Head of Policy, Research & Campaigns - Uganda Jobs

Organization: WaterAid in Uganda (WAU)
Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda

Reports to: Country Representative

About WAU:

WaterAid’s Vision is of a world where everyone has access to safe water and sanitation. Our mission is to transform lives by improving access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation in the world’s poorest communities, WaterAid works with partners to maximize its impacts for policy change/influence.

WaterAid works through supporting local organizations and government authorities to design low cost sustainable projects using appropriate and affordable technologies that can be managed by the community itself.  WaterAid also seeks to influence the policy change through government and other key international organizations to secure and protect the right of poor people to safe, affordable water and sanitation services.

Job Summary: The Head of Policy, Research & Campaigns will primarily be responsible for planning, organizing and delivery of WaterAid in Uganda (WAU) Policy Analysis, Research and campaigns efforts in coordination with the different Units. You will lead the Policy, campaigns and Research work of WAU as relates to Water and Sanitation issues. You will champion policy influencing emerging from policy analysis, research and practice which should result in sustainable improvements in equitable access to safe water and sanitation to rights holders. In line with WaterAid global and country strategy, liaise closely and strengthen networking with policy makers and key stakeholders within the government, international agencies and other stakeholders in the sector to maximize WAU’s efforts and impact in promoting right to sanitation, water and hygiene for all with focus on poor and excluded people.

Key Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Take lead in the development of the Policy Advocacy and Campaigns strategy for the Country Programme for effective delivery of the CS and the global advocacy priority. Develop and implement the unit/ Department plans and budgets in line with WAU’s strategic direction.
• Steer the WAU Policy team to; develop capacity of partner NGOs sector actors; to guide, design and implement advocacy related research work, preparation of policy case studies, thematic policy discussion papers and other relevant documents for purposes of influencing for successful sustainable and systemic  Policy, Institutional, Attitudes, Participation and equality change in favor of the marginalized.
• Take lead on power mapping strategic networking and campaigns across the national WASH sector, influencing the policy makers on specific WASH issues, based on good analysis and well researched national advocacy and campaigns agenda. You will liaise with other agencies’ and programs’ activities establish alliances and platforms for WaterAid’s campaign’s work and identify new opportunities for national level influencing.
• Work with identified key targets including media houses who will always seek for our opinions on key WASH issues.
• Work in harmony with the Heads of Units to ensure the effective integration of programme, policy, campaigns, research and advocacy activities to meet WAU strategic objectives.
• The Head of Policy will lead on achievement of our ambitious indirect user numbers as set in the WAU strategy through effective delivery of the National program.
• Oversee the WAU WASH Governance and transparency agenda in close collaboration with the Policy analyst through active participation and influencing of the sector Good Governance Working Group action-plan activities.
• Take lead, manage, motivate and develop team members in area of responsibility in order to maximise their contribution to the team and organisation by playing the key role in integrating policy, research, campaigns and advocacy perspectives with all our Service delivery work.
• Organise, conduct and supervise research programmes and studies to analyse the current issues that affect the sector and other national issues to improve the provision of water and sanitation to the poor.
• Lead on documentation of research work and promotion of innovation into the sector as well as disseminating good learning.
• Build and develop relationships, partnerships and networks to ensure that water and sanitation are at the forefront of the agenda of key decision makers and that WaterAid is seen as a key contributor in the policy debates on water, sanitation and poverty reduction. The applicant will act as the key liaison between the Regional as well as UK Policy and campaign teams.
• Contribute to capacity building and learning for both WaterAid staff and its partners to ensure that policy and advocacy issues are integrated into service delivery activities and that staff and partners contribute to policy and advocacy work.
• Be responsible for the effective performance management of all staff reporting, ensuring assessment, development andperformance management against objectives and organisationally agreed competencies and leadership behaviours.
• Set, manage and monitor expenditure budget for strategic and annual plans in policy and advocacy, adhering to financial guidelines, ensuring value for money and acting as appropriate within delegated authorities. 
• Maintain up to date knowledge of the wider social, political and economic contexts and also the key sector issues and best practice to ensure that the Country Programme stays at the forefront of national development policy debates.
• Ensuring that any programme-management and funding expectations (e.g. WAU or donor accountability policies) are fully understood by all team members involved, that commitment to meeting them is gained and that appropriate plans for meeting them are made. 
• Responsible for the effective performance management of all staff reporting, ensuring assessment, development and performance management against objectives and organisationally agreed competencies.
• Take lead, motivate and support the Policy and Research team staff in direct line management to work effectively together in their jobs.
• Establish effective relations with  the finance unit as well as within Partner organizations
• Work collaboratively with the head of Finance to ensure provision of a closer support to Partner organization in making sure funds disbursed are used in accordance with donor requirement and as according to WAU’s financial regulations.
• Actively participate in the implementation of Performance Management, including Objective Setting, Performance Review, upward feedback and personal development plans. Ensuring relevant aspects of WaterAid Uganda’s work in Uganda e.g. gender equity and HIV/AIDS mainstreamed and reflected in objectives and performance reviews.
• Ensure implementation of WAU’s operational policies, procedures and guidelines, including security guidelines, in all aspects of WaterAid Uganda’s work and with partners. 
• Represent WaterAid Uganda at local levels and project areas, with government and non-government partners etc. as required, mainly on issues related to WASH programme.
• Be a member of WAU’s team; participating in appropriate staff meetings, SMT, planning sessions and on-going liaising as needed.
• Work collaboratively with other members of the Senior Management Team to develop a collective agenda to advance and continuously improve the impact of other staff in supporting WAUfundraising initiatives.
• Provides effective representation of WAU as a leader in sector influencing along best practices.
• Actively initiate and contribute to fundraising and resource mobilisation for the Country Program.
• Perform any other responsibilities, tasks or activities as reasonably required.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience: 

• The Head of Policy, Research & Campigns must possess a University degree in Development studies, Social Science, a postgraduate diploma in Project Management, Gender, journalism or any first degree and a Masters in Project Management, international development, international studies, human rights, media or related area.
• A minimum of seven years’ demonstrated working experience in Research and Policy Analysis in the field of development with any reputed national/ international/ donor agency.
• Possess excellent communication, facilitation, presentation, representation influencing and interpersonal skills.
• Significant experience of leading research programmes and experience in the production of reports, publications, learning products with proven ability to analyse (qualitative and quantitative) data
• Demonstrated experience in policy campaigns and dialogue with government and donors on WASH sector/ issues is desirable.
• The applicant must have been at a management level for at least five years, specifically involved in proposal writing, project design, implementation, monitoring evaluation.
• Strong report writing skills, including experience producing proposals, reports, and other informational documents.

Significant and proven experience preferably in NGOs, to include:

• People Management, Leading, developing and implementing a WASH strategy
• Working at a senior level with a proven capacity to influence decision makers
• Developing and managing strategic relationships to achieve common goals and
• Gender and diversity considerations within key areas of responsibility and commitment to addressing inequalities in the workplace and the programme.
• Show commitment to WaterAid’s values and ways of working.
• Professional skills in preparation of Research reports, policy briefs, Policy design and interpretation. Having a good number of publications of articles in the recognized journals is preferred. 

How to Apply:

All suitably qualified and interested with a desire to work with WaterAid should endeavor to send their applications including a cover letter and Curriculum Vitae (CV) to:

The Head of Human Resources and Administration,
WaterAid Uganda, Plot 90 Luthuli Avenue Bugolobi,
P.O. Box 11759 Kampala, Uganda
Email: wauganda@wateraid.org

NB: Interviews will begin on 17^th February, 2014. Please consider your application unsuccessful if you haven’t heard from us by that time.

Deadline: 7th February, 2014