Duties
Program/Project Development, Management, and Oversight – 70%
The WRM/WASH Specialist participates with EGE Team members, USAID/Washington experts, and others in the design of appropriate programs/projects and other interventions in Nigeria, with consideration of in-country political, legal, regulatory, and economic environmental factors. The Specialist prepares and justifies program/project recommendations, Scopes of Work, GLASS requisitions, and other required documentation, and shepherds recommendations through to approval.
In addition to supporting the development of WRM/WASH projects, the Specialist serves as Contracting or Agreement Officer’s Representative (COR or AOR) for three major WRM/WASH programs/activities (through contracts or assistance), managing an annual combined program budget of over $15 million per year. The WRM/WASH Specialist develops and maintains an extensive range of high-level contacts, influential GoN officials, international donors, cooperating agencies, contractors, IPs and their local partners, and other key program stakeholders. This includes regular consultation with World Bank officials, representatives from other donor agencies, significant contact with the Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Health and Population, and with private sector companies and foundations involved in programs to promote sustainable and long-term management of polluted, scarce, or variable freshwater supplies to increase access to safe water. The Specialist also oversees the existing USAID Water Resource Management Portfolio for the WASH sector value at $45 million and manages the private sector and civil society organization relationship
The WRM/WASH Specialist leads the development of a performance-monitoring plan for all Mission activities contributing towards the objectives of the Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act and its associated earmarks and contributes to data collection and synthesis.
The WRM/WASH Specialist provides guidance to USAID implementing partners (IPs). Reviews and approves contractor work plans and approves hiring of key personnel. Provides technical direction to IPs concerning complex issues and provides administrative approval for payments and advances. Works with IPs to establish benchmarks, goals, and objectives, and receives and reviews periodic and ad hoc reports to ensure that benchmarks, goals, and objectives are being met. Conducts scheduled and non-scheduled IP site visits to monitor activities, identify and assist in resolving problems, provide guidance on USAID policies and procedures, and to maintain open lines of communication. Prepares trip reports on site visits, listing findings and recommendations, and supplementing written reports with oral briefings to the Office Director and senior Specialist, and to the Mission Director, as required. Maintains program/project oversight through to final closeout and IP evaluation.
The WRM/WASH Specialist coordinates with other EGE programs within USAID and the USG, and with other donors on matters where WRM/WASH programming complements these activities, serves as a member of USAID Strategic Objective Teams and, as appropriate, participates in or leads Technical Evaluation Committees.
The WRM/WASH Specialist will guide the development and implementation of USAID’s ongoing strategies and programs to establish and strengthen sustainable water and sanitation infrastructure and systems in Nigeria, particularly in urban centers. This will include a significant focus on institutional strengthening of the State Water Boards/Corporation and other Government of Nigeria counterpart institutions to successfully establish and sustainably manage major water infrastructure development activities contracted by USAID, often in areas where such institutional presence and/or capacity is currently lacking.
Reporting, Evaluation, and Communications & Outreach – 30%
The Specialist works under the general supervision of the WASH Team Lead and in a collegial manner with the remainder of the EGE Team. The Specialist also coordinates activities with other technical teams in the mission, as appropriate, with particular emphasis on ensuring program coherence with the Feed the Future technical team.
The work involves the full range of consultative, advisory, monitoring, management, data collection and analysis, and evaluative aspects within the urban WASH and water resources management sectors. The Specialist collaborates and coordinates with USAID/Nigeria colleagues; with colleagues from the local donor community; national governmental and non-governmental organizations; and the public and private sectors.
With guidance from the WASH Team Leader, the WRM/WASH Specialist assists in program management and evaluation; liaising with donors, partners, NGOs, GoN officials; and identification and resolution of issues affecting overall EGE program performance.