WASH Financing Specialist at World Vision International Rwanda

WASH Finance SPECIALIST

World Vision is a child-focused Christian humanitarian organization implementing development programmes in 30 Districts of Rwanda. Our interventions in the strategic period of 2021-2025 seek to reach 2 million of the most vulnerable children. This is done through programming in Resilience and Livelihoods, WASH and Health, Child Protection and Education.

 World Vision Rwanda seeks to hire a highly qualified, dedicated and experienced Rwandan national for the role of WASH Finance Specialist, joining an established and experienced team. This stimulating position incorporates a range of skills and development in multiple areas, allowing for an exciting opportunity for career growth in a dynamic, global organization. It will be based in Kigali, Rwanda and reports to the Health and WASH TP Manager.

 Purpose of the position:

The WASH Finance Specialist will work closely with the WASH TP Manager within the World Vision Rwanda (WVR) office and will be responsible for the implementation and coordination of the WASH Financing project in accordance with the project scope, schedule, and deliverables. The WASH Finance Specialist under the guidance of the WASH TP Manager will follow the day-to-day activities of the project. The role involves collaborating with various stakeholders to secure funding, optimize resource allocation, ensure the financial sustainability of WASH initiatives and monitor funding utilization. He/she will be a focal point of contact with Vision Fund (VF) counterparts, leverage VF’s retail experience in WASH microfinance, and primarily focus on financing for community-level water and sanitation Interventions. The WASH Finance Specialist will be based at WVR Head Office with travels in the field, where the WASH Financing Project will be implemented.

The major responsibilities include:

WASH Financing Project Implementation Management

• Ensure WASH Financing project is conducted according to approved Concept Note, MoUs and Budget
• In collaboration with WV Finance team, manage the WASH financing project Budget
• Ensure request and financial reports are timely done
• Coordinate and oversee the implementation of WASH Financing different components, phases and develop a scale up plan
• Engage with relevant stakeholders to guide successful implementation and spur their partnership in the project scale up
• Work closely with Financial Service Provider (FSP), Private Operators (PO) and WASAC to ensure that connections are done in accordance with agreements
• In collaboration with partners, develop the WASH Financing detailed models for the different phases
• Work closely with Districts to mobilize the community and identify project participants
• Actively participate in the partners (FSP, PO) enrolment
• Ensure all project requirements are met during partners' and participants' enrolment
• Actively represent WV in national WASH platforms, and relevant local meetings (at the district level), and maintain key relationships and partnerships with government (line Ministries and agencies) partners and other NGO
• Attend/lead and participate in internal and external meetings related to WASH Financing
• Work closely with FSP and explore areas of mutual interest to introduce additional financing product such as blended financing, revolving fund and more.
• Strengthen the financial management capacity of local organizations and government Cultivate strategic partnerships with government agencies, NGOs, donors, and private sector entities to leverage resources and expertise.
• Develop, lead and coordinate partners capacity building activities related to WASH financing, WASH infrastructure Planning and O&M etc
• Develop, lead and coordinate the partners and participants mobilization campaigns
• Collaborate with the WASH TP team to ensure integration of programs is respected
• Ensure regular communication with Health and WASH TP Manager and support office.
• Prepare and share, monthly workplans, monthly, quarterly and annual reports ensuring that the project outputs and outcomes of the projects are well captured meeting the standards requirements.
• Prepare and share weekly updates
• Perform any other duties as assigned in accordance with role and level of responsibility

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Develop, lead and coordinate the project baseline, end lines and impact assessments
• Develop and use appropriate tools for tracking projects activities
• Collaborate with M&E team to develop a project monitoring and evaluation mechanism
• Develop and share project progress reports in compliance to WV reporting standards.
• Participate in the regular monitoring and evaluation assessments of Health and WASH TP to ensure the contribution of WASH Financing in the program is well recorded

Accountability, Learning and Innovation

• Identify opportunities for introduction of additional WASH financing opportunities.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to explore innovative financing mechanisms and investment opportunities for WASH financing projects.
• Ensure that findings and recommendations from various accountability mechanisms such as risks and Finance Audits, Program and Project evaluations etc are acted upon in a timely and effective manner.
• Actively support to the TP resource mobilization and provide the required information
• Ensure that all WASH Financing project are implemented in line with acceptable WV procedures, donor requirements and partners’ agreements.
• Ensure quality of project implementation and data, and contribute to documentation and dissemination as per WV procedures.
• Guide the adaptive learning process – both knowledge creation and application to future action Provide training and technical assistance to project teams and partners on WASH Financing

Mainstreaming

• Contribute to the mainstreaming of cross-cutting issues in all WVR WASH projects, in particular the integration of child protection, disability and gender. Ensure focus on Child Well-being outcomes

Minimum education, training and experience requirements to qualify for the position:

• Bachelor's Water Engineering, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field.
• A master's in any related fields will be an added advantage
• Proven experience (5 years) in WASH Financing, MFIs, preferably in water and sanitation financing or the development sector.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret financial data and trends.
• Knowledge of project management practices.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders including public engagement

Proficiency in MS Office suite.

Required Professional Experience

• An experienced professional with at least 5 years in finance, infrastructure and/or development work.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in implementing financing and MFI solutions in the development sector.
• Experience in managing relationships with multiple stakeholders such as central government agencies, local government officials, humanitarian/development organizations, community users’ groups, and financial entities.
• Experience with development project management tools such as log frames, monitoring and evaluation tools and budgets
• Cross-cultural sensitivity, flexible worldview, and ability to work with a wide range of people from different backgrounds.
• Experience in mainstreaming gender, environment, peace-building, disability, child protection, and or institutional development.
• Experience in problem-solving, especially adapting global best practices to local contexts.
• Proven ability to take and develop lessons and learning for project scale-up.

Preferred Skills, Knowledge and Experience:

• Should be fluent in English and Kinyarwanda
• Knowledge of water and sanitation programming approaches in the developing world
• Knowledge of financial and capital markets, and structuring of social impact funds
• Knowledge of retail microfinance or banking
• Knowledge of how private donations and grant-funded projects can be built into financing strategies.
• Experience of reporting to funders

Knowledge of local water and sanitation policies and financing framework

Salary:

The salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

 NB: Women are highly encouraged to apply.  

How to apply:

Should you wish to apply for this position, please go:

https://worldvision.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/WorldVisionInternational/details/WASH-Financing-Specialist_JR33246

If this is your first time applying online via the World Vision International careers website, you will need to register an account along with your application details. This site will provide you with additional functionality, such as saved searches and email alerts. Registration requires minimal information to create your account. Further details will be collected during the application process.

All applicants must apply using our online application system, CVs received via email or standard post will NOT be considered.

In case you face any challenges in applying, please let us know on wvrwanda-recruitment@wvi.org (no applications will be accepted through this email).The closing date for submission of applications is 30^th June 2024; no late applications will be accepted. World Vision is committed to adult and child safeguarding and does not employ staff whose background is not suitable for working with children and vulnerable adults. All employment is conditional upon successful completion of all applicable background checks, including criminal record checks.

Note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.