Rural Water Specialist at DAI Kenya - Development Alternatives, Inc.

The Western Kenya Water Project (WKWP) is a 5-year USAID funded project whose purpose is to increase the availability of, and access to, water services in Western Kenya, while enabling better management of water resources. The GOK’s goals for devolution and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals will drive our implementation of the Program, and we will thus focus on enabling county-wide approaches, supported by accessible models, tools, and data necessary for water security. We will employ an efficient and collaborative approach that makes best use of the natural, human, and financial resources available in Kenya across the public and private sectors. The project will work across eight counties in Western Kenya—Bungoma, Busia, Homa Bay, Kakamega, Kisii, Kisumu, Migori, and Siaya within the Lake Victoria North and South Basins.

The Western Kenya Water Project has the following three goals:

• To increase the ability of selected county governments and service providers to deliver good quality, reliable, and safe water services to urban, peri-urban, and rural populations.
• To strengthen the systems within which providers operate—including governance, financing, and WRM—building a foundation for continued, sustained improvements in country water services.
• To support sector inclusivity, by helping to create channels for increased participation and meaningful engagement of the private sector, women and youth.

Objectives of the Assignment

The Rural Water Specialist will be responsible for implementing rural water service improvements in collaboration with County government and stakeholders, and in coordination with other WKWP component teams.

3. Tasks & Responsibilities

• Identify, adapt, and support implementation of Service Delivery Models (SDMs) including design and implementation of capacity building and technical assistance to support corporate governance, business planning, revenue improvement strategies, customer service, NRW and water quality management.
• Support development of a suite of 4–6 SDMs aligned to rural typologies, with associated guidance and learning for the use of other sector stakeholders.
• With WASREB and county government, increase regulation in the rural sector including through licensing, contracting and County oversight
• Facilitate county and service provider co-investment in last-mile measures
• Support identification of strategic rural water infrastructure for increased access, last-mile improvements.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen Water monitoring and evaluation in target rural communities
• Provide regular and timely inputs into quarterly, and annual reports, as well as annual work plan to the Water Services Lead
• Other tasks as required by supervisor.

 Qualifications and Experience

• 7+ years of experience working in rural water-related programs, preferably donor-funded.
• Good understanding of the technical and governance issues related to rural service provision issues in Western Kenya.
• Knowledge of WASREB and Government of Kenya guidelines and objectives for rural service delivery.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field required; Master’s degree in a related area preferred.
• English language written competence and verbal fluency.

Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent analytical skills and the ability to summarize information in a clear and concise manner.
• Training skills to build the capacity of partner institutions such as subcontractor partners, government institutions, WSPs, etc.
• Ability to work independently to efficiently meet deadlines.
• Oral and written communication skills to effectively communicate with other staff, county government officials and the local communities.