Water Supply, Sanitation and Irrigation Programme Advisor

Job Description

Position: Water Supply, Sanitation and Irrigation Programme Advisor

Project: Support to Strategic Planning for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods (SSPSRL) - Phase II

Programme: Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Irrigation Programme, MRRD

Location: Kabul, Afghanistan

Assignment Starts: November 2009

Applications Close: 23 October 2009

Duration: 4 months

Advertised By: GRM International United Kingdom

Background:

The Support to Strategic Planning for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods (SSPSRL) Project aims to strengthen the capacity of Afghan Government institutions concerned with agriculture and rural development, namely the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL), to formulate effective policies and strategies thereby rendering programmes deliverable in a more useful way to the intended beneficiaries. Phase II of the SSPSRL Project has been running for two years and is due to end in early 2010.

MRRD acknowledges that access to safe water and sanitation is a basic human right. The provision of safe drinking water and hygienic sanitation to households and communities enhances health by reducing death and disease through waterborne diseases, allowing individuals to fully participate and strengthen their livelihood strategies. Some 20 million (80%) of Afghanistan's population of 25 million live in rural areas. Potable water and sanitary facilities coverage are among the world's worst with 75% of the population having no access to safe drinking water and 89% lacking a hygienic latrine or toilet. The social and health consequences are grave; under-5 mortality rates claim 19 out of 100 children (rates in the West average 0.5 of 100), with more than half of deaths attributable to preventable waterborne diseases. Household economic surveys indicate that spending on health care is second only to food.

Notwithstanding the aforementioned, since 2002 about 35,000 water points, 59 networks, 1,713 water reservoirs and 23,884 demonstration latrines have been constructed. More than three million people have benefited directly from the rural water supply and sanitation activities in the country. Around a third of the provinces reported some improvement in access to clean drinking water during the consultative process under the Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS). Irrigation rehabilitation has been given high priority over the past four or five years. Of some 2,100 rehabilitation projects, approximately 1,200 have been completed and have been placed back into commercial service.

The Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Irrigation Programme (RuWatSIP) together with MRRD's other national programmes and NGOs have been instrumental in achieving the above-mentioned. Building on this success MRRD intends to review the current status of RuWatSIP with the aim of enhancing the programme's ability to function more effectively and efficiently in carrying out its mandate. In this regard, MRRD requires an expert in the RuWatSIP sector to support the Ministry in achieving the aforementioned.

Responsibilities:

The MRRD's Water Supply, Sanitation and Irrigation Programme Advisor will be responsible for the following tasks:

Program Review:

Provide direct support to the Deputy Minister for Programmes by undertaking a comprehensive diagnostic review of the current status of Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Irrigation Programme; including its mandates, objectives, management structure, systems and procedures, and business practices, so as to identify bottlenecks. S/he will specifically review the organisational capacity of the aforementioned programme to effectively and efficiently implement its mandate and recommend approximate reforms covering organisational change, staff skills mix and capacity development. Specific sub-tasks will include:

• i. Identifying RuWatSIP linkages with external agencies such as UN agencies, NGOs and the donors to ensure appropriate consultative process are undertaken. Similarly, s/he will identify the internal linkages necessary within the Ministry's for streamlining the programme's current systems, procedures and business practices.
• ii. Preparation of a draft report to highlight findings, recommend reform measures, and a time bound Action Plan for the implementation of the reform programme. S/he will circulate the draft report to the key internal stakeholders (programme senior management, Minister and Deputy Ministers offices and other heads of relevant departments), for consideration and comments. S/he will organize a Workshop within three weeks of the circulation of the draft report to discuss the reports. Following the Workshop another two weeks will be provided to incorporate written comments on the draft report. S/he will finalize the report and submit it for the approval of the Deputy Minister for Programmes and subsequently the Minister one week thereafter.

Implementation of the Approved Reform Measures:

Provide direct support to the RuWatSIP Director for implementing the approved reform Action Plan. Specific sub-tasks will include:

• i. Support the establishment of a Reform Action Committee made up of representatives of the key internal and external stakeholders. S/he will assist the Reform Action Committee to effectively manage the implementation of the reform Action Plan and prepare regular monthly status reports which will be discussed at the beginning of each month under the Chairmanship of the Deputy Minister for Programmes. The Reform Committee will make necessary presentation on the progress of the Action Plan, highlighting achievements and constraints for guidance by the Minister.
• ii. S/he will assist the various components of the RuWatSIP programme to make the transition from the current state to the desired state, including the required changes in their business practices (systems, processes and guidelines), development and implementation of staff development plans and appropriate coordination, communication and reporting mechanisms.
• iii. With key staff and stakeholders, set up RuWatSIP quality systems to ensure the project's implementation and results are accomplished and meet expected technical quality standards.
  
  

Other Tasks:

Engage Afghan national staff within the RuWatSIP programme in a structured work experience program. Capacity building remains a fundamental objective of MRRD and the programme and the Advisor shall use every opportunity to engage Afghan national staff in project activities as a means of gaining work experience.

Qualifications and Experience:

The successful candidate will have appropriate qualifications in a field relevant to the sector and will have a minimum of 10 years experience in his/her area of expertise, including programme management. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in developing countries, particularly in post conflict or transitional environment.

Education and work experience should provide evidence of the candidate's:

• i. Qualified candidates will possess tertiary education in the relevant field.
• ii. Broad expertise in management reforms, including diagnostic review.
• iii. A minimum of 10 years of experience in the sector with progressive management responsibilities. Prior experience in water/sanitation or construction programming is essential.
• iv. An extensive knowledge of community led development.
• v. Experience of liaising and advising at senior government levels (i.e. Minister, Deputy Minister).
• vi. Negotiation skills to develop consensus on changes.
• vii. Analytical thinking, planning, organizing, strategic orientation and coordination/ liaison skills in tandem with cultural sensitivity.
• viii. Strong interpersonal communication and writing skills.
• ix. Organizational and change management skills and ability to work independently and lead.
• x. Experience in Afghanistan and/or region, highly desirable.
• xi. Proven track record in training and capacity building.

Competencies:

• i. Analytical thinking.
• ii. Strategic orientation.
• iii. Negotiation skills to develop consensus around policy strategies (asset).

Language Skills:

• i. Fluent in English,
• ii. A working knowledge of Dari and/or Pashtu desirable.

Computer Skills:

Experience with MS Office, including Word, PowerPoint and Excel.

Requirements:

Able to travel within Afghanistan, if required.

To apply:

If you are interested in this short-term position and believe you have the necessary credentials, please send your CV by email to the Project Coordinator, Mark Witcomb;

Please put 'SSPSRL - RuWatSIP Advisor' in the subject line.

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.