National Programme Director - WaterAid

JOB DESCRIPTION
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Job Title             : National Programme Director (open to Timorese nationality only)
Place of Work    : Dili, with frequent travel to Operational Municipalities in Timor-Leste.
Capacity            : Full time
Hours                 : 40 hours/week
Reports to          : WaterAid Timor-Leste Country Director (CD)
Start date           : Approx. 1st August 2021

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Explanation of Role

WaterAid is an international NGO dedicated to the provision of safe domestic water, sanitation and hygiene education to the world’s poorest people. We work with local partners to help communities access safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). And we use our experience and research to influence decision-makers to do more to provide these vital services.
 

WaterAid has been working in Timor-Leste since 2005 and our vision is that all Timorese should have access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene by 2030. WaterAid is able to provide great training and educational opportunities, good working conditions, and the opportunity to join a highly motivated and award-winning team.

About the role

This position is part of SMT and involves managing WaterAid Timor-Leste’s programme department. The department overseas WaterAid Timor-Leste’s work through partner NGOs, local organisations and in partnership with local government. The role will largely focus on supporting and managing the Program Managers to ensure that advocacy and municipality program teams deliver sustainable and equitable WASH projects with rural communities, schools and health care facilities. The position will also support WaterAid's strategic objectives to promote and secure income poor, vulnerable and marginalised people’s rights and access to safe, water, improved hygiene and sanitation. A key element of the role is supporting local partner organisations and service providers in developing their capacity to deliver effective WASH and behaviour change programmes. The role also requires regular travel to rural and remote parts of Timor-Leste.

WaterAid is a child safe organisation. We recognise that we must meet community expectations and the trust placed in our personnel to maintain the highest standards of conduct with children. Therefore, all positions within WaterAid are required to comply with our Child Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct.

WaterAid is committed to protection from sexual exploitation and abuse in everything we do. The values and standards we uphold are highlighted in our Global Code of Conduct. All positions within WaterAid are required to comply with our Global Code of Conduct.

Key Accountabilities

Reporting to the Country Director (CD), the Program Director (PD) will support WaterAid to strategically plan, manage and implement WaterAid Timor-Leste’s programs.  This is to be undertaken with reference to the current Country Strategy and the Timor-Leste government’s laws, policies and strategic priorities.  The PD’s responsibilities will include line management of Programme Managers and comprise the following principle elements:

1. Strategic Programme Planning and Development
2. Programme Management and Reporting
3. Capacity Building
4. Learning, Networking & Coordination.
5. General
   

1. Strategic Programme Planning and Development

• Facilitate the development and implementation of WaterAid Timor-Leste’s Country Programme Strategy in line with National policies, strategies and guidelines.
• Analyse WaterAid Timor-Leste’s programming and research collaborations, identify key blockages within the Timor-Leste context, and formulate solutions that align with WaterAid’s global WASH frameworks.
• Ensure application of research findings to pro-actively support the work of civil society networks in dealing with rural sector reform challenges and issues in the areas of decision making, service distributions, service quality, and involvement of the poor in rural reform processes, accountability and service governance.
• Lead in the process of assessing all partner NGO proposals including preparation of annual work plans and budgets for the rural programme.
• Actively participate in rural sector discussions / debates and strengthen WATL’s reputation and credibility in the WASH sector.
• Assist in the development of concept notes, project proposals as and when required by the Country Director and SMT.

2.  Programme Management and Reporting

• Manage in accordance with relevant WaterAid policies, the programme work. This will include all aspects of staff, project and financial planning and grants management
• Ensure preparation of annual work plans and budgets for programmes and assist in the development of annual budgets for WaterAid programme in Timor-Leste.
• Ensure that programme staff develop objectives, periodic work plans and ensure they are managed against those objectives and plans.
• Manage the supervision of the implementation of WaterAid's programmes in various municipalities such that they are undertaken by partners in accordance with approved policies.
• Prepare and regularly review guidelines to ensure effective programme delivery, and accurate and timely reporting that is backed by the country programme’s monitoring and evaluations systems.
• Ensure effective monitoring and evaluation of the programmes linked to the country strategy and annual plans that allows for easy reporting on WaterAid Timor-Leste’s SPI’s.

3.  Capacity Building

• Provide sound technical and institutional advice to WaterAid Timor-Leste’s staffs and partners in relation to programme management for effective delivery of water, sanitation and hygiene services to target communities including poor and vulnerable groups.
• Support partner organisations to ensure capacity on designing, procurement and monitor fully effective systems of project management that ensure that all steps of the project cycle are accomplished.

4. Learning, Networking & Co-ordination

• Liaise with other agencies and individuals regarding WATL’s programme with a view to learning from them and advocating the adoption by others of WATL’s approaches, models and working methods that have proven successful.
• Establish, develop and maintain relationships with other agencies working in the water and sanitation sector, academia, media and research institutions for the purpose of gaining information and advice on key issues.
• Actively promote cross learning and co-operation in all aspects of WATL’s work in various municipality.
• Identify strategic research areas within the programme and co-ordinate with WaterAid staff to facilitate the research.
• Work with WaterAid policy, campaigns and programme support staff in the analysis of field based research, case studies, surveys, public consultation and produce evidenced based policy practice briefs and engage in policy debates for marginalized and poor groups within the dialogue mechanism in the Timor-Leste WASH sector.
• Assist and facilitate the production of learning documents drawing from practical experience and lessons of WATL’s WASH programme work.
• Participate in and contribute to WATL’s efforts to strengthen in country sector networks.
• Represent WaterAid Timor-Leste in relevant, municipal, national and international forums and present WaterAid Timor-Leste’s experiences.

5. General

• Actively participate in the WaterAid Timor-Leste Senior Management Team (SMT) and contribute to the review and development of WaterAid’s programme work and country strategies.
• Actively collaborate and Respond to reasonable requests for information and reports from WaterAid’s Regional and Fund raising teams.
• Support the Country Director in other aspects of the management of the Timor-Leste country programme, as requested.
• Contribute to the overall programme development of WaterAid both in Timor-Leste and internationally.

Key Selection Criteria

The following criteria will be used to assess candidates for the post. All applicants must address these criteria in their application:

1. Education

•  Degree or professional qualification in a relevant area (environmental health, civil engineering, development studies, social sciences….)

2. Knowledge and skills

• Knowledge of organizational management and development in NGOs
• Ability to plan own work, set priorities and complete tasks if under time constraints or when faced with competing demands.
• Ability to use computers both word processing, spread sheets and presentations.
• Highly developed writing and communication skills in English 

3. Essential Experience

• At least 6-years experience working in local and/or international NGOs in WASH programme management roles.
• At least 4-years experience in management role in an International NGO.
• Experience of implementing development projects through local NGO or local government partners
• Practical experience in participatory community-based development programmes, including participatory planning, monitoring and evaluation.
• Experience in planning and implementing effective monitoring and evaluations systems.
• Experience in the development of policies, guidelines and procedures.
• Experience in programme and finance management.
• Experience in the line-management of senior staff.
• Experience in mentoring and building the capacity of organisations, teams and staff members.

4. Desirable Experience and Knowledge

• Experience working in/or understanding of WASH project implementation and the WASH sector in Timor-Leste
• Experience and proven skills in people management
• Knowledge of organizational management and development in Timor-Leste
• Experience in research and analysis and documentation of best practices
• Experience in developing successful funding proposals.
• Highly developed writing and communication skills in Tetum

WaterAid is committed to welcoming people from the widest possible diversity of backgrounds, culture and experience. We will make any practical adjustments to enable people with a disability to participate fully in an inclusive working environment. Please let us know if you have a disability and require any special assistance in making your application or attending an interview.

Applications

Closing date          : 30th June 2021
First interviews     : Week commencing 4rd July 2021
Start date               : Approx. 1st August 2021

Applications for this position must include a resume (maximum 4 pages) and a cover letter (max 2 pages) addressing the above Person Specification criteria. Responses to the selection criteria can be incorporated into the covering letter itself or listed under separate headings (within the 2 page cover letter limit). Resumes should include the details of at least two professional referees, including their name, contact details and relationship to you. References will only be taken up after interviews, and only with the candidate’s prior consent.

Please note that only applications meeting the above criteria will be considered.

The closing date for applications is 30th June 2021. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

WaterAid will not be able to provide feedback to unsuccessful candidates.     

WaterAid is committed to welcoming people from the widest possible diversity of backgrounds, culture and experience. We will make any practical adjustments to enable people with a disability to participate fully in an inclusive working environment. Please let us know if you have a disability and require any special assistance in making your application or attending an interview.

Email applications to: timorlestejobs@wateraid.org.au by 30th June 2021. The subject line of your email should read “Application – Programme Director”.

Thanks,

Flaviano Sombai
Operations Director

 

 

 

WaterAid Timor-Leste
Rua de Nu'u Laran
No. 19 Bairro dos Grilos
P.O. Box 316, Dili, Timor-Leste
Office:   +670 3322 94

Mobile:  +670 77250102
Email:    flaviano.sombai@wateraid.org.au
Website: www.wateraid.org.au

Clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene are essential human rights and must be a normal part of everyone’s daily lives.