Capacity Building Specialist, USAID Kenya Integrated WASH Program
Closing Date: November 24, 2012
Job Title: Capacity Building Specialist, USAID KIWASH
Requisition Number: 007
Area of Interest: Water & Sanitation
Position Type: Full Time - multiple positions
Location: Busia, Homa Bay, Migori, Siaya, Kitui, Makueni, Isiolo, and Laikipia, Kenya
Please Note: These positions are contingent on the awarding of funding by the donor.
Closing Date: November 24, 2012
Job Title: Capacity Building Specialist, USAID KIWASH
Requisition Number: 007
Area of Interest: Water & Sanitation
Position Type: Full Time - multiple positions
Location: Busia, Homa Bay, Migori, Siaya, Kitui, Makueni, Isiolo, and Laikipia, Kenya
Please Note: These positions are contingent on the awarding of funding by the donor.
Job Description
The Millennium Water Alliance (MWA) seeks Local Capacity Building Specialists (LCBS) for an anticipated 5-year WASH program in Kenya expected to be awarded by USAID in FY2014. KIWASH aims to provide at-scale adoption of sustainable models of WASH service delivery through (1) scaled-up market-based service delivery models; (2) increased access to sustainable financing/credit for WASH services; (3) improved access to integrated WASH and nutrition services; (4) increased environmental sustainability of WASH services; and (5) strengthened WASH services and water resource institutions. The project will incorporate sustainability of resources and services, upstream/downstream integration, and effective strategies to scale.
To achieve at-scale sustainable service delivery and stronger governance for resilient and sustainable management of WASH services and water resources in Kenya, MWA anticipates significant subgranting to local organizations. The LCBS will work with the Grants Managers based in Nairobi to implement the sub-grant program and associated monitoring and capacity building activities. The successful candidates will have prior donor-funded subgrant experience, strong communication and training skills, have understanding of one or more WASH areas, and will work independently in the field while interacting with the Nairobi-based KIWASH team. Implementing activities will be primarily in the regions of Lake Victoria and Tana/Arth/Ewaso.
Specific LCBS responsibilities include the following:
• Support the Sr. Grants Manager and DCOP in administration of the KIWASH subgranting program. Assist in training, monitoring, evaluating, and reporting.
• Ensure grant activities comply with MWA policies and USAID rules and regulations.
• Support pre-award training and, as needed, participate in pre-award assessments.
• Provide capacity building support to subgrantees, including training to enhance financial management systems, budgets, and reporting requirements under both MWA subgrant agreements and USAID rules and regulations.
• Support efforts to incorporate cross-cutting themes such as gender equity, Multiple Use Water Services (MUS), and climate change into WASH and water resource management grant programming.
• Communicate regularly with a wide range of subgrantees, providing monitoring and coaching.
• Support local organizations at different capacity levels in strengthening overall capacity to manage internal operations and to deliver WASH and water resource management programming. Technical areas may also include: water supply, water treatment, sanitation, market-based solutions, product introduction, behavior change related to hygiene and nutrition, management of water resources, governance, productive use of water, and capacity development.
• Provide reachback through Grants Managers for additional specialized capacity building support and technical expertise.
• Work with Grants Managers to coordinate and monitor the financial management of subgrants.
• Monitor grantees and provide required reporting.
• Provide regular updates to Grants Managers on subgrantee compliance, risks and challenges that may arise and offers solutions accordingly.
• Support subgrants close-outs. Assist Grants Managers in preparing reports, capacity building plans, etc.
• Provide support as necessary with monitoring and evaluation.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Ensure grant activities comply with MWA policies and USAID rules and regulations.
• Support pre-award training and, as needed, participate in pre-award assessments.
• Provide capacity building support to subgrantees, including training to enhance financial management systems, budgets, and reporting requirements under both MWA subgrant agreements and USAID rules and regulations.
• Support efforts to incorporate cross-cutting themes such as gender equity, Multiple Use Water Services (MUS), and climate change into WASH and water resource management grant programming.
• Communicate regularly with a wide range of subgrantees, providing monitoring and coaching.
• Support local organizations at different capacity levels in strengthening overall capacity to manage internal operations and to deliver WASH and water resource management programming. Technical areas may also include: water supply, water treatment, sanitation, market-based solutions, product introduction, behavior change related to hygiene and nutrition, management of water resources, governance, productive use of water, and capacity development.
• Provide reachback through Grants Managers for additional specialized capacity building support and technical expertise.
• Work with Grants Managers to coordinate and monitor the financial management of subgrants.
• Monitor grantees and provide required reporting.
• Provide regular updates to Grants Managers on subgrantee compliance, risks and challenges that may arise and offers solutions accordingly.
• Support subgrants close-outs. Assist Grants Managers in preparing reports, capacity building plans, etc.
• Provide support as necessary with monitoring and evaluation.
• Other duties as assigned.
Required Skills:
• Superior analytical skills, attention to detail, and strong work ethic.
• Excellent training, facilitation, communication, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated analytical abilities. Accuracy with numbers and thoroughness are critical. Knowledge of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and financial accounting standards preferred.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of financial and other sensitive information.
• Background and understanding of one or more relevant topics, such as water supply, water treatment, sanitation, market-based solutions, product introduction, behavior change related to hygiene and nutrition, management of water resources, governance, productive use of water, and capacity development.
• Awareness of cross-cutting themes such as gender equity, Multiple Use Water Services (MUS), and climate change for inclusion into WASH and water resource management grant programming.
• Familiarity with market sector approaches and private sector linkages.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to maintain effective and satisfactory working relationships with people from diverse cultures.
• Strong organizational skills. Demonstrated skill in quickly assessing priorities and opportunities, with attention to detail. Capacity to work under pressure, prioritize multiple tasks, and meet inflexible deadlines.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a collegial manner with minimal direction and to initiate activities and identify organizational needs related to responsibilities.
• Excellent Microsoft Excel skills. Conversant with Internet, Microsoft Word, and other office tools.
• Strong written and spoken English and Swahili.
• Excellent training, facilitation, communication, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated analytical abilities. Accuracy with numbers and thoroughness are critical. Knowledge of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and financial accounting standards preferred.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of financial and other sensitive information.
• Background and understanding of one or more relevant topics, such as water supply, water treatment, sanitation, market-based solutions, product introduction, behavior change related to hygiene and nutrition, management of water resources, governance, productive use of water, and capacity development.
• Awareness of cross-cutting themes such as gender equity, Multiple Use Water Services (MUS), and climate change for inclusion into WASH and water resource management grant programming.
• Familiarity with market sector approaches and private sector linkages.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to maintain effective and satisfactory working relationships with people from diverse cultures.
• Strong organizational skills. Demonstrated skill in quickly assessing priorities and opportunities, with attention to detail. Capacity to work under pressure, prioritize multiple tasks, and meet inflexible deadlines.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a collegial manner with minimal direction and to initiate activities and identify organizational needs related to responsibilities.
• Excellent Microsoft Excel skills. Conversant with Internet, Microsoft Word, and other office tools.
• Strong written and spoken English and Swahili.
Required Experience:
• University degree in business administration, finance, commerce, or a relevant field such as environmental studies, international development, engineering, and/or public health. Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in the development sector, preferably USAID-funded projects in East Africa.
• Experience in accounting/auditing and knowledge of FAR and/or USAID regulations highly preferred.
• Relevant experience in coaching and supporting local NGOs and businesses on technical or management level. Demonstrated experience supporting donor-funded subgrants strongly preferred.
• University degree in business administration, finance, commerce, or a relevant field such as environmental studies, international development, engineering, and/or public health. Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in the development sector, preferably USAID-funded projects in East Africa.
• Experience in accounting/auditing and knowledge of FAR and/or USAID regulations highly preferred.
• Relevant experience in coaching and supporting local NGOs and businesses on technical or management level. Demonstrated experience supporting donor-funded subgrants strongly preferred.
Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skills, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
The Millennium Water Alliance offers sustainable solutions through advocacy, shared knowledge, and collaborative programming. Our vision mirrors our belief that no one should die or suffer chronic illness as the result of a water-related disease. With nine implementing NGO members, the Alliance demonstrates commitment to water and sanitation programs that embody the values of transparency, accountability, efficiency, and sensitivity in all their work.
We encourage applications from women and underrepresented ethnic, racial and cultural groups. EOE/M/F/D/V
The Millennium Water Alliance offers sustainable solutions through advocacy, shared knowledge, and collaborative programming. Our vision mirrors our belief that no one should die or suffer chronic illness as the result of a water-related disease. With nine implementing NGO members, the Alliance demonstrates commitment to water and sanitation programs that embody the values of transparency, accountability, efficiency, and sensitivity in all their work.
We encourage applications from women and underrepresented ethnic, racial and cultural groups. EOE/M/F/D/V
How to apply:
Qualified Kenyan nationals are particularly encouraged to apply.
Applicants should forward a cover letter, CV in reverse chronological format, and a list of at least 3 professional references (name, contact information, and statement of relationship to the reference) toMWAKiWASHCBS@gmail.com .
