The Millennium Water Alliance (MWA) is a global consortium of leading international NGOs dedicated to improving access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services. Since 2002, MWA has worked across Africa, Latin America, and Asia, partnering with local governments and communities to provide sustainable WASH solutions. MWA’s approach is built on collaboration, evidence-based interventions, and strategic partnerships, contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In Ethiopia, MWA works to expand access to safe, reliable water services, particularly in rural areas. Our programs align with Ethiopia’s national goals and aim to promote long-term resilience in water service delivery.
About the Ethiopia Strategic Transition Program (STraP)
Funded by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation’s Safe Water Initiative, the Ethiopia Strategic Transition Program (STraP) focuses on enhancing rural water service delivery through the:
- Professionalization of Water Services: Strengthening the management, governance, and operational frameworks of rural utilities.
- Capacity Building: Empowering local water service providers and government institutions to improve performance.
- Operational Efficiency: Utilizing innovative technologies to optimize water service operations.
STraP focuses on the woredas of Dera, Farta, and North Mecha, with additional activities in Tigray, Oromia, and Kenya, leveraging regional insights to drive improvements.
About the Role
MWA is seeking a Rural Utilities Professionalization and Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) Technical Advisor to support the STraP initiative by providing technical leadership to improve rural water service delivery and professionalize utility management. The advisor will focus on developing and validating assessment tools, guiding strategic decision-making, and driving capacity-building initiatives, with an emphasis on integrating monitoring and evaluation (M&E) insights into adaptive management.
The consultant will work closely with MWA staff, local stakeholders, and international partners to achieve the program’s objectives. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of rural water services in Ethiopia.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and validate assessment tools: Create tools, including Key Informant Interview (KII) and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) guides, to evaluate the governance, financial management, and service delivery of rural water utilities.
- Technology evaluation: Lead the development of evaluation tools to assess the impact of technologies, such as Clara in-line chlorination systems and centralized metering, using cost-benefit analysis and user satisfaction surveys.
- Contribute to strategy development: Provide expert input to create strategies that enhance utility governance, financial frameworks, and operational efficiency, informed by M&E data and the Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework.
- Deliver capacity-building initiatives: Develop and deliver tailored training sessions for MWA staff and local partners on professionalization best practices, governance, and service delivery techniques.
- Integrate M&E feedback: Use insights from M&E data to refine tools, strategies, and capacity-building sessions, ensuring they are data-driven and responsive to local conditions.
- Lead stakeholder engagement: Actively participate in workshops, validation meetings, and dissemination events to present findings, gather feedback, and ensure that all stakeholders are aligned with the project’s strategic objectives.
Qualifications
Required Expertise:
- Water Service Delivery and Professionalization: Demonstrated experience in managing and improving rural water utilities, with a focus on professionalization.
- Regulatory and Policy Analysis: Experience in reviewing and enhancing water service regulations using structured frameworks such as IAD.
- Technology Integration: Proficiency in evaluating and implementing rural utility technologies (e.g., chlorine systems, metering technologies) with experience conducting cost-benefit analyses.
- Capacity Building: Proven ability to design and deliver training programs tailored to local contexts, with a focus on governance, financial management, and service delivery.
- Data Analysis and Tool Development: Strong skills in developing assessment tools and using data collection platforms, such as mWater, for decision-making.
Desired Expertise:
- Familiarity with Ethiopian Water Sector: Knowledge of Ethiopia’s governance structures, cultural considerations, and community engagement in rural water service delivery.
- Experience with Adaptive Management: Ability to adjust strategies and activities based on emerging data, field insights, and stakeholder feedback.
- Stakeholder Engagement and Communication: Strong skills in facilitating workshops, validation meetings, and dissemination events.
Educational Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in water resources management, Environmental Science, Engineering, Public Policy, International Development, or a related field.
- Minimum of 7–10 years of relevant experience in water service delivery, professionalization, or rural utility management.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit a proposal along with their CV, cover letter, and relevant references to jobs@mwawater.org by October 28, 2024. Please include “STraP Professionalization Technical Advisor” in the subject line of your application.
For more information about MWA and the Ethiopia Strategic Transition Program, please visit our website at www.mwawater.org.
