Sanitation Lead Full-Time

The Water & Sanitation for the Urban Poor (WSUP) is hiring a Sanitation Lead.

About WSUP

WSUP is a not-for-profit company that helps transform cities to benefit the millions who lack access to water and sanitation. We were created in 2005 as a response to the urban explosion that has left many cities unable to provide basic services, such as access to a toilet or drinking water, to low-income communities. We work alongside local providers, enabling them to develop services, build infrastructure and attract funding so that they can reach low-income communities.

We work in seven countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, supported by an office in the UK. Since inception we have helped over 30 million people access improved water, sanitation and hygiene services.

WSUP’s innovative approach to creating impact is guided by our values, which are the common fundamental beliefs and principles that guide us. All our staff are expected to embody these values in their day to day work and interactions. To learn more about our values, please see www.wsup.com/about/work-with-us/.

About the role

Do you want to be part of an international development organization dedicated to providing water and sanitation to those who need it most? If so, WSUP is seeking an enthusiastic and professional Sanitation Lead who will develop and manage the country sanitation portfolio for urban areas of Maputo and Beira. Reporting to the Country Manager, the role will include the provision of professional advice and guidance through strong project management and stakeholder engagement skills.

We are looking for someone who will make the biggest impact in the lives of our beneficiaries and thrive with us as part of a growing team and be responsible for providing an effective and efficient community development service to the Mozambique program team. You will also have global exchange opportunities with program teams from other countries where we operate, being able to share best practices for development and improve of water & sanitation in the country.

Job Description

Overall purpose

The Sanitation Lead is responsible for the planning, design and implementation of sanitation service improvements in urban areas of Mozambique (where the WSUP programme is currently involved and may extend to) to ensure access to safe sanitation for low-income urban consumers (living in the peri urban bairros) within inclusive citywide services. An important component is to develop the capacity of programme partners as well as assisting with relevant institutional strengthening activities; working in close collaboration with the Municipality and with community stakeholders engaged in centralised and on-site sanitation, small scale service providers, the water and sanitation regulator (AURA, IP) and local government actors in the city. The role will ensure effective and efficient use of the programme resources and ensure agreed objectives are delivered on time. The Sanitation Lead will ensure adequate supervision of construction interventions and take corrective measures appropriately. S/he will maintain a professional working relationship with all relevant actors to ensure efficient delivery of the programme and provide timely reporting on activities.

Main responsibilities & tasks

Liaison with Government and Non-Government Organisations

• Establish professional working relationships with all programme stakeholders, the relevant municipality staff, low-income community (LIC) representatives and private service providers.
• Progress WSUP’s influencing agenda with key stakeholders to help strengthen and develop the sanitation sector in Maputo, Beira and other urban areas were WSUP is involved for example by assisting to operationalize the sanitation surcharge with Maputo Municipality.
• Represent WSUP at relevant sector workshops and seminars.
• Liaise with other WSUP staff inside and outside Mozambique to share experiences and learn from WSUP programmes elsewhere.

Technical Capacity Building of Sanitation Stakeholders

• Provide professional support and advice as needed in developing the capacity of Maputo Municipality and local government sanitation service providers and community-based organisations (CBOs) involved in different aspects of sanitation delivery to low income customers.
• Develop the capacity of other agencies as required.
• Advance on site sanitation and faecal sludge management (FSM) solutions, including exploring waste to resource solutions within the work programme. Guide the Mozambique WSUP team in its implementation and managing and direct the sanitation inputs from the Secretariat.
• Assist Maputo Municipality to improve the efficiency of the Infulene waste-water treatment plant and the management of (sludge) vacuum tankers to allow the Municipality to better control their FSM licenses.
• Adopt and help progress WSUP’s objectives and strategies to achieve the urban WASH outcomes to improve access to urban WASH for low income communities.
• Work closely with WSUP sanitation staff from other countries, including the WSUP Head of Sanitation (if in post) and other Secretariat staff.

Programme Monitoring, Reporting and WSUP Strategy

• Pay regular field visits to programme areas to observe progress, compliance to the design and specifications, and quality of the work which satisfies WSUP standards as well as Mozambique standards.
• Track the progress of infrastructure interventions against planned progress in the project Gannt chart, and monitor and report on project risks and mitigating actions.
• Act as the Project Lead for projects which are predominantly sanitation focused, coordinating and managing programme inputs, monitoring progress and expenditure, and being the point of contact for the Project Controllers. Gather and coordinate project information necessary for monitoring and for reporting to the Country Manager, the funding team and other stakeholders.
• For other projects, where sanitation is one of several components of work, provide progress reports to the Project Leads and Country Manager in line with WSUP’s reporting requirements.
• Assist with the development and preparation of project concept proposals for WSUP’s funding applications.

Supervise the planning, design, and implementation of sanitation improvements

• Take part in situation analysis of programme areas, field surveys and collection of baseline and design data.
• Work with WSUP staff and partners to develop household toilet and shared sanitation development plans.
• Advise on potential and unintended impacts of the work in communities, particularly children and vulnerable adults, and how to incorporate safeguarding considerations into service planning and design.
• Work in partnership with city authorities and stakeholders to design sanitation service improvements.
• Assist in preparing bidding documents and contract specifications.
• Assume responsibility for supervising the implementation of the service improvements, including oversight of contractors, and updating design drawings in response to field requirements.
• Ensure budget control through the process of budget preparations, monitoring expenditures and disbursements, and avoiding budget overruns and delay.

Person specification

• Evidence that applicants meet the essential criteria will be assessed by the following methods: Application (A), Interview (I), Test (T) as indicated below.

Essential

Qualifications and Experience

• A Bachelor level university degree in a relevant scientific or engineering field (A).
• Professional experience in the field of on-site and sewered sanitation solutions in urban environments (A,I).
• Experience as a senior team member of sanitation projects and, preferably in project management (A,I).

Knowledge

• Good understanding and knowledge of Faecal Sludge Management (FSM) solutions, and the on-site sanitation environment (I).
• Understanding of waste to resource options for FSM (I).
• Recognition and experience of the role of the private sector as a driver for sector change in WASH (I).
• Solid understanding of O&M for sanitation structures in urban LIC areas (I).
• Understand the wider WASH sector drivers, such as knowledge and progress towards the SDGs (I).
• Understanding of safeguarding principles and how these are applied to design of water services (A,I).

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English (A,I).
• Fluent spoken and written Portuguese (A,I).
• Ability to manage a high workload and prioritize deadlines (A, I).
• Excellent skills with Microsoft Office suite (A,I).

Other

• Passionate about WSUP’s aims and ethos (A,I).
• Absolute adherence to WSUP’s policies on Child Protection, Health & Safety and Business Ethics and lead on these by example (I)

Desirable

Qualification & Experience

• A second degree (Masters or otherwise) in a relevant scientific, engineering or environmental field (A).
• Experience in GIS software and its application in WASH activities (A).
• Experience with writing for publication within a professional role in the development sector (A).

Knowledge

• Civil Engineering Design Software (A).
• Knowledge of urban planning and urban governance (A,I).

Interviews

The full description can be found below. Please note: This job is based in Mozambique. Applicants must have the right to work in Mozambique at the time of application. Please do not apply if this is not the case.

Department: Programmes

Place of work: Maputo, Mozambique

Duration: Full-time, fixed term contract for 12 Months with possibility of renewal

Grade: 9

Salary: MZN 2,038,028 – 2,296,728 Annual

Benefits: WSUP offers competitive compensation per month (including Health Insurance, Life Assurance, Transport Allowance and Communication Allowance)

Reports to: Country Manager