Social Impact (SI) is a global development management consulting firm. To advance development effectiveness, we provide monitoring, evaluation, strategic planning, and capacity-building services. We work across all development sectors including democracy and governance, health and education, environment, and economic growth. Since 1997 we have worked in over 100 countries for clients such as US government agencies, bilateral donors, multilateral development banks, foundations, and nonprofits.
USAID T-MELA Description:
On January 19, 2023, USAID/Tanzania awarded International Business Initiatives (IBI) and SI a four-year contract for the Tanzania Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Adaptation Activity (USAID T-MELA). This activity is to assist the USAID/Tanzania Mission with strategy- and activity-level performance monitoring, evaluation, and learning. This activity will also provide data gathering and verification, data visualization (including Geographic Information Systems), data quality Studies, impact and performance evaluations, Studies, organizational learning, and collaboration among USAID’s implementing partners and DO teams.
Background:
Access to clean and safe drinking water is a fundamental human right, and it is essential for promoting public health and well-being. In some rural Tanzanian communities, access to clean and safe water is available, yet a huge portion of the population does not have access to clean and safe water due various operational challenges such as; unavailability of water quality services in their local areas, lack of treatment/disinfection units and high cost of disinfectant. Furthermore, conducting regular water quality monitoring is an essential component for detecting existing issues and preventing potential problems harmful to human health. While this is crucial, in many water supply schemes no routine water quality monitoring is undertaken.
During the Technical Working Group 02 meeting held on October 11, 2023, participants raised concerns regarding the approaches utilized particularly the associated expenses, by water quality laboratories in determining the suitability of water for drinking purposes. There is suspicion that the approaches used may be a contributing factor to the reluctance to assess water quality, leading to the use of untreated water from various sources. This situation poses a threat to the joint efforts of government and development partners in achieving the objectives outlined in the Water Policy, particularly in providing clean and safe water to the population and ensuring public health.
In response to these challenges, the Ministry of Water, through the Director of Water Quality Services, has reached out to USAID Tanzania, for collaborative efforts on conducting a study on the factors influencing people to use unsafe water, reasons behind the lack of routine water quality monitoring in rural areas and to propose reasonable costs of water quality testing services (laboratory service charges).
Rationale and Statement of Purpose:
The primary purpose of this study is to identify and analyze the factors that contribute to the non-utilization of safe water and the lack of application of routine water quality monitoring in Tanzania’s rural areas.
Study Objectives:
i. To identify socio-cultural, economic, and infrastructural factors that hinder the use of treated/safe water sources.
ii. To assess factors contributing to not conducting routine water quality monitoring in rural water schemes.
iii. To assess the prevalence and geographical distribution of treated water sources within the chosen rural communities.
iv. To propose reasonable costs of water quality testing services (laboratory service charges).
Position Description:
SI is seeking a Team Lead to support T-MELA with this study. The Team Lead shall be an English speaker with a deep understanding of the water sector programming and challenges – particularly in rural areas – across multiple contexts. Strong candidates will have experience working with USAID and with government ministry counterparts. The TL will liaise closely with the other Study Team members, including Tanzania water sector experts, governmental bodies, USAID T-MELA staff, and USAID Tanzania staff. The TL will be expected to provide technical leadership over the design and implementation of the study and to deliver timely and high-quality outputs throughout the study. This is a consulting position with an estimated period of performance of November 2024 – May 2025. The estimated level of effort (LOE) for the Team Lead will be 70 days of LOE.
Responsibilities:
The Team Lead shall have the following responsibilities:
1. Provide technical insight into Water Quality Monitoring specifically in rural areas.
2. Lead the Study Team on desk review, initial stakeholder consultation, and identify additional information/analyses required.
3. Lead the Study Team to prepare and finalize Study design, methodologies, analysis plan, and work plan.
4. Participate in data collection in consultation with government officials at MoW based on research/logistical needs.
5. Provide support on data analysis and iteratively develop findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
6. Engage MOW to the extent possible to ensure buy-in and ownership of the study.
7. Lead the Study Team in the preparation and presentation of the key findings, conclusions, and recommendations to Ministry of Water, USAID, Development Partner Group for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (DPG-WASH), and other stakeholders as it may be decided.
8. Write the study report in coordination with team members, taking into consideration feedback from a preliminary finding session with key stakeholders.
9. Lead the team in responding to MoW, USAID and USAID T-MELA’s comments and feedback and deliver high-quality deliverables that meet USAID and SI’s standards.
Deliverables:
With support from USAID/T-MELA and Study Team members, the Team Lead will be expected to take overall responsibility for the production and management of the following:
1. Final Study Design: A detailed, full study design and work plan following an initial consultation with USAID and MoW that will include chosen methodologies and data collection tools.
2. In brief presentation: A PowerPoint presentation summarizing the methodological approach to be used to execute the Study for USAID/T-MELA and MoW prior to the launch of data collection.
3. Findings Conclusions and Recommendations (FCR) Matrix: An internal USAID-T-MELA analysis tool through which data is triangulated and findings, conclusions, and recommendations specific to each study question are produced. Two FCR matrixes are expected, a preliminary document at the conclusion of data collection (prior to the Preliminary Findings PPT), and a final matrix at the end of the data analysis period (before drafting the study report).
4. Preliminary Findings PPT: The team will present the key findings to the wider USAID/Tanzania Mission and MoW and Development Partner Group for Water (DPG) – WASH through a PowerPoint.
5. Draft Study Report: A draft study report with fully developed findings, conclusions, and recommendations, no longer than 30 pages excluding annexes, will be submitted to the T-MELA COP who will submit to the USAID COR for T-MELA activity. The format will include an executive summary, table of contents, methodology, findings, and recommendations. USAID/T-MELA and key local stakeholders will provide comments on the draft report.
6. Final Reports: The team will submit a final report that incorporates responses to USAID’s/partner’s comments and suggestions. The report will be submitted electronically in English. The report will be disseminated within USAID and key stakeholders.
Qualifications and Skills:
The Team Lead must be have/hold:
1. Possess an advanced degree (Ph.D. or Master’s) in Water Quality Management, Environmental Engineering, Water Resources Management, or related field.
2. Extensive knowledge of water quality monitoring systems, disinfection, and treatment methods.
3. Understanding of laboratory services and water quality testing techniques, including cost analysis for testing services.
4. At least 10 years of experience in leading water sector evaluation, studies or assessment, particularly in rural settings.
5. Demonstrated ability to manage multi-disciplinary teams of sectoral experts and coordinate between government agencies, donors (such as USAID), and other stakeholders.
6. Familiarity with water policies across contexts, and specifically, Tanzania’s National Water Policy, Water Sector Development Strategy and Water Sector Development Program(WSDP III) including the operational challenges of implementing water quality services in rural communities.
7. Skilled in developing study designs and work plans using USAID frameworks, with a track record of leading complex, multi-faceted research projects.
8. Capable of guiding field data collection, including piloting, and overseeing national-level stakeholder interviews.
9. Excellence in planning and executing qualitative and quantitative data analysis with a team, including using appropriate software, such as SPSS, STATA for quantitative, and Dedoose, NVivo etc for qualitative analysis.
10. Experience in writing comprehensive evaluation/study reports, synthesizing findings into actionable recommendations, and presenting results to USAID and MOW.
11. Strong ability to facilitate co-creation workshops with USAID and MOW, as well as validation workshops to ensure alignment on findings and recommendations.
12. Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with rural communities and understand socio-cultural factors that influence water usage, particularly in Tanzania.
13. Experience in leading projects that involve behavioral change communication strategies in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sectors.
14. Must be proficient in English for effective communication with USAID, international donors, and stakeholders. Excellent oral communication and written skills in English is a must.
15. Experience working with international donors, especially USAID.
Expected timeline: November 2024– May 2025
The closing date for application is October 10, 2024 at 05pm EAT. The selection and interview will be performed on a rolling basis, and interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
To apply, please merge both your CV and a cover letter into two different PDF files and submit it through the online portal.
Come join our energetic and innovative team! We offer you the opportunity to play a leading role in the growth of our company, work as part of a creative and committed team, and make a difference in the well-being of our world.
SI is an EEO/AA/ADA Veterans Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.
Only selected candidates will be contacted for an interview. Please, no phone calls.
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