Resident Program Manager at WSUP

Job Description

This is an exciting new role as WSUP looks to establish a longer-term presence in Uganda based on our success and impact to date. The Resident Program Manager (RPM) will contribute to the successful delivery of WSUP Advisory’s ongoing programs in Uganda; manage all in-country aspects of the WSUP Advisory business including staff, consultants, partners and suppliers; represent WSUP with key stakeholders and identify and contribute to business development activities to secure future projects in Uganda.
The RPM will contribute to building WSUP’s profile and reputation through the delivery of successful projects and programs that align with WSUP’s vision and are based on WSUP’s approach to improving water and sanitation services.

Main responsibilities & tasks
1. Strategic development of WSUP in Uganda
• Act as the senior-most resident representative of WSUP Advisory and WSUP in Uganda
• Build and maintain relationships with government, utilities, funders, national and international development agencies and partners.
Contribute, through industry knowledge and market understanding, to the development of a strategy and business plan for a the establish of a WSUP program in Uganda.
• Manage funder and client relationships and host client visits and activities within Uganda

2. Program Management
• Ensure that program activities and WSUP staff and consultants work in an effective, culturally sensitive and coordinated manner within and across grants.
• Working closely with the Program Director (PD) and the program controller (PC), contribute to updating program planning, progress monitoring and performance assessment.
• Maintain close coordination with partners (the Ministry and Umbrellas) to ensure that that their priorities, workload and capacity is reflected in program planning and design of support activities.
• Develop close and trusted working-relationships with Ministry and Umbrella staff, with other stakeholders in the program and with the wider development community supporting Umbrella Authorities
• Manage the activities of in-country sub-consultant
• Work with the PD and PC to identify, assess and develop management plans for program risks especially as they relate to in-country risks.

3. Professional and technical inputs to programs and projects
• Collaborate with and influence the Ministry, Umbrellas, other institutions and development partners to achieve the program outcomes, objectives and goal in accordance with the Theory of Change
• Define, develop and manage workstreams and sub-projects within the program including the activities and outputs of team members and consultants
• Provide expert professional inputs to programs and projects.
• Undertake training and capacity building activities.

4. Business Development
• Working closely with WSUP Advisory and WSUP colleagues, evaluate and pursue opportunities for future work for WSUP Advisory and WSUP.
• IIdentify new business opportunities, analyse the competitive environment, contribute to developing winning strategies, engage national partners and contribute to tenders, client presentations and client liaison and negotiations for new projects.
5. General Management
• Manage in-country operations including banking, office operations, vehicles and logistics and support staff as appropriate.
• Ensure that all consultants, partners and in-country staff are briefed on, and comply with
WSUP’s policies and procedures in all program activities.
• Working with WSUP’s Head of People and Support and local advisors, assure that WSUP operations in Uganda meet all relevant legal and regulatory requirements.
• Manage business relationships with Employer of Record and with in-country legal and tax advisers.
• Line manage any WSUP staff employed in Uganda.

Person specification
Evidence that applicants meet the essential criteria will be assessed by the following
methods: Application (A) Interview (I), Test (T), as indicated below.
Essential

Qualifications
And experience
• A recognised and respected leader in the WASH sector in Uganda (A, I)
• Experience and track record in:
o managing programs and projects to achieve goals within time and budget (A)
o working as a consultant or advisor with well developed areas of technical expertise relevant to water and/or sanitation services (A)
o business development, including bids, tenders and grant applications
• Experience of working with water and/or sanitation utilities (A/I)
• Demonstrable track record of effectively building and sustaining key external and internal relationships at community and governmental level to realise tangible outcomes. (A)
• General management of consultancy or professional services business
• University degree in engineering, environmental science or related discipline Knowledge
• Good understanding of general- and operational-management for utilities or similar businesses (A/I)
• Understanding of consultancy business (I)
• Strong and well developed professional and technical skills demonstrated through practice and implementation of projects (A/I)

Skills and abilities
• Strong stakeholder management, negotiation and influencing skills (I)
• Ability to influence at a senior management level and take a strategic outlook (I).
• Ability to empower, mentor and coach and to build organisational capacity (I/A)
• Collaborative, principled and a good team player (I/A)
• Excellent planning, organisational and time management skills (I/A)
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills (I)
• Good communication skills: able to communicate complex concepts in a clear and concise way to non technical managers both in writing and verbally and to provide professional advice confidently and tactfully. (I)
• Proficient user of Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, Outlook anPowerPoint. (A)
Other
• Passionate about WSUP’s mission, values and ethos (I).
• Committed to adhering to and role modelling WSUP’s policies including
Safeguarding, Health, Safety and Security and Business Ethics. (I/A)

Desirable
Qualifications, experience, knowledge, skills
• Business qualification, e.g. MBA or accountancy skills
• Experience of organizational change management
• Experience of engaging with and influencing senior policy makers, executives and politicians Knowledge
• Knowledge of WSUP’s approach to improving urban water and sanitation services (I)
• Knowledge of the consultancy business including project management, business development and team management Skills and abilities
• Ability to lead teams and organisations
• Strategy development and business planning
• Facilitation skills