Partnership and Climate Change Consultant at WaterAid Nigeria

WaterAid is an international non-for-profit organization dedicated to helping people break free from poverty and disease, unlock their potential and change their lives for good through improved access to clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid started its operation in Nigeria in 1995. Since then it has successfully executed several intervention programmes as outlined by its objectives and has made impact in the lives of the very poor. WaterAid with the country office in Abuja currently works in Bauchi, Enugu and Plateau States with funding from various donors and partners.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Partnership and Climate Change Consultant

Location: Bauchi
Duration: 2 years
Reports to: Bauchi State Programme Lead 
Travels: Potential travel to field locations within and outside Bauchi state based on needs.

Team Description 

• WaterAid is an international not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping poor and marginalized people break free from poverty and disease, transforming their lives through improved access to clean water, decent toilets, and good hygiene.
• Since 1995, WaterAid has worked with the government and people of Nigeria to support the implementation of sustainable Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) interventions and programs. WaterAid continues to advocate for the importance of achieving WASH goals as central to meeting the SDG targets. 
• As a leader in the WASH sector in Nigeria, we are consistently tasked with designing and implementing programs that demonstrate learning and innovation to maximize our effectiveness and impact.
• We are therefore seeking the services of a Partnership and Climate Change Consultant to support the delivery of our donor-funded WASH projects.

Job Purpose

• The Partnership and Climate Change Consultant should be a Water Resources or Civil Engineer or related fields, with relevant experience in WASH Governance, Integrated Water Resources Management, Climate Change and understanding of Groundwater Resources.
• They will support the planning, design and implementation of WASH projects. In addition, the role will involve oversight on the construction and/or rehabilitation of sanitation facilities in public spaces and schools.
• The job holder will play a key role in delivering key components of WaterAid’s WASH governance objectives.
• They will work closely with Government and other partners in moving WASH Policies to practice thereby enhancing WASH governance and catalysing other building blocks of the WASH system in Bauchi state. This will include but not be limited to WASH policy reviews, sector Capacity, Coordination and Collaboration, Environment and Water Resources as well as Regulation through support to the setting up of the Water Regulatory Commission for Bauchi state. 
• Additionally, will also be supporting key components in relation to mainstreaming climate change in respective infrastructure components of projects, while advocating for use of evidence and models in this regard to improve access to WASH.
• The Job holder will also be saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that field-level programming aligns with the sector strengthening agenda and that evidence generated from WaterAid Nigeria's (WANG) fieldwork and technical innovations is used to influence policies and programmes.
• This will enable WANG link National level influencing with evidence drawn from activities on the ground. 

Accountabilities
Programme and Projects Development:

Review Bauchi State WASH Policy to align with ASPG 

• Work with the Bauchi state WASH policy review committee.
• Support facilitation of meetings, documentation of progress and reporting same
• Facilitate step wise progress by state organs towards the actualization of the WASH policy.
• This will involve hosting meetings and supporting committee as secretariat.
• Supporting key advocacy initiatives, including engagement with Legislators and key government functionaries necessary for the formal ascent on the policy once 
  completed.
• Act as WANG’s liaison for the engagement of consultants and resource persons that will be required in the course of implementing the WASH policy reviews.

Operationalization of the status of the WASH Department in LGAs:

• Lead in the processes leading up to the set-up of the Bauchi State Water Regulatory Unit 
• Support the capacity building for the Regulatory Units
• With the support of the Head of PAC, prepare advocacy briefs and position papers for the actualization of the Regulatory Commission.
• Facilitate meetings and engagements with state Ministry of Water Resources and state legislative arm towards formalizing the set-up of the Regulatory Unit
• Support processes leading to the transformation of the Regulatory Unit into a full-fledged commission.

Climate change Adaptation and mitigation within the projects of Bauchi programme (inclusive support to Abuja):

• Review project sites and locations especially where constructions will be taking place. 
• Support project managers to ensure that climate change resilient issues are mainstreamed in line with WaterAid’s QPS
• Support the review of project proposals to ensure that AIM 3 is mainstreamed in new/future business submissions.
• Ensure the Climate programmes and projects under Aim 3 are aligned with WaterAid Nigeria’s government plans and priorities on climate change policies such as NAPs and NDCs
• Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes for the achievement of the WASH and Climate Change programmes and projects. 

Programme Learning and Influencing:

• Commission research and studies for deepening WaterAid and WASH sector partners’ knowledge and understanding of the linkages between Climate Change and WASH
• Support the MEAL and Communication teams, to document the Qualitative and Quantitative outcomes and impacts of WaterAid and partners’ work on Climate Change and WASH, to ensure successful implementation and adaptation
• Develop technical guides and briefs to support resilient WASH programming and policy influencing in the Country Programme
• Support documentation of best practices and innovations in Nigeria Country Programme to contribute to cross learning in the region
• Apply WaterAid policies on Health and Safety, water quality monitoring and testing, and risk management strategy

Financial Resources Management:

• Prepare Annual Budgets and carry out regular budget monitoring
• Actively support the development of Annual Plans and budgets for Partnership, Coordination and Climate resilient WASH projects

Sector engagement and networking:

• Represent WaterAid in relevant national CSO, donor, and government forums related to policies, governance, climate change and WASH and build WaterAid’s reputation in the sector
• Represent WaterAid in national processes and debates on climate change and WASH
• Develop and strengthen effective partnerships, networks, and alliances with sector stakeholders, international organisations including National and Local Governments and agencies, research institutes, private sector and NGOs involved in climate change 
  issues
• Encourage and actively promote cross sectoral linkages and learning, especially with disaster mitigation and risk reduction.
• Establishing and maintaining a strong network of key players – both within the WASH sector and in broader water resource communities – to increase influence and position WaterAid as a leading organisation in terms of addressing the threats to sustainable 
  WASH services

Person Specification
Essential Criteria:

• At least a Masters’ Degree in Environmental Studies, Water Resources Management, Water Security, Climate Change or related studies from a recognized university
• Minimum 7 years of demonstrated practical experience in climate-related programming.
• Proven experience in WASH and WASH governance, with relevant experience working with state and non-state actors on policies, regulations and the role of 
  MDAs.
• Proven experience in policy and advocacy and leading campaigns’ design and delivery
• Proven experience in building the networks and coalitions required to drive an effective change agenda - especially with major international agencies, 
  governments and NGOs.
• Proven experience in WASH and Climate Change, Mitigation and Adaptation approaches. 
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative partnerships and alliances for influencing government policy and programme delivery on Climate Change issues.

Desirable Criteria:

• Proven ability to innovate and develop a successful change agenda on Climate Change for external influencing purposes.
• Should have competency in WaterAid’s common approaches to work including partnerships, convening, inclusion, systems strengthening, creating behavioural change, and mainstreaming gender and inclusion of youth.
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills
• Team player and ability to work across geographies.
• Ability to work independently and with minimal management oversight.

Application Closing Date
12th February, 2025.