Job Description
1. Background
The African Water and Sanitation Association (AfWASA), with support from the
African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), is implementing an institutional
strengthening initiative aimed at enhancing organizational systems, governance,
and operational effectiveness.
As part of this initiative, a Capacity Needs Assessment (CNA) was conducted to
assess AfWASA’s institutional capacity across key functional areas. The
assessment identified significant gaps in program management, with an overall
score of 44%, highlighting weaknesses in:
- Program planning and implementation.
- Operational planning.
- Expertise in program management.
- Progress reporting.
- Program–finance integration; and
- Institutionalization of program management
systems.
The assessment established that program management at AfWASA is largely operational
and practice-driven, with implementation heavily influenced by donor-specific
requirements rather than a standardized institutional framework. The existing
program management manual dated 2017 is outdated, weakly operationalized, and
not widely understood across the organization.
The CNA further identified
the need to:
- Clarify and institutionalize a standard AfWASA
program management cycle. - Review and operationalize the existing program
management manual. - Develop standardized planning, monitoring,
reporting, and risk management tools. - Strengthen program–finance integration.
- Improve program monitoring and progress
reporting systems. - Introduce structured learning and review
processes; and - Build staff capacity in results-based and
program cycle management.
It is against this background that ACBF intends to support AfWASA in strengthening and
institutionalizing its program management systems and practices.2. Objective of the Consultancy
To strengthen AfWASA’s
program management function through the development and institutionalization of
a standardized, integrated, and operational program management system aligned
with international best practices.2.1Specific Objectives
The assignment will specifically:
- Develop and institutionalize a clear AfWASA
program management framework and cycle. - Review and update the existing program
management manual. - Develop standardized operational tools and
templates for planning, monitoring, budgeting, and reporting. - Strengthen integration between program
implementation and financial management processes. - Build staff capacity in results-based
management and program cycle management; and - Establish structured learning, review, and risk
management processes.
About the Organization
1. Background
The African Water and Sanitation Association (AfWASA), with support from the
African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), is implementing an institutional
strengthening initiative aimed at enhancing organizational systems, governance,
and operational effectiveness.
As part of this initiative, a Capacity Needs Assessment (CNA) was conducted to
assess AfWASA’s institutional capacity across key functional areas. The
assessment identified significant gaps in program management, with an overall
score of 44%, highlighting weaknesses in:
- Program planning and implementation.
- Operational planning.
- Expertise in program management.
- Progress reporting.
- Program–finance integration; and
- Institutionalization of program management
systems.
The assessment established that program management at AfWASA is largely operational
and practice-driven, with implementation heavily influenced by donor-specific
requirements rather than a standardized institutional framework. The existing
program management manual dated 2017 is outdated, weakly operationalized, and
not widely understood across the organization.
The CNA further identified
the need to:
- Clarify and institutionalize a standard AfWASA
program management cycle. - Review and operationalize the existing program
management manual. - Develop standardized planning, monitoring,
reporting, and risk management tools. - Strengthen program–finance integration.
- Improve program monitoring and progress
reporting systems. - Introduce structured learning and review
processes; and - Build staff capacity in results-based and
program cycle management.
It is against this background that ACBF intends to support AfWASA in strengthening and
institutionalizing its program management systems and practices.processes.
