Program Manager - NGO

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Program Manager shall be accountable for the effective and timely execution of programs within her/ his portfolio. This shall entail design, implementation and monitoring of programs in collaboration with assigned partners. S/he shall be a key contributor to pipeline development, fundraising and donor support and global learning initiatives. S/he shall also take the lead in establishing Water.org as a pioneer in Water Supply and Sanitation Financing, integrating WaterCredit with the overall portfolio.

The Program Manager shall partner with carefully selected Banks, SFB, SHGF, microfinance institutions, Payment Banks etc. who shall provide loans to individuals or families in need of water connections or toilets. S/he shall work in close collaboration with the selected partners in getting the microfinance program off the ground by providing resources, go-to-market support, education, outreach, and facilitating the availment of - smart subsidies.-

Key areas of accountability and responsibility along with expected time allocations are listed below.

Water.org, head quartered in Kansas City, Missouri, USA, works to ensure safe water and sanitation for all.

Co-founded by Gary White and Matt Damon in 2009, Water.org has impacted more than three million lives and transformed thousands of communities in Africa, South Asia, and Latin America.

750 million people (about one in 10), globally lack access to safe water and 2.4 billion people (about one in three), do not have access to a toilet. Water.org serves these people.

Water.org goes beyond traditional approaches to safe water and sanitation, focusing on addressing the underlying causes of this global crisis and innovating to deliver large-scale and sustainable change.

Water.org's program in India provides safe drinking water and adequate sanitation facilities to families living in rural and urban Indian communities in 11 states and one Union Territory viz. Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry (UT). Water.org offers both grant and Water Credit programs in India.

For more information, please visit, http://water.org/

3. JOB DESCRIPTION/ RESPONSIBILITIES:

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Program Manager shall be accountable for the effective and timely execution of programs within her/ his portfolio. This shall entail design, implementation and monitoring of programs in collaboration with assigned partners. S/he shall be a key contributor to pipeline development, fundraising and donor support and global learning initiatives. S/he shall also take the lead in establishing Water.org as a pioneer in Water Supply and Sanitation Financing, integrating WaterCredit with the overall portfolio.

The Program Manager shall partner with carefully selected Banks, SFB, SHGF, microfinance institutions, Payment Banks etc. who shall provide loans to individuals or families in need of water connections or toilets. S/he shall work in close collaboration with the selected partners in getting the microfinance program off the ground by providing resources, go-to-market support, education, outreach, and facilitating the availment of - smart subsidies.-

Key areas of accountability and responsibility along with expected time allocations are listed below.

Key Job Responsibilities:

1. Exploration and Strategy (10%)

Develop programmatic strategy and facilitate research and development of new models for implementing programs and/or developing new channels and partner geographies for implementation. Key activities shall include, but are not limited to:

(1) Participate in strategy sessions at the country level and assist with developing country work plans;

(2) Review Expression of Interest (EOI) documents and determine whether organizations are eligible for partnership;

(3) Develop certification visit plan and schedule certification visits with partners;

(4) Conduct partner certification/due diligence for potential new partners including; scheduling, reviewing data and materials about partner, and visiting partners;

(5) Assist with collecting and organizing information on potential partners and prioritization for making contact;

(6) Support the Global Learning team in improving Water.org's ability to execute, expand, and apply its program models to new geographies;

(7) Serve as a resource base for practitioners and enable Water.org to position itself as the leader of the Water Supply and Sanitation (WSS) finance and services sector;

(8) Provide feedback to partners on results of baseline and/or end-line surveys, impact assessments, case studies, etc;

(9) Assist with determining sizes of programs viz. number of people served, total budget, number of loans etc., based on available funding and commitments to donors;

(10) Assist the M&E team in developing M&E plans for initiatives.

2. Program Design and Implementation; Manage Partner Relations (50%)

Provide support for the design and implementation of Water.org models and approaches.

(1) Review and approve Concept Notes and/or proposals of partners. Provide technical support to partners as required and ensure lessons learned and best practices are incorporated into program design;

(2) Design program activities, work plans, and formal agreements (e.g. memoranda of

understanding, contracts, etc.) for Advisory Services engagements. This shall include identification and engagement of third party service providers and the execution and management of contracts with third parties;

(3) Build relationships with third party service providers and act as a liaison between service providers and partners. This includes providing technical assistance to service providers to assist them in customizing their services to partner needs;

(4) Build and maintain effective working relationships with partner program implementation teams. This includes conducting regular check-ins, support visits and meetings with partners as needed throughout the program implementation cycle to support on-time and on-budget program implementation;

(5) Assess data and learn challenges from partnerships in order to improve partner performance. Encourage other practitioner organizations to apply WaterCredit principles;

(6) Provide support to partners by reviewing information at each phase of the product development cycle and offering technical advice/assistance. This also includes offering guidance on sustainability, development of WSS marketing materials, community capacity building, monitoring, integration of WaterCredit into overall portfolio, exit strategies/handing over of end result, etc;

(7) Manage payment processes for partner disbursements and payments to third parties

(8) Provide assistance to partners when required to make changes to their program scope, deliverables, and/or implementation geographies;

(9) Mitigate risks to program implementation by addressing areas of risk with partners and assist them in developing risk mitigation plans. When programs are not on target, work with partners to troubleshoot and offer recommendations. Work with partners on necessary course corrections that emerge through monitoring activities.

3. Program Monitoring and Evaluation (15%)

(1) Support the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) team in their efforts to ensure standard M&E practices across operations. Additionally, ensure M&E staff are alerted to address potential gaps between current and anticipated program or operational activities, identify data and research needs to build the evidence-base and inform current and future strategy and program design, and promote and encourage staff engagement with M&E practices.

(2) Train partners on Water.org reporting templates and uploading data into the WaterPortal. Ensure partners submit reports and upload data in accordance with Water.org requirements. Review partner reports and data uploads and complete initial approval or rejection of loan data in the WaterPortal;

(3) Review regular program reports from partners to ensure timeliness, completeness and accuracy, and provide guidance and feedback to partners as needed

(4) Monitor partner progress toward program deliverables and budget burn rates and provide regular feedback to partners;

(5) Manage partner Program Monitoring Visit (PMV) process including developing PMV schedules, conducting PMVs, preparing PMV reports, and sharing reports with partners and Water.org US-based staff; Validate and ensure program quality standards with regard to WSS assets constructed; Use smart tablets and/or phones to collect data during interviews and surveys and to assist with compiling visit reports;

(5) Review proposed revisions to partner work plans and budgets, ensure unspent budget amounts and unaccomplished program activities are carried over between quarters and program years, provide feedback to partners when further revisions are required, and make recommendations for approval;

(6) Monitor partner reports on availability of loan capital to ensure continuality of program implementation and sustainability of WaterCredit portfolio;

(7) Review evaluation materials, disseminate findings to partners, and insure learnings are incorporated into future program design;

(8) Assist with developing and/or refining partner reporting templates at the beginning of a program or initiative, as needed;

(9) Review and analyze partner and program information on the WaterPortal and send feedback to partners and Program Managers in case of errors, information gaps, or outdated information. Ensure technical problems with the WaterPortal are reported;

(10) Review proposed revisions to partner work plans and budgets and make recommendations regarding approvals;

(11) Assist with programmatic and impact evaluations. This includes informing evaluation design, facilitating evaluation activities between partners and M&E staff, and reviewing reports.

4. Program Learning (15%)

(1) Participate in the Community of Practice online practitioners- forum, engaging in discussions, answering questions, and encouraging partners to participate;

(2) Follow up with partners on application of learnings and best practices gained during exchange visits;

(3) Document and share programmatic learnings internally and externally through meetings, publications and participation in sector forums;

(4) Assist in supporting the Global Learning team in planning for learning events such as Partner Exchange Visits and WaterCredit forums.

5. Other Tasks (10%)

(1) Assist with onboarding, training, and mentoring new staff members;

(2) Liaise with partner organizations to prepare for donor visits, assist with coordination, logistical support and hosting for film/photography crews to support marketing, communications and/or brand partnerships activities;

(3) Assist with collection of beneficiary/partner stories and photos from partner reports for use in publications.

4. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES:

Qualification:

Applicants must have a Bachelor's degree in a related field. Applicants with a Master's degree in a related field shall be preferred. Applicants with relevant certifications, trainings and coursework shall be at an advantage.

Experience:

(1) Applicants must possess a minimum of five years of project and program management experience in the areas of financial inclusion, rural banking, microfinance, financial consultancy or international economic development;

(2) Demonstrated experience in water supply and sanitation sectors shall be an advantage;

(3) Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in facilitation and capacity building to ensure collaboration and linkages between staff, donors, partners and stakeholders

(4) Ability to travel up to 30% of the time is essential;

(5) Language proficiency in English is required;

(6) Must have local citizenship or work permit.

Skills and Competencies:

(1) Program and Portfolio Management: Skilled at managing a project lifecycle, overseeing the implementation of several related projects, analyzing information and formulating appropriate action, mitigating risk, and applying lessons learned;

(2) Sectoral Knowledge: Sound and up-to-date knowledge of concepts, methodologies and techniques including demonstrated expertise in at least one specialty area within finance, WSS and/or economic development. Clear understanding of issues related to gender and inequality in development and demonstrated commitment to promoting gender equality and pro-poor strategies within the organization and in program work. Innovative mind-set oriented toward constructive problem-solving, proactive strategic development and thought leadership. Familiarity with capacity building and technical assistance programs in the finance and WSS on sectors;

(3) Networking and Collaboration: Possess strong contacts within local financial institutions (e.g. microfinance institutions, commercial banks, mobile network operators, cooperatives, etc.), relevant local governmental institutions, the local development sector, the WSS sector, and other relevant stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to identify new opportunities, establish cross-sector partnerships and design programs that are creative and leverage different stakeholders' capacities;

(4) Communication: Proficient in the use of effective communication techniques, particularly across a variety of constituencies and stakeholder groups. Skilled at cross-cultural communication and collaboration. Ability to communicate fluently and effectively in English, with expertise in local language(s) in the region necessary as required. Advanced knowledge of computer applications and ability to integrate technology into office and program activities.

5. COMPENSATION OFFERED:

The gross remuneration budgeted for the position is attractive. Offers shall be commensurate with the qualifications, experience and salary history, of the selected candidate.

(Note: Additional benefits include medical/ dental insurance, life insurance etc. by Water.org)

6. LOCATION: New Delhi/ Chennai

7. REFERENCE: PGM-WO

8. CONTACT INFORMATION:

Senior Consultant

Strategic Alliance Management Services P Ltd.

1/1B, Choudhary Hetram House, Bharat Nagar

New Friends Colony, New Delhi 110 025

Phones: 011-2684-2162; 011-4165-3612; 011-4101-1564 and 011-4101-1565

Email: pgm-wo@sams.co.in

9. LAST DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: Eligible candidates interested in this position are requested to apply to pgm-wo@sams.co.in with a cover letter, discussing their interest in and suitability for the position, along with an updated resume, giving details of three references, current cost to organization and expected compensation, by July 12, 2017.