Water Lead (m/f)

Description

• The role of the Water Lead is a key technical position for the WSUP team in Mozambique. Reporting to the Programme Coordinator, the role will lead on the planning and implementation of water service improvements in urban areas of Maputo and Beira and in other urban areas where the WSUP programme would extend to ensure access to safe water for low-income urban consumers (slum dwellers)
• The role will involve collaboration and supporting the development of strong stakeholder management and project management skills to deliver on technical objectives
• For more information about WSUP's vision and approach, see www.wsup.com
• Department: Programmes
• Duration: Full-time, fixed term contract for 12 months
• Grade: 9
• Salary: MZN 1,818,738 – 1,934,382
• Reports to: Programme Coordinator

Job Description

• Overall purpose: The Water Lead is responsible for the planning, design and implementation of water service improvements in urban areas of Mozambique (where the WSUP programme is currently involved and may extend to) to ensure access to safe water for low-income urban consumers (living in the peri urban bairros) within inclusive citywide services. An important component of that is developing the technical and operating capacity of programme partners as well as assisting with relevant institutional strengthening activities
• Working in close collaboration with the Maputo water operator AdeM, other utilities, the water asset owner in Maputo (FIPAG), small scale service providers, water and sanitation regulator (AURA, IP) and local government actors in the city, the role will ensure effective and efficient use of the programme resources and ensure agreed objectives are delivered on time
• The Water Lead will ensure adequate supervision of construction interventions and take corrective measures appropriately. S/he will maintain a professional working relationship with all relevant actors in order to ensure efficient delivery of the programme and provide timely reporting on activities

Duties

Liaison with Government and Non-Government Organizations

• Establish professional working relationships with all programme stakeholders, in particular the utility staff, low-income community (LIC) representatives and private service providers
• Progress WSUP’s influencing agenda with key stakeholders to help strengthen and develop the water sector in Maputo, Beira and other urban areas were WSUP is involved
• Represent WSUP at relevant sector workshops and seminars
• Liaise with other WSUP staff inside and outside Mozambique to share experiences and learn from WSUP programmes elsewhere

Technical Capacity Building of Service Provider Staff

• Facilitate the capacity development of relevant service provider staff, with a particular focus on the relevant staff of AdeM, the asset owner FIPAG and other utilities
• Assist, as needed in developing the capacity of private service providers and community based organizations (CBO’s) involved in different aspects of water delivery to low income customers
• Develop the capacity of other agencies as required
• Assist in testing new technology on water service improvement
• Assist with WSUP’s initiatives to strengthen the utilities including via utility strengthening framework models
• Adopt and help progress WSUP’s objectives and strategies to achieve the urban WASH outcomes to improve access to urban WASH for low income communities
• Work closely with WSUP’s Head of Water and other Secretariat staff

Programme Monitoring, Reporting and WSUP Strategy

• Pay regular field visits to programme areas to observe progress, compliance to the design and specifications, and quality of the work which satisfies WSUP standards as well as Mozambique standards
• Track the progress of infrastructure interventions against planned progress in the project Gannt chart, and monitor and report on project risks and mitigating actions
• Provide progress reports to the Programme Coordinator and Country Programme Manager in line with WSUP’s reporting requirements
• Assist with the development and preparation of project concept proposals for WSUP’s funding applications

Supervise the planning, design and implementation of water service improvements

• Take part in situation analysis of programme areas, field surveys and collection of baseline and design data
• Work with WSUP staff and partners to develop infrastructure development plans
• Advise on potential and unintended impacts of the work in communities, particularly children and vulnerable adults, and how to incorporate safeguarding considerations into service planning and design
• Work in partnership with service providers and city authorities to design water service improvements
• Assist in preparing bidding documents and contract specifications
• Assume responsibility for supervising the implementation of the service improvements, including oversight of contractors and updating design drawings in response to field requirements
• Ensure budget control through the process of budget preparations, monitoring expenditures and disbursements, and avoiding budget overruns and delays

Requisites

• Person specification: Evidence that applicants meet the essential criteria will be assessed by the following methods: Application (A) Test (T), Interview (I), as indicated below

Essential

• A bachelor level university degree in a relevant scientific or engineering field (A)
• Strong knowledge of structural and hydraulic design of small and medium-scale water structures (A,I)
• Professional experience in the field of structural and hydraulic design (A,I)
• Experience as a senior team member of water supply projects and, preferably in project management (A,I)
• Good understanding and knowledge of water operations by utilities and private sector service providers (I)
• Understand the wider WASH sector drivers, such as knowledge and progress towards the SDGs, (I)
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English (A,I)
• Fluent spoken and written Portuguese (A,I)
• Ability to manage a high workload and prioritize deadlines (A, I)
• Excellent skills with Microsoft Office suite (A,I)
• Passionate about WSUP’s aims and ethos (A,I)
• Absolute adherence to WSUP’s policies on Child Protection, Health & Safety and Business Ethics and lead on these by example (I)
• Understanding of safeguarding principles and how these are applied to design of water services (A,I)

Desirable

• A second degree (Masters or otherwise) in Water Supply or Environmental Engineering (A)
• General understanding of O&M and management requirement of water and sanitation structures in urban LIC areas (I)
• Experience in GIS software and its application in WASH activities (A,I)
• Experience in the urban WASH sector (A)
• Experience in a utility
• Experience of Water Quality compliance
• Experience with writing for publication within a professional role in the development sector (A)
• Civil Engineering Design Software (A)
• Knowledge of urban planning and urban governance (A,I)

Notes

• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted
• This job is based in Mozambique. Applicants must have the right to work in Mozambique at the time of application. Please do not apply if this is not the case
• Interviews: Week commencing 27 January 2020