Background

Water Witness leads action, research, and advocacy for a fair water future where all people can access the water needed to thrive, and are protected against floods, drought, pollution, ecosystem degradation and water conflict. 

We stand with those at the sharp end of the global water crisis to shine a light on its impacts, to understand its root causes and to activate an effective response. We work with our trusted local partners to trigger social justice and system change to ensure sustainable management and equitable use of the world’s most precious resource.

Over the past decade our team have been on the frontline: working to improve water security for over 1 million vulnerable people, driving improved policy, practice and investment, building new approaches and communities of practice, and holding duty bearers to account for improved performance on water. Our hands-on field experience is backed up by cutting-edge research and global analyses, and this provides us with a clear understanding of the action needed to deliver on the water-related Sustainable Development Goals.

Our 2030 strategy builds on our track record as a dynamic NGO which unlocks improved water resource governance and water security for vulnerable communities. In the decade ahead we will work with our partners to focus on the following five imperatives

•  Accountable governance: to implement effective and equitable water policy and law
• Progressive financing: to unlock funding and financial incentives for water security
• Redefining corporate responsibility: to transform private sector behaviour for shared water security
• Confronting climate chaos: to prevent catastrophic water shocks and build resilience
• Activating people power: to trigger political, social, and economic change for water security

Having secured investment to deliver our strategy we are now seeking a qualified individual to join our team in Addis Ababa to ensure successful delivery of our ‘Putting water stewardship to work for Ethiopia’ Programme. This work will contribute to successful delivery across multiple objectives within our strategy and further establish Water Witness as an innovative, world changing organisation. 

Salary/benefits: ETB 780,000 - 948,000 per year depending on experience, plus 11% pension contribution and health insurance 

Reports to: Regional Programme Manager 

Post: The position is based in Addis Ababa, but is likely to require extended periods of work based in other parts of Ethiopia 

Travel: The position will require regular travel, including to remote field locations in Ethiopia 

Term: 2-year contract, extension subject to performance and funding 

Job Summary and Purpose

We are seeking a suitably qualified and experienced individual with technical, analytical and communications skills needed to support the implementation of a complex multi-stakeholder water stewardship programme in Ethiopia.

The Technical Officer (TO) will play a central technical advisory role in delivering Water Witness’ ‘Putting Water Stewardship to work for Ethiopia’ Programme,’ in collaboration with implementing partners and industries. S/he will also be a key resource person in advancing uptake and implementation of the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) standard by African partners from the public and private sector.

The AWS standard is a global standard system which guides and recognises best practice for sustainable and equitable water use at site and catchment scale. The TO will support our partners in Ethiopia to implement the standard at several Industrial Parks, and vertically within Ethiopia’s garment, textile, and cotton value chains. With the aim of reducing the impact of industrial development on water, ecosystems and downstream communities, the TO would support these industries to conduct thorough assessments and analysis of sites and the catchments in which they operate. They will provide high quality technical advice and assist water users to plan and implement improved management practices and technical solutions to improve their performance on water, and influence more sustainable and equitable resource use at the catchment scale. This is likely to include sustainable abstraction, groundwater management and efficient water use; ensuring good water quality and adequate treatment of incoming water for production and use, as well as pollution prevention and control, wastewater and effluent treatment; safe working practices, emergency planning, risk management and safe access to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene facilities. S/he will also be required to organise and conduct training activities for staff and partners, as well as be the focal point for technical problem solving and written and verbal reporting. The TO will be able to help individuals, water users, stakeholders and companies to understand the AWS standard and its requirements in simple terms and to guide them to benefit from the application of the standard and good water stewardship. They will also be required to learn and document the costs and benefits of stewardship, and to identify opportunities for improving the AWS system to better serve stakeholders in Africa. S/he will have an excellent understanding of all aspects of water management, environmental protection and sustainability standards, Environmental Management Systems (EMS). An ability to analyse the financial feasibility of solutions will be important. Beyond technical expertise, we expect the applicant to demonstrate excellent project management abilities across all aspects of project cycle management, including effective planning, timely and cost-effective implementation, developing and keeping track of progress through monitoring, evaluation, learning, and reporting. 

Duties and responsibilities

The objective of this role is to support effective delivery of the ‘Putting water stewardship to work for Ethiopia’ workstream and feed into the implementation of the AWS Africa Strategy. Several donors including the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, GIZ, the European Union and the Scottish Government fund this work.

The Technical Officer will work closely with the Regional Programme Manager to ensure efficient and high-quality delivery of the programme and impact. The primary focus of the role is to support the implementation of the international water stewardship (AWS) standard with stakeholders at a number of sites to ensure that water use within Ethiopia’s Industrial Parks and the growing garment, textiles and cotton sectors reflects global best practice. This good practice will manage water risks (such as pollution, water quality problems, resource depletion and degradation, inadequate water supply and sanitation, flooding and drought impacts, and water conflicts) through alignment with the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) standard, both at industrial sites and at catchment scale. Specific TO responsibilities include: 

Programme Management

• Manage the site implementation aspects of ‘Putting water stewardship to work for Ethiopia’ programme, ensuring delivery is in accordance with the Grant Agreement.
• Planning, delivery, monitoring, evaluation, learning and reporting against budgets, and planned activities, outputs & outcomes. 
• Effectively organise and deliver the technical training components of our programmes.
• Ensure effective and timely technical progress reporting by partners and to management at agreed intervals. Develop and monitor progress, collect testimonials, and feed results into monitoring, evaluation, learning and reporting systems.
• Assume responsibility for business accounts and assets (including vehicles and equipment).
• Support the Programme Manager in liaising with government bodies, local authorities, private sector partners, community institutions and other local actors.
• Support the Programme Manager in arranging conferences, seminars, and meetings, and actively participate on and contribute to relevant forums.

Technical advice and delivery

•  Conduct site and off-site assessments and audits, collecting and analysing site and catchment level data to identify and prioritise water and climate related risks and opportunities.
• Co-develop and advise on appropriate and feasible plans and solutions which address these water risks, and supporting sites to implement these.
• Contribute technical knowledge to participatory water risk and opportunity assessments in various sectors and at several geographical scales (site, industrial park, municipality, catchment, national, global), with focus on water resources management, pollution prevention and WASH.
• Develop, customise, and deliver water stewardship plans, innovations, and training in consultation with participating industries, programme partners and stakeholders
• Ensure alignment of our programme’s technical advice and outputs with local and regional government development plans, laws and regulations, and international best practices.
• Ensure clear documentation and learning to ensure that action research generates valid evidence and supports change.
• Provide technical support and feasibility advise to programme partners as well as participating industries seeking AWS Certification on EMS and best available techniques (BATs) and best management practices (BMPs) particularly on areas like pollution prevention, wastewater management, and resource efficiency.
• Support and guide site managers and industrial partners to implement environmental management plans, set targets, analyse baselines, and prioritise activities related to AWS Standard certification.
• Advise on the suitability of consultants and manage or co-manage the procurement of technical specialists to deliver components of water stewardship plans where necessary.
• Develop repositories of case studies and solutions suggested, implemented, or deferred, including analyses of their feasibilities and outcomes.
• Develop databases or adapt existing systems for meticulous documentation of relevant technical data and establish procedures for ensuring confidentiality and transparency as per our agreements with donors, financiers, and partners.

Key working relationships and logistical arrangements

The successful applicant will be part of the Water Witness Ethiopia team, which is headquartered in Addis Ababa and liaises with the Water Witness HQ in Edinburgh, UK, and other Water Witness offices in Africa. S/he will work closely with the Ethiopia Finance and Administration Officer and Regional Programme Manager to help shape the organisation’s operations in Ethiopia, and across Africa. The TO will also be responsible for supporting high impact delivery by our teams and partners in coordination with the Practice Lead - Water Stewardship, Water Witness, UK and with our programme stakeholders such as the Alliance for Water Stewardship, Donors, Government Agencies, civil society, academia and MultiNational Companies. 

Panel Interviews: To be confirmed

Expected start: December 2020

Job Requirements

Person Specification

The successful applicant will be able to demonstrate the following:

Experience and qualifications

Essential

• A Master’s AND Bachelor’s degree in Water Management, Environmental Sciences, Engineering, or related fields.
•  At least 7 years of relevant work experience working in technical advisory positions at international NGOs, multinational companies, reputable consultancies and auditing bodies, governmental agencies, or other relevant institutions.
• Technical and policy literacy in water resource and/or environmental management and familiarity with Environmental Management Systems (EMS), circular production, WASH, water stewardship and international environmental standards.
• Proven technical experience of supporting the implementation of natural resource or water stewardship initiatives, corporate sustainability and/or standards programmes which have delivered demonstrable, positive change.
• A record of working effectively with different types of stakeholders including the private sector, government, and civil society stakeholders and with technical staff in challenging contexts.
• Experience in information systems and knowledge management, including KPI development and tracking, meticulous data collection, analysis, and management, especially in industrial and environmental contexts.
• Extensive programme management experience including of delivering concurrent initiatives, budget management, ME&L and timely reporting. 

Desirable

•  Experience in implementing standards for sustainable development with private sector actors, specifically within textile production or other industrial contexts.
• Relevant experience and networks in Ethiopia and Africa. Skills and attributes:

Essential

• A proactive, dynamic ‘go getter’ approach to work and commitment to teamwork. Must be passionate about delivering positive change in the world.
• An excellent communicator, both as a speaker and author in English. Excellent communication in Amharic and different local languages is an advantage.
• A positive team player with a customer-friendly attitude, and ability to collaborate within a multi-cultural, dispersed team.
• Excellent interpersonal skills - leadership, diplomacy and tact are essential.
• A high degree of competence in using IT tools, platforms, and programmes.
• Able to create and manage effective and productive partnerships.
• Emotionally intelligent leadership and the ability to support and mentor others in a fast paced and challenging environment.
• Strong facilitation, participatory analysis and planning, and meeting management skills.
• An ability to make good decisions independently and under pressure, producing work of high quality within tight deadlines.
• Exceptional organisational skills, professional diligence and high ethical standards and conduct.
• Proven ability to think, plan and act strategically and pro-actively.
• Willing to work in difficult conditions in remote areas, and outside usual office hours on a regular basis.
• Able to ensure compliance with internal policies including Health and Safety and Safeguarding.
• A car driving licence and experience in communications are desirable.

How to Apply

All correspondence should be sent to jobs@waterwitness.org with ‘Technical Officer’ in the subject line. Please submit all the following items in ONE PDF File with your name in the file title. 1- Please provide a CV (maximum four pages), 2- A cover letter (maximum two pages) explaining why you want to work in this position, clearly setting out how your skills and experience make you a good fit. 3- You should also submit a written piece of work which demonstrates your knowledge of water, and water stewardship. This should be a maximum of two pages and should be entitled “The relevance of water stewardship for Ethiopia’s development."

NOTE THAT WE WILL NOT CONSIDER APPLICATIONS, WHICH DO NOT COMPLY WITH THESE REQUIREMENTS.

TO SUPPORT DIVERSITY IN OUR TEAM, FEMALE AND MALE APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

Equality Statement

Equality and diversity are at the core of Water Witness’ values. Staffs are expected to work collectively and individually to promote a constructive and sensitive approach to others from a variety of backgrounds, where the work of others is valued and respected. Water Witness is committed to equal opportunities for all, and to welcoming people from a wide diversity of backgrounds, cultures, and experience. On this occasion only those with the right to work and live in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia should apply.

Selection Process

We will only use the information you provide to process your application. For more details on how we use your information, see our applicants privacy notice. By emailing us, you are permitting us to use the information you have provided for recruitment purposes. Shortlisted candidates may be required to undertake an additional assessment prior to final interview

Queries

If you have any queries on any aspect of the appointment process, or need additional information, please email jobs@waterwitness.org