Livelihoods and Partnerships Coordinator

Base of Operations/Training: General Santos City, South Cotabato, Philippines

Background

USAID/Safe Water works with local government units (LGUs), water service providers (WSPs), and watershed councils (WCs) in target provinces to sustain life-saving gains in access to water supply and sanitation (WSS) services by developing and reinforcing the systems that underpin and deliver vital WSS services for 1.1 million Filipinos, while protecting crucial upstream water resources. By applying a systems approach that strengthens linkages between upstream and downstream stakeholders in the Sarangani, Negros Occidental and Palawan Provinces, Safe Water will:

1) increase access to resilient water supply and sanitation services;
2) improve sustainable management of water resources; and
3) strengthen water sector governance.

Summary of Primary Duties

The Livelihoods and Partnerships Coordinator will serve as a critical member of the Safe Water team working with Manila-based and field teams to support and facilitate field work to mainstream payment for ecosystems services (PES) among LGUs, downstream WSPs, water-reliant industries, and upstream households and communities that provide new sources of financing for reforestation of high recharge areas, patrolling of protected areas and incentivizing adoption of sustainable livelihoods and resource protection behaviors.

Detailed Responsibilities

· Work with Manila-based project leadership in planning and implementation of livelihood activities towards sustainable landscape management and improved resource management.

· Support Safe Water Field Team in convening key watershed actors.

· Conduct market assessment, design livelihood strategy and facilitate the selection of community beneficiaries in Safe Water priority sites.

· Identify agroforestry livelihood activities, ensuring increased participation of women and link community producers to technical providers of improved production technology and value-adding opportunities.

· Support community beneficiaries to access financing for livelihood and water/ sanitation from Safe Water MFI and private sector partners.

· Lead organizational assessment and facilitate capacity building of community groups to enhance their livelihood initiatives.

· Support the Water Resource Management Associate to mobilize local resources to leverage watershed management activities.

· Under the technical guidance of the WRM Specialist, facilitate consensus building activities among watershed stakeholders for establishing PES and other cost sharing mechanisms for watershed management.

· Work with the Water Resource Management Associate in forging partnership agreements between community producers and private entrepreneurs for the development of high value agroforestry plantations.

· Under the technical guidance of Safe Water WSS specialists, facilitate convening of LGU and community stakeholders to identify water efficiency constraints and solutions.

· Coordinate with the Private Sector Engagement Advisor in developing partnerships with local businesses and NGOs on WDM.

· Monitor and document implementation of assigned task areas.

· Collaborates with project team members in work planning and tracking work progress; and

· Contribute to project reporting and communication

Qualifications

· B.A./B.S. in Community Enterprise Development or related fields required.

· At least 5 years of experience working in a similar position for a donor-funded project, NGO or an international organization

· Enterprise development experience in watershed or river basin setting preferred

· Ability to travel in communities and work effectively in a fast-paced, stressful environment

· Must be a team player and have strong social skills; with demonstrated ability to effectively interact with communities, particularly IPs, local government units, and other stakeholders

· Strong writing and speaking in English required; knowledge of local dialects in the site is an advantage

Reporting

The Livelihoods and Partnerships Coordinator will work under the direct supervision of the Field Technical Manager and in close coordination with the Private Sector Engagement Advisor and Water Resource Management Specialist. This position will be based in General Santos City.

Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit a cover letter, resume and three professional references to: [email protected]. Please put the job title in the subject line of your email.