TOR: Project Officer
This document describes the terms of reference for selecting a Project Officer for the Water Quality Assurance Fund (WQAF) as part of the Rural Evidence and Learning for Water (REAL-Water) project starting in November 2022.
Background to the REAL-Water program
Rural Evidence and Learning for Water (REAL-Water) is an $18.9 million research program funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented over five years (2021-2026) by a seven-organization consortium led by the Aquaya Institute.
The Department of Civil Engineering of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) is working with partners led by Aquaya Institute to implement the REAL-Water project, which aims to expand access to safe, equitable and sustainable rural water across developing worlds.
KNUST leads one of the research streams under the REAL-Water project: Water Safety Plans and supports Aquaya in the implementation and evaluation of the Water Quality Assurance Fund (WQAF), which focuses on the impacts of water quality monitoring on water treatment and consumer satisfaction at scale.
Description of the Water Quality Assurance Fund
The Water Quality Assurance Fund (herein referred to as the Assurance Fund) is a mechanism to promote water quality testing while relying on existing actors and capacity. The Assurance Fund encourages existing laboratories to provide water quality monitoring services to small water systems. The Assurance Fund’s primary role is to guarantee that laboratories get paid for testing activities and mitigate the risk of non-payment by the small water systems. From March 2020 to January 2021, Aquaya piloted and evaluated the Assurance Fund with water systems in Asutifi North, a rural district in the Ahafo region of Ghana.
To support a robust evaluation, REAL-Water is expanding the Water Quality Assurance Fund model beyond the initial pilot district of Asutifi North in Ghana. The team has engaged local authorities in the Ahafo and Bono regions (Regional Coordinating Councils, Community Water and Sanitation Agency) and approached three districts for enrollment in the Assurance Fund.
About the Project Officer Position
We are recruiting for a full-time position based remotely (40 hours/week). The Project Officer will
directly report to the KNUST’s Water Quality Management Research Lead (REAL-Water) and indirectly to the Principal Investigator (REAL-Water). This position will primarily work on the Water Quality Assurance Fund and other REAL-Water activities led by KNUST.
Job description
The Project Officer will oversee the implementation of WQAF in the various target districts in Ghana. This position requires that the person resides near the KNUST in Kumasi as assigned and defined in the employment contract. A successful REAL-Water Project Officer will:
- Maintain regular contact with GWCL Sunyani, District Assemblies, KNUST REAL-Water team, and other stakeholders.
- Travel to project/field locations to carry-out data collection or training.
- Engage local stakeholders (government, utilities, community leaders, water system operators, etc.) on the WQAF.
- Oversee the effective coordination of all assigned REAL-Water activities, including monthly water quality testing activities by GWCL laboratory.
- Review and determine the eligibility of water systems for enrollment into the WQAF.
- Ensure good record-keeping for all transactions related to the REAL-Water program.
- Maintain a database of water quality results.
- Disseminate monthly water quality results data to water system managers.
- Contribute to knowledge dissemination through the preparation of presentations and briefs.
- Work on and submit reports on the REAL-Water program.
Requirement for the Program Officer Position
The following qualifications are necessary for this position:
- MSc degree in a related field or a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 5 years in a management position.
- At least two (2) years of experience in water and /or wastewater engineering or community development work.
- Minimum of two years of practical field project implementation experience in the water sector, specifically in water quality.
- Experience in stakeholder engagement.
- Experience in the use of project management software, preferably Smartsheet.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills (English and Twi are the preferred languages).
- Ability to be analytical and think strategically.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
- Able to multitask and be deadline oriented.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills and open to feedback and continuous learning.
- Proficiency in report writing and presentation skills.
- Attention to detail with exceptional data management skills.
- Excellent project planning, monitoring, and management skills.
- A strong work ethic and self-starter demonstrating initiative.
- Experience and comfort working in the field with the ability and willingness to travel.
Compensation and Benefits
This is a full-time position with an initial 3-month probationary period. KNUST offers competitive wages that are commensurate with experience.
How To Apply
Please submit your resume via e-mail to realwater@knust.edu.gh along with a thoughtful cover letter. The deadline for submission is November 30, 2022, but it may be filled out sooner. Once your resume is received, there will be an additional screening survey and activity.
Please explain why you are interested in working on the REAL-Water project and activities in your cover letter. Please also tell us why your skills, background, and accomplishments make you the ideal candidate for this position, specifically highlighting your experience.
Please note that we will not consider applications without a cover letter. In your e-mail subject line, please specify “Program Officer, REAL-Water 2022”. No phone calls, please. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or nationality.