Regional Technical Advisor for WASH in East Africa

Job Title: Regional Technical Advisor for WASH in East Africa

Location/Region: Nairobi, Kenya/EARO

Band: D

FLSA: Exempt

Reports To: Regional Director

Length of Assignment: Three months (June-August)

Purpose:

The purpose of this scope of work (SOW) is to describe the required tasks and support necessary from a consultant while the Regional Technical Advisor for WASH is on maternity leave.

Background:

CRS’ East Africa country programs have had a long history of experience implementing water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions in the region.  Starting in 1958 with a water supply project in rural Ethiopia, the region’s WASH programs have expanded to include water supply for domestic and productive purposes, sanitation and hygiene promotion, natural resource management, environmental risk management measures and emergency response. Today, CRS’ East Africa region is implementing more than 10 WASH projects in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. The Regional Technical Advisor (RTA) for WASH is responsible for providing backstopping support to these programs to ensure quality implementation of WASH-related interventions.  The WASH RTA is also charged with developing WASH programs that are compliant with donor, global and CRS best practices, enhancing monitoring, evaluation and learning across the region, promoting capacity building among WASH staff and engaging in WASH-related documentation, marketing and fundraising.

Work to be accomplished:

Develop WASH programs that are compliant with donor, global and CRS best practices

Participate in the writing and review of all new concept notes and proposals as requested by EARO DRD-PQ and country programs in a timely manner.
Actively participate in the design of WASH technical designs in proposal development.
Share and promote internationally recognized best practices and CRS promising practices during the design of WASH projects.
Support EARO country programs to implement quality WASH projects
Provide in-country and remote Technical Assistance as required for the start up and implementation of WASH projects.   Provide structured recommendations for WASH programs following TA in-country visits (i.e. trip reports).
Support country program staff to conduct and analyze WASH baselines and quarterly reviews.
Review project progress reports and provide constructive feedback to project staff to enhance implementation.
Share and promote internationally recognized best practices during implementation of WASH projects; share overviews and guidance of best practices for WASH programming as needed.
Provide in-country support for any WASH emergency response needs.
Enhance monitoring, evaluation and learning across WASH programs in the region
Support country programs to establish M&E plans and tools for new WASH projects.
Document case studies and best practices while on in-country field assignments.
Engage in WASH-related marketing and fundraising
Identify funding opportunities within the WASH sector that fall in line with the strategic direction of country programs.
During in-country visits, meet with existing and potential donors to update them on project progress, new developments for CRS in WASH and potential opportunities for future collaboration.
Work on gathering intel on WASH-related opportunities for funding.
Deliverables

In-country visits:

Trip report and debrief with Country Representative and Head of Programs following each in-country visit.
Provide continued distance support with key recommendations from field visit (e.g. development of resources/tools/manuals, etc).
Proposal development and reviews:
Participate in the writing of country program and regional proposals that incorporate CRS and internationally recognized best practices in WASH.
Provide review comments on concept notes and proposals using the EARO regional review templates.
Constructive feedback with recommended changes/improvements on M&E documents, reports and documentation pieces.
Key Working Relationships

Report to the Deputy Regional Director for Program Quality
Collaborate with the Country Representatives, Heads of Programming, and the country Water Program Managers and other country staff
Collaborate with other NGOs, UN Agencies, donors and local governments
QUALIFICATIONS

Advanced degree in water, agriculture, public health, engineering or other related field.
Minimum five years’ experience in international development either as a technical advisor or program manager, preferably in Africa.
Experience in program design/management, program quality and performance assessment as part of ongoing efforts to improve aid effectiveness.
Experience in community participation in development projects.
Experience with adult learning methods and tools.
Good M&E skills.
Strong analytical skills, sound judgment and the capacity to think and plan strategically, including the ability to produce high quality policy materials and advice for development implementation.
High level English oral and written communication skills, including representation and liaison skills.
Willingness to travel up to 50% of the time.
Place of Performance

Home-based and in-country field visits as needed throughout the East Africa region.

Period of Performance

While the consultancy covers the period of June through August, specific in-country assignments during this period will be accompanied by a detailed Scope of Work from the respective country program.  In-country visits are typically one to two weeks in duration.

All distance support to the region will be coordinated on an as-needed basis by the Deputy Regional Director for Program Quality.

Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skills, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

EOE/M/F/D/V

Job Email id: emily.keyes(at)crs.org