USAID Kenya Integrated WASH Program Chief of Party Job in Nairobi, Kenya

Job Title: Chief of Party, USAID KIWASH 

Requisition Number: 0001 

Area of Interest: Water & Sanitation 

Position Type: Full Time 

Location: Nairobi, Kenya 

Please Note: This position is contingent on the awarding of funding by the donor. 

Job Description 

The Millennium Water Alliance seeks a Chief of Party 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. 

The Chief of Party will lead a coalition of NGOs and other development partners in managing and implementing a high-impact program to institutionalize catalytic models of sustainable service delivery and strengthen governance for resilient and sustainable management of WASH services and water resources in Kenya. 

The successful candidate will be a key decision-maker, an adept manager, a technical expert in one or more WASH areas, and will lead a team of direct reports in Nairobi and coordinate multiple implementing partner organizations to ensure operational and programmatic efficiency and success. 

Implementing activities will be primarily in the regions of Lake Victoria and Tana/Arth/Ewaso. 

Specific COP responsibilities include the following: 

• Provide overall leadership and strategic direction to the program. 
• Oversee planning, quality assurance and supervise program monitoring, evaluating, and reporting. Ensure quality and timely submittal of all project deliverables.
• Serve as the principal liaison with USAID, as well as establish, represent and maintain effective working relationships with USAID, key GoK partners, local and international NGOs, implementing partners, and other development sector stakeholders
• Provide strategic direction in technical areas 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.
• Ensure that the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and progress of all program activities are in accordance with strategies and standards and meet the goals and objectives of communities, USAID, and the Government of Kenya (GoK).
• Ensure that cross-cutting themes such as gender equity, Multiple Use Water Services (MUS), and climate change are fully integrated into WASH and water resource management programming.
• Maintain effective relationships with other USAID implementing partners and work to ensure cross-project alignment of annual workplans and WASH technical approaches.
• Oversee hiring, management and development of staff to ensure a diverse, skilled and productive workforce and create a culture of integrity across the project.
• Provide mentoring, coaching, and supervision for direct reports and senior team members.
• Provide oversight and consolidation for the financial management and reporting for the program, including the submission of timely and accurate performance and financial reports. Monitor budget utilization and ensures proper financial management and utilization of funds.
• Negotiate MWA annual budgets and revisions to the scope of work as required.
• Oversee implementation of a common monitoring, evaluation and learning system among all partners and analyze the data it generates to inform project management, technical programming and development of best practices and applied research. 
• Facilitate and document lessons learned and best practices within the coalition and outside it such that all participating institutions, USAID, the GoK, and constituent communities may realize improved WASH outcomes.
• Organizes learning and sharing opportunities between program and external stakeholders on a regular basis. 
• Use problem-solving and consensus-building skills and ability to promote coordination among diverse interests and institutions. 

Required Skills: 

• Technical proficiency in water supply, sanitation, and/or hygiene program design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation.
• Demonstrated experience managing similarly complex projects in East African countries, involving multi-million dollar budgets, coordination with multiple programs, and partner institutions. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of the cross-sectoral application of WASH strategies to improve health, livelihoods and nutrition. 
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of state-of-the-art WASH practices and approaches. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of management of local construction contracts
  Knowledge and prior application of participatory methodologies. 
• Strong leadership, analytical and organizational skills. 
• Demonstrated skill in quickly assessing priorities and opportunities and managing a variety of activities with attention to detail. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact professionally with donor, project stakeholders, in-country collaborators and staff at all levels of the organization. 
• Proven ability to convene/chair high profile meetings. 
• Understanding of USAID procurement processes, procedures, and grants management. 
• Strong MS Office skills, including Word and Excel. 
• Strong written and oral presentation skills in English. 
• Preference for applicants who are also fluent in written and spoken Swahili. 

Required Experience: 

• Master's degree in a relevant field such as environmental studies, international development, engineering, hydrology and/or public health. 
• Minimum of 10 years of senior-level management experience in the development sector, preferably in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). 
• Preference for additional experience in policy and governance. 
• 3-5 years of experience managing and/or implementing USAID-funded programs in East Africa. 

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) to MWAKiWASHCoP@gmail.com. 

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

Closing Date: September 6, 2013