About Us:
Water For People is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) that works with people and partners to develop innovative and long-lasting solutions to the water, sanitation, and hygiene problems in the developing countries. Water For People is currently operating in 10 countries. The Uganda country programme aims to achieve sustainable water and excreta management through catalyzing water and sanitation businesses and supporting the development of approaches that can be taken to scale without the need for external grant funding. The country programme currently develops and documents a series of business landscaping and market analysis studies that enable replication in other settings, and the testing of innovative water and sanitation technical solutions, which overcome existing constraints and improve potential for commercially viable private sector organizations.
Job Summary: The Business Development Manager – Water and Sanitation will aid in the development and implementation of a market-based approach towards the provision of sustainable WASH in Kamwenge Uganda. This will entailed conducting due diligence through comprehensive assessments of potential business partners, developing and testing new business propositions for rural water and sanitation management, financial service linkages for water and sanitation businesses. The incumbent will also provide business development technical expertise to the programme.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
· The incumbent will steer innovation in the water and sanitation business space in line with the overall vision of the Water for People Uganda Country program.
· Design a program with the aim of achieving Sustainable financial services which include mobile banking with communication service providers to enhance safe, transparent banking of the Water User fees within beneficiary communities.
· Conduct due diligence through comprehensive assessments of potential business partners and SACCOs
· Coordinate all financial service companies in the District -SACCOS, Banks ad Microfinances.
· Develop and implement a District wide strategy relating to improving co financing for WASH services in the district including strengthening partnership with different WASH agencies in the district.
· Provide technical support in the initiation, development and growth of pit emptying and latrine building services in different segments of the population in Kamwenge.
· Coach and mentor small Private sector companies (e.g. Handpump Mechanics Associations, Water Private Operators and Entrepreneurs ) to carry on the role of WASH service provision in the Districts leading to improvements of Operation and maintenance in the sector and entrepreneur capacity.
· Coordinate all Water and Sanitation as business activities in Kamwenge, maintaining regular contact with all project staff, partner staff and relevant government bodies.
· Identify needs, opportunities, gaps, and constraints in potential water and sanitation markets, models, and entrepreneurs.
· Carry out business landscaping studies, and oversee the management of# market analysis work.
· Document successes, failures and lessons learnt, and share knowledge internally and externally.
· Build and strengthen working relationships with key local entrepreneurs, and gain an understanding of the private sector in the District at all levels.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
· The ideal candidate must hold a Master’s degree in business or entrepreneurship subject. Master’s degree in accounts is an added advantage. The relevance of your actual educational qualifications to this programme should be indicated in your application – noting how you have used your qualifications to help develop successful businesses in particular locations. (Maximum of 1 page with 3 referees include day phone and email address)
· A minimum of six years’ experience in business development or entrepreneurship is preferred
· Significant experience in provision of technical advice to small and medium enterprises in Uganda
· Previous experience with running or investing in a business, particularly in the informal sector, would be helpful but is not essential.
· Excellent track record of managing a team of innovators.
· Broad knowledge and understanding of how business works, what determines success or failure (both within businesses themselves and within the operating environment) and how entrepreneurs make decisions.
· Highly flexible with a nose for innovative entrepreneurial approaches, able to work under tight deadlines and have excellent follow through skills. Be a self-starter and work with limited supervision.
· Comfort and confidence in communicating with entrepreneurs, and talent in communicating with diverse and international constituents.
· Broad knowledge and understanding of what is required when using international grant funds, in terms of effectiveness and accountability.
· Excellent verbal/written communications and presentation skills. Good analytical skills and the ability to extrapolate lessons to other situations.
· Some knowledge of the sanitation sector is preferable but not essential.
· Ability to work with Bare foot business people (people with minimum or no business skills.
How to Apply:
All suitably qualified and interested applicants should send their applications with maximum of 1 to 2 page write up of how you have used your qualifications to help develop successful businesses in particular locations. Please attach an updated Curriculum Vita with three professional referees and email address. Deliver all documents to the following address:
The Country Director, Water For People Uganda, Plot 9, Olumi close, Kitante, (near Kitante Primary School), P.O. Box 1420, Kampala, Uganda.
Deadline: 15th January 2016