Nutrition Sensitive WASH Program Senior special Advisor Full Time NEW

The Ministry of Health would like to invite competent and interested applicants for the following position

Duty Station; Seqota Declaration Federal Program Delivery Unit (FPDU), Nutrition Coordination Lead Executive Office, MoH

Type & Duration of Position ; The assignment will be for a period of 12 months’ contract with possibility of extension subject to performance up to the project period.

Salary; 89782.00 (Eighty-nine thousand seven hundred eighty-two) ETB

1.Background

The Seqota Declaration is the government of Ethiopia commitment to end stunting among children under two years by 2030. To attain this goal their Excellences at federal and regional level and inter-ministerial steering committee and regional cabinets has provided leadership and performance management in the past years. This has leveraged the government commitment and allocation of funding for the Innovation Phase (2016-2020) which focuses on the implementation of priority intervention packages to generate learning and evidence that inform the design and implementation of the expansion phase (2021-2025).

Multi sectoral Approach for Stunting Reduction Project (MASReP) is a nutrition-focused project is being implemented in Ethiopia, specifically, in 40 Seqota Declaration innovation phase woredas of Amhara and Tigray regions found along the Tekeze river basin. The area is characterized by high prevalence of stunting, soil degradation, erratic and low level of rainfall. MASReP is a joint project between the African Development Bank (AfDB) and Ethiopian government, supporting the government’s commitment to ending stunting in children under two years by 2030. It is a multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder project that addresses key areas such as Health, Agriculture, Water and Energy, Irrigation and Low Land, Education, Women and social affairs.

2. Description of the main components of the project

The project has four components;

Component 1: Climate smart infrastructure development for effective service delivery

Component 2: Livelihood support and promotion of nutritious foods.

Component 3: Strengthening institutional system and capacity building.

Component 4: –Coordination and Project Management

3. General Purpose of the Position

The overarching responsibility of this job position is to undertake a day-to-day technical assistance and program management support to the Nutrition Sensitive WASH component of Expansion Phase of the Seqota Declaraton and MASReP.

The successful candidate will have sound understanding of global development priorities related to the water – One WASH program, Climate Resilient or CR -WASH and WASH implementation framework, Water security, improved sanitation, and climate change as well as demonstrated experience in the management of large-scale Water projects and experience working with international NGOs, local civil society organizations, government, bilateral and multilateral donors.

Overall, the WASH program senior special advisor is envisioned to be a highly motivated individual with tangible project management experience and a results-oriented mindset. S/he is envisioned to have working knowledge of Ethiopia’s public sector and tangible experience in the water sector is an absolute requirement.

4. Scope of the Assignment

The WASH program senior special advisor will be a staff member of the ‘Seqota’ Declaration Federal Program Delivery Unit, Nutrition coordination office which is located at Ministry of Health. S/he will work collaboratively with other members of the PDU to ensure the coordinated implementation of SD expansion phase and all components of the MASReP Plan. In addition, she/he will execute other duties assigned by the Senior Program Manager of the PDU.

5. Main Job Duties and Responsibilities/Key Areas of Accountability

The Nutrition Sensitive WASH program senior special advisor at the Federal Program Delivery Unit (FPDU) will be responsible and required to perform the following activities

Programme planning, coordination, monitoring and reporting

• Receive project application, study and design documents and conduct field and desk appraisal;
• Review water projects and WASH program plans and project proposals submitted by federal and regional Water and Energy offices;
• Ensure that water projects and WASH projects have Implementation Plan with a clear action plan and that this action plan is reviewed periodically based on the feedback from the on-going monitoring of the project and program;
• Ensures the conformity of all project proposal submission, and project implementation processes to the Development partners’ standards and working procedures;
• Work closely with Ministry of Water and Energy and other implementing agencies to ensure their collaborative engagement;
• Ensure that the programme has a clear monitoring framework and progress is effectively monitored through the regular collection and analysis of key indicators and ensure that processes and results are properly documented;
• Manage the successful implementation of technical and administrative activities of programmes in the water sector as outlined in the ‘Seqota’ Declaration Expansion and Scale up Phases Implementation Plan;
• Coordinate and oversee the quality of all technical activities of implementing partners in the water sector, providing direction, feedback and support to ensure success;
• Ensure programme adherence to internationally accepted technical norms and standards of practice in the water sector;
• Provide input and ensure that all reporting requirements on programme impact are met and assist implementing partners in setting up reporting and tracking systems to provide such information in an efficient and timely manner;
• Ensure high quality programme delivery and the cost-effective use of resources committed to the water sector components of the ‘Seqota’ Declaration Expansion and Scale up Phases Implementation Plan;
• Provide water sector-related technical support to the regional delivery units (RPDUs) and Food and Nutrition coordination offices (FNCOs),
• Stay up-to-date of new technical developments and best practices and serve as a technical resource to provide technical oversight and direction and relevant subject matter expertise in the water sector when required;
• Develop, review, track progress against programme work plans and performance monitoring and evaluation plans;
• Capture, distribute and promote best practices, lessons learned, success stories and impacts in other programmes across the country; and
• Develop programme quarterly, annual and other regular progress reports for the Senior Programme Manager.

Budget planning & management

• Hold budget management responsibility for the water sector component of the ‘Seqota’ Declaration Expansion and Scale up phases Implementation Plan, Multi-sectoral Approach for Stunting Reduction Project and other projects including monitoring budget vs. expenditure, ensuring that costs are allocated correctly and expenditure is happening in line with the Plan;
• Track programme expenditures against budgets and obligated funds allocated to the water component of the ‘Seqota’ Declaration Expansion and Scale up phases Implementation Plan, Multi-sectoral Approach for Stunting Reduction Project and other projects;
• Ensure budget utilization and physical target achievements are reviewed on a quarterly basis; and
• Ensure all foreseeable deviations in programme implementation requiring budget revisions are communicated to the Senior Programme Manager.

Representation and coordination (internal and external)

• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with stakeholders in the water sector, WASH implementing sectors and partners, including donors, development banks, implementing partners, and other public or private organizations that fund, manage, or implement water-related infrastructure, resource management, and sector reform programmes.
• In collaboration with other members of the Program Delivery Unit, ensure effective coordination and collaboration with key stakeholders and partners – government counterparts, development partners, etc.;
• Participate in federal and regional level technical, strategic planning and coordination meetings in support of the ‘Seqota’ Declaration Expansion and Scale up phases Implementation Plan, Multi-sectoral Approach for Stunting Reduction Project and other projects;
• Provide technical contributions and review on proposals in support of the water and WASH component of the ‘Seqota’ Declaration Expansion and Scale up phases Implementation Plan, Multi-sectoral Approach for Stunting Reduction Project and other projects;
• Maintain regular communications with the regional delivery units and Food and Nutrition co-ordination Offices to stay current on programme activities and proactively identify and trouble-shoot problems;
• Participate in regular team meetings providing input into key decisions and ensuring that issues affecting the ‘Seqota’ Declaration Expansion and Scale up phases Implementation Plan are appropriately resolved;
• Engage in professional forums, workshops, seminars and other events related to the Water and WASH component of the ‘Seqota’ Declaration Expansion and Scale up phases Implementation Plan, Multi-sectoral Approach for Stunting Reduction Project and other projects; and
• Perform any other relevant duties as assigned by the Senior Programme Manager.

6. Competencies and Critical Success Factors

6.1. Functional Competencies -Technical Expertise:

• Knowledge in the areas of Water projects study and design, implementation, project management, and monitoring and on the site supervision to ensure quality of design, construction and bid evaluation and other competencies needed;
• Experience in WASH – nutrition nexus, climate resilient sustainable Water and WASH in the government and development partners projects;
• Understanding of the political dynamics in government, civil society and donor community in Ethiopia – at federal and regional levels;
• Deep knowledge of the project cycle, including project implementation and portfolio management will be an advantage;
• Prior experience working in multilateral financial institutions/donor agencies or similar large organizations in the Water projects management and WASH sector will be an advantage;
• Competence in the use of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook) and analytical software applications;
• Ability to communicate effectively (written and oral) in English
• Ability to facilitate strategic planning meetings which centre around results-based management and reporting;
• Ability to provide top quality policy advice services on governance issues; and
• In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues.
• Contribute to the development, review and implementation of the Annual ‘Seqota’ Declaration Implementation Plan and multi-sectoral projects to ensure the effective prioritisation of activities critical to the success of the Declaration;

6.2. Functional Competencies -Development and Operational Effectiveness:

• Contribute to the compilation and dissemination of the quarterly progress reports to key stakeholders;
• Ability to provide recommendations to the implementation of Nutrition Sensitive WASH interventions, and the monitoring and evaluation assessments; and
• Ability to be self-motivated and work with minimal supervision.

6.3. Functional Competencies -Teamwork:

• Works well with a diverse group of people;
• Focuses on impact and results, and responds positively to critical feedback; and
• Leads teams in compiling relevant information in reports or presentations for internal and external audiences.

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling Government of Ethiopia values and ethical Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting; standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of the Government of Ethiopia Seqota Declaration;
• Displays cultural and gender sensitivity and adaptability; and
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

7. Deliverables

The main deliverable from this exercise will be reports that track physical implementation of SD expansion phase and scale up programs and MASReP Water projects’ activities and WASH plan against activity performance and budget utilization of the program/project under the Seqota Declaration Federal Program Delivery Unit and appropriate documentation of key learning from program/project implementation. Concept notes and analytical study reports for policy support will also be part of deliverables for the position.

Academic Background, work Experience and skills

• Educated to postgraduate degree level or equivalent by experience, within a relevant field of Water Resource engineer, Hydraulic engineer and Hydro geologist.
• At least 15 years of ‘on-the-ground’ experience working in the water sector at grassroots level with progressive managerial and coordination responsibilities at regional and national levels; and a minimum of 5 years of experience working in the WASH sector (at project level), with demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following areas:; Water Resource, Water Supply study and Design, WASH Program Implementation, Climate resilience and sustainable water infrastructure, and supervising water and WASH projects is a mandatory.
• At least 5 years’ experience in analytical and practical work in such areas as working with government institutions, public service or equivalent, institutional analysis and design, programme implementation, monitoring and evaluation systems and processes, and development programmes, and working in a professional office environment;
• Broad knowledge of the WASH – nutrition nexus(water, sanitation and hygiene sub-sectors);
• Significant expertise in implementation and management of water and WASH projects or providing technical assistance to implementing partners working in the agriculture sector;
• Prior experience working in multilateral financial institutions/donor agencies or similar large organizations in the water sector will be an advantage;
• Deep knowledge of the project cycle and portfolio management will be an advantage;
• Broad professional and personal network in the Ethiopian water sector will be a distinct advantage;
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a wide range of partners with varying interests and priorities in the field of water, WASH and nutrition;
• Good understanding of the Ethiopian context and of program management within this context;
• Good understanding of the ‘Seqota’ Declaration and the Government of Ethiopia response to child under nutrition;
• Previous work experience with the government of Ethiopia will be a distinct advantage;
• Ability to think critically and analytically to draw sound conclusions on the basis of evidence and data;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills (in English);
• Strong inter-personal skills, and sound judgement and tact;
• Ability to multi-task and work under pressure with attention to detail;
• Willingness to travel within Ethiopia;
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Suite is a critical requirement; and
• High level of quantitative skills.

Key working relationships

• Nutrition coordination Lead Executive Office, Seqota’ Declaration Program Delivery Unit (both Federal and regional levels);
• Ministry of Water and Energy and other sectors (at federal level) and regional equivalents (as applicable)
• Food and Nutrition coordination platforms at national and sub-national levels.
• Regional Food and Nutrition coordination offices;
• Programme Managers and advisors , ‘Seqota’ Declaration Program Delivery Unit (Federal and Regional levels); and
• AfDB, Big Win Philanthropy, and other funding partners.

Key core competencies

For this vacancy, candidates will be assessed against the following behavioural and technical competencies:

• Analysing the operating environment: Anticipate economic, social, and political developments to keep water and WASH-related multi-sectoral nutrition interventions relevant and targeted;
• Making effective decisions: Push decision making to the right level within the Delivery Unit;
• Collaborating and partnering: Actively build and maintain a network of colleagues and contacts to achieve progress on objectives and shared interests;
• Communicating: Be visible to staff with the Delivery Units, Food &Nutrition coordination offices (i.e. Federal and Regional levels) AfDB and other key stakeholders, and regularly undertake activities to engage and build trust with people involved in area of work; and
• Technical competencies: Be able to successfully apply data and evidence of water and WASH interventions and evaluate the risks in the scale up of these interventions.

Performance Evaluation

The Nutrition Sensitive WASH Program Senior special Advisor will develop and agree an annual work plan with the Seqota Declaration Federal Program Delivery Unit Senior Program Manager and other relevant departments or units at the beginning of the year. He/she will also maintain effective communication with the Nutrition coordination office Lead Executive Officer, providing timely updates on the project’s status, key milestones, risks, and any adjustments to the project plan as needed. And the work of the Nutrition Sensitive WASH program senior special advisor will be reviewed by the FPDU Senior Program Manager and Nutrition coordination office Lead executive officer.

Reporting

The Nutrition Sensitive WASH Program Senior special Advisor will report directly to both the Senior Program Manager in the delivery unit and Nutrition coordination office Lead executive officer. In addition, S/he will execute other duties assigned by the Senior Program Manager and Lead executive officer in the Nutrition coordination office.