Sector Leader Water

SNV is a mission-driven global development partner working in more than 20 countries across Africa and Asia. Building on 60 years of experience and grounded in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we work on the core themes of gender equality and social inclusion, climate adaptation and mitigation, and strong institutions and effective governance. Together with our team of over 1,600 people, our mission is to strengthen capacities and catalyse partnerships that transform the agri-food, energy, and water systems, which enable sustainable and more equitable lives for all.

We are looking for a: Sector Leader Water
Full-time – Maputo, Mozambique
Reports to- Country Director

SNV seeks a talented, entrepreneurial, result-oriented professional who will work as part of the country leadership team in Mozambique to broaden and develop SNV’s Water portfolio. 
Water sector in Momzambique
SNV has been in Mozambique for nearly 30 years, focusing on Agri-Food, Water, and Renewable Energy. We collaborate with various stakeholders to turn ideas into impactful actions. In the water sector, SNV improves water security and addresses climate change through resource management, rural WASH, irrigation, and urban resilience. Their expert team strengthens government systems for resilient water services, supporting climate transition in both rural and urban areas.
In Mozambique, SNV has a strong water portfolio covering both rural and urban WASH. Our professional and experienced team focuses on enhancing the Government’s capacity to deliver resilient services nationwide, collaborating with the private sector and other stakeholders. We aim to support climate transition in WASH service delivery, linking it to urban resilience and broader water resource management.

SNV’s ambition in Mozambique's water sector focuses on:

• Capacity Building and Decentralization: SNV strengthens the capacity of government institutions at district, regional, and national levels to deliver decentralized water and sanitation services effectively. This includes technical assistance in policy development, planning, and implementation of water supply networks in small towns and rural areas.
• Governance and Community Engagement: Projects which enhance governance by fostering transparency and accountability in water service delivery. SNV works with communities and civil society to demand better services, influence policies, and sustain WASH outcomes.
• Infrastructure and Sustainability: SNV supports the development and rehabilitation of water infrastructure, ensuring long-term functionality and community ownership. For example, its partnership with Sasol incorporates sustainability factors into community water projects in Inhambane.
• Behavioral Change and Hygiene Promotion: Several projects have initiatives to promote essential hygiene practices, reduce disease exposure, and address behavior change in targeted areas.
• Results-Based Financing: SNV employs innovative models to achieve measurable improvements in sanitation and hygiene, benefiting millions by enhancing access to safe water and functional sanitation facilities.

These efforts integrate systemic solutions, local ownership, and context-specific approaches to improve water access and hygiene sustainably.

Read more about SNV in Mozambique and our Water portfolio here: Mozambique | SNV and Water | SNV

Job Description

Your role
In this role, you will lead and coach the SNV Mozambique Water Sector to ensure technical quality in proposal development, enable learning and innovation for impactful results, position externally with stakeholders, and build and maintain a strong internal network.  You will also play a key management role in directly supervising all the Program Managers in the Water sector for SNV in Mozambique.
Strategic Leadership

• As an integral member of the Country Management team, you will be one of the key leaders in SNV Mozambique steering the direction of the country program.
• Provide inspirational leadership to SNV’s water sector and bring out the best in all people in the water sector.
• As the leader of the sector with the largest number of individual projects, the voice and influence the Water SL is  substantial. As a leader within the country program the SL will be expected to work with the other CMT member on overall strategic direction of SNV in Mozambique. 
• Work closely with the Country Director and may be called upon to act as Acting Country Director from time to time. 

Technical Excellence

• Strong technical background in water & sanitation.
• Engineering background with the ability to review technical infrastructure designs of water supply systems, sanitation blocks, and other infrastructure needed for the water sector.
• Comfortable being the technical lead in all water focused proposals.
• As the effects of climate change are having a growing impact in access to water, the Water Sector leader must position SNV within the Integrated Water Resources Management space.

Management

• Provide direct supervision and coaching to the water sector Program Managers in the form of coaching and technical support. 
• Build capacity of Program Managers so that PM’s are having direct engagement with donors and high-levels of national/provincial government.
• As the supervisor of Program Managers, it may be that the water Sector Leader may need to manage a water project from time to time in order to support colleagues in times of need.
• Financial management and budget oversight of water sector for SNV Mozambique.

External Relationships

• Strong engagement with current donors financing SNV led water projects, as well prospective donors in the sector.
• Strong engagement with national government of Mozambique involved in the water sector.
• Enhance the quality and visibility of our water programmes and position SNV within Mozambique and globally.

Business Development

• SNV Sector Leaders are critical members of proposal development teams and as the technical lead of all water proposals coming out of Mozambique, you will be engaging directly with SNV prospect coordinators from our global office on water opportunities.
• Responsible for the overall development, supervision and management of the 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.
• Work on identifying opportunities for funding from traditional development partners but also from non-traditional partners of high-impact financing.
• Work the “long-game” with development partners in order to develop relationships and trust.

Monitoring, Evaluation, & Learning

• Ensure SNV Monitoring, Evaluation, & Learning best practices are budgeted and fully integrated into all water projects of SNV in Mozambique.
• Ensure all Water Sector Colleagues are well trained in LogAlto and Power BI software packages to be able to show impact of SNV interventions.
• 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;

Qualifications

Your background

• An advanced degree in Water Resources Management, Civil or Environmental Engineering, Hydrology, or Public Health or a related degree.
• A thorough understanding of the aspects influencing sustainable WASH service delivery in rural and urban context, as well as water resource management
• 5-10 years of relevant experience in water project implementation, management, and leadership.
• Experience working in Sub-Saharan Africa in the water sector.
• Fluency (spoken & written) in English as well as Portuguese or Spanish.
• International work experience in-country and the ability to effectively coach and lead a team of advisors in a multi-cultural setting; 
• Strong background in business development; demonstrated programme design, proposal writing, partnerships, 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;
• Established networks in the water sector and strong relationship management skills;

In this role, you will collaborate and learn within SNV’s global water network, develop quality donor reports, project documents, and knowledge products, and apply monitoring and evaluation techniques for project development. You will also promote gender equality and social inclusion in water service delivery, facilitate capacity building activities, and innovate and think strategically. Engaging with stakeholders, including government, NGOs, and the private sector, will be essential, and you should be willing to travel to remote areas and commit to child protection and safeguarding principles.

Additional Information

Working for SNV
We are home to 57 cultures working in 22 countries, with about 95% of our team members holding the nationality of the respective countries we work in. We promote (international) career development. Our workforce consists of a mix of both people with longstanding tenure, willing to share their institutional knowledge, as well as people with external backgrounds and experience. All with an inquisitive view and united in ‘ONE SNV’ working towards our purpose.

Together, we are committed to the effective and efficient stewardship of resources and maximising positive, lasting impacts. Our ability to deliver results rests on our robust foundation of experience, technical knowledge, evidence and learning; our commitment to strengthening capacities and catalysing partnerships; and the relationships and trust of those we work alongside.

At SNV, inclusivity is at the heart of our ethos. We celebrate the diversity of our workforce and uphold a policy of non-discrimination based on factors such as disability status, religion, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, and more.

Our offer
We offer a competitive salary and benefits package in a stimulating work environment, opportunities to lead and innovate, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling international working environment.

Additional information

• Contract Type: Full time (40 hours per week)
• Contract Duration: 3 years with possibility of extension
• Expected Start Date: July 2025
• Duty Station: Maputo, Mozambique
• Travel: in-country Approximately 30%

How to apply 
If you're excited about this opportunity and believe you have the skills and passion we're looking for, we'd love to hear from you! Please submit your CV and a motivation letter via SmartRecruiters on or before the 27th of January 2025 to join our dedicated team at SNV. All information will be processed in the strictest confidence. 
Reference & vetting check
At SNV we prioritise safety and security for all employees. We conduct thorough background and reference checks concerning possible safeguarding incidents for all candidates applying for International determined positions. As SNV participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, all reference checks include a request to past employers to fill in a questionnaire regarding Misconduct (sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment), the “Statement of Conduct". This Statement of Conduct adopts the definitions used in the Scheme.   
 

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