to be implemented in the state are in line with WaterAid technical designs specifications and national standards. Support state and LGA’s to replicate similar standards and models in state and LGA financed constructions
• Ensure the mainstreaming of WaterAid key programme delivery approaches in the state including EIG (equity, inclusion and gender), sustainability models, Pro-Poor Approach, Risk Management, Health and Safety strategies/guidelines/policies etc 
• Implement and manage activities in line with WaterAid’s strategic direction and specific grant donor requirements; monitor and evaluate progress in line with WaterAid’s PMER standards and guidelines.
• Foster effective synergy and collaboration with WASH related stakeholders including health and education service providers to leverage their activities to improve sanitation access in the state.
• Identify and develop constructive and cooperative working relationships with key Water, Sanitation and Hygiene professionals in the state (e.g. government, donor community, service providers and utilities) and maintain them over time; Build and maintain effective network and collaboration with partners and key sector actors to achieve improved WASH access for the state.
• Work in close collaboration with communication team colleagues and voices from the field officers in the state to generate success stories, videos and case studies showcasing the quality of WaterAid work in the state. 
• Develop a viable system than ensure the maintenance of services (WASH) and that involves community structures, state structures and private operators (district mechanics); Support the state institutions and LGAs and to develop their procurement and quality assurance processes for latrine construction design for households, health facilities, schools and public places.
• Support the functionality of community management structures in line with best practices in every location where WaterAid has supported construction of sanitation infrastructure. 
• Build effective collaborations between relevant networks and stakeholders to seek attainment of ODF status by communities in the target LGA’s; support ODF free communities to receive certification.

Person specification
Essential Criteria:

• University Degree in the Physical Sciences, Public Health, Geology, or Civil Engineering.
• Three (3) years' work experience of which at least 2 would ideally be in the area of public health, environmental health or community health management.
• Demonstrable understanding of development programme management approaches 
• Prior experience working in the WASH sector, public, private or non-governmental Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to convey complex information clearly and persuasively
• Strong time management and organizational skills. 
• Good problem solving skills
• Commitment to WaterAid values and a working style that reflects these  

Salary
Competitive.