Sustainable water and Sanitation in Africa (SUWASA) Jobs in Kenya

1.    Water Sector Reform/Finance Specialist, Kenya
2.    Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, Kenya
3.    Financial Assistant, Kenya
Sustainable water and Sanitation in Africa (SUWASA) is a new regional initiative of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), implemented by ARD, Inc., with a mission of fostering the transformation of water and sanitation services delivery in sub-Saharan Africa to achieve long-term financial sustainability through the application of market-based principles.
Over the four-year life up to 30th September 2013 of the project, SUWASA will support up to 12 reform initiatives in multiple countries of sub-Saharan Africa. ARD, Inc. – SUWASA seeks to fill the following positions, based in Nairobi:
Water Sector Reform/Finance Specialist, Kenya 
Ref:
 Finance Specialist
Key Responsibilities:

  • Lead the design of SUWASA activities to support water sector reforms and implementation of innovative financing approaches to water and sanitation investments.
  • Assist the Chief of Party in managing SUWASA activities involving sectoral and financial reforms.
  • Provide technical assistance to individual SUWASA activities involving sectoral and financial reforms.
  • Coordinate with the international donor community and financial institutions involved in water and sanitation reform and finance.
Qualifications and Experience:
  • A minimum of 10 years of professional experience, with a proven track record in infrastructure and utility reforms, particularly in the water and sanitation sector;
  • Experience in designing, structuring and implementing infrastructure projects for water supply and waste water management, preferably with private sector participation in finance, construction, and management;
  • Knowledge and experience in micro-finance operations and management;
  • Demonstrated experience in in-depth feasibility analysis, particularly in financial modelling, for medium to large-sized infrastructure construction projects and familiarity with concepts of financial and operational risk management;
  • In-depth knowledge of approaches to partial risk guarantees in the context of structuring complex projects for private participation in infrastructure (PPI), from ‘take-or-pay’ and demand-based guarantee mechanisms to more advanced performance-based models.
  • Experience and demonstrable knowledge of tariff designs for water services as well as key challenges faced by utilities on service delivery related to finance
  • Advanced degree in Economics. Finance, Master of Business Administration, or any other relevant financial degree;
  • Experience in working in a donor-funded environment will be an advantage;
  • Working experience in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly with regard to reforms in water and sanitation will be an advantage;
  • Ability to plan, direct, manage, control and take initiatives independently, communicate fluently, work as a team member at a matured level of sensitivity and diplomacy in dealing with key stakeholders;
  • Proficiency in written and spoken English is essential. Fluency in French is desirable.
Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, Kenya
Ref: M&E Specialist
Key Responsibilities:
  • Develop, adjust and implement SUWASA’s Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP);
  • Design and implement a monitoring and evaluation program for individual country projects;
  • Manage reform performance data collection and analysis;
  • Maintain data quality;
  • Prepare monitoring reports to accompany narrative report,
  • Participate in regular progress reporting to USAID.
Qualifications:
  • Masters Degree in social sciences, or equivalent;
  • A minimum of 10 years of professional experience, with a proven track record in monitoring and/or evaluating economic development and/or social development projects, preferably in a donor-funded context;
  • Experience with USAID Results Framework and USAID Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) are essential for this position, specific knowledge of utility performance measurement is desirable;
  • Excellent analytical and writing skills;
  • Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office;
  • Proficiency in written and spoken English is essential. Fluency in French is desirable.
Financial Assistant, Kenya
Ref: Financial Assistant
Key Responsibilities:
  • In liaison with the Chief of Party and the Office Manager, initiate procurement of goods and services, adhering to USAID and ARD requirements and regulations;
  • Assist the Finance Manager in maintaining SUWASA’s accounting system in compliance with USAID and ARD requirements and regulations, including managing cash flow, tracking expenditures and preparing monthly financial reports – working with QuickBooks Pro;
  • Assist the Finance Manager in implementing the VAT tax exemption process and prepare monthly reports to Public Revenue Office;
  • Assist the Finance Manager in ensuring that travel expense reports are properly completed and outstanding cash advances for travel are reconciled;
  • Assist the Contract Specialist in preparing financial reports for SUWASA technical assistance projects;
  • Other duties as assigned by the Chief of Party.
Qualifications:
  • Bachelors in Accounting, Business administration, or any other relevant social science;
  • At least 3 years post qualifying experience in a similar position;
  • Experience with a USAID funded program, especially with regards to processes and procedures will be an advantage;
  • Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office and QuickBooks Pro;
  • Proficiency in written and spoken English is essential.
Interested candidates should send their CV, 3 references and a cover letter by e-mail to: recruit@ard-suwasa.org with “Finance Specialist”, “M&E Specialist” or “Financial Assistant” mentioned as subject, or by fax to: +254 20 271 2314 or by regular mail to: ARD. Inc. – SUWASA, P. O. Box 38454 -00623, Nairobi.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview and successful candidates will be hired as soon as he/she is available. Compensation will be commensurate with qualification and relevant experience.
For more information about ARD, Inc. – SUWASA please visit www.ardinc.com andwww.usaid-suwasa.org.
Closing date for receipt of applications is Friday September 17,2010.

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