What is the opportunity?

The Senior WASH Specialist is responsible for expanding Water Mission’s approach to holistic community development, resulting in improved wellbeing in the areas where the organization is actively engaged. You will work with Water Mission’s Program Design and Standards team in the design and testing of innovations in water and sanitation financing, expanding Water Mission’s approach to financial sustainability. You will lead and guide initiatives that expand financing frontiers to address water and sanitation needs among vulnerable communities, seeking sustainable solutions that can be scaled. In addition to conceptual development, the position engages in capacity building and project management activities to ensure programs are implemented as designed. In addition, you will collaborate with the MEL team to support the design, monitoring, and evaluating of WASH projects. This full-time position reports to the Director of Program Development at Water Mission headquarters in Charleston, SC, USA.

A successful Senior WASH Specialist, Program Design and Standards will:

• Work in a collaborative team environment to identify best practices in asset-based program design and development within the context of rural water, sanitation, and hygiene programs.
• Assist in the design and development of relevant service delivery models and materials which can be effectively communicated to Water Mission’s Country Programs, Affiliate Programs and implementing partners.
• Provide guidance for the effective implementation and quality of WASH programs globally. This includes development of systems-based, sustainable WASH schemes and practices, and implementation of effective hygiene promotion programs.
• Assist in the design and development of relevant of long-term support and O&M strategies.
• In coordination with Water Mission staff, prepare Water Mission to access blended finance instruments and utilize new and different streams of financing for scaling. For example, results-based and/or performance-based finance.
• Stay updated on relevant financial regulations, policies, and best practices in the WASH sector, and make recommendations for improvement.
• Ensure pilot projects are executed according to an agreed upon scope of work, schedule, and budget.
• Build technical and managerial capacity and monitor incorporation of relevant approaches in Water Mission’s Country Programs, Affiliate Programs and with implementing partners, recommending corrective actions where required.
• Cultivate strategic implementation and funding partnerships, maintaining good communication channels, and coordinating international travel as required.
• Identify and engage in opportunities for collaboration with relevant sector experts.

What is required?

• Master’s degree in international development, business, or other WASH-related field of study required.
• Six years’ experience working in this or similar position or field.
• International field experience, especially in East Africa and Latin America, preferred.
• Working familiarity with integral mission required.
• Project planning and management experience required.
• Extended, independent international travel (six to eight weeks per year) required.
• Written and verbal Spanish language proficiency preferred.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in cross-cultural settings required.
• Advanced word processing and spreadsheet software skills required.