WASH Project Associate (Water Enterprise Development) at Amref Kenya

JOB SUMMARY

• WaterStarters is a WASH program implemented by Amref Health Africa with funding  MegaGroup, DANIDA and Amref Flying Doctors - Netherlands. The program is testing an innovative financing and management model for rural water schemes which combines grants, community contributions and recoverable finance. The project seeks to demonstrate that use of smart-tech solutions coupled with professional management can guarantee revenue flows for rural water schemes, thereby ensuring sustainability and CapEx recovery. For more information of WaterStarters visit www.waterstarters.org
• The Project Associate will develop and implement strategies that transform rural water projects (franchisees) into commercially viable and sustainable enterprises, ensuring long-term access to clean water for rural communities, with a specific focus on franchisee management, loan repayment, and financial transparency.

KEY RESPONSIBLITIES

Water Enterprise Development and Management

• Support in identification and engagement of potential franchisees as per the WaterStarters selection criteria 
• Provide ongoing training and support to franchisees on business development and management, operational best practices, and customer service.
• Monitor franchisee performance and provide feedback for improvement.
• Conduct thorough financial assessments of existing water projects, identifying revenue streams, operational costs, and potential for profitability within a franchise framework.
• Develop comprehensive business plans for franchisees, including financial projections, pricing strategies, and investment proposals.
• Assess and improve operational efficiency across the franchise network, focusing on cost reduction, water loss management, and infrastructure maintenance.
• Develop and support implementation of appropriate water tariff systems that balance affordability and cost recovery within the franchise model.
• Support establishment of robust management and accounting systems for franchise operations.
• Conduct market research to understand customer needs and willingness to pay for water services within the franchise context.
• Support development of a sustainability framework for WaterStarters Special Purpose Vehicle.

Loan Repayment Monitoring

• Implement systems for tracking and monitoring loan repayments from franchisees, ensuring timely collection.
• Ensure adherence to loan repayment schedules as stipulated in franchise agreements
• Develop and Implement strategies for managing and mitigating loan repayment risks.

Record Keeping and Books of Accounts

• Train franchisees on proper record-keeping and financial reporting.
• Support franchisees to establish and maintain accurate and up-to-date financial records, including books of accounts, ledgers, and financial statements.
• Support franchisees to implement sound accounting practices and ensure compliance with relevant financial regulations.

Stakeholder Engagement and Capacity Building

• Engage with franchisees, community members and local authorities to ensure their participation in project planning and implementation.
• Work with local authorities to ensure the long-term sustainability of the projects.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Support in development of monthly, quarterly and annual reports per organization and donor requirements    

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, economics, finance, accounting or a related field.  
• At least 2 years of experience in WASH related business development and project implementation, preferably in an NGO setting.
• Strong financial analysis and modeling skills.
• Strong bookkeeping and accounting skills.
• Experience with loan tracking software or methods.
• Strong understanding of rural Water development issues and challenges.  
• Knowledge of water sector regulations and standards is a plus.
• Having a good understanding of socio-cultural context of the county will be an added advantage.

Competences

• Able to deliver quality work within tight deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Hard working and results oriented.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team