Programme Officer – WASH via DevNetJobsIndia

AGA KHAN FOUNDATION (INDIA)

POSITION DESCRIPTION

ABOUT THE AGA KHAN FOUNDATION (INDIA)

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) brings together human, financial, and technical resources to address some of the challenges faced by the poorest and most marginalized communities in the world. Special emphasis is placed on investing in human potential, expanding opportunity, and improving the overall quality of life, especially for women and girls. The Foundation primarily works across seven thematic areas – agriculture and food security, climate resilience, education, early childhood development, work and enterprise, health, nutrition and WASH, and the strengthening of community institutions to lead development interventions. AKF is a member of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of 11 development agencies addressing the needs of poor and marginalized communities in more than thirty countries where it operates.  

AKF started its operations in India in 1978, and today implements programs in both rural and urban areas across five states (Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Delhi). 

PROGRAMME DETAILS 

Recognized by the Ministry of Jal Shakti as a Key Sector Partner, AKF has been supporting the government with the implementation of the flagship drinking water scheme of the Jal Jeevan mission since 2021. Most recently, with the formation of the Rural WASH Partners’ Forum (RWFP) – a platform through which development partners and CSOs lend their technical expertise to the Ministry on JJM and (SBM) Swachh Bharat Mission phase II, AKF has been requested to contribute as the Thematic Lead for Source Sustainability and has also been selected as a Lead Partner for supporting  JJM objectives in the 3 states of Bihar, UP, and Telangana.

Responding to the above call of the national government, AKF is proposing a ‘Drinking Water Initiative’ to support JJM and SBM-II in the 3 selected states of Bihar, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh to help strengthen JJM and SBM-II implementation mechanisms at the state and district levels. Towards this goal, AKF will lend technical support to the government at the national, state and district levels, while also strengthening community level processes by empowering them with knowledge on O&M, water quality and conservation, with a particular focus on source sustainability measures, Solid Liquid Waste Management (SLWM), and toilet retrofitting. Thus, prioritizing the integration of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) objectives within the given programme.   

POSITION SUMMARY

AKF seeks to recruit an enterprising, and enthusiastic Program Officer – WASH to support the implementation of the proposed WASH Initiative in the district of Bahraich. S/he will be responsible for planning, implementation, and ensuring the timely delivery of high-quality programme activities envisaged under the JJM and SBM-II schemes and will work closely with the state WASH team. The Program Officer – WASH will work closely with other sector Programme Officers based in Bahraich for implementation support, and to ensure convergence with other ongoing programmes.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

A-              Direct Field Level Support

In consultation with the AKF state WASH team supporting planning, implementation, and O&M of water supply infrastructure and SBM assets in the identified GPs/villages of Bahraich district where Aga Khan Foundation is extending Direct field Support. This will cover the following.

• Build the capacity of identified gram panchayats for effective planning and implementation of WASH activities and the establishment of sustainable O&M processes. Support the development of Gram Panchayat Development Plans that incorporate SBM and JJM priorities.
• Convene community mobilization campaigns to facilitate and sustain the adoption of improved WASH practices at the village and gram panchayat levels.
• Design and implement community campaigns for improved solid and liquid waste management, contributing to cleaner, healthier habitations. 

The specific deliverables under two flagship programmes –

Jal Jeevan Mission

• Mapping of the status of Water supply Infrastructure Completion
• Strengthening the capacities of GP/VWSC to ensure proper implementation and Operation of Maintenance of completed Schemes.
• Ensuring proper handover of schemes to GPs with detailed O&M plan and tariff collection mechanism, regular testing of water quality
• Under GPDP linking all possible opportunities/schemes to ensure source sustainability measures for in-village water supply schemes and support the demonstrations of various source sustainability measures
• Ensuring self-certification of Piped water supply schemes

Swachh Bharat Mission Phase-II

• Mapping of ODF Status in Identified Panchayat and mapping of Rising-Aspiring & Model Status of Villages.
• Ensuring detailed plan development to ensure achievement of Model Village Status- this will include achieving key outcomes around (1) greywater management, (2) solid waste management – Composting, Plastic Waste Management (3) fecal sludge management. GOBARDHAN scheme
• Support the demonstrations of nature-based solutions including- grey water management, rejuvenation of ponds through floating wetlands, functional village-level resource recovery centre

B-              Technical Assistance at the District and Block level

Aligning district and block-level technical support with the intended objectives of JJM and SBM-II as outlined in the district Annual Implementation Plan (AIP).

• In coordination with the State team, support the development of appropriate IEC material on JJM and SBM-II and ensure its uptake by the district governments.
• Conduct/support baseline mapping, district profiling, resource mapping, and assessment of existing challenges faced by the community related to drinking water access and sanitation. These assessments will be undertaken in consultation with district-level officials and community and PRI members.
• Generate awareness on the significance of safe drinking water, source sustainability, grey water management, fecal sludge management as well as solid waste management both on the GOBARDHAN scheme as well as Plastic waste management amongst various stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain relationships and work closely with local WASH stakeholders in the district, including government, private sector, community, development partners, WASH networks, academic institutions, etc. whose objectives are in alignment with the programme and the government schemes of JJM and SBM -II
• Identify opportunities for strengthening AKF’s support to the district administration on JJM and SBM-II by integrating components of AKF’s proposed drinking water initiative within the government’s programme strategy.
• Capacitate district and block level government functionaries, Implementation support Agencies (ISAs) /master trainers on JJM and SBM-II objectives through structured capacity-building programmes
• Regularly participate in district-level government meetings and workshops and share information on AKF’s work in the area.
• Identify opportunities to leverage government funding for JJM and SBM-II in AKF’s WASH geographies, particularly in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh
• Provide support to the AKF state-level programme implementation team wherever needed.
• Prepare monthly, and quarterly progress reports along with success stories and facilitate the dissemination of emerging learnings.
• Support the state WASH team in the identification and documentation of best practices and case studies across the project.
• Undertake any other additional duties and responsibilities as may be assigned by the organization from time to time.

REQUIRED QUALIFCATIONS

• A master’s degree in rural development/ water/health/environment management with at least 3-4 years of experience in implementing water, sanitation, and hygiene programmes.
• Experience of working with public systems concerning water and sanitation, particularly in rural areas is preferred.  Sound knowledge and understanding of the public health needs of rural communities, in WASH-related health issues, the needs of women and children, and of appropriate ways of tackling them would be an added advantage.
• Knowledge and experience in the construction of appropriate sanitation facilities, sanitation and hygiene promotion, training, and capacity building will be desirable.
• Knowledge of national and state-level government policies and programmes related to water and sanitation and behavior change communication is preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and communication (both verbal and written) in Hindi and English are essential.
• Self-driven and highly motivated, with a commitment to improving the quality of life of marginalized communities, and a willingness to work within a team.

To apply

Please submit your updated CV, accompanied by a cover letter stating the reasons for your interest in the position by 31^st March 2024 using the link below.

https://forms.gle/m7ZeNu6KfxMYRmzp8

The Aga Khan Development Network is an international group of private, non-denominational development agencies and institutions that seek to empower communities and individuals, often in disadvantaged circumstances, to improve living conditions and opportunities. Visit us at www.akdn.org

The Aga Khan Foundation is committed to the principles of equal opportunity and will strive to ensure that all job applicants, staff and volunteers, do not suffer negative discrimination on the basis of their religion, race, caste, color, nationality, social class, sex, place of birth, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, HIV status, age etc. or any combination of these.