Sanitation Financing and FSM Services Advisor

  • Full-time
  • Contract type: National employment contract

Company Description

SNV is a non-for-profit international development organization that makes a lasting difference in the lives of people living in poverty by helping them raise incomes and access basic services. We focus on three sectors (WASH, agriculture, and renewable energy) and have a long-term, local presence in over 25 countries worldwide. SNV has been working in Nepal since 1980.

At SNV we believe that no-one should have to live in poverty. We are dedicated to a society in which all people, irrespective of race, class, or gender, enjoy the freedom to pursue their own sustainable development. We focus on increasing people's incomes and employment opportunities in productive sectors like agriculture as well as on improving access to basic services such as energy, water, sanitation, and hygiene. SNV supports people to access and develop the capabilities, services and opportunities needed to live a healthy, productive, and fulfilling life, while sustainably using the natural resources they depend on. Unlike many other development actors, we do not offer funding, but specialize in supporting the resourcefulness of development actors. We work with governments, businesses, knowledge institutes and low-income communities so that together we can transform ideas into policy, policy into action, and action into results. Through our technical knowledge, 50+ years of experience, passionate staff, extensive local presence, and global footprint, we strive to make a lasting difference in people's lives. For Further details, please visit the website: http://www.snv.org

Faecal sludge management (FSM) and sanitation financing in Nepal:

FSM is a development challenge in Nepal identified after country was declared open defecation free (ODF) through construction of thousands of on-site sanitation systems. Although FSM is receiving growing attention from government, development partners, FSM remains nascent in Nepal and to date investments that have been made are few and ad hoc. So, it is required to understand the demand side and the supply side of the FSM, firstly by understanding the current practices, barriers, drivers, attitude and readiness of the local government towards FSM, secondly by gaining understanding on service providers; their roles and responsibilities, and the challenges while proving faecal sludge disposal services.

Sanitation financing: Strong capacity to plan financing for the complete sanitation service chain and lifecycle is essential for providing urban sanitation services that can be sustained over the long term. Sanitation financing must consider the entire lifecycle of the sanitation service chain when thinking about what finances are needed and when. For each element of the sanitation service chain, the financing requirements are typically for: (a) initial investment; (b) day-to-day operations; (c) intermittent maintenance; and (d) asset renewal.

SNV’s WASH programming in Nepal:

SNV Nepal presently leads two WASH projects, WASH SDG and Beyond the Finish Line (Water for Women). The former focuses on urban sanitation in four cities in four different districts, following SNV’s approach Urban Sanitation and Hygiene for Health and Development. The latter focuses on rural water supply in eight rural municipalities in two districts, following SNV’s approach Area-wide Rural Water Supply Services. This portfolio can expand in future.

SNV implements the WASH SDG programme in four cities of Nepal: Khadak, Nepalgunj, Chandannath and Birendranagar. The overall goal of the WASH SDG programme is to improve health and quality of life of men and women through access to sustainable, inclusive, safe sanitation and improved hygiene practices. SNV’s WASH SGD project since its inception has focused to frame solutions within a ‘citywide service chain approach’ and, define and promote viable options for business models for FSM services. SNV aims to work with local authorities to seek sustainable financing for viable FSM business models, business plans, encourage private sector participation and explore pathways for repayable funding.

 

Job Description

Roles and responsibilities of the Sanitation Financing and FSM Services Advisor:

The Sanitation Financing and FSM Services Advisor is part of SNV Nepal and supports the WASH SDG project. Under the guidance of the WASH sector leader, the Sanitation Financing and FSM Services Advisor provides technical insights and leadership on programming and interventions. S/he gives input to project advisors and partners to meet agreed objectives and to accomplish successful interventions, and leads the definition and execution of all sanitation financing and FSM services components, including operation and maintenance (O&M), support tariff setting and standards, etc. across the SDG project. S/he will lead the mapping of urban sanitation funding gaps, barriers and finance sources for local governments and private sector. Understanding the financial health of the city – develop capacity and system for sustainable services. S/he also identifies opportunities and improvement areas, for quality delivery, organisational learning and business development.  Towards these, s/he will work closely with municipalities in the above-mentioned project areas and various service providers.

Result areas:

Technical leadership

Key activities: Acts as the lead technical expert in sanitation financing and FSM services in SNV Nepal for the WASH-SDG project. Creates an enabling environment for projects to meet their objectives in sanitation financing and FSM services, by sharing knowledge, understanding stakeholders and context. S/he ensures progress and quality of all sanitation financing and FSM services initiatives. S/he will help partners/municipalities understand different cost and revenue streams; understand budget needs and gaps for different services. S/he will make sure all suggested services are affordable and acceptable for users; effective and efficient towards professionalisation of services; and the revenues should at least match the investments.

Expected results: The advisor’s guidance informs the WASH project. High levels are reached in the sanitation financing and FSM services domains: quantity, quality, timeliness and budget compliance, and sustainable systems.  

Knowledge development

Key activities: Proactively contributes to internal and external knowledge development, and ensures lessons learned are identified, shared and acted upon. Leads the review and evaluation of SNV’s performance and role in sanitation financing and FSM services. Develops organisational procedures, processes and practices, for SNV in sanitation financing and FSM services. Acts as national focal point on sanitation financing and FSM services, and participates in internal and external knowledge development networks and forums.   

Expected results: SNV Nepal achieves high levels of knowledge and innovation in sanitation financing and FSM services, which are shared internally and externally and which contribute tangibly to overall project performance. Leads the development of knowledge products on FSM services and sanitation financing for international and national audiences

Project and process development

Key activities: Leads the sanitation financing and FSM services of the WASH SDG project. Identifies WASH sanitation financing and FSM service process improvements, and steers their implementation. Monitors improvement areas and gives guidance and feedback to colleagues and other stakeholders.

Expected results: Effectiveness and efficiency of SNV’s sanitation financing and FSM service processes improve on an ongoing basis thanks to her/his steady contributions. Projects’ sanitation financing and FSM services components (C4, C5) are executed as per expected timelines, budgets and specifications.  

People management

Key activities: S/he manages sanitation financing and FSM services consultants, contractors and suppliers. Steers (functionally) colleagues, and mentors technically and operationally partners and other stakeholders towards improved performance in sanitation financing and FSM services.

Expected results: Consultants, contractors and suppliers deliver as per contractual specifications, timelines and budgets. SNV colleagues, local partner organisations and authorities and other relevant stakeholders have steady guidance on sanitation financing and FSM services, and gain high degrees of know-how for project quality delivery.

Positioning and business development

Key activities: Identifies, shares and discusses opportunities and threats in the sanitation financing and FSM service space. Promotes networking with relevant and influential stakeholders, actors and forums. Identifies business development opportunities and, under the guidance of the WASH sector leader, initiates business development assignments. Contributes to need assessments, proposal design and project inception.  

Expected results: Opportunities and threats are promptly identified and acted upon. Relevant stakeholders keep seeing SNV as a trustworthy development partner. The organisation improves its visibility over funding and partnership opportunities and acts upon them.   

Level indicators:

Know-how: Deploys sound technical expertise and professionalism. Has a deep understanding of the core project activities and thematic areas.

Complexity: Organises work to follow well-defined clear procedures and patterns. Reviews initiatives while in progress and at completion. Resolves emerging issues autonomously on the basis of existing guidelines if applicable, otherwise in consultation with his/her manager and colleagues.  

Impact: Contributes to impact through provision of activities that require financial proficiency and skills.  

Qualifications

Requirements:

  • As a minimum, a Bachelor’s degree (completed) in civil or environmental engineering. A Master’s degree is desirable.
  • An advanced degree in Business Management/Financial Management
  • Senior level experience of at least 5-7 years in sanitation financing and FSM services
  • Senior level experience of at least 5 years in the sanitation sector in Nepal, in the urban setting, at the local or national levels.
  • Familiarity with the main topics in the national and international WASH community, in particular around sanitation financing and FSM services.   
  • Excellent command of spoken and written English and proficiency in Nepali.
  • Previous experience in leading peer-reviewed papers, technical papers, reports on WASH.
  • Ability to travel to project locations (30-50% of the time), sometimes at a short notice and for extended periods.     
  • Pro-activeness and capacity to work with significant degrees of autonomy.  

Competencies:

Problem analysis: Ability to detect problems, identify relevant information and analyse data to find causes and propose solutions. This applies to all components of sanitation financing and FSM services.   

Communication: Ability to communicate clearly and to adapt one’s language and style to different audiences, making sure messages are understood. Audiences are typically: consultants, contractors and suppliers; local and national governmental and non-governmental stakeholders; SNV colleagues.  

Focus on quality: Ability to set high-quality delivery standards, and to strive for continuous improvement and quality assurance. Take ownership of the sanitation financing and FSM services components of SNV WASH-SDG programming, and work towards meeting the organisational objectives. 

Result orientation: Ability to take direct action to attain or exceed objectives. This refers principally to the projects’ sanitation financing and FSM services workplans and to the organisational goals in the WASH sector.  

Perseverance: Ability to hold on to views and plans despite adversity. Problem-solving mentality and capacity to identify effective practical solutions to issues. 

Working at SNV: SNV offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. We offer opportunities to lead and innovate, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling and diverse working environment. 

Additional Information

Report to: WASH Sector Leader

Contract Type : Employment Contract

Desired Start Date : As soon as possible

Duty Station: Kathmandu with extension field deployment 

Contract Duration : Initial 1 year contract with possibility of extension

How to Apply:
If you believe that your credentials meet the outlined profile, we invite you to apply by uploading your CV (not more than 3 page) with cover letter (not more than 1 page) by clicking on the "I'm interested" button before 12th July 2021

ONLY SHORTLIST CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED.

For more information on SNV, please refer to our website: www.snv.org

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