For the full edition of the Water Advocates newsletter, please email me. Here are the most salient items:
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Water Advocates eNewsletter, Special End of Summer 2010 Edition
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Dear Friends of Water Advocates,
As you must know by now Water Advocates will sunset on December 17, 2010. As of today there are 107 days until the doors close of the first full-time advocacy organization focused soley on global safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene. If you want to keep track of the time remaining you can visit the Water Advocates countdown site ( http://bit.ly/aRn3Tz).
Because our time is so short, we want to take the opportunity to send out a special summer edition of the Water Advocates eNewsletter. Please read through as there are a number of important news items and activities happening in the WASH sector.
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Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Schools Update
===================================================
A series of events is being organized in October to launch the WASH in Schools call-to-action document and campaign called Raising Clean Hands. The initiative will be launched in the morning on October 13. An additional event raising awareness and creating action among youth will be held in coordination with Global Handwashing Day on October 15. Please save the dates.
More details will be available soon.
If you have questions please contact Elynn Walter, ewalter@wateradvocates.org.
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Government News
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++State’s 2010 Water for the Poor Act Report
The State Department’s Annual Report to Congress on the Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act has been released. It is available on the State Department's website.
http://www.state.gov/g/oes/water/index.htm
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Special Section on WASH Disasters
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++Pakistan Flood Relief
Pakistan has been hit by massive floods that have been ongoing since the beginning of August. Current estimates are that over 15 million people have been directly affected. Humanitarian organizations are providing basics including clean water, medicine and shelter to those that can be reached.
http://bit.ly/dmVf7n
++Cholera in Nigeria and Cameroon
A cholera outbreak has erupted this summer in Africa, killing more than 600 people in the neighboring countries of Nigeria and Cameroon.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/08/27/africa.cholera/
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Funding News
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++El Salvador gets $44 Million for Water Program
In August the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved a $44 million program to improve water and sanitation services in El Salvador. The program is backed by a $20 million IDB loan and a $24 million grant from the Spanish government's cooperation fund for water and sanitation in Latin America and the Caribbean.
http://www.waterworld.com/index/display/news_display/1236809297.html
++Malawi to Benefit from $40 Million Water and Sanitation Project
In August it was announced that Malawi will benefit from a $40 million peri-urban water and sanitation project. The project will be funded through a European Union (EU) water facility grant and a subsidized loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) and support from the Malawian government.
http://bit.ly/bVaShL
++Mexican Municipality Invests $39 Million in Water and Sewerage
In August Sideapa, the public water and sewerage utility serving Gomez Palacio city in Mexico's Durango state, announced that it has invested $39.9 million over the past three years in building and repairing potable water and sanitation infrastructure.
http://www.waterworld.com/index/display/news_display/1245045303.html
++Honduras to Invest $16 Million in Water and Sanitation
In August the Honduran national water authority announced that it will invest $16.7 million to repair and build potable water and sanitation infrastructure throughout the country.
http://www.waterworld.com/index/display/news_display/1248317029.html
++Gates Foundation Awards $5.6 Million to Water For People
In August Water For People announced that it was awarded a $5.6 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support their Sanitation as a Business program.
http://www.waterforpeople.org/media-center/press-release/sanitation-as-a-business-funding.html
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More News
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++State Department Seeks Partnership with India on Water
In an editorial published by Voice of America, the US Department of State suggested that partnerships with Indian and US businesses and NGOs could result in new ways to contribute to India’s efforts to meet the United Nations Millennium Development Goals for safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene.
http://www.voanews.com/policy/editorials/Partnering-With-India-On-Water-100144524.html
++World Water Day 2011
A coalition of organizations has started to brainstorm about what the WASH sector should do for World Water Day in 2011. The idea is to make it even better than World Water Day 2010, which featured a first-ever address by a US Secretary of State about the global WASH crisis. In order to continue to grow momentum for the sector and ensure that advocacy work achieves real and sustainable results, this coalition is making plans to grow and garner resources and support for its efforts. We encourage you and/or your organization to participate in this coalition. For more information please contact John Sauer, jsauer@wateradvocates.org.
++Melinda Gates Calls for More Efforts to Stop Diarrhea
In an August Huffington Post blog Melinda Gates suggests that we talk about diarrhea because, as she says, by "doing just that because we have the opportunity to save 4,000 children's lives every day by preventing diarrhea-related illnesses."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/melinda-gates/saving-children-stopping_b_673956.html
++Jeffrey Sachs Calls Water and Sanitation "Major Gap"
Ahead of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Summit in September, Professor Jeffrey Sachs has outlined eight "major gaps" which need to be overcome if the MDGs are to be achieved. Water and sanitation were among the eight and he called on world leaders to arrive at the New York meeting next month "with the agreed plans, partnerships, and financing to accelerate our progress."
http://allafrica.com/stories/201008250896.html
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Information Resources
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EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
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++WaterAid Job Opening in Washington DC
WaterAid America is recruiting for the position of Head of Policy and Advocacy. To see the job description and instructions on how to apply for this position, please visit WaterAid America website. No phone calls please.
http://www.wateraidamerica.org/get_involved/jobs/default.aspx
++First Ever World Toilet Summit in the US
Hosted by the American Society of Plumbing Engineers, the first ever US International Code Council World Toilet Summit will take place October 30-November 3. Registration information is available on the International Code Council website.
http://www.iccsafe.org/Communities/PMG/Pages/WTS.aspx?r=ICCWTS
++Film Contest: Win $20,000
We encourage you to submit a five-minute WASH film that tells the story of progress in developing countries and that shows the progress being made towards achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Grand prize is $20,000 and the deadline has been extended to September 3.
http://www.linktv.org/viewchangefilmcontest
++MDG Summit Taking Place September 20-22
Water Advocates and many other organizations see the MDG Summit as a key opportunity to push for progress on sanitation and water for all. End Water Poverty's site has an array of useful advocacy documents pertaining to the MDG Summit.
http://www.endwaterpoverty.org/take_action/215.asp
++WSSCC Request for Proposals: Global Sanitation Fund
The Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) seeks proposals from qualified firms, consultants or organizations to be the “Country Programme Monitor (CPM)” for the Global Sanitation Fund (GSF) in Burkina Faso and Ethiopia. The CPM verifies GSF program implementation in country and reports to WSSCC. Deadline for Ethiopia is September 10; more information is available here: http://bit.ly/dr6pwy. Deadline for Burkina Faso is September 13; more information is available here: http://bit.ly/cUX9jR.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Grand Challenges in Global Health / Gates Foundation
Just making sure you are following Gates’ latest Grand Challenge round. Of particular interest might be their sanitation challenge this year:
Create the Next Generation of Sanitation Technologies
[[The goal of this topic is to generate original and innovative ideas for technologies to support sustainable sanitation services for the excreta of billions of people who are not served by centralized, waterborne sanitation. We are looking for innovations in non-conventional technologies with potential to be adopted due to their affordability, durability, convenience, aesthetic design, and effectiveness. Innovations that leverage nutrient capture, energy reuse or industrial usage may make sense as a means of adding income or reducing costs in the sanitation service delivery chain.]]
Here are the rest of challenges, including the polio eradication challenge which links polio to safe water and sanitation:
http://www.gatesfoundation.org/global-health/Pages/grand-challenges-explorations.aspx
Create the Next Generation of Sanitation Technologies
[[The goal of this topic is to generate original and innovative ideas for technologies to support sustainable sanitation services for the excreta of billions of people who are not served by centralized, waterborne sanitation. We are looking for innovations in non-conventional technologies with potential to be adopted due to their affordability, durability, convenience, aesthetic design, and effectiveness. Innovations that leverage nutrient capture, energy reuse or industrial usage may make sense as a means of adding income or reducing costs in the sanitation service delivery chain.]]
Here are the rest of challenges, including the polio eradication challenge which links polio to safe water and sanitation:
http://www.gatesfoundation.org/global-health/Pages/grand-challenges-explorations.aspx
Monday, August 16, 2010
Policy / Advocacy / Washington DC / WaterAid America job
WaterAid is currently recruiting for the position of Head of Policy and Advocacy in our Washington, DC office. Please see the job description and details on how to apply below. Also, please forward this along to contacts who you think might be good candidates for the position.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
WaterAid America
Head of Policy & Advocacy
July 2010
POSITION SUMMARY
Under the direction of the CEO of WaterAid America (WAA) and in close coordination with relevant colleagues throughout WaterAid, the Head of Policy & Advocacy is responsible for providing strategic direction and leadership in planning, implementing, and evaluating WAA’s policy analysis and advocacy work. S/he will also play a significant role in representing WAA, its work and public policy positions to high-profile external audiences and in adapting and disseminating policy and advocacy messages for various written and online communications, media, and fundraising purposes.
The Head of Policy and Advocacy is a permanent, full-time position and based in the Washington, DC office, with some time expected to be spent in WaterAid offices in New York. The Washington, DC office is a one person office with support from an intern. Additional positions may be added in the future, but this is contingent upon fundraising.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
• Design, implement, and evaluate WAA’s policy analysis and advocacy work.
• In coordination with the CEO, identify key goals, objectives, and activities to guide WAA’s policy analysis and advocacy work in order to further WaterAid’s global policy and advocacy agenda in the US context
• Undertake research and analysis on key policy issues related to international development, particularly US international water, sanitation, and hygiene policies and programs; track developments in the US policy environment, including ongoing assessment of Congressional actions, actions by the Administration, and related policy implementation processes
• Write and produce policy and advocacy outputs, such as reports, briefings, fact sheets and position papers.
• Serve as co-chair of a coalition of NGOs working on policy and advocacy related to water, sanitation, and hygiene; provide strategic guidance and oversight on priorities of the coalition; develop work plan for the group and lead on the execution of that work plan. This WASH working group is hosted by Interaction.
• Build effective relations with relevant US stakeholders, such as NGOs, think tanks, educational and research organizations
• Work closely with the policy and advocacy staff of other WaterAid members, specifically and predominantly with WaterAid UK, to ensure overall policy coherence and complementarity in advocacy activities
• Serve as a principal point of contact between WAA and other US advocates for water and sanitation, including the private sector, other NGOs, and the US government
• Work with WaterAid country programs as appropriate on policy research and contribute to country programs’ understanding of U.S. policies and processes
• Commission and supervise research undertaken by consultants, interns and students
• Build and strengthen relationships with relevant US government agencies and Members of Congress and their staff
• Work closely with WAA’s media and communications staff to communicate policy and advocacy messages; serve as a spokesperson for WAA when appropriate
• Support international and US campaigning activities, including liaising with the End Water Poverty Campaign.
• Represent WAA’s interests in selected national and international forums, as requested
• Manage the day-to-day activities of the WAA Washington, DC office
• Undertake other duties as requested by the CEO
QUALIFICATIONS
• Strong understanding of and commitment to WaterAid’s vision, values and approach
• A strong working knowledge of US government international development policies and processes and of US political, legislative, and NGO institutions
• The capacity, maturity and poise to represent WAA with high-level constituencies
• An understanding of international debates in water and sanitation and of how to influence international development institutions and aid agencies in this area
• Demonstrated high level advocacy and/or negotiation experience with government departments and agencies, politicians and relevant sectoral interests.
• Proven experience in coalition building, negotiation, and influencing
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, including excellent writing ability
• Media handling and public speaking skills
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, coupled with strong analytical acumen
• Proven leadership and management skills
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, multi-task, set priorities, and meet deadlines
• Post-graduate [or equivalent] qualification in one of the following areas: water, sanitation, hygiene education, community development, public policy, economics, social sciences or other relevant areas.
• Significant experience of working in the field of international development
To apply for this position, please send a resume and cover letter to Kay Frew at kfrew ((at)) wateraidamerica ((dot)) org with your name and “Head of Policy and Advocacy” in the subject field. No phone calls please. Deadline for applications is August 25, 2010.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
WaterAid America
Head of Policy & Advocacy
July 2010
POSITION SUMMARY
Under the direction of the CEO of WaterAid America (WAA) and in close coordination with relevant colleagues throughout WaterAid, the Head of Policy & Advocacy is responsible for providing strategic direction and leadership in planning, implementing, and evaluating WAA’s policy analysis and advocacy work. S/he will also play a significant role in representing WAA, its work and public policy positions to high-profile external audiences and in adapting and disseminating policy and advocacy messages for various written and online communications, media, and fundraising purposes.
The Head of Policy and Advocacy is a permanent, full-time position and based in the Washington, DC office, with some time expected to be spent in WaterAid offices in New York. The Washington, DC office is a one person office with support from an intern. Additional positions may be added in the future, but this is contingent upon fundraising.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
• Design, implement, and evaluate WAA’s policy analysis and advocacy work.
• In coordination with the CEO, identify key goals, objectives, and activities to guide WAA’s policy analysis and advocacy work in order to further WaterAid’s global policy and advocacy agenda in the US context
• Undertake research and analysis on key policy issues related to international development, particularly US international water, sanitation, and hygiene policies and programs; track developments in the US policy environment, including ongoing assessment of Congressional actions, actions by the Administration, and related policy implementation processes
• Write and produce policy and advocacy outputs, such as reports, briefings, fact sheets and position papers.
• Serve as co-chair of a coalition of NGOs working on policy and advocacy related to water, sanitation, and hygiene; provide strategic guidance and oversight on priorities of the coalition; develop work plan for the group and lead on the execution of that work plan. This WASH working group is hosted by Interaction.
• Build effective relations with relevant US stakeholders, such as NGOs, think tanks, educational and research organizations
• Work closely with the policy and advocacy staff of other WaterAid members, specifically and predominantly with WaterAid UK, to ensure overall policy coherence and complementarity in advocacy activities
• Serve as a principal point of contact between WAA and other US advocates for water and sanitation, including the private sector, other NGOs, and the US government
• Work with WaterAid country programs as appropriate on policy research and contribute to country programs’ understanding of U.S. policies and processes
• Commission and supervise research undertaken by consultants, interns and students
• Build and strengthen relationships with relevant US government agencies and Members of Congress and their staff
• Work closely with WAA’s media and communications staff to communicate policy and advocacy messages; serve as a spokesperson for WAA when appropriate
• Support international and US campaigning activities, including liaising with the End Water Poverty Campaign.
• Represent WAA’s interests in selected national and international forums, as requested
• Manage the day-to-day activities of the WAA Washington, DC office
• Undertake other duties as requested by the CEO
QUALIFICATIONS
• Strong understanding of and commitment to WaterAid’s vision, values and approach
• A strong working knowledge of US government international development policies and processes and of US political, legislative, and NGO institutions
• The capacity, maturity and poise to represent WAA with high-level constituencies
• An understanding of international debates in water and sanitation and of how to influence international development institutions and aid agencies in this area
• Demonstrated high level advocacy and/or negotiation experience with government departments and agencies, politicians and relevant sectoral interests.
• Proven experience in coalition building, negotiation, and influencing
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, including excellent writing ability
• Media handling and public speaking skills
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, coupled with strong analytical acumen
• Proven leadership and management skills
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, multi-task, set priorities, and meet deadlines
• Post-graduate [or equivalent] qualification in one of the following areas: water, sanitation, hygiene education, community development, public policy, economics, social sciences or other relevant areas.
• Significant experience of working in the field of international development
To apply for this position, please send a resume and cover letter to Kay Frew at kfrew ((at)) wateraidamerica ((dot)) org with your name and “Head of Policy and Advocacy” in the subject field. No phone calls please. Deadline for applications is August 25, 2010.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Water for the Poor Act 2010 Report to Congress
OK - everybody exhale now - (in particular the hardworking team at US State Department): the highly anticipated Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act 2010 Report to Congress has been released.
With no further ado, here it is.
Blogging on Water will review and offer unsolicited commentary shortly. In the interim, for you jetsetters reading this on your BBs in your private aircraft, the summary of the report:
Report at a Glance
The United States invested* about $774 million in FY 2009 for all water sector- and sanitation-related activities in developing countries.†
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) invested over $513.7 million to improve access to sustainable water supply, sanitation, and hygiene in at least 57 countries. About 32 percent of this went to activities in sub-Saharan Africa.‡
In FY 2009, some 5.7 million people gained improved access to safe drinking water and 1.3 million gained improved access to sanitation as a result of USAID investments.§
With no further ado, here it is.
Blogging on Water will review and offer unsolicited commentary shortly. In the interim, for you jetsetters reading this on your BBs in your private aircraft, the summary of the report:
Report at a Glance
The United States invested* about $774 million in FY 2009 for all water sector- and sanitation-related activities in developing countries.†
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) invested over $513.7 million to improve access to sustainable water supply, sanitation, and hygiene in at least 57 countries. About 32 percent of this went to activities in sub-Saharan Africa.‡
In FY 2009, some 5.7 million people gained improved access to safe drinking water and 1.3 million gained improved access to sanitation as a result of USAID investments.§
WaterAid America needs a rockstar Development Director in NYC - any takers?
And another addition to the Blogging on Water jobs board. The water sector is growing growing growing. And must keep growing until universal coverage...
Must say WaterAid and WaterAid America are impressive outfits and aren't just 'doing water programs' or raising funds for their own work, but also are thought leaders and advocacy leaders in the sector. And by the way, HERE is a link to the US State Department's Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act 2010 Report to Congress. More on that soon.
On to the business:
WaterAid America
Director of Development
New York, NY
http://www.wateraidamerica.org/
WaterAid transforms lives by improving access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation in the world’s poorest communities. Since its creation in 1981 in the UK, WaterAid has expanded its programs to 26 countries and has benefited almost 15 million people. WaterAid’s recently launched Global Strategy for 2009-2015 sets the ambitious aim of ensuring that by 2015 an additional 25 million people will have access to safe water, improved sanitation and hygiene as a direct result of its work; and that by influencing the policies and practices of government and service providers WaterAid will have reached a further 100 million people.
WaterAid America, one of the four self governing members (along with the UK, Australia and Sweden) of WaterAid International, was created six years ago. It is poised to dramatically increase and expand its annual income from $3.7 million to $15 million within the next five years. With this clear organizational vision and vital fundraising goals, WaterAid America seeks a dynamic Director of Development to lead the strategic growth and build a diversified and sustainable flow of funding from private and public sources.
This position provides an unmatched opportunity to develop and implement a fundraising strategy for a leading global not-for-profit organization with a strong track record in securing peoples’ rights to water and sanitation. The Director will design and execute a five-year fundraising plan in close consultation with the CEO. The plan will incorporate strategies to increase support from individuals, foundations, corporations, other organizations, and the US government; effectively position the CEO and Board Members to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts, as well as expand WaterAid America’s public image and visibility among targeted constituencies; build and maintain a portfolio of prospects; and manage a small team of development staff.
The ideal candidate for this role will be a highly entrepreneurial professional with the development expertise to effectively inspire and secure major new donations. Requirements: track record of building a fundraising operation that resulted in marked revenue growth; ability to successfully leverage major gifts, ideally within a dynamic, fast-paced environment in which he or she actively expanded and engaged a non-traditional donor constituency base; and experience managing annual and planned giving campaigns, internet-based initiatives, and the submission of proposals to private and family foundations and USAID.
Full position profile at www.glfreeman.com.
Confidential applications to Freeman Philanthropic Services, LLC to my attention (tara ((at)) glfreeman.com).
Learn more about WaterAid America at www.wateraidamerica.org and read National Geographic's April 2010 feature article, Our Thirsty World, in which WaterAid's Ethiopia program is featured. http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2010/04/water-slaves/rosenberg-text/5
Please contact me with your confidential suggestions, referrals, and/or questions. I'm happy to provide more information or speak with you at your convenience. Many thanks for your consideration!
Thank you, Tara M. Reese
Executive Recruiter
Senior Consultant, Freeman Philanthropic Services, LLC
tara ((at)) glfreeman.com
http://www.glfreeman.com/
Must say WaterAid and WaterAid America are impressive outfits and aren't just 'doing water programs' or raising funds for their own work, but also are thought leaders and advocacy leaders in the sector. And by the way, HERE is a link to the US State Department's Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act 2010 Report to Congress. More on that soon.
On to the business:
WaterAid America
Director of Development
New York, NY
http://www.wateraidamerica.org/
WaterAid transforms lives by improving access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation in the world’s poorest communities. Since its creation in 1981 in the UK, WaterAid has expanded its programs to 26 countries and has benefited almost 15 million people. WaterAid’s recently launched Global Strategy for 2009-2015 sets the ambitious aim of ensuring that by 2015 an additional 25 million people will have access to safe water, improved sanitation and hygiene as a direct result of its work; and that by influencing the policies and practices of government and service providers WaterAid will have reached a further 100 million people.
WaterAid America, one of the four self governing members (along with the UK, Australia and Sweden) of WaterAid International, was created six years ago. It is poised to dramatically increase and expand its annual income from $3.7 million to $15 million within the next five years. With this clear organizational vision and vital fundraising goals, WaterAid America seeks a dynamic Director of Development to lead the strategic growth and build a diversified and sustainable flow of funding from private and public sources.
This position provides an unmatched opportunity to develop and implement a fundraising strategy for a leading global not-for-profit organization with a strong track record in securing peoples’ rights to water and sanitation. The Director will design and execute a five-year fundraising plan in close consultation with the CEO. The plan will incorporate strategies to increase support from individuals, foundations, corporations, other organizations, and the US government; effectively position the CEO and Board Members to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts, as well as expand WaterAid America’s public image and visibility among targeted constituencies; build and maintain a portfolio of prospects; and manage a small team of development staff.
The ideal candidate for this role will be a highly entrepreneurial professional with the development expertise to effectively inspire and secure major new donations. Requirements: track record of building a fundraising operation that resulted in marked revenue growth; ability to successfully leverage major gifts, ideally within a dynamic, fast-paced environment in which he or she actively expanded and engaged a non-traditional donor constituency base; and experience managing annual and planned giving campaigns, internet-based initiatives, and the submission of proposals to private and family foundations and USAID.
Full position profile at www.glfreeman.com.
Confidential applications to Freeman Philanthropic Services, LLC to my attention (tara ((at)) glfreeman.com).
Learn more about WaterAid America at www.wateraidamerica.org and read National Geographic's April 2010 feature article, Our Thirsty World, in which WaterAid's Ethiopia program is featured. http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2010/04/water-slaves/rosenberg-text/5
Please contact me with your confidential suggestions, referrals, and/or questions. I'm happy to provide more information or speak with you at your convenience. Many thanks for your consideration!
Thank you, Tara M. Reese
Executive Recruiter
Senior Consultant, Freeman Philanthropic Services, LLC
tara ((at)) glfreeman.com
http://www.glfreeman.com/
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Interesting WASH position in Dakar
Impact Evaluation Coordinator/Research Fellow (STC)
WSP’s Handwashing program , Senegal
Job Description:
The World Bank’s Water and Sanitation Program (WSP) seeks a qualified applicant for a consultant position (STC) of Coordinator/Research Fellow for the impact evaluation of WSP’s handwashing program in Senegal. This position is located in Dakar.
In response to the preventable threats posed by poor sanitation and hygiene, the Water and Sanitation Program (WSP) launched two large-scale projects, Global Scaling Up Handwashing (HWWS) and Global Scaling Up Rural Sanitation (TSSM), to improve the health and welfare outcomes for millions of poor people. Local and national governments are implementing these projects with technical support from WSP.
The Handwashing Behavioral Change project will expand and improve existing hygiene behavior change efforts with innovative and new approaches including commercial marketing to deliver HW messages; broad and inclusive partnerships of government, private commercial marketing channels, and concerned consumer groups and NGOs. These innovative methods will be combined with tried and proven community-level interpersonal communications and outreach activities.
A major component of this project is to document the magnitude of health impacts and relevant project costs of these interventions. To measure impacts, the project is implementing a randomized-controlled trial of the TSSM and Scaling-Up Handwashing Behavior interventions in the six countries, using household surveys to measure the levels of key outcome indicators.
The Impact Evaluation Coordinator is expected to work closely with WSP staff, academic researchers and a survey firm to perform a variety tasks including, but not limited to: managing the survey firm, overseeing logistic planning, overseeing field work and training, piloting of survey questionnaires, running pilot exercises, introducing project to and negotiating with country counterparts and government officials, following up status of implementation and compliance with impact evaluation experimental design, checking and analyzing data, cleaning data and assisting in preliminary analysis, assisting in writing the project final impact evaluation report (or co-authoring, depending on qualifications and experience), financial accounting, procurement processes, and other administrative tasks.
Desired Qualifications and Experience:
• Graduate degree in economics, public policy, or a related field.
• Experience with household survey data collection and analysis, including field work experience
• Familiarity with randomized controlled trials.
• Very high level of proficiency in French and English.
• Advanced coursework in econometrics, advanced knowledge of Stata or similar program or experience with data management.
• Willingness to travel frequently within Senegal.
• Strong oral and written communications skills.
• Excellent management and organizational skills and ability to work independently.
• Experience or interest in economics or social science research.
• Cultural sensitivity, and demonstrated ability to work successfully with diverse constituencies.
• Developing country experience (preferred)
Compensation is commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications and experience, in accordance to World Bank scales. We are looking for a commitment period of at least 6 months for this position, with starting date between October 2010 and January 2010.
To Apply:
Subject: Senegal Impact Evaluation Coordinator/Research Fellow Consultancy Water & Sanitation Program
email: ltsegaye (AT) worldbank.org
Attention:
Lakech Tsegaye
Water and Sanitation Program (WSP)
The World Bank
http://www.wsp.org/
WSP’s Handwashing program , Senegal
Job Description:
The World Bank’s Water and Sanitation Program (WSP) seeks a qualified applicant for a consultant position (STC) of Coordinator/Research Fellow for the impact evaluation of WSP’s handwashing program in Senegal. This position is located in Dakar.
In response to the preventable threats posed by poor sanitation and hygiene, the Water and Sanitation Program (WSP) launched two large-scale projects, Global Scaling Up Handwashing (HWWS) and Global Scaling Up Rural Sanitation (TSSM), to improve the health and welfare outcomes for millions of poor people. Local and national governments are implementing these projects with technical support from WSP.
The Handwashing Behavioral Change project will expand and improve existing hygiene behavior change efforts with innovative and new approaches including commercial marketing to deliver HW messages; broad and inclusive partnerships of government, private commercial marketing channels, and concerned consumer groups and NGOs. These innovative methods will be combined with tried and proven community-level interpersonal communications and outreach activities.
A major component of this project is to document the magnitude of health impacts and relevant project costs of these interventions. To measure impacts, the project is implementing a randomized-controlled trial of the TSSM and Scaling-Up Handwashing Behavior interventions in the six countries, using household surveys to measure the levels of key outcome indicators.
The Impact Evaluation Coordinator is expected to work closely with WSP staff, academic researchers and a survey firm to perform a variety tasks including, but not limited to: managing the survey firm, overseeing logistic planning, overseeing field work and training, piloting of survey questionnaires, running pilot exercises, introducing project to and negotiating with country counterparts and government officials, following up status of implementation and compliance with impact evaluation experimental design, checking and analyzing data, cleaning data and assisting in preliminary analysis, assisting in writing the project final impact evaluation report (or co-authoring, depending on qualifications and experience), financial accounting, procurement processes, and other administrative tasks.
Desired Qualifications and Experience:
• Graduate degree in economics, public policy, or a related field.
• Experience with household survey data collection and analysis, including field work experience
• Familiarity with randomized controlled trials.
• Very high level of proficiency in French and English.
• Advanced coursework in econometrics, advanced knowledge of Stata or similar program or experience with data management.
• Willingness to travel frequently within Senegal.
• Strong oral and written communications skills.
• Excellent management and organizational skills and ability to work independently.
• Experience or interest in economics or social science research.
• Cultural sensitivity, and demonstrated ability to work successfully with diverse constituencies.
• Developing country experience (preferred)
Compensation is commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications and experience, in accordance to World Bank scales. We are looking for a commitment period of at least 6 months for this position, with starting date between October 2010 and January 2010.
To Apply:
Subject: Senegal Impact Evaluation Coordinator/Research Fellow Consultancy Water & Sanitation Program
email: ltsegaye (AT) worldbank.org
Attention:
Lakech Tsegaye
Water and Sanitation Program (WSP)
The World Bank
http://www.wsp.org/
Monday, August 9, 2010
Toward universal coverage of water and sanitation - a proposal
A few early Monday morning thoughts:
Given 1: Most (70%) of the political, financial, and technical resources that have gone, are going, and will go to the global safe drinking water and sanitation (WASH) sector come from a combination of public sector finance in developing countries and loans from global and regional development banks. In most cases this balance is heavily weighted toward developing countries’ own budgets. Only 10-12% of WASH resources come from the international donor community.
Given 2: That is a good thing.
Given 3: The international donor community, including bilaterals, private foundations, corporate philanthropies, civic and faith groups, and well-meaning citizens from all over the world, has a choice. It can position its limited resources as a cherry on top of what developing countries are doing: “Hey – let’s poke some holes in the ground – everyone likes water!” Or it can position its resources as a catalyst, a driver, a primer, standing on the shoulders of what developing countries are already doing: “Hey – let’s build on what the government of X (fill in the blank with a developing country of your choosing) is already doing, and let’s figure out a way to complement that commitment rather than muddy up the water with tactical, short-term projects.”
Given 4: I recommend the ‘catalyst’ approach.
So now that I have given away the punch line, how does the world get there? How can the international donor community best catalyze, best complement, best ‘stay out of the way’ in many instances? How can we instead offer political and financial support to the work prioritized, underway and supported by developing country governments while encouraging them to do more?
To be able to more highly prioritize water, sanitation, public health, and other basic development challenges in budgets, political leaders in developing countries need two things:
- they need to hear about these challenges from their people, and
- they need to understand how they can solve these challenges.
If served up, that combo platter will lower the risk that a senior political leader (Head of State, Head of Government, Finance Minister, Governor, Mayor) takes when she makes political and budgetary commitments to these challenges, but might not see the rewards of such investments within her electoral cycle.
The international donor community can help deliver those messages in a number of ways by continuing to prioritize safe water and sanitation in its development assistance and philanthropy.
But the most important way to deliver the messages to politicians in each country of the importance and the solvability of this challenge is to equip indigenous organizations in each of those countries to do just that. Strong advocacy and lobbying organizations are needed in each developing country to lower the risk for political leaders.
I am not suggesting a global WASH advocacy campaign, regardless of how important those are and the gains many (WSSCC, EWP, FAN, ONE, Avaaz) are making. I am not even suggesting a regional advocacy campaign, although there are a number of those and they are also making gains. I am suggesting one nitty gritty, indigenous, in-the-trenches advocacy campaign in each developing country supported financially and technically by savvy international donors.
What do I mean by “in-the-trenches”? I mean that no one outside of that particular country (Guatemala, India, Sierra Leone, etc.) will hear of these groups or their messages. The only persons that need to hear from these indigenous groups are those who need to - their own political leaders at different levels.
What do I mean by “indigenous”? The leaders, operation, approach, and the legislative asks will be customized country by country, province by province, municipality by municipality. The asks will be for more funds, for better and more open governance, fewer un- or under-funded federal mandates, for more sustainable programming, for water and sanitation to be included as constitutional rights, for more wastewater treatment plants to be built, to provide rural communities with safe water, and so on – all to be determined locally.
A lot of this is underway currently, but no one says the current state of affairs is sufficient either quantitatively or qualitatively.
This is not revolutionary. This sort of approach has been pursued in many countries on behalf of many development challenges. It is an incremental approach, building on the broad shoulders of many other individuals and organizations. It still might fail (in fact can almost be assured to fail in many instances), but this is the approach most likely to sustainably move the needle from 1b people without safe water and 2.6b without sanitation and hygiene down to zero. It is the approach most likely to get the mortality toll from fatal waterborne diarrheal disease down to zero. It is the most difficult sort of development assistance work out there, but if we in the international donor community are serious about two things – scale, and decentralized ownership leading to true sustainability – we have to take indigenous advocacy seriously. It’s a painstaking, laborious “short cut” to the end game. It is also one of the most effective ways to increase the quantity, quality, and complementarity of WASH funding coming from the international donor community.
Given 1: Most (70%) of the political, financial, and technical resources that have gone, are going, and will go to the global safe drinking water and sanitation (WASH) sector come from a combination of public sector finance in developing countries and loans from global and regional development banks. In most cases this balance is heavily weighted toward developing countries’ own budgets. Only 10-12% of WASH resources come from the international donor community.
Given 2: That is a good thing.
Given 3: The international donor community, including bilaterals, private foundations, corporate philanthropies, civic and faith groups, and well-meaning citizens from all over the world, has a choice. It can position its limited resources as a cherry on top of what developing countries are doing: “Hey – let’s poke some holes in the ground – everyone likes water!” Or it can position its resources as a catalyst, a driver, a primer, standing on the shoulders of what developing countries are already doing: “Hey – let’s build on what the government of X (fill in the blank with a developing country of your choosing) is already doing, and let’s figure out a way to complement that commitment rather than muddy up the water with tactical, short-term projects.”
Given 4: I recommend the ‘catalyst’ approach.
So now that I have given away the punch line, how does the world get there? How can the international donor community best catalyze, best complement, best ‘stay out of the way’ in many instances? How can we instead offer political and financial support to the work prioritized, underway and supported by developing country governments while encouraging them to do more?
To be able to more highly prioritize water, sanitation, public health, and other basic development challenges in budgets, political leaders in developing countries need two things:
- they need to hear about these challenges from their people, and
- they need to understand how they can solve these challenges.
If served up, that combo platter will lower the risk that a senior political leader (Head of State, Head of Government, Finance Minister, Governor, Mayor) takes when she makes political and budgetary commitments to these challenges, but might not see the rewards of such investments within her electoral cycle.
The international donor community can help deliver those messages in a number of ways by continuing to prioritize safe water and sanitation in its development assistance and philanthropy.
But the most important way to deliver the messages to politicians in each country of the importance and the solvability of this challenge is to equip indigenous organizations in each of those countries to do just that. Strong advocacy and lobbying organizations are needed in each developing country to lower the risk for political leaders.
I am not suggesting a global WASH advocacy campaign, regardless of how important those are and the gains many (WSSCC, EWP, FAN, ONE, Avaaz) are making. I am not even suggesting a regional advocacy campaign, although there are a number of those and they are also making gains. I am suggesting one nitty gritty, indigenous, in-the-trenches advocacy campaign in each developing country supported financially and technically by savvy international donors.
What do I mean by “in-the-trenches”? I mean that no one outside of that particular country (Guatemala, India, Sierra Leone, etc.) will hear of these groups or their messages. The only persons that need to hear from these indigenous groups are those who need to - their own political leaders at different levels.
What do I mean by “indigenous”? The leaders, operation, approach, and the legislative asks will be customized country by country, province by province, municipality by municipality. The asks will be for more funds, for better and more open governance, fewer un- or under-funded federal mandates, for more sustainable programming, for water and sanitation to be included as constitutional rights, for more wastewater treatment plants to be built, to provide rural communities with safe water, and so on – all to be determined locally.
A lot of this is underway currently, but no one says the current state of affairs is sufficient either quantitatively or qualitatively.
This is not revolutionary. This sort of approach has been pursued in many countries on behalf of many development challenges. It is an incremental approach, building on the broad shoulders of many other individuals and organizations. It still might fail (in fact can almost be assured to fail in many instances), but this is the approach most likely to sustainably move the needle from 1b people without safe water and 2.6b without sanitation and hygiene down to zero. It is the approach most likely to get the mortality toll from fatal waterborne diarrheal disease down to zero. It is the most difficult sort of development assistance work out there, but if we in the international donor community are serious about two things – scale, and decentralized ownership leading to true sustainability – we have to take indigenous advocacy seriously. It’s a painstaking, laborious “short cut” to the end game. It is also one of the most effective ways to increase the quantity, quality, and complementarity of WASH funding coming from the international donor community.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
US India Strategic Dialogue and Water/Sanitation
Two important recent pieces of news that I want you to be aware of:
This is U.S. Department of State’s Assistant Secretary Bob Blake talking recently about how important water and sanitation are to the US/India strategic dialogue:
Invest in India's water and sanitation sectors: US official
And this is State’s Ambassador Elizabeth Bagley talking about a recent US/India Donors Forum on Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation:
Partnering With India On Water
Why do I post these? In order to get people thinking not simply about the importance of safe drinking water and sanitation to the strong relationship between the US and India, but in order to get more people thinking about how we can all make sure that safe drinking water and sanitation enjoy a prominent place in the US India Strategic Dialogue.
But more importantly, how can these two public statements turn into something real and tangible for those living in India without safe water and sanitation? Can these public statements be turned into water and sanitation for 1000+ Indian schools over the next two years? How about 5000+ schools? What type of partnership between the US and Indian governments, private foundations, corporations and nonprofits should result from this high level of political capital. How can we get the Indian diaspora community in the US excited about this opportunity? How can we carve out roles for a handful of private foundation trustees and philanthropists? Who are the 3-4 CEOs most likely to incorporate something like this into their corporate social responsibility initiatives?
Email me if you want to lend a hand, either in the US or India.
This is U.S. Department of State’s Assistant Secretary Bob Blake talking recently about how important water and sanitation are to the US/India strategic dialogue:
Invest in India's water and sanitation sectors: US official
And this is State’s Ambassador Elizabeth Bagley talking about a recent US/India Donors Forum on Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation:
Partnering With India On Water
Why do I post these? In order to get people thinking not simply about the importance of safe drinking water and sanitation to the strong relationship between the US and India, but in order to get more people thinking about how we can all make sure that safe drinking water and sanitation enjoy a prominent place in the US India Strategic Dialogue.
But more importantly, how can these two public statements turn into something real and tangible for those living in India without safe water and sanitation? Can these public statements be turned into water and sanitation for 1000+ Indian schools over the next two years? How about 5000+ schools? What type of partnership between the US and Indian governments, private foundations, corporations and nonprofits should result from this high level of political capital. How can we get the Indian diaspora community in the US excited about this opportunity? How can we carve out roles for a handful of private foundation trustees and philanthropists? Who are the 3-4 CEOs most likely to incorporate something like this into their corporate social responsibility initiatives?
Email me if you want to lend a hand, either in the US or India.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Water and sanitation become human rights, albeit turbidly
The Lancet gets it exactly right in the opinion piece below. The recent UNGA resolution enshrining water and sanitation as human rights is a step in the right direction. More importantly, it is not the enshrining of water and sanitation as human rights that is the end game, but rather the realization, the manifestation of those rights for the almost 1b without water and 2.6b without sanitation.
Read on:
On July 28, the UN General Assembly adopted a nonbinding resolution calling on states and international organisations “to scale up efforts to provide safe, clean, accessible and affordable drinking water and sanitation for all”. Water and sanitation are now enshrined as basic human rights. However, of 163 delegates from member nations who voted on this resolution, 41 abstained and did not fully endorse this right. Why?
Some delegates felt the decision to hold the vote was pre-emptive, and all countries could have reached consensus—and thereby avoided the need for a vote—if more time was allowed to interpret legal outcomes of the move for public and private suppliers. Most delegates who abstained, and some who endorsed the resolution, were anticipating a report to be published later this year by an independent expert appointed by the UN Human Rights Council (HRC).
The Brazilian delegate, who voted yes, decried the absence of an “appropriate forum” to debate the resolution, and the UK’s delegate, who abstained, said that the resolution was not proposed “with consensus in mind”. Nevertheless, the justifications given by the 41 countries that abstained, including the USA, Japan, and Canada, were not convincing.
Irrespective of politicking at the UN, 884 million people worldwide do not have regular access to clean water, and 2·6 billion do not have access to basic sanitation. The 2010 Millennium Development Goal 7 report states that the target of halving the number of people without access to safe water is on course to be met by 2015, but provision of sanitation is not.
The practice of open defecation by 1·1 billion people is not only “an affront to human dignity”, but also the key source of faecal–oral transmitted diseases such as diarrhoea, which causes 1·3 million deaths per year in children younger than 5 years. A little more than 5 years through the UN General Assembly’s Water for Life Decade, adequate supply of water and sanitation is far from universal. When the HRC’s report is published, the hope is that no country obstructs a binding commitment to provide clean water and sanitation for all.
The Lancet
Read on:
On July 28, the UN General Assembly adopted a nonbinding resolution calling on states and international organisations “to scale up efforts to provide safe, clean, accessible and affordable drinking water and sanitation for all”. Water and sanitation are now enshrined as basic human rights. However, of 163 delegates from member nations who voted on this resolution, 41 abstained and did not fully endorse this right. Why?
Some delegates felt the decision to hold the vote was pre-emptive, and all countries could have reached consensus—and thereby avoided the need for a vote—if more time was allowed to interpret legal outcomes of the move for public and private suppliers. Most delegates who abstained, and some who endorsed the resolution, were anticipating a report to be published later this year by an independent expert appointed by the UN Human Rights Council (HRC).
The Brazilian delegate, who voted yes, decried the absence of an “appropriate forum” to debate the resolution, and the UK’s delegate, who abstained, said that the resolution was not proposed “with consensus in mind”. Nevertheless, the justifications given by the 41 countries that abstained, including the USA, Japan, and Canada, were not convincing.
Irrespective of politicking at the UN, 884 million people worldwide do not have regular access to clean water, and 2·6 billion do not have access to basic sanitation. The 2010 Millennium Development Goal 7 report states that the target of halving the number of people without access to safe water is on course to be met by 2015, but provision of sanitation is not.
The practice of open defecation by 1·1 billion people is not only “an affront to human dignity”, but also the key source of faecal–oral transmitted diseases such as diarrhoea, which causes 1·3 million deaths per year in children younger than 5 years. A little more than 5 years through the UN General Assembly’s Water for Life Decade, adequate supply of water and sanitation is far from universal. When the HRC’s report is published, the hope is that no country obstructs a binding commitment to provide clean water and sanitation for all.
The Lancet
Arghyam / India / Water / Sanitation / Senior Project Manager
For advocates of safe drinking water and sanitation in Bangalore who are also looking for a new gig, see below:
But before I get to the job, please read a very interesting report from Arghyam called Step By Step: Achieving Sustainable Sanitation. After being inspired, go work for them!
__
Arghyam is looking for a dynamic individual to join our team in Bangalore and help in our grant management.
Arghyam is a not-for-profit foundation working in the water sector in India. Arghyam’s vision is “Safe sustainable water for all”. We take up focused programs that address lack of equitable access to water, in a sustainable manner, amongst all citizens, through partnerships and grants across the country. Check out www.arghyam.org for details.
We need to hire a Senior Project Manager to strengthen our Project Grants team. Please send your resume to jobs (at) arghyam.org
Post Location: Bangalore
Start Date: As soon as possible
The Senior Project Manager’s duties will include:
• Manage a set of the key projects through the entire grant cycle, starting from approval to implementation to impact assessment of the project.
• Work closely with the partner organizations for mid-course evaluation and changes
• Collect relevant project data, manage project outputs and cull out outcomes
• Analyze lessons learnt from the projects, document and disseminate the learnings
• Identifying and following up on advocacy & policy opportunities with Government, other institutions and NGOs
• Coordinate research, publications, advocacy etc in core areas of work
• Coordinate with the larger resource group, other partners and the documentation team.
• Collect and publish evidence based documentation of projects
• Liaison with NGOs, international agencies, key research institutes and Government officials to forge strategic partnerships going forward.
Requirements:
• Masters in the field of Social Sciences/Engineering/Environmental Sciences from a reputed institution with an excellent academic record. Masters or other higher qualification is a plus.
• Strong Project Management experience with a proven track record of at least 12 - 15 years in executing mid-to-large development project in WATSAN sector
• Strong interest and understanding of the development sector is essential; need to be able to understand the domain issues that arise, in order to make the right decisions
• Strong understanding of various Government schemes, structures and system is required
• Should have worked on advocacy and policy making in the WATSAN areas
• Ability to get multiple groups and partners to work towards a common goal.
• Excellent analytical, written and oral communication skills required. Travel required.
• Should be comfortable with the use of computers and internet
• Knowledge of multiple Indian languages is an added advantage
Pay will be commensurate with experience
But before I get to the job, please read a very interesting report from Arghyam called Step By Step: Achieving Sustainable Sanitation. After being inspired, go work for them!
__
Arghyam is looking for a dynamic individual to join our team in Bangalore and help in our grant management.
Arghyam is a not-for-profit foundation working in the water sector in India. Arghyam’s vision is “Safe sustainable water for all”. We take up focused programs that address lack of equitable access to water, in a sustainable manner, amongst all citizens, through partnerships and grants across the country. Check out www.arghyam.org for details.
We need to hire a Senior Project Manager to strengthen our Project Grants team. Please send your resume to jobs (at) arghyam.org
Post Location: Bangalore
Start Date: As soon as possible
The Senior Project Manager’s duties will include:
• Manage a set of the key projects through the entire grant cycle, starting from approval to implementation to impact assessment of the project.
• Work closely with the partner organizations for mid-course evaluation and changes
• Collect relevant project data, manage project outputs and cull out outcomes
• Analyze lessons learnt from the projects, document and disseminate the learnings
• Identifying and following up on advocacy & policy opportunities with Government, other institutions and NGOs
• Coordinate research, publications, advocacy etc in core areas of work
• Coordinate with the larger resource group, other partners and the documentation team.
• Collect and publish evidence based documentation of projects
• Liaison with NGOs, international agencies, key research institutes and Government officials to forge strategic partnerships going forward.
Requirements:
• Masters in the field of Social Sciences/Engineering/Environmental Sciences from a reputed institution with an excellent academic record. Masters or other higher qualification is a plus.
• Strong Project Management experience with a proven track record of at least 12 - 15 years in executing mid-to-large development project in WATSAN sector
• Strong interest and understanding of the development sector is essential; need to be able to understand the domain issues that arise, in order to make the right decisions
• Strong understanding of various Government schemes, structures and system is required
• Should have worked on advocacy and policy making in the WATSAN areas
• Ability to get multiple groups and partners to work towards a common goal.
• Excellent analytical, written and oral communication skills required. Travel required.
• Should be comfortable with the use of computers and internet
• Knowledge of multiple Indian languages is an added advantage
Pay will be commensurate with experience
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