International Water and Sanitation Specialist

The Water and Sanitation Program (WSP) is an international partnership to help poor people gain sustained access to improved water and sanitation services. Administered by the World Bank with financial support from several bi- and multilateral and private donors, WSP is a decentralized partnership and operates through offices in Africa, East Asia, Latin America and South Asia. A major thrust of the program is to help its clients prepare for and implement actions towards meeting the water and sanitation-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The Program works with partners at the
country, regional and international levels assisting countries to build capacity, reform policies, strengthen institutions and develop human resources. In East Asia, the program currently operates offices in 5 countries—Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, the Philippines, Vietnam— with the regional office located in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Additional information about WSP can be found on the program website (www.wsp.org).

Duties and Accountabilities:
The Water and Sanitation Program for East Asia and Pacific at the World Bank Office in Hanoi is looking to appoint an International Water and Sanitation Specialist to assist Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) in updating National Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Strategy, to be based in Hanoi but expected to travel within the country. The Consultant will a) assist MARD in reviewing and updating the National Rural
Water Supply and Sanitation Strategy (RWSSS – 2000). The aim is to ensure that the updated Strategy will reflect the significant changes in the RWSS sector over the period 1998 - 2008 and take account of envisaged future needs and changes, so as to further promote the rate of appropriate coverage - but also ensure high levels of sustainability, impact and upgradeability from the achievements; b) help MARD prepare a Master Investment Plan for RWSS until 2020 to implement the updated National Strategy, and promote harmonization with the National Target Program II for RWSS as
well as the overall national socio-economic development strategy;.

Qualifications and Experience:
Specific requirements include:
1. A Masters or higher level degree in water supply and sanitation, civil or environmental engineering, environmental health, economics or other field relevant to improving broad- based sustainable access to rural water supply and sanitation for low-income groups;
2. Minimum of 10 years experience in designing and implementing RWSS projects and programs that focus on the poor including significant experience in Vietnam or the Mekong sub-Region;
3. Analytical skills, methodological rigor and problem-solving ability;
4. Proven knowledge and experience of advising on and supporting national strategies, master investment plans or similar;
5. Ability to advise and guide and also undertake specific implementation tasks as and when needed, whilst maintaining throughout the essential national lead of the work;
6. Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to express complex concepts and strategies in simple and actionable terms;
7. Enthusiasm, flexibility and open-mindedness, well-developed inter-personal skills, including the ability to work in an inter-disciplinary, team-oriented environment as a team member as well as adviser;
8. Ability to stimulate and inspire effort on the part of all stakeholders;
9. Ability to deal sensitively with others in a multi-cultural environment and build effective working relations with colleagues, clients and stakeholders;
10. High level of self motivation as well as outstanding initiative and the capacity to work independently and overcome constraints;
11. Excellent English speaking and writing skills (Vietnamese language ability would be an asset).

WSP-EAP offers 100 days as a Short Term Consultant, under international World Bank contract, with relevant benefits.
The Consultant will directly report to the WSP Vietnam Country Team Leader, and will be based in NCERWASS Offices, with periodic visits to WSP Offices.
Terms of Reference for the assignment are available on request via e-mail to [email protected]
Interested candidates should submit a covering letter, a detailed curriculum vitae, recent employment references, and
copies of relevant degrees and certificates. Applications should be submitted before 5:00pm on Friday 28th August
2009 to the following address:
Nguyen Thanh Vinh, Country Team Leader - Vietnam
Water and Sanitation Program - East Asia & the Pacific
The World Bank, 63 Ly Thai Tho, Hanoi, Vietnam
e-mail: [email protected]
Applications will be treated strictly confidentially and only short-listed candidates will receive responses. Late submissions will not be considered and phone inquiries will not be accepted.