Government Relations Liaison

Job Description

Founded in 1985, Cowater International Inc. has built a global reputation for excellence in the world of management consulting in international development. Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada and with experience in more than 65 countries, Cowater has established itself as Canada’s leading management consulting firm in international development.

Cowater is currently recruiting a Government Relations Liaison with significant experience liaising with senior Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa officials. The Government Relations Liaison (GRL) will be based at the KESP II office in Peshawar. S/he will work closely with the KESP II Team Leader and liaise with GoKP offiicals including senior officers from the E&SED, provincial and national government. As and when required, he may also liaise with district officials to support program operations and communications efforts. The role of the Government Relations Liaison is to provide strategic advice and to collect, consider and communicate key relevant information to the Team Leader to enable the TA team to make necessary adjustments to programme strategies, activities and approaches. The successful candidate will be based Peshawar, Pakistan full-time for a four-year period (July 2016 – June 2020).

The Government Relations Liaison’s main duties will include:

• Advise the KESP II Team Leader (TL) on Government related approvals and/or relations.
• Advise the TL and relevant TA team members on revision and updates to the Education Sector Plan and Joint Reform Framework and their implementation.
• Supporting the Consortium in the timely preparation and approval of required MoUs and/or Project Documents.
• Identify key entry points in GoKP and inform senior Elementary and Secondary Education Department officials on KESP II objectives
• Review legislation, policies, ordinances, acts, strategies and other key documents and briefings as required.
• Inform and advise the TL on legislative changes and reforms, litigation matters, court orders, etc.
• Upon request from the Team Leader, conduct roundtables, dialogues or presentations with KESP II management on the impact of changes to provincial and local government dynamics on KESP II programming (challenges and opportunities).
• Provide guidance to the TL to ensure that the TA team is operating in accordance with GoKP policies and procedures, laws and plans.
• Upon request from the TL, assist the TL and Deputy TL with preparations for key meetings with government partners (coaching, presentation content, delivery tips, etc.).

Required Qualifications

• At least 15 years’ experience successfully collaborating with senior provincial and district officials
• Thorough understanding of GoKP machinery and strategic priorities.
• A well-developed network of senior GoKP contacts and the ability to liaise with senior officials in a cordial and productive manner.
• Thorough familiarity with and understanding of key GoKP policies and procedures relevant to KESP II programming areas.
• Advanced understanding of education service challenges and opportunities in KP province.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Urdu, with facility in Pashto a strong asset.

Desired Qualifications

• Proven ability to provide strategic guidance and advice to support improved government service provision.
• Experience organizing and implementing high-level multistakeholder consultations and forums.
• Analysis of government regulations and policies to generate recommendations to guide program design and results-based management.
• Proven ability to work effectively with a multidisciplinary team to support government reform programs.
• Previous work experience in KP Province highly desirable.

All applications are to be submitted here through https://cowater.acquiretm.com/job_details_clean.aspx?ID=1153&iframe=1. This recruitment is open until January 31, 2016, however candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. We thank all applicants, however only those making the shortlist will be contacted.

About the Organization

Cowater International Inc. is a private Canadian consulting company established in 1985, specializing in international development. Cowater possesses a broad multidisciplinary capacity with a staff that includes engineers, institutional and financial experts, social scientists, and project managers. Cowater works primarily on projects financed by international funding agencies – the World Bank, African Development Bank, Asian Development Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, Caribbean Development Bank, United Nations Agencies, the Department for International Development (DFID), and the Canadian InternationalDevelopment Agency (CIDA) – but it also works directly with the governments of developing countries, the private sector and civil society. In Asia specifically, Cowater has completed more than thirty development projects – including two very successful assignments in the Philippines.

Cowater is a dynamic company which, during its 28-year history, has grown from three original partners to 41 headquarters employees and more than 400 project staff overseas. The company has permanent subsidiary operations in South Africa (Cowater-CRG (Pty) Ltd.) and the United States (Cowater Alaska).

Cowater offers services at the policy, program and project levels, developing and managing major projects as well as undertaking studies, sector reviews, evaluations, and training and communications activities. We emphasize human, community and institutional capacity building using a structured approach to change, which links our technical expertise to the needs of our clients. We strongly believe in participatory approaches to development, which encourages stakeholder “buy-in” and ensures sustainability.

The company specializes in five main sectors:

• water supply, sanitation and environment;
• social development;
• accounting, auditing and financial management;
• financial institutions; and
• municipal services and enterprise development.

Water, Sanitation and Environment Group

Cowater’s Water, Sanitation and Environment Group focuses on the planning and provision of accessible potable water, good hygiene, sustainable sanitation, and a liveable environment as essential requirements of health, productivity and a good quality of life. Our focus is on project implementation and the capacity building of institutions, community organizations and people, as well as appropriate affordable technology. We incorporate government, non-government and private sector institutions into our project designs, and put great emphasis on involving the beneficiary community in project and program planning and decision-making. The community is assisted to operate and maintain the facilities through training and the establishment of community-based management structures.

Cowater also works closely with governments to assist in institutional strengthening and reform, planning for both the rural and urban sectors, setting of tariffs, cost recovery and water resources management. We also work with private businesses to provide them with opportunities to supply sustainable and competitively-priced goods and services in these sectors. Cowater emphasizes the important linkages between water, sanitation, health and the environment. Environmental sanitation and hygiene education are essential elements to the integrated package of services, without which only partial benefits are accrued.

Social Development Group

Specialists with Cowater’s Social Development Group help strengthen institutions and programs which empower poor people. They advise on approaches to community and rural development and offer specialized services in such areas as institutional strengthening, gender equality, social communication, communication for development, participatory approaches, income generation, community mobilization, and designing multi-sectoral development programs for disadvantaged groups.

Public Financial Management and Accountability (PFMA) Group

Cowater’s PFMA Group is a team of experienced financial management experts and debt management specialists, recognized for their achievements in enhancing accountability and institutional strengthening within the public (national and municipal) sector. Cowater’s specialists have assisted numerous governments at all levels in improving their accounting, budgeting and auditing performance.

Financial Institutions Group

Cowater Financial Institutions Group promotes effective operation, management and governance of financial institutions worldwide. This includes working directly with state and commercial banks, regulatory agencies/institutions, and savings and credit institutions to support enhanced systems and operations in line with international best practices.

Municipal Services and Enterprise Group

Cowater’s Municipal Services and Enterprise Group manages multidisciplinary projects that combine and build upon the expertise of the company’s core groups. This group covers a variety of sectors, but areas of special concentration are public sector governance, decentralization, municipal services and management, and social/infrastructure fund management.