Rural Water Services Manager at Catholic Relief Services

Please note that this position is contingent upon funding. Reports To: DCoP/Water Services Technical Lead Country/Location: Kenya/Kisumu Length of Contract: 5 years About CRS**
/> Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, WASH, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding. Western Water Program
Western Water program seek to strengthen the water sector in Western Kenya by addressing underlying constraints in the syst
em through data and technology, process innovation, coordination between sector stakeholders, and behaviour change. The project goal is to ensure efficiency of water service delivery, better use of water resources, strengthened sector governance, and increased investment by the private sector. The project targets the rural and urban water services, and water resource
s
management in 8 counties: Kisumu, Kakamega, Busia, Bungoma, Kisii, Migori, Homabay and Siaya. On the Western Water program, CRS is part of a consortium led by Kenya Markets Trust. Job Summary:
As the Rural Water Services Manager, you will be responsible for supporting improved services delivery for the targeted rural schemes in the project area. The incumbent will collaboratively work with the county government and other stakeholders to facilitate professionalization and regulation of rural water services through implementation of context-fit Service Delivery Models.
/> Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the rural water services component and provide technical assistance towards accelerated professionalization and regulation of rural water services across the targeted region.
• Conceptualize and implement innovative approaches to provide targeted support rural water utili
  ties
  and strengthen their operational performance.
• Support identification of strategic rural water facilities for infrastructural improvement.
• Effectively manage talent and supervise the Rural water services specialists, manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans and complete performance management for direct reports.
• Participate in WASH networks, meetings, and select technical working groups as appropriate to represent the project to ensure collaboration and project visibility.
• Provide integral support to rural water services delivery knowledge management efforts.
• Maintain relationships with key staff of consortium partner organizations regarding rural water services in line with CRS partnership principles.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Very good strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-sol
  ving s
  kills, with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment and decisions.
• Very good relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
• Team leadership abilities with diverse/multi-disciplinary teams.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented, and results-oriented.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Rural water services specialists (4 positions)
Key Working Relationships:
Internal: Chief of Party, Deputy chief of party Donor, Western water program consortium members, Country Representative, Head of Programming, Programming staff, Finance Manager, Deputy Regional Director for Program Quality, Regional Technical Advisors, HQ based Public Donor Liaison.
External: Government agencies, partner INGOs and local NGOs, peer
agencies
, community representatives, private sector actors, including financial institutions.
Basic Qualifications

• Graduate/Master’s degree in a relevant discipline; Environmental science, water/civil engineering required.
• Relevant professional qualifications an added advantage.
• Minimum 7 years of relevant professional experience in water services delivery in Kenya and understanding water sector policy environment.
• Demonstrated experience of successful management, including management of functions of complex, multi-activity projects.
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
• Experience engaging partners and strengthening partnerships.

Further Qualifications:

• Good knowledge of gender responsive and/or transformative WASH system strengthening and governa
  nce princi
  ples, methods, and monitoring tools.
• Knowledge/experience in market-based approaches to develop WASH services.
• Experience working in the Kenya context, preferably in Western Kenya.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)
These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Integrity
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
What we offer:
CRS offers a comprehensive benefi
ts package a
nd the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.
CRS’ emphasis on family values supports benefits, including maternity and paternity leave, policies that promote exclusive breastfeeding, the availability of a baby room at the office, and flexible working hours where possible.
*Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secul
ar traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
CRS Kenya strives to be a place where a diverse mix of tale
nted people wa
nt to come and work, stay, and do their best.
CRS provides equal employment opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants for employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry or national origin, sex, age, marital status, physical or mental disability or handicap, medical condition and any other status protected by law. As an equal opportunity employer, CRS will recruit, hire, train and promote persons solely on their qualifications and abilities. Women are highly encouraged to apply.
*By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to
treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate m
y behaviors rela
ted to the above safeguarding-related topics.*

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.