Title of the position: Programs Technical officer

Supervision : Director of Programs

Venue: Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

Period: One year contract, renewable with 02 months probation ; start : February 15th, 2022

1- HISTORY OF THE AFRICAN WATER ASSOCIATION

The African Water Association was created in 1980 as a professional membership Institution and was first called the Union of African Water Suppliers (UAWS).

In 2004, in order to take into account sanitation utilities, as well as regulatory and asset holding companies emerging from institutional reforms during the 90’s in many African countries and the strong will for these new entities to join the Institution, the Union of African Water Suppliers changed name and became the African Water Association (AfWA).

The African Water Association covers the whole African Continent and is the unique African Water and Sanitation Organization bringing together water and sanitation operators as well as various sector’s stakeholders.

2- VISION, MISSION AND STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

Vision Statement

Being acknowledged leader in strengthening water utility management practices to support the goals of African Water Vision 2025.

Mission Statement

• Undertake programs and support knowledge sharing in sustainable water management – its science, practice and policy – through professional development, networking and advocacy.
• Support the members in their efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and other near-term targets that have been established for Africa (SDG’s).
• Advocate a balanced approach to utility management, based on corporate governance that is commercially sound, financially self-sustaining and environmentally compliant.

Main Strategic Objectives

• Strengthening the governance and management bodies of the Association
• Capacity Building for Water and Sanitation Operators in Africa
• Diversification of partnerships and strengthening of synergies
• Strengthening the visibility of the Association

African Water Association (AfWA) operates as a continental platform that brings together corporates of drinking water production and distribution, corporates managing sanitation services, as well as those those regulating water and sanitation sectorial policies in African countries. In 2018, about 38 years after its creation, AfWA was composed of 115 Corporate Members from 45 African countries and they are categorized as (i) active members.

While the AfWA’s Active Members mission vis-à-vis of their customers is to provide quality products and services, they need the expertise and inputs from the industrials providing hydraulic equipment and materials as well as highly skilled consultant, who also, are in need of the Active Members to buy their goods and services so to expend their businesses. With these links, there are sort of “win-win” exchanges within the platform between the water and sanitation operators and the equipment manufacturers and consultants. Both parties had so far understood that one cannot prosper without the other. With the development of the sector creating interest of other parties, AfWA decided to integrate new class of members, mainly constituted of industrials, equipment vendors or consultancy firms operating in the continent, but they may be from any other continent in the world. They are recognised as (ii) the “Affiliated members” and in 2018, they were 78 in this category with the most part from Europe. As for now, academic institutions providing curricula in water, sanitation and environmental sciences falls also into this category while the last two other categories are comprised of (iii) individuals showing interest in the sector and (iv) honourary members of AfWA

AfWA main activities are related to building the capacity of water utilities through seminars, master classes, workshops, technical sessions during its congresses as well as continent-wide, grant-supported programs and projects. Since 2009, AfWA has been entrusted by the UN to develop the Water Operators Partnership Concept in the African Continent. This has been done by supporting more than 25 partnerships between utilities under the grants awarded by UNHABITAT, USAID Washington, AfDB/AWF. In parallel to the development of these partnerships, through another USAID Washington grant within FABRI – the “Further Advancing the Blue Revolution Initiative” – AfWA has organized a major capacity building project called Reducing Non-Revenue Water in sub-Saharan Africa involving 21 utilities in 19 African countries. Currently, AfWA is implementing three programs respectively funded by USAID-west Africa office, the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, and the German government in a collaborative agreement with the German Water Partnership (GWP). The total budget for these programs is above eight (8) millions USD.

For more information, please visit https://www.afwa-hq.org/index.php/en/ .

As a new vision, since 2018, AfWA has undertaking a transformational change and is looking forward to enhancing its young water professional growth activities which needs to implement stronger actions towards youth satisfaction strategies as well as tightly complying with the donor’s funds management requirements. Thus, AfWA is seeking for a young water Engineer (less than 35 years old) for the position of Programs Technical Officer for one year term renewable. The position proposed is key to prepare achievements on a sustainable manner the mentioned objectives.

3- DESCRIPTION OF THE POSITION

Under the direct supervision of the Director of Programs, the Programs Technical Officer based at AfWA headquarter will support the development and the implementation of new projects and programs initiative at AfWA. Among other duties:

• S/he will be involved on assessing the viability of the capacity development and research service provider pool and facilitating its establishment.
• S/he will work through local and regional WASH service providers to the extent possible to ensure high quality customized organizational
• S/he will strongly be involved in the promotion and Coordination of the young water professional and WASH alumni in order to leverage project ideas from the youth, either from schools or already working in the water and sanitation companies.
• s/he will coordinate the development and implementation of any fellowship and grant allocation for research and capacity building activities.

4. Minimum requirements for the RESEARCH & Capacity Building PROGRAM COORDINATOR

• A Master degree in any of the following or related fields: Water and engineering, social science, management, international development or monitoring and evaluation.
• At least 2 years of professional experience, with at least 01 years in the water, sanitation and environment sector; African experience preferred.
• Demonstrated capabilities in institutional capacity development, and experience in working effectively with WS operators, governments and municipality department in charge of WS, local civil society organizations and other development partners.
• Demonstrated capabilities in methodologies appropriate to complex change processes and capacity development.
• Prior experience in grants management, including the use of grants to support capacity development objectives.
• Proven ability to develop and communicate a common vision among diverse partners and the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams.

5. Required documentation

• Letter of Motivation
• Detailed Curriculum vitae in English and/or French.
• Names and contact information of three reference persons. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

While AfWA is working towards a gender equitable workforce, hence so female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applications to be sent before 05th February 2022 to the following contact : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Specify in the object of your email : Programs Technical Officer

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.