Introduction                                                     

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

Programme Background

In Bangladesh, SNV had initiated urban water (primarily in Sanitation) programme from 2014 in southern cities and have been proactively engaged in National level to support urban sanitation initiatives. SNV under the Urban Sanitation Programme with the support from BMGF and DGIS aims to support Local Authorities to address service delivery challenges in sanitation and advance the sector development, through strategic engagement with Government Agencies and partnering with other experienced civil society and private sector organisations working in the sector. 

SNV believes in rethinking, reforming, and enhancing institutional structures to lessen the impact of rapid urbanisation and climate threats. To do this, we must seek ways to improve the governance and practices of the waste management, drainage and water supply sectors. In Bangladesh, the local government is responsible for water, sanitation, drainage, and solid waste, often needing more local capacities. Private sector engagement plays a crucial role in making cities more sustainable, but accountability and performance still need improvement. SNV has been working with different stakeholders to set up PPPs with clearer rules of engagement and oversight to strengthen performance accountability by adopting a holistic approach to a sustainable urban water cycle. In continuation of this, and in close collaboration with the two responsible national departments – the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) and the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) SNV is heading towards a new approach of promoting Sustainable Urban Water Cycle in Bangladesh. Supporting this, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh has awarded SNV a new project in Bangladesh titled "Transitioning to Sustainable Urban Water Cycles in Bangladesh".

This project to protect the health and well-being of around 1.8 million people in 12 cities and towns by increasing access to safe, essential urban services (sanitation, solid waste, stormwater management). Moreover, the project will initiate improvements in relevant water resource management indicators at the city level over five years.

The Project consists of Six (6) major component:

• Component 1: Governance, Regulation and Enforcement
• Component 2: Smart Finance and Investment
• Component 3: Behavioural Change
• Component 4: Services
• Component 5: Treatment and Circularity
• Component 6: Flood and Drought Management

The project envisages following 6 (six) outcomes to support city-wide inclusive services by professionalisation and financial viability of urban sanitation and solid waste facilities.

1. Strengthened capacities to support city-wide inclusive services.
2. Increased professionalisation and financial viability of urban sanitation and solid waste services.
3. Strengthened governance, regulation, enforcement, and monitoring capacity.
4. Strengthened performance, integration and circularity of treatment, reuse, and recycling.
5. More responsive strategic communication towards consumer behaviours.
6. Improved capacity and preparedness for city-level floods and droughts.

The project will work in various geographically and ecologically diverse areas across Bangladesh. Four city corporations and eight paurashavas – grouped into following six clusters. The cities are: Rajshahi, Sylhet, Cumilla and Khulna City Corporation, and Chapai Nawabganj, Shibganj, Bogura, Joypurhat, Lalmonirhat, Moulvibazar, Chatak, and Bagerhat municipality.

The project aligns with the long-term Bangladesh Delta Plan (BDP) 2100 and related national commitments on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), most notably SDG 6 on achieving inclusive and sustainable safely managed sanitation, SDG11 around solid waste and water-related risks, and SDG13 around resilience, adaptive capacity and greenhouse gas emissions.

Context and purpose of the job

The project aims to achieve systems change towards a sustainable urban water cycle (SUWC) at the city level and contribute to the national level. We follow a systematic process through all interventions to ensure the approach is institutionalised within the LGIs (City Corporations/ Paurasahvas). The position is expected to lead the finance and investment component of the project and support the service component on development of business models for sanitation and solid waste management as well as the integration of these models with oversight and governance arrangements.

The Public Finance Advisor will be responsible for financing and investment aspects of solid waste and sanitation sector seeking to drive supply and demand for services. To further develop and implement the finance and investment component of the programme in close collaboration with the activities of other components and contribute to the work of colleagues, by providing sound advice for activities in the other components.

Job Responsibilities/ Result areas

• Lead the finance and investment component under the project activities and be responsible for fostering relationships with national/sub-national level stakeholders involved in solid waste and the sanitation sector.
• Develop and originate opportunities for different investments (green funding/bankable projects/ PPP Options etc.) and resource mobilization in the solid waste and sanitation sector for the Public (LGIs-paurashavas/city corporations) and Private entities.
• Support Public (LGIs-paurashavas/city corporations) and Private entities for developing investment documentations, including feasibility study, investment briefs, memos, presentations, financial models, and scenario analysis in the solid waste and sanitation sector.
• Engage with public and private financial institutions to mobilize investment for projects in the solid waste and sanitation sector.
• Produce high quality analysis and investment reports, including development of business cases and financial model under finance and investment component of the project.
• Manage the engagement with national-level stakeholders like LGD, DPHE, LGED, Public Private Partnership Authority (PPPA), Bangladesh Bank, IIFC, BMDF etc., development partners, investors and private sector entities involved in solid waste and sanitation sector under the project.
• Support Public (LGIs-paurashavas/city corporations) and Private entities for analysis of service tariff, different cost and revenue streams (rate/tax/tariff etc.) of municipal sanitation and solid waste management which will support in development and implantation of business and financial model.
• Actively work with the Public (LGIs-paurashavas/city corporations) and Private entities and contribute towards the development of project ideas, proposals, deliverables, knowledge products, and resource mobilization efforts.
• Develop relationships and partnerships with development partners, investors and private sector entities involved in the solid waste and sanitation sector to ensure effective implementation of the project activities.
• Ensure synergy of the project activities under finance and investment component and priorities of the national government and ensure effective coordination and outputs at a national level.

The above list of job responsibilities is not exclusive or exhaustive and the position will be required to undertake any assigned responsibilities assigned by his/her supervisor as may reasonably be expected within the scope of the position.

Educational Requirements

• Minimum master’s degree in finance, economics, management or related field from a university. Relevant financial certifications such as CFA will be an added advantage.

Desired Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Competencies:

• At least 10 years of overall experience of which at least 5 years in direct investments, identification, design and management of urban, waste, sanitation, and circular economy or similar projects is essential.
• Proven experience in climate finance, green investment or PPP investment mobilization is essential.
• Solid understanding of various financial products, debt/equity instruments being used in the sector.
• Proven experiences in policy development (strategies and guidelines), conducting pre-feasibility studies in the solid waste and sanitation sector.
• Experience in building productive working relationships with team members, development partners, government stakeholders, private sector partners, technology service providers, donors, and other private sector partners.
• Creative, practical and systematic professional.
• Evidence of producing knowledge products (publications and other).
• Flexibility to handle varied and demanding tasks and ability to balance priorities, thrive under pressure and juggle a multitude of details in a fast-paced environment.
• Significant experience in developing and managing complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives directly delivering change.
• Ability to work independently, as well as member of a team, and to be flexible to accommodate the needs of stakeholders.
• Ability to lead the assignment and the team with remote supervision.
• Excellent analytical, written, and oral communication skills both in English and Bangla.

Duty station                   :   Dhaka with frequent travel to project cities

Contract Duration           :  2 (two) years with a possibility of extension depending on performance and availability of funds.

Expected Joining Date    :   As soon as possible.

Working Hours               :   Full time (minimum of 40 hours per week)

Salary & Benefits            :   The total gross salary package (basic salary + House Rent Allowance + Transportation Allowance +Medical Allowance) will range between BDT 1,57,820 and BDT 1,72,549 per month, depending on the selected candidate’s work experience and competencies. Gratuity and provident fund entitlement will be followed by SNV BD policy.

In addition 

• Communication Allowance
• Festival Allowance
• Hospitalization insurance Coverage for employee and family member (spouse and children)

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply for this position. If you believe that your credentials meet the outlined profile, we invite you to apply by submitting a brief letter of motivation (1 page) and your CV (not more than 3 pages). Your CV should highlight your prior work achievements; it should not be a list of your current or prior job responsibilities. Please apply through SmartRecruiters by 17 June 2023.

We do not appreciate third-party mediation based on this advertisement. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Any form of solicitation by phone or other means will be treated as disqualification of the candidate. SNV is an equal employment provider.