Sanitation Specialist

• Grade: PL-5/PL-4
• Position N°: NA
• Reference: ADB/11/TA 009
• Publication date: 24/08/2011
• Closing date: 23/09/2011

Objectives

The African Water Facility (AWF) is an initiative of the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW), which supports a wide range of African institutions to address the increasing investment need for the development and management of water resources in Africa, towards meeting the Africa Water Vision 2025 targets and the Millennium Development Goals. The African Development Bank is hosting the Facility on the request of AMCOW. The Facility is realigning its strategic priorities for the period 2012-2016 to better support its clients and for achieving greater impact. The overarching strategic objective for the period is to leverage investments through three strategic priorities, namely preparing bankable projects and programs for effective and sustainable investments, and of small-scale strategic (innovative and catalytic) investments, enhancing water governance to create a more conducive environment for sustained and effective investments at national and regional levels and promoting water knowledge for strengthened water management at national, regional and transboundary levels and better informed project development and design. The three strategic priorities are synergetic, mutually reinforce each other and together attract investments into the sector. AWF plans, organizes and conducts activities in the above-mentioned areas, in relation to the project and program cycle (identification, preparation, execution and supervision) in all African countries. The Facility undertakes studies on issues concerning water sector development and related areas. It provides guidance and technical assistance to African countries and ensures coordination and synergy with the other partners and donors in Africa’s water and sanitation sector. To carry through these activities, the Bank recruits multi-disciplinary staff whose skills correspond to its key areas of intervention. The AWF currently manages a €80 million project portfolio shared all over Africa.

The AWF is recruiting a Sanitation Engineer who will support the management of the increasing sanitation projects profile of the Facility.

Duties and responsibilities

Under the general supervision of the Coordinator of the African Water Facility, the duties and responsibilities are as follows:

• Lead the thematic project identification and preparation including assessment of concept notes, preparation for/guidance during orientation event and preparation of full proposals.
• Recruit consultants and/or organize and undertake project preparation missions as necessary to finalize the preparation of the Project Appraisal Reports and support the review process to approval by the relevant authority.
• Ensure that grant agreements are signed promptly after approval and timely achievement of grant effectiveness.
• Provide on-going assistance to Recipients in understanding and applying the AWF operational procedures relating to grant administration as well as the rules and procedures for the procurement of goods, works and services.
• Work with the AfDB Financial Department in processing disbursement requests by providing up-to-date information on spending categories, established list of goods, works and services, contracts, entry into force of grant agreement, authorized signatories, extension of closing dates, managing grant savings and any revisions and modifications thereof.
• Undertake desk and field supervision to ensure that projects are well implemented, are accomplishing the intended objectives and recommend any necessary corrective measures;
• • Conduct regular meetings with team members to assess the status of the project and also to make certain changes and improvements, if necessary, to achieve the desired results;
• • Ensure efficient achievement of all the project milestones including project evaluation, regular audits, knowledge synthesis and timely monitoring and reporting on project progress and completion, problems and solutions to all stakeholders.
• Support arrangements for project evaluation.
• Identify and strategically incorporate key non-sewered sanitation experts (individuals and institutions) in Africa into the project design for ongoing support to the Recipients during the design and implementation of the projects
• Lead creation of the enabling environment for knowledge management including (i) provide hands-on support to Recipients in implementing the projects to achieve the overall goals; (ii) establishment and maintenance of an E-network for sharing knowledge and providing back-stopping support; (iii) link projects to the sanitation experts in Africa and ensure effective support; (iv) look out for key approaches, findings and lessons and ensure prompt sharing amongst the Recipients; (v) encourage and support dissemination of findings at national level for possible replication; (vi) prepare project synthesis reports and share them with the wider audience; (vii) ; ensure effective recruitment of consultants to undertake various KM activities; (viii) managing the annual peer-to-peer review events; etc.
• Ensure coordination with sanitation partners in Africa (and elsewhere), and represent AWF in donors meetings, regional and international meetings, conferences, seminars and workshops on sanitation development issues.
• Establish easy communication between the different stakeholders and working with them to ensure that they are adequately informed on the project’s progress.

Selection Criteria

Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience

• At least a master’s degree preferably in sanitary/environmental engineering with a minimum of 5 (PL-5) or 6 (PL-4) years experience related to project management, sanitation policy and strategy development, preparation and management of (non-sewered) sanitation and reuse projects preferably in urban and peri-urban settings
• Demonstrated experience in knowledge management and dissemination
• Competence in the use of standard software applications;
• Ability to communicate and write effectively in English and/or French, with good knowledge of the other language.

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To apply for this position, you need to be national of one of AfDB member countries.