Director of Technical Services
Job description
Introduction from the Country
Representative, WaterAid Ethiopia
Dear Candidate
Thank you for expressing your interest in working with WaterAid. If successful you will
be joining us at a really exciting time and helping us to deliver our ambitious plans for
the future.
WaterAid works with people in the world’s poorest countries to provide access to safe
water, sanitation and improved hygiene. As we want our work to be sustainable we
work through partner organisations in Africa, Asia and the Pacific region including
governments, NGOs, academic and technical institutions and the private sector. Our
partner organisations deliver services, carry out policy influence work and campaign
globally to realise our vision of a world where everyone has access to safe, affordable
and accessible water and sanitation. We have recently launched our new global
strategy with its ambition to reach everyone, everywhere with safe water, sanitation
and hygiene by 2030, as our ambitious target.
In Ethiopia our work and impact have grown immensely since we started in 1983, and
we now work in 4 regions plus Addis, with plans to deepen our work with local and
national government and institutions.
WaterAid Ethiopia is a key national, regional and continental part of WA East Africa,
pan Africa and with potential to become a self-governing entity in the near future in
line with WA’s ambitious global strategic direction. The current phase of WaterAid’s
development in Ethiopia therefore offers a great opportunity to fashion and lead the
organisation on this exciting journey where we envisage universal access to WASH
for all people, a goal aligned also with Ethiopia own Growth and Transformation Plan
Phase 2.
The Director of Technical Services will play a greater role in leading and developing
WaterAid’s Country Programme Strategy and develop a new programme of work that
responds to the unique Ethiopian context as well as oversee the implementation of
existing work in Ethiopia while taking forward the exciting agenda outlined above.
We are looking for an inspiring leader, who is politically savvy, a strategist, a changeleader, a negotiator, able to lead and WaterAid Ethiopia through a historic transition
and command real credibility within the organisation, and with external audiences
including government, donors, and other stakeholders.
Significant overseas
experience, experience in working in an international, multi or bilateral agency or
www.wateraid.org
47-49 Durham Street, London SE11 5JD
wateraid@wateraid.org
020 7793 4500
Charity numbers 288701 (England and Wales) and SC039479 (Scotland)
2
Job description
corporation, will be desirable. We’re looking for someone with strong business
development and organisational skills, proven change management experience, great
influencing skills and a passion for our work.
If you would like to contribute your skills, experience and energies to enabling us to
maximise the impact WaterAid can make in Ethiopia and globally, we would welcome
your application.
Bethlehem Mengistu
Country Representative
www.wateraid.org
47-49 Durham Street, London SE11 5JD
wateraid@wateraid.org
020 7793 4500
Charity numbers 288701 (England and Wales) and SC039479 (Scotland)
3
Job description
Director of Technical Services
Place of work:
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Salary:
Competitive with excellent benefits
Contract type:
Fixed/Full time permanent
Reports to:
Country Representative – Ethiopia
Manages:
Head Sector Capacity Building, Head of WASH,
Head of Programme Quality,
3x Regional WASH Specialists
Liaises With
Director of Finance, People and OD Manager
Travel:
Within and out of Ethiopia
Introduction
WaterAid has operated in Ethiopia since 1983 to help realise its vision of a world
where everyone has access to safe water and sanitation. It established a country
office in 1991 and during the last 32 years it has grown to become a nationally
recognised leader in the water, sanitation and hygiene sector working in Addis
Ababa, Benishangul Gumuz(BG), Oromia and Southern Nations Nationalities and
People’s Regions.
This growth as well as the new developments in the Ethiopian WASH sector in line
with the Growth and Transformation Plan and ONE WASH Programme present an
exciting opportunity to develop WaterAid Ethiopia new country programme strategy
aligned to WA’s ambitious global vision of universal access by 2030.
Purpose
As a member of the Senior Management Team in WAE, the DTS will take a leading
role in the development of the overall country programme, ensuring an integrated
programme approach that adheres to international and WAE standards and policies.
Reporting to the Country Representative (CR), the DTS will take specific
responsibility for coordinating, managing and reporting on the implementation of
WAE’s programmes in accordance with donor proposals and guidelines and for
ensuring high quality programming through technical support and effective
www.wateraid.org
47-49 Durham Street, London SE11 5JD
wateraid@wateraid.org
020 7793 4500
Charity numbers 288701 (England and Wales) and SC039479 (Scotland)
4
Job description
monitoring and evaluation. Represent WAE to relevant external stakeholders as
necessary.
Main duties & responsibilities
Senior Management:
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With other members of the SMT, take a leading role in providing strategic
direction for the WAE programme including the development of the new country
programme strategy for WAE for the next five years and spearhead its
implementation
Lead on the development of the new WAE programmes, lead in the roll out of
organisational and country specific policies & frameworks and operating and
international aid delivery standards
Responsible for producing strategic analysis and plans for programme
development, expansion or emergency response as may be needed
Work with the Country Representative, Programme Funding Unit and Regional
Team to develop and maintain a funding strategy to ensure future funding
streams are known and developed to the greatest extent possible.
In conjunction with the Head of Programming Quality, Head of WASH, Head of
Sector Capacity Building and Regional WASH Specialists, Regional Team and
London, ensure that internal and external reporting requirements are met in an
effective and timely manner through effective contract management and
monitoring
Responsible for ensuring good communication and knowledge exchange
between programme sites Addis Ababa and regularly update SMT and staff on
programme implementation progress as well as programme needs
Programme Planning and Management:
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Lead in high quality programme development by developing in a participatory
manner appropriate Project Concept Notes, Proposals and associated budgets,
ensuring adherence to WAE programme Cycle Management Procedures and all
relevant global WAE policies & procedures.
Responsible for provision of management and technical support to Programme
Heads and WASH Specialists to ensure effective implementation of programmes;
complying to donor guidelines and ensuring timely delivery on programme
objectives
With support from Regional Team and PSU, ensure that WAE develops and
maintains a capacity to and responds and/or mitigate emergencies as deemed
appropriate by SMT,
Accountable for the achievement of high standards with regards to M&E systems
and provide oversight and support to managers and dedicated M&E staff in
developing systems, data collection (including the use of digital devices),
qualitative and quantitative data analysis and interpretation and review of M&E
findings to improve programme quality and demonstrate impact.
www.wateraid.org
47-49 Durham Street, London SE11 5JD
wateraid@wateraid.org
020 7793 4500
Charity numbers 288701 (England and Wales) and SC039479 (Scotland)
5
Job description
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Ensure that opportunities for working through partners are fully explored and
work with programme and finance teams to ensure proper due diligence checks
are carried out, ensure capacity building plans for partners are developed and
implemented where necessary and partners are integrated into programme cycle
management processes. This will include local government partners going
forward
Ensure that cross cutting issues – HIV&AIDS, equality, gender, DRR and
Protection - are mainstreamed into all programme activities;
In conjunction with the field based staff, support the People and OD manager to
effectively development, roll out and implement a Complaints Handling
Mechanism across all WAE that adequately caters for all needs
Support the Head of Programme Quality to Coordinate visits by London, region,
donors and consultants and ensure recommendations in advisor reports are
implemented into programmes as appropriate.
Donor Compliance and Reporting
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In collaboration with the Grants and/or Fundraising desks, ensure effective donor
compliance through translated proposal documents, start-of-project workshops
and training on donor guidelines
In collaboration with the Grants and/or Fundraising desks, effectively manage the
donor reporting schedule and lead on donor narrative reporting, working
collaboration with the programme teams to ensure quality donor narrative and
financial reporting.
Guide teams in preparing WAE’s Annual and half-year Programme Reports, and
consolidate inputs into the country level report.
Financial Management & Systems:
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Review programme budgets and ensure they are realistic, in line with donor
regulations and match donor project budgets.
Work with Director of Finance and IT and the assigned programme budget
holders for different WAE projects to ensure close management of relevant
budgets and expenditures in compliance with donor guidelines and regular
management account feedback
Prepare the programme portion of donor budgets in collaboration with Director of
Finance and relevant programme staff and respond to or act upon reviews of all
donor financial reports for compliance and accountability
Support Programme Heads and Regional WASH specialists to ensure that
procurement plans are in place for each project and programme according to
donor budgets & budget narratives
Work with the Finance Manager and Procurement and Logistics Officer to ensure
effective systems and logistical support to programmes, ensuring programme
managers understand and comply with WAE Procedures & Policies, especially as
they relate to finance and procurement
www.wateraid.org
47-49 Durham Street, London SE11 5JD
wateraid@wateraid.org
020 7793 4500
Charity numbers 288701 (England and Wales) and SC039479 (Scotland)
6
Job description
Coordination & Networking:
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Participate in relevant WASH or inter-sector meetings and other programmerelated coordination forums or workshops at federal or regional level as deemed
appropriate
Ensure that WAE is appropriately represented and participates actively in
relevant coordination structures at the field level and provide lead as and where
necessary
With the CR, contribute to national-level NGO / UN coordination efforts to
facilitate effective aid delivery in the country.
Stand in for the CR when requested to represent WAE at relevant government,
donor, UN or inter agency meetings.
Staff Management, Development and Organisation Learning:
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Provide technical support and on-going on-the-job training and coaching to staff
in management and or technical (programme) subjects, including in particular a
thorough induction at the start of their contract.
Working with the People and OD manager, ensure that proper staff performance
management processes are undertaken and maintained by all with people
management responsibility under own management, ensuring that all processes
are properly documented and all decisions are made in an objective and
transparent manner.
Ensure that work within the programme team(s) is planned and organised in a
way which will meet the organisation’s needs in the most cost effective manner
possible; ensuring that team members are given appropriate workloads and are
working efficiently.
Build clear processes in each programme to ensure organisational learning is
prioritised and systematically used in Project Cycle Management, external
exchange and advocacy.
Work in collaboration with the People and OD Manager to ensure that WAE’s
People and Organisational Development related policies are fully integrated and
implemented in all aspects of work.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
1. Education & Qualifications Required:
ESSENTIAL
 Masters level qualification in Development Studies, Public Health, WASH,
Engineering or other related discipline.
 A minimum of 10 years’ experience working in a developing country and/or
humanitarian context, with prior experience in senior programme management or
www.wateraid.org
47-49 Durham Street, London SE11 5JD
wateraid@wateraid.org
020 7793 4500
Charity numbers 288701 (England and Wales) and SC039479 (Scotland)
7
Job description
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working towards senior programme management, including experience in
planning, developing and evaluating programmes
Advanced written and spoken English; Fluency in written and spoken Amharic
Significant experience of programme design and successful proposal
development.
Developed management and communication skills including the ability to
motivate, support and mentor staff and to pass on this competency to staff
Substantive demonstrable experience in support to all phases of the monitoring
and evaluation process, including the design and implementation of M&E plans,
databases and tools, and the analysis and use of data and results to improve
programme quality.
Demonstrable experience and competence in networking and effective
relationship building with peers, donors and government. High level of diplomacy
and tact
Experience in approaches to supporting community participation and
accountability with programme design and implementation.
Experience of capacity building with partner organisations and government Prior
experience of work with government is advantageous
DESIRABLE
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Specific experience managing WASH programmes
Experience with gender, equality, disaster risk reduction, HIV &AIDS and
protection mainstreaming,
Experience in designing and implementing Complaint Response Mechanisms
Skills in Digital Data Gathering, statistics and statistical analysis software
packages
Special Skills, Aptitude or Personality Requirements:
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Cross-cultural awareness and sensitivity
Ability to work to deadlines and under pressure
Strong proven delegation, time management and prioritising skills
Flexible, patient and adaptable to a changing environment.
Excellent interpersonal, communication and team building skills.
Effective networking abilities
Excellent people management capabilities
Good public speaking ability in English and Amharic
If you would like to have an informal conversation before submitting your application,
Please contact our consultants.
www.wateraid.org
47-49 Durham Street, London SE11 5JD
wateraid@wateraid.org
020 7793 4500
Charity numbers 288701 (England and Wales) and SC039479 (Scotland)
8