WASH & Integrated Water Resources Management expert – Project Officer

Job description

Company Description
SNV is a global development partner, deeply rooted in the countries where we operate. We are driven by a vision of a better world: A world where across every society all people live with dignity and have equitable opportunities to thrive sustainably. To make this vision a reality, we need transformations in vital agri-food, energy, and water systems. SNV contributes by strengthening capacities and catalysing partnerships in these sectors. We help strengthen institutions and effective governance, reduce gender inequalities and barriers to social inclusion, and enable adaptation and mitigation to the climate and biodiversity crises.
Building on 60 years of experience we support our partners with our technical and process expertise and methodological rigour. We do this in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia with a team of approximately 1,600 colleagues. By being adaptable and tailoring our approaches to these different contexts, we can contribute to impact at scale, resulting in more equitable lives for all.

For more information on our operations in Zambia visit our website: www.snv.org/country/zambia

The Water Voices United Project

SNV Zambia is implementing in partnership with the NGO WASH Forum an European Union funded project that seeks to strengthen WASH civil society organizations (CSOs) capacities and cooperation for the realization of the Human Right to Water and Sanitation in Zambia. The project, named Water Voices United, aims to strengthen Zambia’s WASH CSOs engagement as actors of good governance and development through the improvement of their internal management systems, through the development of their capacities to engage in policy dialogue, implementation and monitoring of EU and national development plans and programmes, and through their improved coordination and networking.

The project has a duration of 48 months (up to February 2028) and takes place primarily in Lusaka, with regular missions to multiple locations in Zambia to support and accompany the 40 CSOs targeted. It has a strong component of capacity building for the local CSOs, as well as of evidence-based advocacy at national and subnational levels, and of communication and awareness raising for Zambian citizens. Climate change and Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI) are key cross-cutting themes.

Water Resources Management (WRM) expert –  capacity development Officer

The WRM expert will perform as a capacity development project officer, and will be based in Lusaka Province. The selected WRM expert is expected to develop, implement and monitor capacity development activities targeting local WASH CSOs engaged in advocacy and field implementation work for the progressive achievement of WASH national targets and the Human Right to Water and Sanitation. She/he will report to the Project Manager.
The purpose of the position is to ensure that the targeted groups (CSOs) receive high level technical advice/training/coaching on International and National WASH & IWRM policies, programmes, standards and approaches, with particular attention to climate change; and on advanced skills and techniques for results driven, evidence-based advocacy (towards duty bearers) and awareness raising (for Rights’ holders).
The WRM expert – capacity development officer is expected to design and deliver training and coaching activities to local CSOs, to closely accompany the progress and the activities conducted by them whilst providing timely and adequate backstopping and guidance in line with the project’s objectives and approach. This is to be done in close collaboration with other SNV team members and with the project’s co-implementer, the NGO WASH Forum.

Specific scope of work

In line with the project’s objectives and plan, design, deliver, monitor and evaluate capacity building activities for local WASH CSO using different formats (training face to face, training online, coaching, monitoring) across a range of WRM related topics in relation to WASH and with consistent consideration for Climate Change and GESI aspects.
Build capacity of local civil society organisations for evidence based WASH advocacy and provide regular and tailored support to strengthen their ability to hold WASH service providers and policymakers accountable both at national and subnational levels.
Assist the CSOs to adopt and put in practice the new knowledge and skills gained through the project, ensuring that advice is timely provided and that bottlenecks are identified and adequately corrected.
Ensure the timely and high quality delivery of the activities stated in the project’s workplan, in compliance with budget and SNV’s procedures, ensuring coherence and mutual synergies with other team members and with the co-implementer NGO WASH Forum.
Consistently report on activities conducted (workshop/training/field mission) highlighting progress, challenges and opportunities. Implement guidance received from project manager adequately and timely.
Furthermore, the WRM expert – capacity development officer is expected to:
Consistently monitor and critically assess progress, pro-actively providing input to adjust/improve the outcomes whenever relevant.
Actively contribute to project’s evaluation and learning activities
Ensure the project’s visibility and profiling in line with its branding guidelines.
Comply with SNV’s administrative and financial procedures for project planning, implementation, reporting, monitoring and evaluation.
Comply with SNV’s Code of Conduct

Qualifications

Advanced degree in a related field (e.g. water resources management, public/environmental health, public policy).
At least 7 years of experience working in the WRM sub-sector in Zambia.
Sound understanding of the relevant WRM & WASH government stakeholders at local and national levels, existing policies, regulations and programs and national commitments and targets.
Expertise in strengthening the capacities of WASH CSOs and other WASH actors at different levels, including thematic issues related to WASH & IWRM and of leading them towards the achievement of key targets.
Ability to recognize and address equity and equality issues in WASH service provision; capacity to mainstream climate change considerations in WASH & IWRM programming.
Experience in timely managing, delivering and monitoring WASH related activities, including facilitating meetings at multiple levels and preparing/delivering trainings and workshops.
Advanced communication and negotiation skills with different types of stakeholders, from National and subnational authorities, Traditional Authorities and communities.
Strong monitoring and reporting skills

Additional information

Only electronic submissions will be accepted.
Submission should be made not later than 7th March 2025.

Vetting

SNV carries out rigorous background and reference checks concerning possible safeguarding incidents for all candidates applying for national determined positions. As SNV participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, all reference checks include a request to past employers to fill in a questionnaire regarding Misconduct (sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, sexual harassment as well as Fraud), the “Statement of Conduct”. This Statement of Conduct adopts the definitions used in the Scheme.

We do not appreciate third-party mediation based on this advertisement. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Any form of solicitation by phone or other means will be treated as disqualification of the candidate. SNV is an equal employment provider.