Vacancy No:MUAN/01/2018

Division: Advocacy

Duty Station: MuAN Secretariat

Duration: One (1) year, extendable

Background

Sanitation is a shared problem across developing and least developed countries. Advocacy for appropriate approaches and technologies are therefore pertinent in order to address this issue. One of the effective ways to tackle with this issue has been Fecal Sludge Management (FSM), and sharing of successful experiences about the policy, institutional and regulatory framework is a key to such initiatives. Municipal Association of Nepal (MuAN) in association with United Cites and Local Government Asia Pacific (UCLG ASPAC) have developed a joint advocacy project on Fecal Sludge Management and preparing to implement in five cities of Nepal. Municipal Association of Bangladesh will coordinate in five cities in Bangladesh. We are therefore announcing a vacancy to implement the project and by coordinating with all relevant partners. The aim of the project is to generate government incentive to develop national strategies to be implemented by local governments. 

The main goal of the project is that Local Governments and Local Governments Associations be able to design and implement robust and effective policies to address sanitation issues and develop sustainable financing strategies from municipal financing options, bilateral donors and development banks with specific objectives as follows:

• 2 Local Government Associations in Bangladesh and Nepal have improved national policy and strategy plan on sanitation including a focus on Fecal Sludge Management (FSM) and Non-Sewered Sanitation (NSS) system in line with SDG 6
  
• 10 municipalities in Bangladesh and Nepal implement urban sanitation policies, institutional and regulatory framework through leadership engagement to be able to provide safely managed sanitation services
  
• Increased financing for sustainable safely managed sanitation by 25% (the source of additional funding are development banks, development partners and CSR) in 10 municipalities in Bangladesh and Nepal.  CSR are included as source of financing to engage private sector involvement to contribute to community
  

Objectives:

The Sanitation Policy Specialist will provide leadership and be responsible for providing relevant expertise in policy area specifically on Institutional and Regulatory Framework and by law for Fecal Sludge Management (FSM) and sanitation policy

Scope of Works:

The Sanitation Policy Specialist will be accountable to Executive Secretary of MuAN and also support Regional Policy Specialist to strengthen policy formulation through capacity building and consultation with relevant data collection and research. Other main tasks are as follows: 

• TO lead policy, advocacy section of MuAN and develop advocacy strategy and work plan to implement the programs
  
• To coordinate with all 5 municipalities to carry out various activities under this projects   
  
• To work closely with the Regional Policy Specialist and Project Manager based in Jakarta, produce regular reports on the project on behalf of UCLG ASPAC. The report and research should be designed in the way that is relevant and accessible by the project stakeholders 
  
• To work in collaboration with both internal and external members of the organization and other relevant partners/stakeholders. S/he must bear in mind the guidelines agreed between UCLG and other partners when develop policy strategy of the project
  
• To take a lead role in drafting and disseminating various materials for advocacy and policy
  
• To be part of and to provide expertise to stakeholders on Task Forces at national and municipal level on developing sanitation policy, institutional framework, regulation and action plan with support from Regional Policy Specialist
  
• To conduct capacity building for stakeholders in charge of policy implementation from the site with support from Regional Policy Specialist
  
• To support Regional Policy Specialist to conduct qualitative and quantitative research to collect data if the available information is not sufficient for situation analysis and strategy development
  
• To support Regional Policy Specialist to perform analysis based on existing research and data drawn from various sources
  
• To develop and maintain effective communication and relationships with key stakeholders
  
• Other tasks officially endorsed by MuAN and UCLG ASPAC
  

Qualifications:

Post-graduate Degree in Social Science, Public Policy, Environmental Science, Law or other related areas

Experience:

• Ability to lead policy, advocacy section of MuAN and develop advocacy strategy and work plan to implement the programs
  
• Knowledge on national and urban policies on environment and sanitation with at least 5 years’ of experience in public policy and governance
  
• Having experience working with local governments or related organizations in Nepal is preferred
  
• Having experience in working with development partners on policy, advocacy would be an asset
  
• Strong research skills and in-depth understanding of analytical methods applicable to policy work
  
• Ability to develop position papers, reports, publication materials etc 
  
• Strong inter communication skills including fluency in both English and Nepali languages 
  

Language:

• Fluent in both Nepali and English is desirable
  

Computer skills:

• Good computer skills (MS Word, MS Excel, etc.)
  

Others:

• Has highly developed communication skills, including ability to draft/edit texts and to articulate ideas in clear, concise style to a variety of audiences, as well as facilitation skills
  
• Has positive attitude, honest, trustworthy and demonstrate sound work ethics
  
• Has the ability to quickly establish professional rapport with colleagues and other persons
  
• Has the ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines required
  

Deliverables:

• Draft Monthly and Interim report of the project process to be submitted to Policy Specialist
  
• Draft/Inputs of Implementation Plan for improving national and local sanitation policies with clear timeline and achievable activities/outputs
  
• Comprehensive research on the issue, which is relevant to site
  
• Qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis
  
• Draft/ Inputs of Policy Papers that discuss and provide recommendations and/or alternatives to pressing policy issues based on the country’s need
  
• Capacity development training planning and delivering for Nepal elected and non elected officials
  

Supporting team:

The post will be supervised by the Regional Policy Specialist and Project Manager and supported by Project staff in Regional Office and in Nepal as well as ENPHO, but will be accountable to Executive Secretary of MuAN