Water Sector Leader

Company Description

SNV is a not-for-profit international development organisation that applies practical knowledge to make a lasting difference in the lives of people living in poverty. We use our extensive and long-term in-country presence to apply and adapt our expertise in agriculture, energy, and water to local contexts. SNV has over 1250 staff in more than 25 countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. We are proud to be a not-for-profit organisation that uses project financing to implement our mission. This requires us to work efficiently and to invest in operational as well as technical excellence.

SNV’s vision is "a world where across every society, all people live with dignity and have equitable opportunities to sustainably thrive”, and we do this by strengthening capacities and catalysing partnerships that transform the food, energy, and water systems which enable sustainable and more equitable livelihoods for all.

For more information on SNV, visit our website: www.snv.org

Job Description

Background
Through its water sector, SNV’s aims to contribute to improving water security for all, namely the reliable availability of an acceptable quantity and quality of water for health, livelihoods, ecosystems and production, coupled with an acceptable level of water-related risks. Under the water sector SNV supports sustainable and inclusive water uses for domestic and productive proposes, sanitation, pollution and waste management, as well as an urban integrated water cycle approach and water resource management.

The work in the water sector touches upon two human rights: the human right to water and sanitation, and the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. Governments are the duty-bearers of progressive realisation of these rights in their areas, not implementing everything themselves, but rights for all are realised, even for those areas that are less profitable or have less political weight

Water governance systems interlink governments, private sector and civil society in a way that enables responsible, equitable use of water, with the required checks and balances. SNV has a track record in facilitating structural change at different levels (national, sub-national, local), bringing together relevant stakeholders and creating conditions for change at scale. Our work is evidence based and promotes learning among peers in and across countries. Gender equality, social inclusion, and climate resilience are universal themes across all our work.

In Lao PDR, SNV has been operating since 1993 and registered as an independent organisation in 2004. Our long-term presence continues to provide the country programme with a sound understanding of the local context and ensure that we are aligned with the national development priorities of the country.  

In Lao PDR, our most recent work in the water sector focusses on WASH, in particular access to safe sanitation and prioritising gender and social inclusion. Going forward the country portfolio aims to re-orient and broaden itself towards the wider water sector, with a stronger focus on climate change adaptation.  

Overview of the position
SNV seeks a talented, entrepreneurial, result-oriented and proven professional who will work with the country team in Lao PDR to broaden and develop the SNV WASH portfolio to water and under the guidance of the global sector head.

The key roles for the Water Sector Leader:

1)   Responsible for the overall development, supervision and management of water portfolio, steering the quality of technical advisory services, and ensuring an alignment with the global trends of water programming and SNV’s global approaches
2)   Lead the identification and development of business opportunities for the water sector in the country.
3)   Responsible for building and maintaining relations in-country with National Government, donors, and other organisations of the sector;
4)   Enhance the quality and visibility of our water programmes and position SNV within the (inter) national sector; and
5)   Assumes the role of in-country Project Leader for the Beyond the Finish Line Sustainable Sanitation and Hygiene for All (SSH4A) Programme, including content lead for GESI and climate resilience.

The Water Sector Leader reports directly to the Country Director and collaborates closely with the global sector team including multi-country programme managers. 

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: develop country level water strategy aligned to corporate frameworks; 
• Advisory Services: lead complex assignments, set benchmarks for results, and monitor quality of advisory services of the sector team; 
• Programme Management: deliver effective development results, planning and monitoring, financial management, and donor reporting; 
• Business Development: develop proposals and secure funding for water sector programmes; 
• People Management: lead, manage, and coach the team of SNV advisors, local capacity builders and consultants; 
• Relationship Management: ensure cordial relationships with variety of partners connecting different processes in a competitive market and identify strategic alliances and networks to invest in;
• Monitoring & Evaluation: ensure uniform understanding and practice in planning, reporting, monitoring, and evaluation of water programmes in line with SNV’s internal frameworks; 
• Representation & Promotion: develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders to improve SNV’s market position and actively participate in external and internal networks;
• Knowledge management: Facilitate learning, documentation and evidence based knowledge development in collaboration with SNV’s global team and partners with a focus on climate resilience, gender and social inclusion within the water sector programming;
• Contribute to SNV as a member of the Country Management Team.

Qualifications

·       Master's Degree in a relevant technical field

·       5+ years of relevant experience in a water management or a water-related field in both rural and urban contexts  including at least 3 years in a management role, in Asia;

Competences

• Experience in institutional development and systems strengthening in both WASH and at least one other water sub-sector;
  ·       A sound understanding of processes of marginalisation and equity challenges in the water sector, expertise in GESI approaches is essential.
  ·       Experience in climate change adaptation and mitigation in the broader water and WASH sector
  ·       Experience in water-related modelling, geographic information systems and other digital information systems applied to water is considered an asset
  ·       International work experience and the ability to effectively coach and lead a team of advisors in a multi-cultural setting; 
  ·       Demonstrated programme design, proposal writing, business development, and international donor relationship management;
• Proven track record in project management, specifically in project planning, monitoring, evaluation, reporting and financial management for large scale comprehensive projects;
• Interest to collaborate, contribute to and learn from peers in SNV’s global water network;
  ·       Analytical capacity and writing skills
• Proficiency in English speaking, reading and writing required; 
• The successful candidate will be a self-motivated achiever with excellent intercultural leadership, teamwork, coaching, communication, networking, and organisational skills.

Additional Information

Reports to:                                 Country Director

Contract Duration:                     2 years, extension possible  

Contract Type:                            International

Expected Start Date:                  By mid 2022

Information Duty Station:          Vientiane, Lao PDR

Travel to Projects:                      In-country approximately 20% (COVID permitting)

Working at SNV
SNV offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. We offer a challenging work environment, opportunities to lead and innovate, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling and diverse working environment. Our staff benefit from, and contribute to, an internal global network of water experts. For more information, please visit our website: www.snv.org

How to Apply
If you believe that your credentials meet the outlined profile, we invite you to apply by uploading your CV and letter of motivation indicating salary expectations by clicking on the "I'm interested" button. 

SNV is an equal opportunities employer and female candidates are encouraged to apply.