Head of Programmes, Zambia – FILLED

Location: Lusaka, Zambiawateraid-logo

Closing Date: This position remains open until filled

Start Date: ASAP

Ref: WaterAid-HoP-Zambia

 

About WaterAid Zambia

WaterAid Zambia commenced work in Zambia in 1994 working initially with Churches and NGO based organizations in Gwembe and Sinazongwe Districts. In 1995 a partnership begun with the Department of Health in Monze district supporting them in a programme of hand-dug well and latrine construction, community mobilization and hygiene promotion. WaterAid subsequently expanded to Siavonga [1997] and Namwala [1998] Districts in Southern province and in Kafue District [1999] in Lusaka province. In 2001 activities extended to Kazungula and Kaoma districts. Initially all the partnerships were with either District WASHE Committees or DHMT. In 2005 efforts were made to work with local NGOs and District Councils. The project activities are consistent with WASHE approach being promoted at national level. In April 2006, WaterAid phased out of Namwala, Itezhitezhi, Kaoma and Kafue districts. At the same time activities were scaled up in Monze, Siavonga and Kazungula, and 3 districts (Milenge, Samfya and Mwense) were identified in Luapula province.

Up until 2004, the Water Aid programme in Zambia had been almost entirely rural. Zambia being significantly urbanized, the programme has identified the need to focus on urban and particularly on peri urban areas to improve water supply and sanitation. A scoping study was undertaken in 2003-04 to inform the development of an urban programme. Over the last two years two local NGOs have been supported to implement small urban sanitation projects in peri urban areas of Monze and Livingstone. The challenge is to scale up WaterAid’s urban work while continuing to provide effective support to existing partners. During 2005 efforts were made to enhance the quality of construction of watsan facilities supported and enhance the quality of water through water quality monitoring.

WaterAid’s current country strategy (2011-2016) came into operation in April 2010. As per the Country Strategy, activities were scaled up in Monze, Siavonga and Kazungula, and 3 districts (Milenge, Samfya and Mwense) were identified in Luapula province. Country strategy focuses on urban work particularly on urban sanitation and outlines the need for scaling up WaterAid’s urban programme. Water Aid is committed to improve on the quality of the facilities that it supports to achieve sustainable coverage and to get value for money. Water Aid is committed to enhance quality in all its work and promote affordable technical innovation.

 

Purpose of the Role

  • The Head of Programmes (HoPs) will support the Country Representative and the Senior Management Team (SMT) in the strategic and operational aspects of the Zambia programme to effectively plan, manage and support the implementation of the approved 5-year Zambia Country Strategy and meet the ambitious goals set out therein.
  • The HoPs will assist the Country Representative in the development and implementation of a long range strategic vision that compliments WA’s Southern Africa Regional and Global Plans.
  • The HoPs is responsible for supervision and evaluation of project managers and the design, implementation, evaluation and analysis of Country Programme activities. This is to be undertaken with constant reference to the current Country Strategy and the guiding legal and regulatory framework for the implantation of Water Supply and Sanitation (WSS) activities in Zambia. Under the delegation of the Country Representtaive, the HoPs will represent WaterAid in various fora both locally and internationally.
  • The HoPs position is an extremely challenging function in WaterAid Zambia programme. The job holder is therefore expected to be visionary, perform with a high degree of work independently, showing good judgement, and applying initiative and persistence to deal with the unexpected in order to achieve the best results.

 

Main Responsibilities

Strategic Programme Planning & Management

  • Take lead to facilitate & develop District Wide Water & Sanitation Plans in all target districts and communities.
  • Facilitate development of inclusive approaches to ensure sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene services to the poor in target communities.
  • Provide sound technical and institutional advice to WaterAid and partners in relation to effective delivery of water, sanitation and hygiene services to the poor and vulnerable groups in target communities, in consideration of would work within the local contexts
  • Lead in the process of assessing all partner proposals including the annual work plans and budgets for WaterAid programmes and determine the extent to which these contribute to achieving the objectives of the Country Strategy.
  • Prepare concise internal quarterly, bi-annual and annual programme plans and reports, and assist in the production of overall WaterAid Zambia Country Programme reports.
  • Prepare concise & professionally sound donor specific project reports on a timely basis.
  • Ensure that WaterAid’s Water Quality, Sanitation, Pro-Poor Approach, Risk Management, Health and Safety strategies/guidelines/policies and other policies and minimum commitments including equity and inclusion are implemented in all aspects of WaterAid Zambia’s programme.

Strategic Program Development & Fundraising

  • Manage, on a day-to-day basis and in accordance with relevant WaterAid policies, WAZ’s programme work. This will include all aspects of staff, project and financial planning and management
  • Lead in developing project proposals for fundraising initiatives as and when required by the Country Representative.
  • Timely preparation of partner Project Funding Agreement and ensuring that these are signed by the Country Representative prior to start of the new financial year.
  • Development of Project Plans
  • Supervise the implementation of WaterAid’s programmes in various districts such that they are undertaken by partners in accordance with approved policies.
  • Plan and conduct regular partner monitoring visits at least once per quarter and submit field visit monitoring reports to the Country Representative, and taking forward any issues with respective partners.
  • Manage consultants, contractors (if necessary) and make sure their performance is properly managed.

Financial Management & Budget Control

The Head of Programmes shall in close collaboration with the Finance & IT Manager:

  • Prepare annual budgets and carry out regular budget monitoring. This will include ensuring that partners spend within the agreed budget limits and at least 95% expenditure is attained by end of FY. Assist finance department, in liaison with PPMs, with reasons for variances to plan.
  • Actively support the development of annual plans and budgets (APBs) and rolling Multi Year Plans and Budgets (MPBs) for the entire WaterAid in Zambia programme.
  • Facilitate timely transfer of funds to implementing local partners following approved WaterAid procedures and guidelines.
  • Management of WaterAid and other donor grants and finance for the above mentioned activities as required by the Country Representative.
  • Preparation of monthly financial cash flow plans & timely submission to the Finance Manager.
  • Ensure effective management and use of WaterAid assets, including vehicles, computers.

Partner Management & Development Learning, Networking & Co-ordination

  • Pro-actively support local partners to implement integrated water, sanitation and hygiene promotion in line with the government’s National Water Policy and National Water Supply and Sanitation Programmes and other relevant sector policies and consistent with relevant WaterAid policies and guidelines.
  • Assist in partner capacity assessments to identify capacity gaps and facilitate capacity development of local partner organisations and other stakeholders involved in the implementation of the programme work to effectively deliver programme outputs.
  • Support partners to design, develop and monitor fully effective systems of project management that ensure that all steps of the project cycle are accomplished.
  • Ensure that partners develop transparent, decentralized, community-based planning and implementation processes that are inclusive of, and responsive to, the demands of communities and households, and the poor and disadvantaged in particular.
  • Support partners to develop and implement effective financial management systems, and prepare and submit financial and other progress reports in a complete and timely fashion.
  • Monitor the implementation of the partners’ annual and quarterly plans and report on progress towards agreed objectives.

Research, Monitoring, Evaluation and Documentation

  • The Head of Programmes shall in close collaboration with the PPMs, technical support and Programme Officers:
  • Identify strategic research areas within the programme and co-ordinate with the responsible Programme Officer or PPM to facilitate the research.
  • Pro-actively support the M & E Officer work to build capacity of WaterAid programme staff and partners in the implementation and maintenance of the M & E system.
  • Support partners and WaterAid staff to collate, analyze and report on regular monitoring and evaluation information collected by all the components of country programme.
  • Maintenance of project files and documentation including ensuring appropriate backups are regularly made.

Quality Assurance

  • Application of the WaterAid Health and Safety Policy, Water Quality Monitoring and Testing Policy and Risk Management Strategy.

People Management & Development

The Head of Programmes shall in close collaboration with the People and OD Manager:

  • Manage the recruitment, induction and appraisal of all Programme Officers, including the Provincial Programme Managers (PPMs) and Programme Officer-Technical who are directly managed by the Head of Programmes.
  • Facilitate periodic staff performance appraisals and support line staff in taking forward development plans in line with the WaterAid performance management system.
  • Ensure that Programme Officers and PPMs develop annual objectives, periodic work plans and manage them against those objectives and plans.
  • Lead, promote and embed WaterAid Values and leadership behaviours
  • Support and coach staff to create clear appraisal objectives, hold open honest conversations, recognize success and implement performance improvement plans.
  • Support the Country Representative in identifying and maximizing high potential and succession planning

 

Profile

Education

  • University degree or professional qualification in relevant subject (Social Sciences, Environmental Health, Sanitary or Civil Engineering, Development Studies).
  • Post graduate degree in relevant subject e.g. development studies, development planning is desirable.

Experience

  • Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in Programme & financial planning, development and management at senior level
  • Proven experience of developing and managing projects including staffing, budgeting and budget management
  • Experience in participatory monitoring and evaluation approaches
  • Proven experience in water and sanitation work in Zambian context.
  • Experience of leading at senior level (Senior Management experience)
  • Experience of coaching and managing people at team and individual levels
  • Experience of implementing through and working with partner organizations (NGOs or local government).
  • Experience of research methodologies & documentation of best practice
  • Experience of developing fundable proposals

Knowledge and Skills

  • In-depth knowledge of participatory facilitation and training techniques.
  • Knowledge of community based water supply, sanitation and hygiene promotion projects
  • Knowledge of planning, programme formulation and budgeting
  • Knowledge of fundraising, grant management and donor reporting
  • Knowledge of low cost sanitation and hygiene technologies
  • Knowledge of ‘gender in development’, pro-poor, equity & inclusion issues
  • Computer-literate (word processing & spreadsheet packages including powerpoint)

Personal Qualities

  • Evidence of a strong commitment to rural development work
  • Fitness and willingness to spend substantial time in rural areas and on field visits
  • Ability to work independently in the initiation of new approaches and development of existing ones
  • Ability to work within, the context of advisory partnership relationships.
  • Ability to think strategically & translate development and fiscal plans
  • Ability to communicate effectively in both written and spoken English
  • Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team environment.
  • Ability to adapt and flexibility in managing work
  • Ability to use research for advocacy and campaign

 

How to Apply

Applications should be sent directly to info@kmglobalconsult.com stating the WaterAid-HoP-Zambia in the subject line.