Senior Specialist – Basic Services

Position Summary

• Reporting to the Director, Program Operations, Senior Specialist – Basic Services (WASH, Waste Management and Energy) is responsible for leading the design, implementation and monitoring of WASH infrastructure interventions, waste management and energy-related interventions related to household use in Africa. The purpose of the position is to support the improvement of access to sustainable WASH, waste management and energy services and over all wellbeing of communities. In carrying out the work, this basic services professional interacts with other regional/national/headquarters staff, partner organizations and contracted subject matter experts (SMEs).

Essential Duties

• Lead basic services (WASH, waste management and energy) business development in the region.
• Conduct technical assessments and data analysis of WASH services.
• Plan and organize capacity building programs for community water management, water quality surveillance and response planning, sanitation and hygiene promotion.
• Support the design and implementation of basic services (WASH, waste management and energy) infrastructure related activities within the region and other Habitat networks.
• Ensure program efficiency and delivery in particular referring to cost effective and innovative solutions to accelerate trend of access with analysis of potential and sector environment.
• Develop Bill of Quantities, and tender documents when necessary.
• Prepare and launch tender bidding procedure for contractor(s) when necessary.
• Supervise the engineering works related to WASH projects in the region.
• Inspect and certify all WASH, waste management and energy infrastructure before contractors are paid, when necessary.
• Provide technical expertise related to the planned WASH infrastructure works carried out by projects.
• Ensure that expenditures and budgets are well-monitored and activities are implemented and completed within budget and on schedule.
• Ensure that all basic services infrastructure is within the acceptable sector and country standards.
• Ensure critical gaps in information, knowledge and understanding relating to water supply, water safety, water resource management and sanitation and hygiene promotion are recognized and addressed by stakeholders in the Habitat programs and partners.
• Draw a capacity building plan and build capacity of Habitat staff on basic services projects.
• Develop technical resources (e.g. strategic framework, standard operating procedures, manuals) to guide basic services Infrastructure interventions, drawing from international best practices, along with field specific observations.
• Develop clear infrastructure monitoring tools (e.g. checklists).
• Participate and represent HFHI in regional basic services sector meetings.
• Support Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) team to conduct project monitoring and evaluation of basic services projects.
• Support the resource development team in resource mobilization.
• Document and manage the resources generated from basic services projects monitoring and evaluation for improving future program quality.
• Support National offices to write basic services reports and submit to the donors.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in civil, Mechanical engineering or Geological Engineering. Master’s Degree preferred. Candidates with a background in business administration with equivalent WASH experience in the field may also apply.
• Clear understanding of WASH-waste management-energy nexus.
• 8+ years’ experience in basic services infrastructure projects (tender procedure, design, planning, implementation, budgeting, reporting, evaluation, and monitoring) and good understanding of current WASH sector trends and indicators.
• Strong project management background with the ability to implement projects within budget and time frame.
• Clearly understand development and disaster WASH contexts and must have some years of experience working in both contexts.
• Experience working with multiple donors and understand donor requirements and how to meet them.
• Adult training skills, as well as capacity building, facilitation and presentation skills.
• Report and grant writing skills.
• Fluent in English (oral and written). Ability to speak and write French is an added advantage.
• Ability to think strategically to place WASH beyond “business as usual”; resourceful and creative.
• A high level of diplomacy and networking skills; cross-cultural sensitivity.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Good organizational skills including accuracy, consistency, and attention to detail.
• Ability to work under minimal or no supervision, while also able to be a team player and ready to work in a team building environment.