State Project Officer at WaterAid Nigeria

WaterAid is an international organisation whose mission is to transform the lives of the poorest and most marginalised people by improving access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene. Through their partners, they have reached 2 million people with safe water and 3 million people with sanitation last year.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: State Project Officer

Location: Enugu
Pay band: Grade D
Contract type: 18 months fixed term
Reports to: State Programme Lead
Travel: 60% travel to field locations within and outside the state

Team Description

WaterAid Nigeria has recently completed its 2016-21 Country Programme Strategy, which sets a 5-year building block towards delivering a more influencing-led programme over a 15-year horizon.
This new country strategy, rather than reflect a progression from previous country programme strategies, outlines key shifts in focus 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 impact.

Job Purpose

Under the direct supervision of the State Programme Lead(SPL), the State Project Officer will drive project activities in Enugu state that will deliver model water services in communities, and engage key stakeholders of WASH in the State for sustainability, scale-up and replicability.
The State Project Officer will work in implementing WaterAid’s GETF/RAIN Safe Water Project work against agreed plans and priorities of the project.
The post holder will build and maintain effective collaborations with internal and external stakeholders and partners (state government, LGA, Civil society, Media, the private sector and community structures) for the delivery of WaterAid GETF/RAIN projects and an improved WASH outcome in WaterAid’s Enugu state programme.

Key Accountabilities
Effective Project Management:

Under the direct supervision of the SPL, be responsible for key project delivery and reporting to WaterAid and grant funders on project activities in the state; Ensure information on ongoing projects in the state are kept up to date on the Project centre platform;
Support the SPL for effective implementation of WaterAid’s Water Services delivery, Sanitation marketing, Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) management and hygiene behaviour change activities implemented by WaterAid Nigeria and its partners in the state;
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 publicly financed constructions;
Support the functionality of community management structures in line with best practices in every location where WaterAid has supported construction of WASH infrastructure.
Develop a viable system than ensure the maintenance of services (WASH) and that involves community structures, state structures and facility operators (WCAs, WASHCOMs and Kiosk Managers)
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
Support the SPL in the exercise of accountability in the 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.
Manage projects in Enugu state in accordance with WaterAid’s objectives; work with the PMER officer to monitor and evaluate progress of the programmes and its projects in line with WaterAid’s PMER standards and guidelines.
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
Work in close collaboration with the Coordinator Policy & Sector capacity to strengthen institutional capacity of STU, RUWASSA, Ministry of Water resources, LGAs, Utilities, private sector, civil society and community actors to deliver sanitation services and to develop management models
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.
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.
Work with partners in monitoring WASH facility /infrastructure construction in the state; provide reports on functionality assessment of WASH facility constructed with WaterAid support
Collaborate with the state team colleagues to prepare and submit periodic reports (monthly, quarterly, and annual reports) based on grant donor reporting timelines, the annual output verification exercise and other monitoring exercises.
Manage consultants working on facility constructions, media production and other researches/analyses where required.
Support the Secretariat of the Project Steering Committee to ensure timely reporting to the Committee, draw meeting agenda and develop minutes of meetings of the Committee.
In collaboration with CSO Partners, monitor the performance of community based management structures such as WCAs, WASHCOMs, Kiosk Managers, Scheme Operators and sanitation businesses in all project communities in the State and report their performances regularly to the SPL.
In collaboration with the Small Town Unit and RUWASSA provide oversight function in the operation and maintenance of WASH infrastructure in project communities including revenue generation, funds management.
Carry out any other function as may be directed by the SPL, the WASH Technical Expert of WaterAid, Director of Programmes or any other member of the GETF/RAIN Project Technical Team in Abuja.

Advocacy and Communication:

Work with the PMER Officer and the WaterAid Communications & Advocacy team to generate data, generate success stories, videos and case studies required to shape advocacy, campaigns and influencing activities targeted at improving WASH access in the state;
Support the SPL in conducting WASH advocacy campaigns & activities in the state at the state, local government and community levels focused on improving WASH access and behavior;
In collaboration with the Comms Team and the SPL, create linkages and improve use of the media at the state to inform and shape conversations on WASH service delivery in the State.
Work with the State Programme team on strengthening and engaging project & sector coordination platforms

Person Specification
Essential Criteria:

University Degree in Geology, Geo-Physics, Civil Engineering, Water Engineering, Public Health, or any other related qualification.
Three to four (3-4) years’ work experience, of which at least two (2) would ideally be in community based projects funded by local or international organizations in the area of WASH, public health, environmental health or community health management performing a project/programme management role
Strong competence in the use of IT tools. Proficiency in the use of Microsoft suite of computer Applications-Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.
Demonstrable understanding of development programme management approaches and WASH Issues in Nigeria.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to convey complex information clearly and persuasively
Strong time management and organisational skills
Good problem solving skills
Commitment to WaterAid values and a working style that reflects these

Desirable:

Experience working with a wide range of partners implementing a grant funded project and in managing partnerships with such organizations
Prior experience working in the WASH sector would be a distinct advantage.
We started because no NGO like us existed. We’ll end when no organisation like us is needed. In the meantime, we’re making great progress – since 1981, we have reached 25 million people with clean water and, since 2004, 24 million people with sanitation.
We’re looking for people who share a commitment to our vision. We’re looking for people with an appreciation and respect for different people and ideas, and the energy and expertise to help tackle the most important challenges.
In return, you can expect to get inspiration from the change you help make happen, a sense of belonging and the feeling of being part of a global community. You will also experience stimulation and fulfillment, the chance to grow, and space to be yourself at your best. This is our pledge to you.

Application Closing Date
8th July, 2019.

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