As a Senior Program Officer (SPO), you will contribute to making the WSH team’s “reinvented toilet” vision a reality. As we address the challenge of making sanitation a profitable industry for operators and investors for the benefits of the poor, you will be expected to leverage your business development knowledge and experience to successfully launch at least two Omni-Processor products by 2023 in identified key geographies. Additionally, you will be accountable for:
Areas of Responsibility:
Grant Development & Making
- Identify, develop, structure and execute new grants to validate market readiness and consumer acceptance of sustainable non-sewered sanitation systems.
- Shape and manage grants and contracts intended to create an enabling environment for the roll-out of at least three Omni-Processor technologies. This may include investments to: mature technology development and improve technical performance; develop business plans and license agreements for commercial partners; demonstrate, at scale, sanitation as a profitable and sustainable business; demonstrate that fecal sludge management and sustainable non-sewered sanitation systems is viable and an integral part of sanitation planning; and/or professionalize and increase the competitiveness of key sector actors.
Partner Development & Engagement
- Scan the sector to find the most promising opportunities; engage relevant actors not currently in sanitation to engage with the sector as innovations are developing. Expand the pool of partners engaged with sanitation that serves the poor.
- Act as a conduit between grantee partners developing technologies and potential partners that could adopt, commercialize, and deploy such technologies; with particular attention to private sector actors.
- Coordinate with commercial partners to validate business models that generate positive economics and financial returns for the operation of sustainable non-sewered sanitation systems at scale.
- Work with commercial and technology partners to develop investment cases that will facilitate a wide range of investment from other actors; including other foundations, social ventures, investment funds or venture capitalist for local regional manufacturing and large-scale deployment of innovation.
- Provide support to commercial partner leadership to build internal alignment within their companies and externally with government, investors for manufacturing, distribution, servicing and/or operating Omni-Processors.
- Create partnerships between developers and field-based actors; including supporting the development and management of a portfolio of business case assessments.
- Create collaboration among partners (government, funders, operators, etc.) and engage on questions of both economics and finance: support efforts to assess complete welfare impacts of changes in models for sanitation service delivery, not only financial implications for service providers. Make links between regulation and private sector service provision while enhancing the quality of regulation will be an active topic for research and exploration.
Cross-Foundation Learning & Continuous Improvement
- Support measurement of our results through the development of projects with clear, measurable outcomes and milestones which can form the basis of a results-based relationship with the foundation. Analyze and synthesize results from these grants, in order to sharpen the WSH team strategy and our ability to report on progress and value for money.
- Provide feedback from the field via lessons learned and opportunity assessments to improve the target product profile of innovative technological solutions.
- Represent the foundation to key external constituencies, including participation in conferences and meetings. Disseminate our emerging experience and approach to water, sanitation and hygiene.
- 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 and presentation materials for brainstorming sessions related to our work.
Educational Background:
Advanced degree in Business, Mechanical Engineering, Sciences, Environmental Engineering, or related degree or any combination of technical and MBA equivalent is strongly preferred.
Skills/Experience:
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 strong business development and technical leadership skills to build, develop and nurture industry relationships to engage in the technology transfer and commercialization of sanitation innovation. Additionally, we seek:
Industry-Related Experience & Education:
- A minimum of 10 years relevant work experience in market assessment and/or business development. Strong preference for experience in Africa and/or Asia coupled with a demonstrated understanding of regulated markets and/or natural monopolies.
- Subject matter expert on competitive landscapes, global trends, and how to apply both to improve the experience the industry and commercial partners
- Understanding of and engagement with the sanitation or fecal sludge management field; preferably within the developing world.
- Ability to think/act like an investor who can passionately articulate the vision and inspire collaboration.
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of a larger team.
- Experience working with a range of clients, colleagues, consultants, and other partners with broad exposure to private, public and NGO sectors.
- Strong analytical skills; including quantitative assessments and a focused approach to complex problems.
- 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 and often highly technical 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.
- Creative problem solver with a tenacious focus on the business goals.
- Confident and comfortable working with senior leaders and cross-functional partners to drive alignment and execution.
- Data-driven, customer-focused, naturally curious, and can work collaboratively across functions.
- Comfortable with role ambiguity, working in a fast-paced environment, and navigating large global organizations.
- Strong organizational skills, ability collaborate cross-functionally, and willingness to span from strategy to detailed execution.
- 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.
Job Function:
Organization Info
Listing Stats
Post Date:
Jul 26 2019
Active Until:
Aug 26 2019
Hiring Organization:
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
industry:
Nonprofit