The Senior Program Officer (SPO) will be responsible for stimulating the introduction, adoption and scale of innovative sanitation technologies in India. You will accomplish this by developing a strong network of commercial, technical and related ecosystem partners to ensure the sustained supply and support of new technologies and innovations as well as by extending advances made in urban sanitation to new states in India using existing platforms created by the team.
Stimulating adoption of innovative sanitation technology: In strong coordination with WSH team members from both India and the US (e.g. Seattle, WA), support the commercialization, market development, adoption and scale up of breakthrough sanitation technologies such as the Reinvented Toilet and Omni Processor.
Catalyze FSM scale: Build strong relationships with government partners at city, state and national level to continue attention on sustainable, safe sanitation for all. Extend relationships in new states to focus on FSM while continuing to build momentum and commitment to the sanitation agenda overall.
The imperative for our program is based on urgency of reducing the rates of death and disease due to poor sanitation. Your success in this role will contribute to saving and improving many millions of lives.
You will report to the Deputy Director/India Country Lead for WSH.
- Grant Making & Management: Identify, develop, structure, and manage new grants and contracts that execute against our programmatic goals. These investments will build upon and develop pro-poor inclusive sustainable service models; demonstrate and scale innovative sanitation technologies; and create viable FSM business models within the framework of both public and large consumer groups.
- Market Development: In collaboration with the Seattle-based WSH program strategy team, coordinate with business partners to promote the adoption and successful commercialization of sanitation innovation. Work with existing WSH commercial partners to design and execute go-to-market strategies that enable the advancement of this new sanitation industry in India. Develop a pipeline of potential Indian commercial partners and work with WSH technology partners to broker deals for commercializing and taking products to market in India and abroad. Advise commercial partners on their own go-to-market strategies for the Indian market and partner with them on product roll-outs in India. Advocate for policies, regulations and standards that boost new sanitation technology adoption. Support the development of a local ecosystem of service providers, operators, manufacturers/ distributors, etc. engaged in the Reinvented Toilet and Omni Processor technologies.
- Partner relationships: Develop relationships within the sector to find the most promising opportunities and 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. Support the creation and development of multi-stakeholder partnerships (e.g. government, city authority, private sector and development partners) to scale the best practices. Interact and communicate clearly and consistently with grantees and partners in the field.
- Represent the foundation: To key external constituencies, including participation in conferences and meetings and to government, private sector leaders, and key funding institutions. Disseminate our emerging experience and approach to inclusive non-sewered sanitation and the role of transformative technologies.
Leadership & Culture
- We believe that energized people, working well together, fueled by great leadership in an inclusive environment in which they thrive, will do extraordinary things.
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 should be prepared to work across a diverse set of disciplines and expertise, all the while being a team player, with a demonstrated ability to work with flexibility, efficiency and diplomacy in an exciting, challenging environment.
You will be experienced engaging with both Indian corporates /business leaders / and senior government officials:
- A strong familiarity and experience with how Indian companies approach business opportunities to commercialize and launch new product categories or significant innovation is essential to meet the challenges listed above. You must have experience on market development strategies and be able to represent our technologies and products, with a strong business analytical approach.
- A strong understanding of government procurement procedures to support commercial partners, with experience working with responsible government entities in this process.
Additionally, we seek:
- 10+ years of relevant work experience in the private sector and/or international development sector. Sanitation or water sector experience desired.
- Significant experience and proven skills engaging with government officials at senior levels.
- Experience working with a range of clients, colleagues, consultants, and other partners with broad exposure to private, public and international development sectors.
- 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 little oversight, creativity, high energy, and a positive attitude.
- Top-notch organizational and project management skills and an ability to prioritize work based on minimal direction and multiple competing priorities.
- Excellent skills in relationship management, communication, collaboration and presentation.
- Strong project management capabilities.
- Comfortable in a wide range of cultural, geographic and operational situations, demonstrating culturally sensitive behavior with a diverse range of people.
- Ability to travel up to 30% of time as necessary.
- 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.