Water Technical Advisor – STAWI

Reports To: Deputy Chief of Party
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 en hances 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:
As Water Technical Advisor, you will provide technical support to design and lead project interventions to improve water services delivery and water resource management across the targeted 9 ASAL counties. You will collaboratively work with the county government and other stakeholders to facilitate professionalization and regulation of water services and also ensure improved coordination mechanisms between sector stakeholders are established with the aim of creating a sound environment for diversified investments and sustainable services and resources management. You will also provide technical leadership to ensure that all construction design documents produced are of high quality and within the context of scope, schedule and budget. Your management and technical knowledge must ensure the delivery of high-quality programming.
*Roles and Key Responsibilities:*

1. Lead the water services and water resources management component and provide technical support towards accelerated professionalization and regulation of across the targeted region.

2. Conceptualize and implement innovative approaches to provide targeted support to rural and urban water service providers and strengthen their operational performance

3. Oversee the identification of strategic water infrastructure for improvement

4. Steer water resources and services interventions to improve investment readiness focusing on financing and creditworthiness assessment for water utilities, and oversee development of public-private partnerships initiatives of the project

5. Engage private sector, civil society, and government partners to develop market-led solutions and business enabling opportunities to Water sector competitiveness, especially focusing on developing innovative models and partnerships to increase involvement of women and youth

6. Engage and seek partnerships with private sector, civil society, and government to co-develop sound solutions that enable business opportunities and competitiveness within the water sector

7. Participate in WASH networks, meetings, and selected working groups as appropriate to represent the project and ensure collaboration and visibility

8. Ensure project activities are compliant with environmental and construction codes, reporting and management requirements, under USAID and Government of Kenya standards

9. Promote MEAL and collaborating, learning, adapting by leading STAWI reviews and reflections with staff and partner representatives and documentation of good practices and lessons learned for assessments, to adjust strategies and implementation plans, to inform future programming initiatives and approaches, and to contribute to organizational learning

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Very good strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment and decisions.
• Very good relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
• Team leadership abilities with diverse/multi-disciplinary teams.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.
• Demonstrated commitment to respect, equity, diversity and inclusion including gender equality.

Preferred Qualifications

• Recognized technical experience and qualifications in sector
• Demonstrated experience of successful management, including management of functions of complex, multi-activity projects.
• Demonstrated experience in building the capacity of private and public sector to effectively deliver water services

• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.

• Experience engaging partners and strengthening partnerships. Knowledge of CRS partnership strategy a plus.

• Experience in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications, and information and budget management systems.

Required Languages– English Fluency, Knowledge of a main national language.
Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 25 %.
Key Working Relationships:
Internal: Chief of Party, Country Representative, Head of Programming, Programming staff, Finance Manager, Deputy Regional Director for Program Quality, Regional Technical Advisors, HQ based Public Donor Liaison.
External: Donor, government agencies, partner INGOs and local NGOs, peer agencies, community representatives, private sector actors, including financial institutions.
Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline; Environmental science, water/civil engineering required;
• Relevant professional qualifications an added advantage
• Minimum 10 years of professional experience in water sector in Kenya and understanding water sector policy environment
• Demonstrated experience of successful management, including management of functions of complex, multi-activity projects.
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.

• Experience engaging partners and strengthening partnerships.

• Experience of working in the Kenyan ASAL context.

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

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, ex ploitation, 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.*

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.