Programme Officer, New Initiatives Unit

Based in Vauxhall, London with up to 6 weeks of travel per year

£24,458 pa, 11 month contract

Please Note: Only candidates able to take up the post on a full-time basis as of 1 August 2009 will be considered.

In the past five years, the combined budget of Country Programmes (CPs) has seen an almost four-fold growth. Based on conservative estimates, this budget is expected to grow by another 67% over the next five years. As it is crucial for WaterAid to retain its dynamism, energy and creativity, there is a need for space with the International Programmes Department (IPD) to promote and develop new dimensions of work, pilot new ideas, and further develop a working culture that inspires innovation and creativity. The NIU will thus be crucial for the successful implementation of the new Global Strategy, and in particular for putting the programmatic shifts (such as climate change, rights-based approach, multi-sector approach, sector capacity building, and influencing) into practice.

This will be the NIU's very first year of operation, and the focus will be on setting up the unit with the necessary human and financial resources and on developing its key areas of work.

Under the management of the New Initiatives Unit, you will be responsible for supporting WaterAid to develop its approach to Pan-Africa and climate change work, assessing and potentially scaling up existing Innovation Fund projects, and working towards the further development of an organisational culture and framework required to support and pilot innovative ideas. The emphasis in the NIU’s first year will particularly be on working cross-departmentally to develop the NIU’s Strategy as well as the Strategy for WaterAid’s Pan-Africa work. You will also be responsible for ensuring that information related to NIU’s work is efficiently and effectively disseminated across the organisation.

Working closely with various departments within WaterAid, in particular the Policy and Campaigns Department (PCD) and Programme Funding Unit (PFU), as well as other INGOs, key partners and networks, multi-sectoral experts, Country Programme staff and sector stakeholders, the incumbent will play a key role in the success of setting up the new Unit for its very first year of operation and developing its key areas of work.
 
With experience in the development and/or charity sector, you will hold a degree in a relevant subject or have equivalent demonstrable work experience, and possess highly developed administrative, documentation, research, presentation and writing skills. Knowledge of the water and sanitation sector and excellent interpersonal relationship, presentation and communication skills are also highly desirable, as would a working knowledge of French, Portuguese or Spanish. You will be expected to travel for a total of approximately 6 weeks.

To find out more and apply, please download the Programme Officer, New Initiatives Unit information pack ( Word 602KB).

Complete CVs with a covering letter that clearly demonstrate why you are suitable for this position, should be sent to jobs@wateraid.org.

Closing Date: Wednesday 8 July 2009

Interviews: Week commencing 13 July 2009