Global Safe Drinking Water Advocacy Day - March 23, Washington DC

Advocacy on Capitol Hill on behalf of the Senator Paul Simon Water for the World Act (and related appropriations) continues apace.  The latest opportunity to lend your voice is below:

Please join us for the World Water Day Advocacy Day in Washington, DC on March 23rd from 9:00-5:00 p.m. On this advocacy day, we are convening supporters from across the country to call on Congress to increase support for sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs and child health programs. We are conducting a morning training session in which we will be providing all the information and tools that participants will need to be effective advocates in their meetings with Congress. In the afternoon, advocacy day participants will be meeting with congressional offices to ask for support for WASH and child health issues. This advocacy day is a collaboration of several organizations that are working together to mark World Water Day in the US – including CARE, PSI, Global Water Challenge, the US Coalition for Child Survival, Water Advocates, and WaterAid.

We hope that you or others from your organization will participate in this exciting opportunity. We also encourage you to disseminate the attached flyer to your supporters to ask them to participate. Please sign up to participate in World Water Day Advocacy Day at http://www.waterday.org/ (under the sign up section of the landing page).

Feel free to send me a note if you need more details.

Happy International Women's Day!

Great post on International Women's Day from GWC's Tanvi Nagpal:

At this very moment, millions of women are carrying 40 pounds of water on the return leg of their average 3.5-mile daily trek.

So today, on International Women's Day, I want to pay tribute to the resiliency of these women, and highlight the collective possibility they embody -- if freed from the back-breaking and time-consuming burden of collecting water.

Clean water programs supported by GWC member organizations are helping women, like Nakwetikya in Tanzania, regain their sense of self-worth. Once Nakwetikya joined the committee overseeing the local well supported by GWC member WaterAid, she noticed a drastic shift in attitude toward women:

"Before we formed a [water] committee and prepared ourselves as a community, men just saw women as animals. I think they thought of us as bats flapping around them. They had no respect for us and no one would allow you to speak or listen to what you had to say. When I stand up now in a group I am not an animal. I am a woman with a valid opinion."

Read more success stories like Nakwetikya's and learn about the impact of water and sanitation programs on women in developing countries.

Providing women with access to a nearby source of clean water frees up their days to earn an income -- which can help significantly elevate their status in the community. And when women are employed, they are more likely to spend their money on medical care and education for their children, thus opening up new opportunities for even more people.

You can help bring clean water to women around the world by participating in the Dow Live Earth Run for Water on April 18th. The Dow Live Earth Run for Water is a series of six-kilometer run/walks with concerts afterwards in cities around the world over the course of 24 hours. GWC will receive funds raised in the United States and invest these funds so that women and girls can have a better shot at fulfilling their potential.

Register to run now in the Dow Live Earth Run for Water. I hope you are able to participate in what will be the largest event ever to raise awareness and funds about the critical issue of clean water.

Thanks for your support,

Tanvi Nagpal
Director of Water and Sanitation Initiatives
Global Water Challenge
http://www.globalwaterchallenge.org/

World Water Day Writing Contest

World Water Day Writing Contest

The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting is partnering with Helium to get your voice heard on the most pressing issues of the day. We want to know your thoughts on questions raised by Pulitzer Center-sponsored reporting projects around the globe – and the winning essays will be showcased on the Pulitzer Center’s website and on Helium. Winning writers will also receive a Pulitzer Center Citizen Journalist Award.

Check out the links on the left and right columns of this page, pointing to Pulitzer Center reporting resources, upcoming events and some of the organizations that have taken the lead on water issues around the world. When selecting the winner from the top 10 ranked entries on Helium, the Pulitzer Center especially values vivid, well-articulated essays that reflect unusual insight, a clear point of view and, where appropriate, original reporting. Anything fictionalized or not based on the writer’s own observations should be clearly marked as such in the body of the text.

The deadline for the World Water Day Writing Contest is Wednesday March 31. The Pulitzer Center Citizen Journalist Award in this contest will be announced on Friday April 9.

ALSO and again, check out http://www.waterday.org/.

World Water Day: March 22, 2010

The first of many posts regarding World Water Day 2010:

A diverse coalition of water, sanitation, hygiene and health organizations has come together for World Water Day 2010 to raise awareness and call for stronger commitments and more robust action to ensure universal access to safe drinking water and sanitation everywhere they are needed. Because the global water crisis can be solved with solutions available today. The 2010 coalition includes Action Against Hunger, AED, Africare, CARE, Catholic Relief Services, charity: water, P&G Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program, Global Water Challenge, H2O for Life, InterAction, Millennium Water Alliance, Natural Resources Defense Council, ONE, PATH, PSI, U.S. Coalition for Child Survival, Water.org, Water Advocates, WaterAid, Water and Sanitation Program, Water For People, and the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council.

Please visit http://www.waterday.org/ and get involved...

Reminder - March 3: Capitol Hill Briefing on a New Water & Universities Initiative

Reminder: Capitol Hill Briefing on a New Water & Universities Initiative


Wednesday, March 3, 2010
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m
Room SVC 203/202
U.S. Capitol Visitors Center
E Capitol St NE & 1st St NE
Washington, DC

Join the CSIS Global Water Futures Project, Water Advocates, and prominent university and college leaders working on international water, sanitation, and hygiene (“WASH”) issues for a congressional briefing on a new University-WASH initiative. Presentations will feature the variety of ways in which U.S. colleges and universities are already addressing the global WASH crisis and will highlight how their role can be enhanced, especially through a new informal collaboration among U.S. institutions of higher education. The presentations and briefing are open to Members of Congress, congressional staff, and interested members of the public.

PLEASE ALLOW 20-30 MINUTES TO PASS THROUGH SECURITY.

If you have not already, please RSVP by 2:00pm today to universities.wash.rsvp@gmail.com.

Please direct all questions to Katryn Bowe at kbowe (at) csis.org or (202) 775-3156.

Millennium Water Alliance is hiring - please broadcast

The Millennium Water Alliance, an interesting consortium in the water and sanitation sector, is hiring in its Washington DC office.  Read more about their programs in Africa and Central America here, and consider who might be best for this position:

Head of Advocacy and Communication

The Millennium Water Alliance, MWA, is a permanent coalition of international NGOs with experience in rural and peri-urban water supply, hygiene education and promotion of sanitation. Our vision is that everyone has access to safe water, basic sanitation and good hygiene practices. Our collective focus is to achieve the following goals by 2012:

• Increase awareness and resources for sustainable WASH interventions
• Build strong permanent partnership models to enhance our impact
• Elevate global visibility in WASH sector
• Expand capacity, improve quality and efficiency at all levels; improve effectiveness of operations through learning

In the world’s poorest countries, over 800 million people lack access to safe drinking water, and approximately 2.5 billion people do not have adequate sanitation. More than 3 million people, mostly children, die each year from preventable waterborne illnesses. These sobering facts inspired a group of sector experts to form the MWA in 2002 as a 501(c) 3 organization. Full members of the MWA include: CARE, Catholic Relief Services, Food for the Hungry, Lifewater International, Living Water International, Water for People, Water.org, and World Vision International. In addition MWA has five affiliate members: Africare, Emmanuel International, Global Water, Water Missions International, and Eagle of Hope.

Position Summary

Under the direction of the President and in coordination with relevant colleagues throughout MWA the Head of Advocacy and Communication (a new position) will i) provide strategic direction in planning, implementing through appropriate networking and evaluating MWA’s advocacy and campaigning in the USA. Will ii) support local staff in MWA countries of operation in their advocacy efforts, this will include analysis and linkages of US policy efficacy in country. It will also include advocacy training and policy analysis as needed. S/he will iii) use evidence gathered in the field to design appropriate messages and position papers to influence policy, inform major stake holders and/or general public. In addition s/he will be responsible for developing and managing the overall communications program, designing messaging and tailoring the MWA documentation for different audiences. S /he will also play a role in representing MWA’s work and public policy positions to external audiences; in providing documentation, developing talking points and presentations for MWA representation at high level functions; and in adapting and disseminating these messages for various written and online communications, media, and fundraising purposes.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Advocacy - 60%

• In coordination with the President and MWA Board, identify key issues and themes to guide MWA’s advocacy and policy analysis in order to further MWA’s advocacy agenda both in the US context and in the countries of programming
• Undertake research and analysis on key policy issues; track developments in the US policy environment to support this, including ongoing assessment of Congressional actions, actions by the Administration, and related legislative and implementation processes designed to achieve USAID reform, particularly in relation to US water policies
• Work with the Head of the in-country Secretariat and the President to develop advocacy positions on key issues relating to MWA’s program activities in Central America and Africa and other areas of implementation as they are established
• Work with and support country programs and local staff as appropriate in building advocacy relationships and contribute to country programs’ understanding of U.S. policies and processes. This will include advocacy training and policy analysis as needed. Using evidence gathered in the field to design appropriate messages and position papers to influence policy, inform major stake holders and/or general public.
• Support local staff in the development of advocacy strategies in targeted countries
• Write and produce advocacy outputs, such as reports, briefings, fact sheets and position papers
• Build effective relations with relevant US stakeholders, such as NGOs, think tanks, educational and research organizations
• Serve as a principal point of contact between MWA and other US advocates for water and sanitation, including the private sector, other NGOs, and the US government

Communications – 30%

• Work closely with web-developers of maintain and update MWA website
• Structure MWA’s communications program and documentation of MWA work. This will include tailoring the MWA messages for appropriate audiences.
• Work closely with the Head of the Secretariat to collect, consolidate, develop and disseminate success stories, human interest stories and lessons learned from MWA programming. This will include collaborating with MWA colleagues to identify, pitch and place story ideas.
• Proactively develop and maintain positive relationships with targeted local, regional and national news media via regular communications, press releases and other materials to increase U.S. awareness of the water and sanitation issue and to position MWA as a resource for the media.
• Provide advice and assistance to MWA colleagues and Board members in the development and implementation of key messages and communications strategies.
• Analyze and evaluate the outcomes of the communications program and develop strategies for enhancing the effectiveness of media interactions as required.

General

• Represent MWA’s interests in selected national and international forums, as requested
• Commission and supervise research undertaken by consultants and interns
• Undertake other duties as assigned

Qualifications and demonstrated abilities

• Commitment to MWA’s vision, values and approach
• Masters degree [or equivalent qualification] in one of the following areas: water, sanitation, hygiene education, community development, economics, social sciences or other relevant areas
• Experience in advocacy work in the field of international development required
• Previous experience with water, sanitation and hygiene preferred. At the minimum experience in the international development field, including global health and/or environmental issues
• A strong working knowledge of US political, legislative, and NGO culture, institutions, and processes and the capacity, maturity and poise to represent WAA with high-level constituencies
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, including excellent writing ability
• Media handling and public speaking skills
• Spanish desirable but not required
• Ability to develop, implement and create status reports.
• Proven ability to write and communicate effectively in ways appropriate for targeted audiences (local, regional and national media, potential advocacy partners, potential funders, etc.)
• Proven ability to think creatively and develop innovative outreach vehicles designed to increase awareness and visibility of the issue
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, multi-task, set priorities, and meet deadlines
• Ability and desire to work in a small organization with a consensus-oriented environment with different work styles.
• Ability and desire to supervise, train, support and motivate volunteers and interns if needed.
• Self-starter, high-energy, creative, and ability to be effective in a constantly changing environment.

Writing samples will be required.

This is a full-time permanent position located in Washington, DC. Salary range is commensurate with experience. Some international travel will be required.

MWA is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action employer that is committed to diversity in the workplace.

Please send résumé and cover letter to: hr@mwawater.org

WASH for Lent

For those of you who are interested in what various faith-based groups are doing and can do for global safe drinking water and sanitation during Lent (and beyond), here is a resource that will help with prayer, study, and ACTION:

WASH for Lent

More about the site here.

Among other things, the site includes a partial list of faith-based groups working in the sector here.

If you have questions/suggestions, please join their blog, post your updates, and contact the authors of the site.