About WaterAid

WaterAid is a global non-government, not-for-profit organisation, working for over 30 years now in changing lives for the betterment in 34 countries around the world. We work to offer clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene to underprivileged people globally, through convincing the governments to change laws, linking policy makers with people on the ground, pooling knowledge and resources, and rallying support from people and organisations from different corners of the world – altogether making lasting change happen on a massive scale.

Job Purpose

The incumbent is responsible to support WaterAid Bangladesh in the implementation of the universality aim (Aim 1: Achieve universal, sustainable, and safe services in focused geographic areas to influence wider change) particularly building stronger linkages externally with WASH service providers especially in the government sector as well as with the INGOs, NGOs and Donors. S/he as a knowledge leader in overall policy and governance related issues of universal access to WASH will develop the skills, capacity and knowledge of WaterAid Bangladesh’s programme and partner staff to understand the policy and governance perspectives of universal access to WASH. The Senior Officer – Advocacy & Campaign will be responsible for supporting/liaising, establishing, and maintaining relationship with Government of Bangladesh’s various ministries that deal with universal access to WASH, not only limited to MoLGRD&C as the focal ministry for WASH, but will/may include Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health etc. as necessary. S/he will work with local and national strategic partners to strengthen the WASH system to deliver universal, sustainable, and safe WASH at the households and various public institutions. As Senior Officer – Advocacy & Campaign, s/he will be supporting the programme and business development department to design and implement impactful WASH projects/programmes with universal access to WASH centered components in projects.

Key Responsibilities

The incumbent will support the following: • Analysing and supporting the understanding of Bangladesh’s Laws, Policies, Strategies, Guideline, Frameworks related to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene. • Supporting WaterAid Bangladesh to understand the overall WASH governance process, mechanisms and instruments at the national and sub national levels. • S/he will support programmes to integrate policy and governance aspects of universal access to WASH into programmes/projects, especially at the local government level [City Corporation, Municipality, Zilla, Upazilla and Union Parishad] • S/he will work with the government systems/ministries that are responsible for universal access to WASH and work with/influence other sector actors (INGOs, national NGOs and donors) to design and implement inclusive and effective universal access to WASH cantered interventions into existing/new WASH programmes/projects and communications. • S/he will support programme, technical and communications staff to design and implement locally owned hygiene behaviour campaigns to respond to universal access to WASH. • S/he will support programmes/projects to design and implement project that improve the quality of universal access to WASH. • S/he will support programmes to work with WASH sector service providers to model inclusive and sustainable services, and advocate for increased WASH investments and performance measures in national WASH systems data. • S/he will support WaterAid Bangladesh’s work to promote ownership and responsibilities for universal access to WASH by working with GoB entities and decision makers to embed universal access to WASH in all aspects including WASH systems strengthening, GoB planning and monitoring. • S/he will support business development department to design and develop impactful projects that promotes universal access to WASH for the citizen of Bangladesh, particularly providing inputs into how policies related to providing access to universal access to WASH can be strengthened and how governance structures and mechanisms can be enhanced for universal access to WASH for the citizens of Bangladesh. • S/he will take forward the existing work of WaterAid Bangladesh in relation to universal access to WASH related initiatives such as the WASH policy advocacy related work with the MoLGRD&C and various networks. S/he will support the advocacy and communication initiative of WaterAid Bangladesh to promote these issues at the national (With GoB, INGOs, NGOs, donors) and international level and within the WaterAid international structures. • S/he will support to build the capacity and knowledge of WaterAid Bangladesh’s staff as well as partner staff in matters relating to policy and governance issues of universal access to WASH. • S/he will take lead in documenting the learnings of policy and governance related work of programmes/projects of WaterAid Bangladesh with inputs from programme colleagues for internal and external circulation. • S/he will enhance her/his knowledge of WaterAid Bangladesh’s universal access to WASH related programmes/projects through field visits, discussion with staff and reading past documents. • S/he will support the process to ensure WaterAid’s presence and contribution in different strategic consultative processes related to universal access to WASH that arise within and beyond the sector. • S/he will facilitate various capacity building, networking, and collaborative initiatives (training course, workshop, consultation, campaigns, lobby and advocacy etc.) for WaterAid programme and strategic partners and WASH Networks, sector governance and different influencing. • S/he will facilitate a process with sector actors responsible for universal access to WASH, networks, and partner organisations to create an enabling environment so that poor people, especially women, girls, persons with disability and marginalized people will be able to participate in local-level sector planning, budgeting, and monitoring mechanisms. • In addition to above any other responsibilities assigned by the line Manager to be done for the interest of WAB.

Requisite qualifications, experience, and attributes

Person specification The incumbent should have the skills and capacity to influence projects in the interest of the country strategy/objectives. Understands one’s own performance in relation to the strategy. May manage a/few project/s and may supervise a small team, based on portfolio (when needed). Focused on meeting objectives and delivering projects within her/his specialist area within given deadline. Seeks and gains input from colleagues and networks externally. Unlikely to have factors which make performing activities more complex. Sufficient experience in development field / or specialist skills transferred from a different sector. Education, knowledge and experience • Knowledgeable and good understanding of the Government of Bangladesh’s laws, policies, strategies, guideline, frameworks etc that relates to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene. • Master’s preferably in Social Sciences, Law, Mass Communication, Development Studies, Public Health and related discipline. Advanced degree from recognised overseas institution/University would be an advantage. • Minimum 05 years relevant working experience in policy and advocacy with demonstrable skills. The years of experience may be relaxed for candidates with exceptional credentials and/or fast professional growth track. • Working experience of advocacy/influencing with the local government institutions [City Corporation, Municipality, Zilla, Upazilla and Union Parishad] preferred. • Clear conception, updated knowledge on universal access to WASH and its related issues and how this is structured within the government system. • Experience in policy/strategy/ action plan formulation, report/article writing and documentation. • Courage for multi-tasking ability to produce results individually or through teamwork within tight deadlines • Ability of performing in a multi-sectoral environment. • Ability to identify priorities, design programmes and produce deliverables with minimal supervision. • Analytical ability to analyze policies, strategies and can extract advocacy and influential agenda for the WA • Work experience with Government/ Development Partners and INGOs and/or good understanding of Government and Development Partner’s work environment would be an added advantage • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision. Professional and Technical Skills • Writing skill both in Bangla (Skill of Bangla typing is a must) & English. • Ability to establish good relationship and rapport with stakeholders and partners; allure cooperation from other teams and maintain networks outside the organisation. • Skills to use different technological resources (computer, multimedia projector, internet, email, computer aided systems, widely used software etc.). • Excellent presentation and facilitation skills. • Strong interpersonal communication and networking skill. • Media (Print, electronic and Social media) relations skills • Knowledge and skills of planning and budgeting, report writing Competencies • Must be a person who is self-motivated with good interpersonal skills and capacity to understand and walk with people from all walks of life. • Possess personal integrity, flexible attitude, sense of transparency, proactive stance and respect for gender and organisational culture. • Competent to uphold organisational values, willingness to promote integrity in line with organisational mission and vision. • Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

Reportable To

Advocacy and Campaign Lead

Workstation

WaterAid Bangladesh Country Office

Working Hours

37.5 hours

Contract Tenure

Till 31 March 2026

Travel

Willingness to travel on a regular basis to remote areas of Bangladesh and overseas is required. It is expected that 20-30% time should be dedicated to travel.

Ways of Working

Working relationships: Internal: (Within the organisation. For example, cross functional dept. or programmes) Internal working relationships includes but not limited to all other Cross Functional Departments, Projects/Programmes and Teams within WaterAid Bangladesh External: External stakeholders. For example, WAUK/Regional, PNGO, Donor, govt. entity etc.

Apply Instruction

If you are passionate to improve lives of the people in the transforming climate context, courageous to bring positive impact through your proficiencies, confident to meet organisation’s expectations and fulfil the above-mentioned requirements please visit the following link and apply. Application deadline: 15 December 2023 Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Candidates will have to be ready to go through an extensive selection process. Any lobbying will be considered as disqualification. Any difficulties faced while submitting application needs to be addressed to afsanaislam@wateraid.org. Apply Now

Application Deadline: 15 December 2023

ONLY SHORT-LISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED
Candidates will have to go through an extensive selection process.
Any lobbying will be considered as disqualification

WaterAid is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

WaterAid is committed to ensuring that wherever we work in the world there is no tolerance for the abuse of power, privilege or trust. WaterAid reinforces a culture of zero tolerance towards any form of inappropriate behaviour, abuse, harassment, or exploitation of any kind. The safeguarding of our beneficiaries, staff, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf, is our top priority, and we take our responsibilities extremely seriously. All staff and volunteers are required to share in this commitment through our Global Code of Conduct.
Please visit https://www.wateraid.org/uk/safeguarding-at-wateraid

To know more about our organisation, please visit: www.wateraid.org