Job Announcement         : WaterCredit Officer

Deadline for Applications: July 10, 2015

About Water.org

Water.org is an international non-governmental organization working to increase access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). Water.org has been in operation since 1990, implementing water and sanitation programs in conjunction with local partners such as financial institutions and water/sanitation service providers. Water.org programs have reached over 3 million people in 12 countries.

 

Water.org has scaled its WaterCredit initiative over the last several years, which works by building the capacity of carefully selected local financial institutions to offer affordable financing for water and sanitation facilities. WaterCredit programs support financial institutions through a combination of financial assistance and technical support. Since 2003, Water.org has implemented WaterCredit programs with 66 partner financial institutions, facilitating over 550,000 water and sanitation loans totaling over $120 million.

 

Water.org launched operations in Indonesia in early 2014 and seeks to build relationships with a broad range of financial institutions (microfinance institutions, commercial banks, BPRs, cooperatives) and water/sanitation service providers. Water.org has identified Sharia MFIs or Lembaga Keuangan Mikro Syariahs (LKMSs) as key providers of financing for low income households. While the average LKMS is small in size with just 3,000 to 5,000 clients, LKMSs are widespread across Indonesia. Over 3,200 LKMSs provide credit, savings and education to more than two million customers.

 

Water.org has partnered with Microfin Indonesia (Microfin), a Sharia Microfinance Development Center serving a network of 2,000 LKMS across 33 of the 34 provinces of Indonesia. Water.org identified Microfin as an ideal channel to reach the small LKMSs due to the following key strengths:

 

·      Existing network and familiarity with strongest potential partner LKMSs;

·      Broad geographic coverage of branches and staff;

·      Experience building capacity of LKMSs in various competencies including operations, market research, IT, and financial product development; and

·      Existing programs for channeling loan capital to LKMSs.

 

Working together, Water.org and Microfin will build the capacity of LKMSs to deliver water and sanitation financing to thousands of underserved Indonesian households, enabling investment in WASH facilities such as piped water connections, wells, water tanks, toilets, and septic tanks.

Position Description

Water.org seeks a highly skilled and highly motivated WaterCredit Officer to support its growing portfolio of WASH microfinance programs in Indonesia, particularly the Microfin LKMS project. This full-time position will be based in Jakarta with regular travel throughout Indonesia.

 

The WaterCredit Officer is responsible for monitoring and supporting Water.org partner financial institutions in the launch of water and sanitation financial products. This position acts as a subject matter resource to partners in topics such as program design and implementation, WaterCredit, microfinance, and/or WASH. This position is also responsible for assisting with identifying new partners, onboarding new partners, assisting partners with the design and startup of new programs, supporting the ongoing implementation of partner programs, trouble-shooting, and program monitoring. Additionally, this position may be responsible for assisting with the development and establishment of new programmatic and operational procedures, systems and guidelines. This position reports to the Country Director and works closely with Program Managers at the Water.org head office in the US.

Core Responsibilities

Program Design and Development – Support the design of Microfin WaterCredit program. Key tasks include, but are not limited to:

a.       Work with Microfin to determine appropriate program targets and deliverables.

b.      Assist Microfin in the design of their program work plan and budget ensuring they are allocating adequate resources and personnel for successful completion of deliverables.

c.       Assist Microfin to develop standard requirements for LKMSs to enter the WaterCredit program.

d.      Assist Microfin to develop standard training materials for building LKMS capacity.

e.      Assist Microfin in designing appropriate internal monitoring and evaluation protocols.

Program Management and Partner Capacity Building – Manage Microfin WaterCredit program in partnership with Indonesia and U.S.-based staff. Key tasks include, but are not limited to:

a.       Support Microfin to assess and approve LKMSs to participate in the program.

b.      Support Microfin to build the capacity of LKMSs to:

                              i.      deliver water and sanitation financing to households

                            ii.      deliver trainings about health and hygiene

                           iii.      collaborate with WASH suppliers such as toilet masons, CBOs and PDAMs.

c.       Develop training modules and deliver WaterCredit training of trainers to Microfin team members.

d.      Work closely with Microfin to ensure timely program implementation according to the budget and work plan.

e.      Provide support to Microfin and LKMSs by sharing best practices and assisting with problem-solving.

f.        Assist Microfin to identifying sources of loan capital for LKMSs loan WASH portfolios.

g.       Coordinate with local governments, NGOs, donors, community groups, and other stakeholders.

Program Monitoring and Data Management – Collect, verify and manage data to track program performance. Key tasks include, but are not limited to:

a.       Maintain regular communications with Microfin; track and report information related program implementation including partner activities, expenditures and loan portfolio.

b.      Ensure Microfin submission of high quality program reporting, and effective transfer of information to Water.org databases, U.S.-based colleagues, and donors.

c.       Verify data submitted by partners is accurate during program monitoring visits.

d.      Maintain regular contact with Water.org USA program managers to submit partner reports, inform about partner progress and report any issues impacting achievement of program deliverables.

Water.org Organizational Support – Participate in assisting with the development of new tools and processes, membership on cross-functional committees as requested, and/or participation at internal or external conferences or workshops. Key tasks include, but are not limited to:

a.       Participate in cross-functional committees and working groups to support the achievement of group goals.

b.      Assist in the development of new tools, processes and/or procedures.

c.       Serve as a knowledge base for Water.org and represent Water.org at events and in written publications to advance the organizational mission and vision.

New Business Development – Conduct outreach among financial institutions, non-governmental organizations, product manufacturers, utilities and other related organizations regarding the potential for adoption of WaterCredit. Participate in certification of new partner organizations for the implementation of WaterCredit programs. Key tasks include, but are not limited to:

a.       Landscape and assist with identification of additional stakeholders for potential collaboration.

b.      Participate in the certification of new partners.

Professional Qualifications

·         Bachelor’s Degree in related field

·         At least five years of relevant experience with microfinance institution, water and sanitation organization, engineering firm, international development organization, or related

·         Candidates must possess one or both of the following competencies:

o   Demonstrated understanding of and familiarity with development finance models and approaches, including (but not limited to) SME lending and/or microfinance, financial services, cooperative development, lending methodologies and sector trends

o   Demonstrated understanding of and familiarity with urban and rural water supply, sanitation and hygiene approaches and sector trends 

·         Demonstrated proficiency in partnership and capacity building 

·         Project management experience

·         Advanced computer skills including MS Office products and database software

·         Excellent verbal and written communications in Bahasa Indonesia and English

·         Proven track record proactively identifying challenges and developing innovative solutions

·         Demonstrated ability to deliver results working in a small team

·         Critical thinking, creativity, good judgment, initiative, attention to detail, and professionalism

·         Strong desire to contribute to increased access to water and sanitation

·         Willingness to travel up to 30% of time

Salary / Beneefits

This is a two year contract position with strong potential for extension and competitive compensation commensurate with experience.

Application Information 

Interested candidates may send a copy of their CV and a cover letter indicating their interest to:

positions_indonesia@water.org

Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Please do not attempt to contact Water.org about the status of your application.

 

Water.org is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, ethnicity, gender, nationality, religious belief or sexual orientation.