Job Title: Utility Technical Specialist
Reference: UTS
Location: Rivers State, Nigeria
Organisation: Sustainable Water and Sanitation in Africa (SUWASA)
Sustainable Water and Sanitation in Africa (SUWASA) is a regional program financed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by Tetra Tech (a company based in the USA) from the Regional Office in Nairobi, Kenya. The mission of SUWASA is to foster 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 and the engagement of the private sector within a clear policy and regulatory framework.
SUWASA, with funding from USAID, is expanding the model for the design and implementation of the urban water sector reforms of Bauchi State into Rivers and Ebonyi States to assist the two states in creating an environment of sustainable commercial viability for the autonomous financial and management operations of urban water service providers.
To implement its activities in the 2 new states, SUWASA is seeking to employ immediately Nigerian nationals for the two full-time positions openings at each office in Port Harcourt Town, Rivers State and Abakaliki Town, Ebonyi State. Interested candidates meeting the qualifications, experience, and skills outlined below are encouraged to apply for the respective positions openings.
Tetra Tech, implementing the SUWASA project, is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in regards to applicant gender, creed or religious beliefs.
Key Responsibilities:
• Assist in the preparation of technical reports, scheduling and leading meetings, advising SUWASA, and drafting operating manuals;
• Provide technical input and support to the project in managing relevant consultancies;
• Develop training programs to implement policies and programs, train technicians and other personnel on policies, procedures, and compliance issues;
• Assist in designing and implementing a performance agreement between the Water Board and the utility that provides transparent and measurable performance standards, targets, and associated incentives;
• Identify operational constraints and develop, evaluate or recommend policies and procedures to improve operations, mitigate risks, increase revenues and decrease costs;
• Assist in developing the utility's business plan and developing a capital investment program;
• Assist in the provision of corporate services and management information on the utility's performance and provide strategic and analytical support to all functions;
• Support the design of a performance improvement plan addressing all operations of the utility;
• Support the utility in enhancing house connections, and metering;
• Support the review or undertaking of customer enumeration exercise to establish a reliable customer database to improve billing and collection efficiencies;
• Support the development of a small investment program (SIP) for the utility to enhance operations and service delivery. Under the SIP, assist in designing a sub-program that leads to water audits, leak detection exercises, waste control, water demand management or other relevant technical investigations to control non-revenue water.
Qualifications and Experience:
• At least a Master's degree in Engineering, Utility Management with an initial degree in Civil or Mechanical Engineering;
• A minimum of 6 years professional experience with a utility operations project;
• Knowledge of the issues and challenges of the water and sanitation sector in Nigeria;
• Ability to conduct investigations of complex issues involving water utility systems and practices;
• Systematic thinker, strategic planner in establishing goals, objectives and priorities; organizing and executing around priorities;
• Experience in preparing persuasive technical reports and making verbal presentations, explaining issues in a clear and concise manner;
• Ability to innovate and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of a utility;
• Experience working with computer software such as Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, design packages, and other applications relevant to the sector.
How to apply:
Interested candidates should email an updated, current CV with three references and a cover letter to: recruit@ard-suwasa.org, with subject line indicating the specific office of interest: (e.g. UTS, Rivers State).
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview and successful candidates will be hired as soon as they are available. Compensation will be commensurate with qualification and relevant experience.
Salary and benefits offered will be in conformance with project local compensation plan.
For more information about SUWASA please visit www.usaid-suwasa.org. (Note: The SUWASA website may be unavailable at present due to site re-design currently in progress.)
The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday, May 10, 2013 (Or later date as determined by SUWASA)
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