The Millennium Water Alliance (MWA) is a global consortium of leading international NGOs committed 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, communities, and the private sector to provide sustainable WASH solutions that contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In Ethiopia, MWA’s work emphasizes sustainable WASH services in rural areas, partnering with local governments and communities to strengthen institutional capacity and expand access to safe, reliable water services. MWA’s projects align with Ethiopia’s national priorities and aim to foster 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 improving rural water service delivery through:
- Professionalization of Water Services: Strengthening management, governance, and operational frameworks of rural utilities.
- Capacity Building: Empowering local water service providers and government institutions to enhance performance.
- Operational Efficiency: Utilizing innovative technologies to optimize water service operations.
STraP activities primarily target the woredas of Dera, Farta, and North Mecha, with additional comparative activities in Tigray, Oromia, and Kenya, aimed at promoting cross-regional knowledge-sharing and best practices.
About the Role
MWA is seeking a Policy and Regulatory Analyst to support the STraP initiative by leading regulatory and policy analysis that enhances the professionalization and sustainability of rural water utilities in Ethiopia. The analyst will be responsible for conducting comprehensive reviews of water sector regulations, identifying gaps in the current frameworks, and developing strategic recommendations for policy improvements. The position will also involve close engagement with local and regional stakeholders to ensure that regulatory improvements are feasible and effectively implemented at the local level.
This position is based in Addis Ababa with regular travel to project regions, and the contract will initially be for one year, with the possibility of extension based on performance and available funding.
Key Responsibilities
- Regulatory and Policy Analysis: Conduct thorough reviews of water sector policies, governance legislation, and management guidelines for rural water utilities. Compare these regulations across the regions of Amhara, Tigray, Oromia, and Kenya to develop best practice recommendations.
- Gap Identification: Identify gaps and inconsistencies in the regulatory and operational frameworks that impede the professionalization of rural utilities. Propose solutions that enhance governance, accountability, and technical capacity.
- Strategic Recommendations: Develop actionable strategies for transitioning community-managed water services to professionally managed utilities. Align recommendations with national regulations and regional needs.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Lead stakeholder workshops, meetings, and consultations to discuss challenges and potential policy improvements. Engage key stakeholders at local, regional, and national levels, including ESAWAS and government authorities.
- Knowledge Dissemination: Share best practices through training sessions and dissemination events such as webinars and workshops to inform both local and international stakeholders of findings and lessons learned.
- Capacity Building: Design and deliver training programs for local water service providers and government officials to improve their understanding and implementation of new regulatory frameworks.
- Support for Operational Frameworks: Provide technical advice on incorporating regulatory findings into the operational practices of rural water utilities. Ensure these frameworks are adaptable to local conditions and sustainable over the long term.
Qualifications
Required Expertise:
- Regulatory and Policy Analysis: Strong experience in reviewing, developing, and enhancing water service regulations and policies, particularly in rural utility management.
- Water Sector Governance: In-depth understanding of governance structures and regulatory environments that impact rural water services in Ethiopia or similar settings.
- Capacity Building: Proven ability to design and deliver effective training programs for governance and service delivery improvements in the water sector.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Experience in managing diverse stakeholder groups and facilitating workshops to build consensus on policy changes.
- Research and Documentation: Demonstrated ability to conduct comprehensive regulatory reviews, prepare detailed reports, and develop policy briefs.
- Data-Driven Decision Making: Familiarity with monitoring and evaluation (M&E) tools and frameworks to assess utility performance and ensure informed, data-driven strategies.
Desired Expertise:
- Familiarity with the Ethiopian Water Sector: Knowledge of the Ethiopian water sector’s dynamics, including local governance, cultural considerations, and community engagement practices.
- Experience with Adaptive Management: Ability to adjust strategies based on ongoing stakeholder feedback and emerging data.
- Communication and Dissemination: Strong communication skills for presenting findings to both local and international audiences, and for engaging stakeholders through workshops and dissemination events.
Educational Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in public policy, Environmental Science, Water Resources Management, or a related field.
- 7–10 years of relevant experience in policy analysis, regulatory development, or governance in the water sector, particularly in rural utilities.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their cover letter, CV, and relevant references to jobs@mwawater.org by October 28, 2024. Please include “Policy and Regulatory Analyst – Ethiopia” in the subject line of your application.
For more information about MWA and the Ethiopia Strategic Transition Program, please visit our website at mwawater.org
