Jobs at Water Sector Trust Fund

Purpose

• The job holder is responsible for supporting at least 7 WSPs to improve on commercial viability and creditworthiness and attract commercial financing. The Senior WASH Engineer, CVF Programme will play a key role in supporting the WSPs develop bankable proposals for expanding water services and accessing
• funds to actualise the projects. Further, the Officer is expected to support in transfer of skills in project management and business modelling to turn around utility’s operational and commercial performance.

Reporting

• The Senior WASH Engineer, CVF Programme will report to the CVF Programme Coordinator and work closely with the Managing Director of the various WSPs in addition to the Counties leadership.
• In addition, the Officer is expected to work closely with the Senior Finance Specialist, CVF Programme who shall take lead during the execution of the assignments.

Job Description

The following are specific duties and tasks of the Senior WASH Engineer:

• Engage with water company stakeholders, including, Board of directors, senior management teams, county water department, WaterFund and WASREB, to understand regulatory requirements, utility performance status and business opportunity for improvement for the supported WSPs.
• Conduct comprehensive assessments of water company systems including various policies/SOPs to identify, document and implement opportunities for optimisation, efficiency improvement, and cost reduction initiatives i.e. process optimisation, equipment upgrades, and billing automation solutions.
• Provide technical leadership, technical support and oversight to the development and implementation of utility turnaround strategies.
• Identify and promote innovative technologies, methodologies, and approaches to address emerging challenges, improve operational efficiency, and enhance the resilience of water company systems.
• Provide technical expertise and guidance in the design, development, and implementation of water infrastructure projects, including distribution networks, storage facilities, and pumping stations packaged in a bankable proposal for commercial financing.
• Lead in technical reviews and evaluations of project designs, specifications, and deliverables to verify compliance with technical requirements, regulatory standards, and industry best practices.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams, including environmental consultants, regulatory organisations, and community stakeholders, to integrate suggested technical considerations with environmental, regulatory, and social aspects of water projects.
• Where applicable, work with utilities to prepare tariff review proposals and work with WASREB to implement the new tariff regime.
• Compile program reports on a timely basis in liaison with other program staff.
• Provide training, capacity building, and technical support to utilities staff to enhance their skills, knowledge, and capabilities in water infrastructure design, operation, and maintenance.
• Share technical expertise, lessons learned, and best practices with utility staff, industry peers, and professional networks through conferences, workshops, and publications to promote knowledge dissemination and collaboration.

Qualification
The following qualifications, experience and skills are required:

• Master’s Degrees in Civil/Water Engineering, Project Management or related fields.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil or Water engineering or related field.
• Minimum of 8 years’ experience in the water services field, 4 of which must be at the relevant field in senior level.
• Valid practicing certificate with EBK as a Professional Engineer.
• Be a registered Lead Expert in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) registered with NEMA with valid practicing license.
• Extensive experience transforming business performance on an entity through performance improvement plans.
• Demonstrated WASH sector experience.
• Good computer skills in word processing, spreadsheets, design applications and data modelling.
• Experience in development data analysis, documentation and reporting.
• Good communication skills with demonstrated skills for reporting, knowledge transfer and advocacy.

Duration

• This is a temporary position for a period of one year with a possibility of extension depending on availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

Purpose

The Job holder isresponsible in supporting at least 7 WSPs to optimise their financial operations in line with their business objectives and mandate. The Officer will work closely with WSPs management to perform financial analysis, developing financial models, assess financial risk and preparing financial forecasts and strategies. In addition, the Officer will assist WSPs establish and improve their institutional structural unit, capabilities, impact and effectiveness by conducting comprehensive assessments of existing institutional structures, policies and procedures to identify areas for improvement and development. In execution of its duties, the Officer will engage with stakeholders to understand organisational objectives, challenges, and opportunities, and subsequently formulating tailored strategies and action plans to address identified gaps.

Reporting

• The Senior Finance Specialist, CVF Programme will report to the CVF Programme Coordinator and work closely with the Managing Director of the various WSPs in addition to the Counties leadership.
• In addition, the Officer is expected to work closely with the Senior WASH Officer while taking lead during the execution of the CVF Programme activities.

Job Description

The following are specific duties and tasks of the Senior Financial Specialist:

• Conduct a comprehensive analysis of financial cash flows including revenue streams, operating expenses, capital expenditures debt management. Identify areas for optimisation i.e. Non-Revenue Water management to improve overall financial performance.
• Conduct WSPs organisational assessments.
• Evaluate the current business model to assess strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Recommend strategies for enhancing the business model to drive efficiency and effectiveness.
• Assess process efficiencies related to water delivery especially on software’s and technologies involved and billing processes for improvement of revenue streams.
• Conduct a comparative analysis of tariff structures in similar water utilities. Provide recommendations for adjusting tariff structures to ensure competitiveness and fairness while maximising revenue and maintaining affordability for customers.
• Develop a detailed implementation plan for recommended strategies. Outline timelines and resource requirements for executing the proposed initiatives.
• Carry out financial analysis and determine optimal financial cash flows of the water utility, including revenue streams, operating expenses, and capital expenditures.
• Formulate viable Business models and identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to recommend strategies for improvement.
• Carry out system evaluation and process efficiencies related to water delivery to customers, billing processes, and tariff structures to identify areas for enhancement.
• Analyse tariff structures in similar water utilities to ensure competitiveness and provide recommendations for enhancing revenue generation while maintaining customer affordability.
• Develop an implementation plan for recommended strategies, including timelines and resource requirements.
• Provide capacity building, mentorship and coaching to the WSPs on financial matters and institutional development.
•  Support the WSPs to develop strategies to address identified gaps and challenges aimed at supporting the improvement of the WSPs performance, strategic focus, organisation culture, systems or structures.
• Support WSPs in identifying partnerships both public and private that can work together to facilitate the realisation their goals and objectives.
• Support the assessment of effectiveness of interventions, refining approaches based on feedback and emerging needs, and advocating for necessary institutional reforms with the WSPs to support long-term growth and resilience.

Qualifications

The following qualifications, experience and skills are required:

• A Masters Degree in Finance, Organisational Development or related field.
• Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Finance, Statistics, or relevant field.
• Must be a Certified Public Accountant (CPAK) or Certified Financial Analyst (CFA) or Certified Chartered Accountant (ACCA).
• Valid practicing certificate with EBK.
• Minimum of 8 years’ experience in the financial field, 4 of which must be relevant experience in financial and institutional development at a senior role.
• Demonstrate track record on business management with success in enhancing profitability (O&M cost coverage), operations efficiency and human resource management for a commercial entity.
• Relevant experience in the water sector and water utility operations.
• Professional experience in developing comprehensive institutional capacity building plans and strategies.
• Previous working experience in investment appraisal, project finance and corporate finance with understanding of financial cash-flow modelling.
• Good computer skills in word processing, spread sheets and data modelling.
• Good communication skills with demonstrated skills for reporting, knowledge transfer and advocacy.

Duration of the assignment

• This is a temporary position for a period of one year with a possibility of extension depending on availability of funds