UTILITY FINANCE SPECIALIST, (Ref. UFS, Ethiopia)

Sustainable Water and Sanitation in Africa (SUWASA) is a new regional initiative financed by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by Tetra Tech ARD (a company based in the USA) from the regional office in Nairobi, Kenya. The mission of SUWASA is to foster the transformation of water and sanitation services delivery in Sub-Saharan Africa to achieve long-term financial sustainability through the application of market-based principles, engagement of the private sector within a conducive policy and regulatory framework.

SUWASA is implementing a project in Hawassa in cooperation with the City Administration of Hawassa and the Hawassa Town Water Supply and Sewerage Service Enterprise (HTWSSSE) with the objective of transforming the utility into a more efficient and autonomous organization and stimulating the adoption of performance based management practices based on commercial principles.

For its project in Hawassa, SUWASA seeks to employ four Ethiopian nationals with the following qualifications and background. All positions are full-time and will be based in Hawassa.

Key Responsibilities:

a)    Analyze and evaluate the regulatory framework for water services provision in Hawassa;

b)    Develop tariff designs for water services as well as billing and collection systems;

c)    Support the project team in designing water sector reform initiatives and the implementation of innovative financing approaches to water and sanitation investments;

d)    Develop strategies for micro finance activities in Hawassa;

e)    Assist in the development and implementation of capacity building and training programs with regard to utility financing;

f)     Coordinate and establish useful links with partners and financial institutions involved in water and sanitation reform and finance;

g)    Assist and advise in the development of medium and long term capital investment plans and financing strategies for the utility.

Qualifications and Experience:

a)    At least a Masters degree in Finance, Economics or Business Administration;

b)    A minimum of 6 years of professional experience in utility finance or related activities;

c)    Knowledge in financing of infrastructure at municipal level is an advantage;

d)    Knowledge on challenges of regulating water service provision is also an advantage;

e)    Comprehensive knowledge of financial information systems and reporting;

f)     Experience in designing and structuring the financing of infrastructure projects for water supply and waste management;

g)    Experience in financial planning and forecasting, ideally in tariff setting;

h)    Proficiency in English (written and spoken) and Amharic is essential.

Interested candidates should send their CV, 3 references and a cover letter by e-mail to: recruit@ard-suwasa.org with the relevant reference mentioned on the subject line (UFS, Ethiopia), or by fax to: +254 20 271 2314 or by regular mail to: Tetra Tech ARD - SUWASA, P. O. Box 38454 – 00623, Nairobi, Kenya

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview and successful candidates will be hired as soon as they are available. Compensation will be commensurate with qualification and relevant experience. For more information about SUWASA please visit www.usaid-suwasa.org.

The closing date for receipt of applications is February 11, 2011.

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