WSSH Systems Strengthening Director | Washington, DC | 2022

Chemonics seeks a WSSH Systems Strengthening Director to support agile and sustainable WSSH programming in fragile contexts, with a focus on supporting locally-led approaches to address the reality that WSSH challenges confronting the world are highly nuanced and fast evolving–particularly as the adverse impacts of climate change continue to unfold.

Chemonics International Inc., a US-based international development consulting firm, is accepting applications for an anticipated USAID-funded program addressing the harmonization and strengthening of water security, sanitation, and hygiene (WSSH) in conflict and fragile contexts.

Chemonics is seeking prospective candidates for a proposal effort, this is not an open position. Once a proposal is awarded and a position becomes available, all applicants must apply to be considered for the role. Chemonics International Inc. is a US-based international development consulting company, operating in over 95 countries. We are looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world.

Through this broad, flexible global support mechanism, USAID will fill critical gaps in partner countries’ ability to tackle longer and more common protracted conflicts, as well as more frequent and intense weather events and increasing rates of climate change-related migration through enabling a fundamental shift in the WSSH community’s approach to programming in fragile contexts. This will focus on strengthening water security for all uses and users, as well as adapting, providing and maintaining WASH services, which is critical for achieving and maintaining development gains in communities and countries that face the compounding risks of climate change, conflict, and COVID-19.

The WSSH Systems Strengthening Director will have experience implementing WASH programs or strengthening WASH systems in fragile or crisis contexts, particularly in the following technical areas: water production, transmission, and distribution; utility services strengthening; adaptation for climate resilient infrastructure; sewered sanitation networks; wastewater treatment; sludge management; water treatment systems; operations and maintenance; asset management; and, capital investment planning.

The successful candidate will have broad expertise in how water systems operate from water supply protection and management through to treatment, transmission, service delivery, sanitation systems and reuse. This expertise will be used to work closely with local counterparts and USAID missions to identify and then develop and manage surge support to provide fast, flexible, short-term assistance and training to target key WSSH needs through sustainable approaches and interventions that respond quickly to a disaster, shock, or persistent crises.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as lead for technical component leading all WSSH crisis response systems strengthening, working closely with the chief of party, USAID counterparts, and other project technical leads to develop and manage effective and responsive interventions
• Determine technical needs and priorities for short-term technical assistance and subcontractor support to best implement surge support activities of this component, which could include, but not be limited to:
  • Upgrading, rehabilitating or building low-tech, decentralized wastewater systems
  • Damage assessment and/or upgrading/rehabilitating/building water systems
  • Water resource interventions that prevent or mitigate flooding, increase water storage, and strengthen early warning systems
  • Linking/facilitating spare parts and consumables supply chains
  • Management information systems for asset management, water resources data, water resource mapping
  • Emergency financial support mechanisms such as subsidies or vouchers for WSSH products and services or standby financing support for service providers in crisis to sustain critical operations and staffing
  • Adapt WSSH services to address the needs of women and girls to either address direct impacts of a shock or to mitigate potential impacts
  • Expanding access to and incentivizing efficient irrigation practices and technologies; soil, land, and water conservation; and water allocation planning that creates equitable access to resources and promotes peace
  • Empower and facilitate women and gender minorities, youth, and people with disabilities to be leaders and participants in water management, climate change adaptation, and peacebuilding processes
  • Support local authorities to develop systems to monitor service delivery coverage post-shock
• Manage team of local and international experts to ensure high quality implementation at the highest standards of professional conduct
• Develop technical reports, work planning, and regular progress report inputs as needed, under the overall direction of the chief of party

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 10 years working in WSSH systems strengthening, with fragile contexts or disaster response experience strongly preferred
• Bachelor’s Degree in relevant area required, advanced degree preferred or comparable years of work experience
• Knowledge of donor funded programming across the humanitarian, conflict, and development nexus strongly preferred
• Fluency in English required, additional language skills preferred
• Demonstrated leadership, versatility, and integrity