Technical Specialist: Non-Sewered Sanitation

• Jobs by Location
• Job by industries

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

Programme Development and Establishment

• Lead the technical aspects for the establishment and management of NSS projects during project preparation and implementation stages.
• Collaborate with the Programme Manager to develop strategies and plans for the execution of the programme and optimise support for relevant public and private sector stakeholders.
• Provide technical expertise in developing and establishing the NSS Programme as a standardised initiative within the WPO to support municipalities address their sanitation service challenges.
• Create a “toolbox” of standardised documentation, best practices, methodologies, models, and mechanisms to support the preparation, funding, and implementation of NSS projects.
• Engage with municipalities, developers, sanitation service providers, relevant government and private sector institutions, and academia to position the programme and the Unit/Team as the “centre of excellence” for municipal NSS solutions in the country.
• Conduct a needs analysis to identify project opportunities and develop a pipeline of NSS projects for preparation, financing, and implementation.
• Support the NSS Unit/Team in establishing itself as the “centre of excellence” for non-sewered sanitation solutions and interventions in the country.

Technical Sanitation Programme Support

• Provide technical guidance in developing a demand analysis model/tool that integrates Shit Flow Diagrams (SFDs), norms, standards, and industry benchmarking guides such as the Red Book.
• Assist in creating a demand modelling tool for use by end-user organizations, including municipalities, WSPs, WSAs, DBE, DHS, and others.
• Develop policy briefs and recommendations on NSSS and off-grid sanitation technologies.
• Contribute to the development of innovative funding solutions and models for implementation, operation, and maintenance (O&M) as well as Independent Sanitation Provider (ISP) models.
• Design standardised approaches for structuring and designing funding solutions for NSS projects.
• Develop detailed specifications for NSSS and off-grid sanitation technologies.
• Compile a supply-side assessment report.
• Undertake a production value-chain efficiency assessment report for NSSS and off-grid sanitation.
• Support the structuring of a NSSS/off-grid sanitation technology manufacturing fund.
• Create awareness and educational materials for NSSS and off-grid sanitation technologies.
• Lead mass media advocacy for the adoption and uptake of NSSS and off-grid sanitation technologies.
• Ensure contractors implement safety, health, and environmental standards in compliance with DBSA requirements and guidelines.
• Collaborate with other government departments and stakeholders to create an enabling environment and policies for successful NSS project implementation.
• Provide support and capacity development to NSS technology and solution providers.
• Develop an information and specification repository to support projects.
• Provide specialist support on all technical matters related to NSS technologies such as capital cost estimates, operation and maintenance-related costs, etc.
• Prove advice on financial matters related to NSS technologies, including capital cost estimates and operation and maintenance costs.
• Support the preparation and implementation of NSS proposals.
• Assist in designing and developing innovative funding mechanisms and solutions.

Project Management

• Manage NSS projects during the preparation and implementation stages.
• Manage, coordinate and monitor a portfolio of NSS infrastructure projects in line with the overarching policies, frameworks and master plans in the Local Government structures and the Department of Water and
• Sanitation’s strategy.
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) for NSSS and off-grid sanitation projects.
• Monitor the preparation, design, development, and structuring of projects according to client and funder agreements.

Procurement

• Establish and maintain service provider panels to ensure sufficient resources for achieving program objectives within planned timeframes.
• Procure, appoint, and manage service providers for the preparation, funding, and implementation of projects.
• Support the procurement of contractors and operators for project implementation, operation, and maintenance, potentially within an Independent Sanitation Provider model.
• Conduct supply-side assessments and evaluate local production capacity and efficiencies.
• Compile a comprehensive sanitation backlog and assessment report for the country.
• Conduct an in-depth non-sewered sanitation system (NSSS) and off-grid sanitation demand mapping for the country.
• Support the commercialization of off-grid sanitation solutions at scale within the country.
• Establish a panel of service providers (consultants, operators, technology providers, etc.) for NSS project preparation and implementation.

Stakeholder Management

• Engage with local industry players and stakeholders within the off-grid sanitation value chain.
• Establish partnerships with private sector role players in the NSS environment.
• Build and manage relationships with project stakeholders and partners in line with the NWPP and NSS Program development objectives and stakeholder relations strategy.
• Coordinate efforts with NSS teams within the DWS, DBE, City Support Programme, SALGA, Water Research Commission (WRC), Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA), Green Cape, and others.
• Participate in structures supporting the NSS Program, such as the NSS Program Committee and NSS Community of Practice.
• Provide stakeholders and partners with confidence that investments in agreed projects and programs will be completed successfully and on time.
• Compile a comprehensive database of potential public and private sector buyers of off-grid sanitation systems.
• Lead initiatives to increase awareness and adoption of NSS technologies, emphasizing their value proposition, and appropriate areas of use, and fostering a well-informed sanitation service user base ready to embrace NSS technologies.
• Advocate for relevant end-user organisations such as municipalities, metros, DBE, DHS, WSA/P, and other public/private sector players.
• Perform other strategic, operational and other duties as assigned.

Key Measurements of Outputs

• Approved NSS Programme short-, medium- and long-term plan/s.
• Number of (public and private sector) NSS projects identified, prepared/developed and implemented.
• Value of funding sourced for the design, preparation and implementation of the NSS Programme from relevant and applicable local and international institutions.
• Number of catalysed opportunities resulting in a robust pipeline of bankable projects.
• Successful oversight, management and implementation of agreed NSS projects:
• Percentage of performance targets met as per business plan.
• Quality of delivery of projects/programmes
• A comprehensive NSS demand mapping for the country that matches sanitation backlogs, infrastructure deficits and sanitation service delivery needs and plans.
• Articulation of a national policy on the role NSS can play in achieving universal access to improve and dignified sanitation service delivery.
• Key indicators/ metrics to identify end-user organisations that can be supported by the sub-programme.
• The investments/projects of Investor satisfaction with invested NSS projects/programmes
• Quality of presentations and reports.
• Good governance and ethical behaviour.
• A clean audit

Expertise & Technical Competencies

EXPERTISE

Minimum Requirements:

• A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering field.
• Registered engineering professional with the Engineering Council of South Africa (PrEng, PrTechEng or PrTech).
• A minimum of 8 years demonstrated technical work experience (planning, design, implementation) in the field of municipal water and sanitation services or similar.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in Utilising sanitation technologies and solutions, including non-sewered sanitation technologies.
• Demonstrated knowledge of all legislation relevant to the water & sanitation sector (i.e. PFMA, MFMA, PPPFA, NWA, WSA, etc.).
• Comprehensive knowledge related to water and regulatory environments of municipalities/metros, state- owned enterprises and other government entities in South Africa.
• Demonstrated ability to interact confidently with diverse stakeholders and clients.
• Demonstrated ability to manage strategic water and sanitation initiatives and projects to successful completion.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience overseeing the commercialisation of NSS technology solutions at scale.
• Strong knowledge and experience in Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and funding models would be advantageous.

• Engineering / Technical  jobs