WASH Financing and Private Sector Partnerships Specialist at DAI Kenya - Development Alternatives, Inc.

Project Background

The Western Kenya Water Project (WKWP) is a 5-year USAID funded project whose purpose is to increase the availability of, and access to, water services in Western Kenya, while enabling better management of water resources. The GOK’s goals for devolution and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals will drive our implementation of the Program, and we will thus focus on enabling county-wide approaches, supported by accessible models, tools, and data necessary for water security. We will employ an efficient and collaborative approach that makes best use of the natural, human, and financial resources available in Kenya across the public and private sectors. The project will work across eight counties in Western Kenya—Bungoma, Busia, Homa Bay, Kakamega, Kisii, Kisumu, Migori, and Siaya within the Lake Victoria North and South Basins.

The Western Kenya Water Project has the following three goals:

• To increase the ability of selected county governments and service providers to deliver good quality, reliable, and safe water services to urban, peri-urban, and rural populations.
• To strengthen the systems within which providers operate—including governance, financing, and WRM—building a foundation for continued, sustained improvements in country water services.
• To support sector inclusivity, by helping to create channels for increased participated and meaningful engagement of the private sector, women and youth.

Objectives of the Assignment

The WASH Financing and Private Sector Partnerships Specialist will support the Financing and PSP Lead in implementing three iterative financing strategies: concentrating on core activities that improve the financial viability of urban and rural service providers;maximizing access to, and effective use of, available sources of finance, including county, WSTF, and available streams of commercial funding; and helping to identify and develop new funding sources, including through the private sector, for both water services and water resource investments.

Tasks & Responsibilities

As part of an integrated WKWP Team, s/he will support a county-led development process. The specific responsibilities, include:

• Help stabilize finances and improve creditworthiness of utilities and enterprises through a process of rapid financial analysis, prioritized interventions, and an emphasis on the better development and use of data for decision-making
• Assist in the goal to facilitate county governments, WSPs, and enterprises to tap into existing financing, including the WSTF, through county-specific financing strategies – including for last-mile services – working in close collaboration with Component 5
• Help to develop alternative sources of financing and expand private sector opportunities including through catalytic use of donor finance, improvements in supply-side lending, fostering private sector interest, and operationalization of the Water Act and PPP law at local levels.
• Contribute to, and participate in, work-planning, co-creation, project reporting, events, and learning activities

Qualifications and Experience

• At least 7 years of experience providing technical assistance and capacity building to improve private sector performance or mobilize finance in the WASH sector.
• Bachelors in related field required; Advanced degree in business, management, economics, finance, or other field related to the financing of basic services is preferred.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills are highly desired.

Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent analytical skills and the ability to summarize information in a clear and concise manner.
• Training skills to build the capacity of partner institutions such as subcontractor partners, government institutions, WSPs, etc.
• Ability to work independently to efficiently meet deadlines.
• Oral and written communication skills to effectively communicate with other staff, county government officials and the local communities.