PM I – Private Sector Engagement Advisor

Reports To: Deputy Chief of Party – STAWI Project

Length of Contract: 5 years

Please note that this position is contingent upon award of the funding opportunity and the USAID’s approval of candidacy*.*

About CRS

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

CRS has worked in Kenya since 1965. Over the years, CRS’ focus shifted from direct relief and food distributions to a comprehensive development program that works with partners and enhances local capacity. CRS Kenya development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.

Sustainable, Transformative, Accessible, WASH Innovations (STAWI) Project:

Sustainable, Transformational and Accessible Water Interventions (STAWI) project aims to strengthen resilience and expand economic opportunities in targeted northern and southeastern counties through management of water resources, expansion of sustainable water services, and improved use of water within agriculture and livestock market systems. The goal of the project is to 1) Improve governance of water resources and services, 2) increase sustainability of water service delivery, 3) Improve management, efficiency and equitable access to water used for productive purposes and 4) Improve collaboration and learning across stakeholders and strengthen the capacity of county governments for learning and adaptation

Job Summary:

The Private Sector Engagement Advisor (PSEA) will be the lead contact and relationship manager within the STAWI project for all engagement with private sector actors, designing and leading a strategic approach to private sector engagement that ensures the development initiatives are locally led, owned and managed thus accelerating self-reliance, and contributing to transformational change in water resources management and improved water service delivery. S/he will enhance collaboration with government counterparts, emphasizing direct relationships whenever possible (through grants to county governments), work with local actors (including women, girls and youth) and organizations (including DiP WASH APS addendum awardees) and seek private sector solutions. S/he will ensure STAWI builds on the capacity of and leverage existing knowledge and skills of county governments, local and underutilized partners including conservation groups, and communities through co-creation processes, citizens advocacy and engagement, social and behavior change strategies and a strong CLA component

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• Lead in the design, development and implementation of STAWI private sector engagement strategy
• Oversee the effective co-creation, startup and implementation of PSE related activities across the project
• Manage private sector relationships across project sectors and lead the co-creation and implementation of market-based project components, including negotiations with private sector partners.
• Investigate, as program needs require, additional private sector partners, including enterprises, investors, Business Development Service providers, financial institutions, sector organizations and other stakeholders.
• Coordinate with private sector partners to inform the design of public-private partnership including subsidies as well as appropriate financial instruments accessible to water service providers, including blended finance that contribute to sustainable market development instead of furthering market distortions.
• Build the ‘investment case’ for targeted counties by highlighting opportunities for Private Sector to leverage STAWI interventions
• Collaborate with Social Behavior Change teams to ensure relevant messages are informed by private sector expertise and consistent across communications channels and activities.
• Train and mentor STAWI and GUC awardee staff, as needed, to improve their knowledge and skills related to engagement with the private sector.
• Working with MEL, help define targets with private sector partners, implement data collection systems with private sector partners and monitor progress towards development and business objectives to inform collaboration, learning, and adapting (CLA)
• Capture and share Private Sector Engagement related reports, lessons learned and best practices.

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Economics or any other relevant field.
• Minimum of 5 years work experience in international development, with a focus on market-based solutions and/or private sector engagement.
• Experience in WASH related PSE or finance is a plus
• Strong understanding of barriers and opportunities for Private Sector investment in Kenya ASALs.
• Familiarity with blended finance approaches for development.
• Demonstrated experience working in multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated experience in driving proactive and innovative strategies to achieve results.
• Demonstrated commitment to respect, equity, diversity, and inclusion including gender equality.

Personal Skills

• Strong relationship management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
• Excellent negotiation skills.
• Strong communications and presentation skills.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.
• Capable of working in a dynamic, results oriented environment; ability to multi-task across various work streams/priorities.
• Team player with a positive attitude who can work independently while also being highly collaborative and open. Capable of building relationships and influencing the opinions of others.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Integrity

• Continuous Improvement & Innovation

• Builds Relationships

• Develops Talent

• Strategic Mindset

• Accountability & Stewardship

Leadership and Management Competencies

• Communicates strategically under pressure
• Manages stress and complexity
• Actively promotes safety and security
• Manages and implements high-quality program activities

Required/Desired Foreign Language: English

Travel Required: 30% of the time to targeted Northern and Southeastern Counties

Key Working Relationships:

Supervisory: None

Internal: Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, Water Technical Advisor, CLA Advisor, Country Representative, Head of Programming, Finance Manager, Regional Technical Advisors, STAWI Program team, Programming staff.

External: Donor,Private sector actors including financial institutions, government agencies/officials, Local/international NGOs, and UN agencies operating in the project area.

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

What we offer:

CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS Kenya strives to be a place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come and work, stay, and do their best.

CRS provides equal employment opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants for employment and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, ancestry or national origin, sex, age, marital status, physical or mental disability or handicap, medical condition and any other status protected by law. As an equal opportunity employer, CRS will recruit, hire, train and promote persons solely on their qualifications and abilities.

CRS’ emphasis on family values supports benefits, including maternity and paternity leave, policies that promote exclusive breastfeeding, the availability of a baby room at the office, and flexible working hours where possible. Women are highly encouraged to apply.

By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to the above safeguarding-related topics.