Programme Manager

Simavi is an ambitious and growing development organisation. Together with local partners we improve the health of people in the poorest regions in developing countries. With special attention for mothers as change agents, we take care of safe drinking water, sustainable sanitation, hygiene, access to primary health care, healthy pregnancies and safe deliveries. With more than one hundred partners we offer practical support to communities in nine countries in Africa and Asia.

In the Netherlands, and internationally, we influence the policies of governments and companies to take into account the health of the poorest people. We campaign to engage the general public and involve them in what we do. We are also lead agent of the WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) Alliance and we are member of the SRHR (Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights) Alliance.

For one of our programmes in Tanzania, we are currently looking for a:

Programme Manager

MKAJI Programme

Simavi has been granted funds from the Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC) to implement the MKAJI Programme. The general objective of the programme is to improve access to water and hygiene promotion in selected primary health facilities in Dodoma Region. More specifically, the programme will:

• Improve access to water in selected public primary health facilities through construction and/ or rehabilitation of water (and possibly) sanitation facilities at primary health facilities;
• Strengthen the governance and community participation in management of the water facilities at public primary health facilities;
• Promote hygiene measures and practices at the public primary health facilities and wider communities;
• Integrate gender and social accountability aspects in the implementation process.

The programme will be implemented in all (7) districts of Dodoma Region, Tanzania, with a budget of approximately 4 million USD and a duration of 4 years, starting 1 January 2014. The programme will be implemented by Simavi, three local Tanzanian partners (CBHCC, UFUNDIKO and PATUTA) and one Dutch partner (the engineering company Witteveen+Bos). To implement the programme effectively, Simavi will open up a field office in Dodoma town. For this office Simavi is currently looking for a Programme Manager.

Purpose of the position

The Programme Manager will be responsible to manage the MKAJI programme. The programme involves partnerships with many other stakeholders, apart from the above mentioned programme partners. In that sense, they will introduce new insights and working systems to the programme. Managing the MKAJI programme will primarily entail:

• Setting up the Simavi Programme Office in Dodoma, and liaising with all stakeholders (programme partners, SDC, district/regional and national authorities, private sector and communities)
• Implementing the programme on a daily basis (ensuring that the programme runs according to quality standards and meets targets on time)
• Managing the programme content wise and financially, within the allocated and committed programme budget
• Ensure effective PME on district level
• Deliver financial and narrative reporting to Simavi Netherlands

The first project year, the Programme Manager will dedicate her/ his time for 100% (1 FTE) to the above mentioned  project management related tasks. However, in the second project year (provided that the programme meets its targets), extra ‘non programme management’ related tasks will be requested, including:

• Identify, raise and manage programme funding; responsible to identify opportunities for programme funding, to prepare proposals and to manage the funding, including fulfilling necessary reporting requirements.
• Maintain networks and partnerships and facilitate appropriate communication; build-up relevant networks and external relations and partnerships, relevant for programme development and programme funding
• Develop and implement advocacy plans in the field of WASH; build networks and partnerships relevant for policy influencing and represent Simavi in those networks and partnerships.

Position within the organisation

The Programme Manager is a senior position in the organisation. (S)he will be based in the Simavi Programme Office (To be established in Dodoma) and report to the Head of the Project Department of Simavi Netherlands. S(h)e  will be based in Dodoma, but be part of the Simavi project department.

Personal profile

• Education in the field of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene        
• Minimum of 10 years experience with development programmes in the field of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
• Technical experience and knowledge of small scale drinking water system construction and rehabilitation
• Minimum of 5 years of field experience in similar positions, preferably in Africa
• Good knowledge of programme planning models and monitoring systems
• Innovative and strategic thinker, with an eye for realistic and pragmatic solutions to complex problems
• Experience with working with local partner organisations and local authorities
• Good networker, experience and knowledge with lobby and advocacy processes
• Fundraising abilities
• Excellent verbal and written culture specific communication skills in English and Dutch, knowledge of Swahili is preferred
• Willingness to be based in Dodoma, with frequent travel to all districts of Dodoma Region and Dar es Salaam.

Simavi offers

• An interesting position in principle for the period of 1 year starting from January 1st 2014 in a dynamic and  international working environment, with substantial personal freedom in the context of an ambitious and professional team;
• A gross monthly salary between € 2500,- and € 4200,- on a fulltime basis of 36 hours;
• xcellent secondary employment conditions.

Competencies 

Core competencies

• Entrepreneurial act
  Signals opportunities within existing programme as well as new products and services and acts proactively to influence them. Is able to take risks responsibly when needed.
• Cooperative focus
  Looks for opportunities to cooperate and contributes to formulating and achieving common goals
• Result-oriented
  Has desired results clearly in sight en realizes these through measurable actions. Thinks ahead, maintains an overview and carries out activities efficiently.
• Integrity
  Inspires confidence from others based on one’s own professionalism, expertise, and suitability. Maintains generally accepted social and ethical standards in activities related to the position.

Function specific competencies

• Creative
  Is able to think up actions that are ingenious, improvised, original and focused on solubility.
• Customer-oriented
  Recognizes the client’s needs. Imagines oneself in the client’s situation, thinks in customer-oriented solutions and transforms these into activities within the organization.
• Written expressional skills
  Structures ideas and information and translates these tactfully and effectively in correct Dutch and English, as to get the essence across and the message understood.
• Planning and organizing
  Arranges a structured approach of people and materials, which is needed to achieve a goal.
  Knows how to mobilize people and materials in time. Regularly tests progress against the obtainable results.

More information 

If you have any questions, please contact Ewout van Galen  through +31 (0)23 5530 383. 

To apply

Candidates are invited to applybefore November 28, 2013. Please send your letter and resume (in English) to application@simavi.nl.