Senior Program Manager WASH

Job description

iDE is an international not-for-profit NGO with a unique business approach to poverty eradication.

For over 40 years around the world— and 15 years in Ghana —iDE has pioneered innovative market based approaches to improve access to safe water and sanitation and increase agricultural incomes in rural communities.

We advance projects in the areas of Water Sanitation and Hygiene, Agriculture, Nutrition among others to improve livelihoods to our beneficiaries, families and communities.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Ghana Senior Program Manager (SPM) for water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) is responsible for the high-quality design, implementation, management, supervision and evaluation of iDE Ghana’s WASH portfolio, including ongoing programs functions, new projects, and consulting.

The SPM-WASH position plays a critical technical and partnership role, with an emphasis on a role of coordination, quality assurance,  and management to related Project Managers/Team Leaders in accordance with the international and national standards to ensure all WASH projects are implemented to a high standard.

As a senior management team member, the SPM-WASH participates in strategic planning and budgeting initiatives in addition to problem-solving.

S/he works within the guidelines, policies and mission of iDE and will be accountable and responsible for the iDE Ghana WASH portfolio.

S/he will also be responsible for strategic leadership in the design and delivery of assigned WASH projects in accordance with the mission and the goals of the organization.

The SPM-WASH will be responsible for providing broad oversight on management functions related to Project Managers/Team Leaders and their project teams, emphasizing a peer-to-peer support modality.

This will require close coordination with the Leadership and Senior Management Teams, as well as with the Business and Fund Development Unit (BD/FD), Operations Unit (Ops) and the Global Programs Unit (especially Global WASH) at the iDE Head Office.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT 

• Provide leadership in developing a roadmap to strengthen the WASH markets and in developing and marketing existing and future WASH projects in iDE Ghana.
• Develop, implement, and regularly update iDE Ghana’s programmatic WASH strategy to enhance visibility and impact.
• Contribute to iDE Global's 10-year impact strategy by incorporating Ghana's perspectives and context and translating the global strategy into one that is effective in the Ghanaian context.
• Ensure all WASH programs align with iDE’s vision and the country's priorities, adapting strategies as needed to respond to changing contexts and needs.
  
  
• GESI: Promote and adhere to principles of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI), collaborating with iDE Ghana’s GESI & Design Coordinator to integrate these principles into all aspects of program design and implementation.

TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP

• Provide management, guidance, and technical oversight of all new and existing projects within the iDE Ghana Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) throughout the organization to ensure project design, start-up, implementation and close-out are in line with iDE Ghana quality principles and standards, donor guidelines and project targets, and industry best practices.
  
  
• Oversee technical assistance and capacity-strengthening activities in WASH for staff and partner organizations to enhance program quality, impact and key principles of sustainability, considering governance, finance, technology, environmental issues, private sector participation and the potential to scale up.
• Lead the development of program learning and integration of sector best practice 
• Identify opportunities for learning, research, and publications in the areas of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and the implementation of the MERL policy.
  
  
• Facilitate the dissemination of promising practices and lessons learned to contribute to the agency knowledge management agenda.
  
  
• Ensure integration of innovations and best practices.
• Ensure sector knowledge and its integration into WASH interventions, including ag, livelihoods, environment, health, nutrition, and education.
  
  Also, ensure WASH projects integrate climate change issues with a focus on mitigation, adaptation, and watershed/biodiversity protection.

PROGRAM OVERSIGHT & GOVERNANCE  

• Responsible and accountable for the high quality delivery of assigned WASH projects, including achievement of targets, compliance with donor requirements, implementation of outlined activities and review of monthly progress to determine necessary adjustment to achieve project and program goals
• Liaise with other country offices and global HQ on technical work, ensuring adherence to the do no harm principle and helping our clients thrive.
• Conduct regular site visits to monitor project progress, build relationships, and ensure effective implementation.
• Report Writing: Guide the report-writing process to ensure accuracy, consistency, and timely submission to donors.
• Documentation: Document program successes, human-interest stories, lessons learned, and best practices for internal and external sharing.
• Monitor and report any challenges and/or gaps identified to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules.
  
  Assist teams in their efforts to document project experiences.
• Adhere to and promote iDE's integrity standards, ensuring the program team follows logistics, procurement, HR, and finance protocols.
• Ensure programs are sensitive to vulnerable groups, including gender considerations, and incorporate risk reduction strategies throughout the program lifecycle.
• Monitor the overall financial integrity and grant management of the program, ensuring transparency and accountability.
  
  Collaborate with the Finance and Operations Director to ensure effective financial management and compliance with donor regulations and organizational policies.
• Continuous Learning: Promote a culture of continuous learning and development, adapting programs to new challenges, and actively seeking opportunities to enhance interventions.
• Evaluation: Implement robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to measure impact and inform decision-making.

PARTNERSHIP CULTIVATION AND FUND DEVELOPMENT  

• Partnership Development: Cultivate and sustain relationships with key donors, partners, and stakeholders to secure program funding and support for WASH initiatives.
• Strategic Engagement: Represent iDE Ghana's WASH objectives in relevant forums, networks, and strategic discussions to enhance visibility and influence.
• Partnership Assessment: Identify, evaluate, and strengthen partnerships relevant to WASH programming using appropriate concepts, tools, and approaches.
• Opportunity Development: Collaborate with the business development unit to identify and pursue funding opportunities aligned with iDE’s strategic vision.
• Proposal Leadership: Guide the bid process and develop high-quality proposals for solicited and unsolicited opportunities, including leading technical discussions with partners.

TEAM MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT

• Leadership and Oversight: Provide strategic guidance and day-to-day management support to direct reports, including the Sama Sama Team, Head of Business Operations, and Head of Credit & Finance, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and program priorities.
• Performance Management and Capacity Building: Conduct regular performance reviews, set professional development plans, and identify training needs to foster growth and effectiveness within the team.
• Collaboration and Synergy: Facilitate cross-functional collaboration among the Sama Sama Team, Business Operations, and Credit & Finance departments to ensure cohesive implementation of WASH initiatives and seamless integration of programmatic and operational objectives.
• Team Morale: Address team dynamics and resolve conflicts promptly, while fostering a positive, inclusive, and results-driven team culture.
• Strategic Planning and Goal Setting: Collaborate with direct reports to develop annual work plans and set clear, measurable objectives for their teams, ensuring accountability and continuous progress toward program milestones.

Requirements

EDUCATION

Minimum, a Bachelor's degree in Public Health, Water and Sanitation, Environmental Science, Civil/Environmental Engineering, project management or a closely related field  is required.

A Master's Degree is preferred.

QUALIFICATIONS AND ATTRIBUTES

•  Minimum of 5 years of leadership in the WASH space
• Demonstrated expertise in WASH, public health, market systems development, or innovative financing for international development 
• Proven skills in leading strategic programming and planning processes to ensure program effectiveness.
• Ability to  manage diverse (multicultural, functional, socio-economic, educational and professional) teams with strong teamwork skills, excellent communication abilities in a multicultural environment, and the capacity for participatory leadership.
• An established network in the WASH space in Ghana 
• Proven experience  in writing proposals and securing funding for programs.
• Demonstrable experience in driving integrated advocacy, communications, and fundraising approaches to support program objectives.

• Ability to thrive in a high-pressure and rapidly changing environment, demonstrating resilience and adaptability.
• Ability to provide mentorship and advisory support to the technical team.
• Sensitivity to work in rural contexts and with women, youth, and ethnic groups.
• A high level of commitment to iDE’s values and objectives.
  
  
• Demonstrates empathy, humility, authenticity, and respect in the workplace.
• A high sense of responsible approach to all tasks and ownership of the position.
• Willingness to take on additional areas of responsibility relevant to the role.

Benefits

SALARY AND BENEFIT

The salaries and benefits for this position are competitive and aligned based on IDE's compensation structure specific to the individual country where IDE has an established entity.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested candidates should submit their resume, cover letter with 2 current referees and all relevant educational certificates via Workable by 22nd January 2025

Required Skill Profession

Other Management Occupations