The Program Officer (PO) USM will focus on the Service Models and CWIS sub-initiatives and be responsible to identify, develop, structure and management investments that will build upon and develop pro-poor inclusive sustainable service models, pragmatic institutional and regulatory frames, viable fecal sludge management (FSM) business models, and demonstration of innovative sanitation technologies. The PO reports to the USM Initiative Lead/Sr. Program Officer and will work closely with USM and WSH team members.
In addition to specific grant making responsibilities, the PO will also have responsibility for:
- Integration of pro-poor services: Support efforts to assess and communicate welfare impacts of changes in approaches for sanitation service delivery, in addition to financial implications for service providers. Identifying, strengthening and communicating links among accountability tools like regulation, demand for private sector services and quality of those services, and inclusivity of service models will be an active cross cutting area of work that will be integrated into grantmaking, supporting team internally, and our team’s contributions to improving sector norms. Enhancing the effectiveness of those accountability tools will be an active topic for research and exploration.
- Investments for scaling sustainable business models: Identify successful FSM business models and develop mechanisms within existing investments, new investments, and within broader sector engagement to support scaling and replication across the priority geographies.
- Demonstration and scaling of CWIS : Provide strategic guidance to CWIS partners around integration of sustainable pro-poor services into cities’ service delivery systems, institutional frameworks, and mainstreaming gender and social inclusion. Support efforts to scale CWIS concept in large urban development programs funded through national flagship programs, development banks’ investments, and development banks’ investment approaches and priorities.
- Partner relationships: Develop relationships within the sector to find the most promising opportunities; engage relevant actors (who may not necessarily be from the sanitation sector) as innovations are developing. Expand the pool of partners engaged with sanitation that serves the poor. Through grantmaking, support the creation and development of multi-stakeholder partnerships (government, city authority, development partners, academia, and private sectors) in the countries and cities that are scaling the best practices. Interact and communicate clearly and consistently with grantees and partners in the field.
- Support measurement of our results: Develop projects with clear, measurable outcomes and milestones. Analyze and synthesize results from these grants to sharpen the WSH team strategy and our ability to report on progress and value for money.
- Represent the foundation to key external constituencies, including participation in conferences and meetings, to government, private sector leaders, and key funding institutions. Disseminate our emerging experience and approach to inclusive non-sewered sanitation; especially with regards to city-wide service models.
- Internal Communications and Collaboration: Prepare clear, concise, and insightful written analyses on new grants and progress reports on existing grants. Communicate effectively with senior management through memos, meetings and field visits. Prepare background evidence materials for the WSH team as well as foundation leadership. Collaborate with program and functional teams across the foundation to inform critical strategy and investment decisions.
We are looking for people who enjoy the opportunity of working on complex problems and collectively creating solutions that have the potential for transformative change in the lives of people around the world. You must be prepared to work across a diverse set of disciplines, bridging a wide range of expertise all the while being a team player, with a demonstrated ability to work with flexibility, efficiency and diplomacy in an exciting, challenging environment. The responsibilities of this role require that you should have a minimum of five years relevant work experience with utility or city authority operations with diverse service models; including a broad understanding of service models that can cost-effectively reach low-income customers. Additionally, we seek:
Sanitation, Development & Education Experience:
- Experiences on business assessment and/or development programs in Africa or Asia,
- Working experience with development banks, utility or city authority.
- Understanding of and engagement with sanitation or the fecal sludge management field and preferably in the developing world (Africa or Asia) for several years preferred.
Additional Skills:
- Creative problem-solving approach and an aptitude for research, information synthesis, and quantitative analysis. Proven strategic problem-solving skills to structure the analysis needed to address a complex and ambiguous question, within the resources and time constraints provided.
- Demonstrated initiative to solve unstructured problems with creativity, high energy, a positive attitude, and little oversight.
- Top-notch organizational and project management skills and an ability to prioritize work based on minimal direction and multiple competing priorities.
- Strong relationship management skills including experience working with a range of clients, colleagues, consultants, and other partners with broad exposure to private, public and NGO sectors.
- Oriented toward team collaboration, with the ability to be flexible and adjust to changing circumstances.
- Ability to think/act like an investor.
- Excellent listening, verbal and written communication skills to effectively calibrate input and synthesize information to connect with varied and diverse audiences. Ability to communicate clearly and convey complex ideas in easily understood ways.
- Innovative and open-minded approach to all aspects of work. Ability to question and challenge colleagues, including managers, and partners in a constructive manner.
- Comfortable in a wide range of cultural, geographic and operational situations, demonstrating culturally sensitive behavior with a diverse range of people.
- A high level of proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
- Ability to travel up to 33% of time as needs dictate.
- Commitment to the foundation’s core values, mission and programs with an approach that is consistent with the foundation’s guiding principles while holding oneself to the highest ethical standards.