Recent Job Vacancies at WaterAid, 26th June, 2019

---

WaterAid is an international organisation whose mission is to transform the lives of the poorest and most marginalised people by improving access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene. Through their partners, they have reached 2 million people with safe water and 3 million people with sanitation last year. We are recruiting to fill the position below:     Job Title: EU-TAC Pre Expenditure Verification Consultant Location: Abuja Introduction

• WaterAid is an international non-for-profit organization dedicated to helping people break free from poverty and disease, unlock their potential and change their lives for good through improved access to clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid started because no charity like us existed and we’ll end when no charity like us is needed. In the meantime, we’re resolutely focused on transforming lives through these three life-saving essentials of clean water, adequate sanitation and good hygiene.
• WaterAid Nigeria collaborates with partners to develop models, strengthen institutional capacities, secure changes in policies and practices and influence decision makers for enhanced sector governance and performance. We work with local authorities and the national Government to set standards for water and sanitation systems, promoting good sanitation and hygiene practices to communities and schools to ensure lasting changes.
• WANG partners with experts and communities to set up cost effective and sustainable projects using simple, suitable and durable technology that can be managed by the communities themselves and that will last long into the future, helping to support health, education and livelihood. We work with local implementing partners to provide sustainable services and train Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Committees (WASHCOMS) and local artisans. We seek to achieve sustainable and transformative change for citizens on these basic human needs by working with other key sectors to integrate water, sanitation and hygiene into their development plans and strategic priorities
• WaterAid started its operation in Nigeria in 1995. Since then it has successfully executed several intervention programme as outline by its objectives and has made impact in the lives of the very poor. WaterAid with the country office in Abuja currently works in Bauchi, Enugu and Plateau States with funding from various donors and partners.
• Our influencing work is aimed at making decision makers and governments to increase their commitment to providing these basic services for all. We have also continued to develop effective systems for accountability, management and good governance that promote learning, innovation, sustainability and ethical working practices.

Project Background

• The 2-year, EU–funded Technical Assistance to Civil Society Organisations (EU TAC) project is aimed at improving the capacity of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to drive the governance of public sector Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) service delivery in Plateau state and in Riyom and Shendam Local Government Areas (LGA).  This is expected to be achieved by continuous training and coaching of the Civil Society Organisations to understand policy development, support development of sector documents, participate in governance processes, train community structures on WASH rights demand, implement electoral advocacy campaign, and facilitate budget advocacy.
• The project has three main objectives- i) CSOs have improved capacity to implement relevant sections of the state Water Resources and Sanitation policy (ii) CSO networks and their members effectively support Plateau State WASH sector institutions to fulfil their mandates as outlined in the Water Resources and Sanitation policy and (iii) CSOs support communities in Ryom and Shendam LGA to achieve improved water and sanitation governance.
• WaterAid is implementing this project in partnership with its co-applicant NEWSAN and other associate applicants - CBD-NGO and WASHMEDIA.

Purpose

• WaterAid as a beneficiary of the EU Technical Assistance to CSOs grant to implement WSSSRP III, is required to submit to the contracting authority- National Authorizing Officer an expenditure verification report after the submission of the final report. However, the purpose of this pre-expenditure verification is to assess WaterAid compliance to the terms and conditions set out in the Grant Contract to forestall against ineligible costs at the end of the project.
• In addition, the pre-expenditure verification will assess the compliance of both the Co-Applicant and Associate partners implementing the project in Plateau –NEWSAN & CBD-NGO – Riyom & Shendam.

Responsibilities of Auditor

• The Auditor is responsible for performing agreed-upon procedures as specified in these TOR and submitting a report of factual findings to WaterAid. Procedures to be performed are:
• Obtaining a sufficient understanding of the Grant Action and the terms and conditions of the Grant Contract.
• Verify the eligibility of Expenditure claimed by WaterAid in the period covered by the pre-verification.
• In arriving at this report, the auditor shall also consider the following matters:
• 100% vouching of all payment vouchers (approximately 450 transaction) for the period;
• Check staff/personnel records for HR costs;
• Review procurement documents and process;
• Review correspondence with the donor;
• Check that the interim financial report and subsequent expenditure under the period being verified are in line with the Donor budget.
• Whether they have obtained all the information and explanations that to the best of their knowledge and belief they consider necessary for the purpose of the verification exercise.

Person Specification

• By agreeing to these ToR the Auditor confirms that he/she is a Chartered Accountant who has had previous experiences doing similar assignments of handling expenditure verification audits or has managed EU project finance and documentation.

Scope of Work Financial Management:

• Transaction Processing Review
• Review of financial documents in compliance with organization procedures and donor rules.
• Review effort reporting of EU TAC staff

General Management:

• Procurement Process Review
• Review procurement process to ensure compliance with WANG procurement processes and procedure & donor compliance policy

Human Resources Management:

• Review of Human Resource management personnel file kept for EU TAC staff.

Asset Management:

• Review Asset register for fixed asset purchase by the grant.

Indirect Costs:

• Review cost sharing of overhead expenditure.

Reporting:

• The report on this pre-expenditure verification should describe the purpose, the agreed-upon procedures and the factual findings of the engagement in sufficient detail in order to enable WaterAid to understand the nature and extent of the procedures performed. The report would also provide a detailed recommendation on the way forward for major non-compliance with EU regulations.
• The report would be in two stages – presentation of findings to the Head of Finance and Information Technology and a final report addressed to the Country Director. A meeting would be held between the Auditor and the Senior Management Team of WaterAid Nigeria to discuss the final report and provide clarifications as required.

Duration of Assignment

• The pre expenditure verification exercise is expected to be completed and report provided by the Auditor to WaterAid within seven (7) working days from the commencement of the assignment.

Selection/Engagement of Auditor:

• The Auditor must clearly state the methodology he/she would adopt in carrying out the pre-expenditure verification exercise.
• Also the Auditor must submit a detailed work plan on how he intends to conduct the assignment. The Auditor should also submit a detailed costed budget.

Interested and qualified candidates should submit a proposal which should include expression of interest, evidence of similar work done previously, budget,detailed workplan and CV of consultant to: [email protected] using the "Job Title" as subject of the email   Application Deadline 1st July, 2019.       Job Title: State Project Officer Location: Enugu Pay band: Grade D Contract type: 18 months fixed term Reports to: State Programme Lead Travel: 60% travel to field locations within and outside the state Team Description

• WaterAid Nigeria has recently completed its 2016-21 Country Programme Strategy, which sets a 5-year building block towards delivering a more influencing-led programme over a 15-year horizon.
• This new country strategy, rather than reflect a progression from previous country programme strategies, outlines key shifts in focus required to catalyse change and achieve maximum impact for our work in Nigeria
• The recalibration of WaterAid Nigeria’s structure and programming architecture has placed the state as the focus of our work to maximize impact.

Job Purpose

• Under the direct supervision of the State Programme Lead(SPL), the State Project Officer will drive project activities in Enugu state that will deliver model water services in communities, and engage key stakeholders of WASH in the State for sustainability, scale-up and replicability.
• The  State Project Officer will work in implementing WaterAid’s  GETF/RAIN Safe Water Project work against agreed plans and priorities of the project.
• The post holder will build and maintain effective collaborations with internal and external stakeholders and partners (state government, LGA, Civil society, Media, the private sector and community structures) for the delivery of WaterAid GETF/RAIN projects and an improved WASH outcome in WaterAid’s Enugu state programme.

Key Accountabilities Effective Project Management:

• Develop a viable system than ensure the maintenance of services (WASH) and that involves community structures, state structures and facility operators (WCAs, WASHCOMs and Kiosk Managers)
• Ensure the mainstreaming of WaterAid key programme delivery approaches in the state including EIG (equity, inclusion and gender), sustainability models, Pro-Poor Approach, Risk Management, Health and Safety strategies/guidelines/policies etc
• Support the SPL in the exercise of accountability in the management of financial budget and resources at state office; ensure timely and accurate budgets and financial reports are generated and submitted to WaterAid Nigeria Country office to facilitate reimbursements of expenses incurred on overhead and programmatic activities.
• Manage projects in Enugu state in accordance with WaterAid’s objectives; work with the PMER officer to monitor and evaluate progress of the programmes and its projects in line with WaterAid’s PMER standards and guidelines.
• Work collaboratively with and draw on the wider support and expertise from within WaterAid to develop and improve the initiatives required for the successful delivery of the programme
• Work in close collaboration with the Coordinator Policy & Sector capacity to strengthen institutional capacity of STU, RUWASSA, Ministry of Water resources, LGAs, Utilities, private sector, civil society and community actors to deliver sanitation services and to develop management models
• Identify and develop constructive and cooperative working relationships with key Water, Sanitation and Hygiene professionals in the state (e.g. government, donor community, service providers and utilities) and maintain them over time; Build and maintain effective network and collaboration with partners and key sector actors to achieve improved WASH access for the state.
• As part of the State programme team, work with partners to build ownership and accountability for programmes in line with the programme quality standards outlined in the WaterAid programme accountability framework; make suggestions for improvements where gaps exist.
• Ensure work plans to deliver all WaterAid funded programme activities are developed with strong inputs and participation of state partners, CSO’s and stakeholders; support partners agree to and commit to implementing the work plan and deliver key milestones.
• Work with partners in monitoring WASH facility /infrastructure construction in the state; provide reports on functionality assessment of WASH facility constructed with WaterAid support
• Collaborate with the state team colleagues to prepare and submit periodic reports (monthly, quarterly, and annual reports) based on grant donor reporting timelines, the annual output verification exercise and other monitoring exercises.
• Manage consultants working on facility constructions, media production and other researches/analyses where required.
• Support the Secretariat of the Project Steering Committee to ensure timely reporting to the Committee, draw meeting agenda and develop minutes of meetings of the Committee.
• In collaboration with CSO Partners, monitor the performance of community based management structures such as WCAs, WASHCOMs, Kiosk Managers, Scheme Operators and sanitation businesses in all project communities in the State and report their performances regularly to the SPL.
• In collaboration with the Small Town Unit and RUWASSA provide oversight function in the operation and maintenance of WASH infrastructure in project communities including revenue generation, funds management.
• Carry out any other function as may be directed by the SPL, the WASH Technical Expert of WaterAid, Director of Programmes or any other member of the GETF/RAIN Project Technical Team in Abuja.
• Under the direct supervision of the SPL, be  responsible for key project delivery and reporting to WaterAid and grant funders on project activities in the state; Ensure information on ongoing projects in the state are kept up to date on the Project centre platform;
• Support the SPL for effective implementation of WaterAid’s Water Services delivery, Sanitation marketing, Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) management and hygiene behaviour change activities implemented by WaterAid Nigeria and its partners in the state;
• Ensure all infrastructure constructions to be implemented in the state are in line with WaterAid technical designs specifications and national standards. Support state and LGA’s to replicate similar standards and models in publicly financed constructions;
• Support the functionality of community management structures in line with best practices in every location where WaterAid has supported construction of WASH infrastructure.

Advocacy and Communication:

• Work with the PMER Officer and the WaterAid Communications & Advocacy team to generate data, generate success stories, videos and case studies required to shape advocacy, campaigns and influencing activities targeted at improving WASH access in the state;
• Support the SPL in conducting WASH advocacy campaigns & activities in the state at the state, local government and community levels focused on improving WASH access and behavior;
• In collaboration with the Comms Team and the SPL, create linkages and improve use of the media at the state to inform and shape conversations on WASH service delivery in the State.
• Work with the State Programme team on strengthening and engaging project & sector coordination platforms

Person Specification Essential Criteria:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to convey complex information clearly and persuasively
• Strong time management and organisational skills
• Good problem solving skills
• Commitment to WaterAid values and a working style that reflects these
• University Degree in Geology, Geo-Physics, Civil Engineering, Water Engineering, Public Health, or any other related qualification.
• Three to four (3-4) years’ work experience, of which at least two (2) would ideally be in community based projects funded by local or international organizations in the area of WASH, public health, environmental health or community health management performing a project/programme management role
• Strong competence in the use of IT tools. Proficiency in the use of Microsoft suite of computer Applications-Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.
• Demonstrable understanding of development programme management approaches and WASH Issues in Nigeria.

Desirable:

• Experience working with a wide range of partners implementing a grant funded project and in managing partnerships with such organizations
• Prior experience working in the WASH sector would be a distinct advantage.
• We started because no NGO like us existed. We’ll end when no organisation like us is needed. In the meantime, we’re making great progress – since 1981, we have reached 25 million people with clean water and, since 2004, 24 million people with sanitation.
• We’re looking for people who share a commitment to our vision. We’re looking for people with an appreciation and respect for different people and ideas, and the energy and expertise to help tackle the most important challenges.
• In return, you can expect to get inspiration from the change you help make happen, a sense of belonging and the feeling of being part of a global community. You will also experience stimulation and fulfillment, the chance to grow, and space to be yourself at your best. This is our pledge to you.

Interested and qualified candidates should: Click here to apply   Application Deadline 8th July, 2019.   Note

• To apply for this role you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in Nigeria.
• WaterAid is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity. We particularly encourage applications from women who are underrepresented at this level in the organisation.
• Only candidates shortlisted for interviewing will be contacted within two weeks of the closing date for applications.

---