Position: Program Manager

Organization: Water Org

Key Responsibilities

Exploration and Strategy (25%)                                                                                                   

Develop programmatic strategy and facilitate research and development of new models for implementing programs and/ or developing new channels and partner geographies for implementation. Key tasks and responsibilities include:

• Participate in strategy sessions at the country level and assist with developing country work plans 
• Support and implement strategy for financing WASH micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) 
• Conduct partner certification/ due diligence for potential new partners, including scheduling, reviewing data and materials and visiting partners
• Support the Global Learning team in improving?Water.org’s?ability to execute, expand, and apply its program models to new geographies.

Program Design and Implementation; Manage Partner Relations ( 30%)                      

Provide support for the design and implementation of Water.org models and approaches:

• Review and approve?Concept Notes and/ or proposals of partners. Provide technical support to partners as necessary to ensure lessons learned and best practices are incorporated into program design
• Design program activities, work plans, and formal agreements (e.g., memoranda of understanding, contracts, etc.) for Advisory Services engagements
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with partner program implementation teams
• Leading and streamlining WASH MSME stream 
• Assess and analyse data; Identify performance challenges to be addressed by partners in order to scale rapidly; Encourage practitioner organizations to apply WaterCredit principles
• Provide support to partners by reviewing information at each phase of the product development cycle and offering technical advice/ assistance
• Mitigate risks to program implementation by addressing areas of risk with partners and assisting them in developing risk mitigation plans.

Program Monitoring and Evaluation  (15%)                                                                              

Support the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) team in their efforts to ensure standard M&E practices across operations. 

• Ensure M&E staff are alerted to address potential gaps between current and anticipated program or operational activities, identify data and research needs to build the evidence-base, inform current and future strategy, program design, promote and encourage staff engagement with M&E practices
• Ensure partners submit quality reports and upload data on time in accordance with?Water.org?requirements. Review partner reports and data uploads and complete initial approval or rejection of loan data in the WaterPortal
• Monitor partner progress toward program deliverables and budget burn rates and provide regular feedback to partners
• Monitor partner reports on availability of loan capital to ensure continuality of program implementation and sustainability of WaterCredit portfolio.

Program Learning (15%)                                                                       

• Collaborate with Learning & Development team to identify training needs of partner organization, assist in designing IEC materials and facilitate training programs
• Assist in supporting the Global Learning team in planning events such as Partner Exchange Visits and WaterCredit Forum.
• Manage project lifecycle, oversee the implementation of several related projects, analyse information and formulate appropriate action, mitigating risk, and apply lessons learned
• Stays up to date on sound knowledge of concepts, methodologies and techniques including demonstrated expertise in at least one specialty area within finance, WSS and/or economic development.

Other Tasks (15%)                                                                                                                 

• Mentor new staff members and support non-programmatic visits as assigned by the management. Manage special projects from time to time as provided by management.

4.  Management Responsibility:

Individual contributor with no subordinates.

• This description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required. Some duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

5.  Skills and Competencies

• Customer Focus – Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
• Nimble Learning – Actively learning through experimentation when taking on new problems, using both successes and failures as learning fodder.
• Drives Results – Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances.
• Collaborates – Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Self-development – Actively seeking new ways to grow and be challenged using other formal and informal development channels.
• Optimize Work Processes – Knowing the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Manages Ambiguity – Manages ambiguity by operating effectively, even when things are not certain or the way forward is not clear.
• Instills Trust – Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
• Financial Stewardship – Demonstrates fiscally responsible decision making as applicable to one’s role.

In addition to Individual Contributor competencies, the following competencies apply to this position:

• Business Insight - Applying knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the organization’s goals.
• Communicates Effectively - Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.

6.  Qualifications

• Applicants must have a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Applicants with a Master’s degree in a relevant field shall be preferred. Applicants with relevant certifications, trainings and coursework shall be at an advantage.
• Applicants must possess a minimum of 5 years + of project and program management experience in the areas of priority sector lending, financial inclusion, rural banking, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME), microfinance, financial consultancy, or international economic development; Out of which, minimum 3 years with Bank/SFB is preferred. Exposure in MSME area is one of mandatory requirement.
• Demonstrated experience in water supply and sanitation sectors is an advantage.
• Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in facilitation and capacity building to ensure collaboration and linkages between staff, donors, partners and stakeholders.
• Familiar with capacity building and technical assistance programs in the finance and/or WSS sectors with exposure in MSME segment
• Ability to travel up to 30-40% of the time is essential.
• Strong business writing skills and communication proficiency in English is required.

Travel Requirement: Up to 40% of domestic travel.

Salary/Benefits

This position offers country-specific benefits and market-based, competitive salary; as well as periodic review for merit and incentive pay based on organizational and personal achievement.

7. REFERENCE: While applying, to mention in the subject line as “Application for the position of PROGRAM MANAGER”