National Project Manager for Innovation Hub for Urban WASH Solutions Project

About NIUA and the Project:
National Institute of Urban Affairs, Delhi (NIUA), a premier research institute under Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (Govt. of India), in association with Taru Leading Edge and Ennovent, has initiated a project 'Innovation Hub for Urban WASH Solutions' which is supported and funded by USAID. The project will support the development of scalable solutions for urban water, sanitation and hygiene in India within the national, regional, state and city framework. The hub will lead activities that support the national and state urban initiatives (AMRUT, SBM, SMART City Programs) and proactively engage with a wide range of partners, including the private sector, to discover and develop innovations and devise intervention strategies and business models for delivering effective, affordable and sustainable WASH solutions in the Indian context. The initiative will contribute significantly to India achieving the recently adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 6: for clean water and sanitation to all, besides other SDG and national commitments.

The primary goal of the initiative is to improve urban WASH sector performance through incubation and acceleration of innovative solutions, technologies, programs and service delivery models within a collaborative framework. A core element of the initiative is to build partnerships with and between public, government (national/state/local), civil society, private sector stakeholders, academia, donors, etc. dedicated to establishing shared visions and improving WASH outcomes, as well as facilitating knowledge sharing among cities, states and national platforms.

The Innovation Hub aims to create an enabling ecosystem where an ethos of innovative experiments and learning-by-doing is combined with evidence-based strategic planning and the lab-to-land approach. As part of this project, a National Innovation Hub has been set-up to support the project planning, implementation and monitoring activities; and help achieving the goals of the project. The project is being piloted in 3 cities in 3 different states in India, over a period of 3 years; of which 2 years remain, with significant progress achieved.

NIUA is seeking a dynamic, innovative, self-motivated and results-oriented professional to play a key role in leading the National Innovation Hub. The candidate will align and contribute to the project objectives and help in the effective implementation of the same. NIUA is, therefore, considering to engage a 'National Project Manager' to provide necessary support to the project at national, state and city levels.

Job Description:

• Role & Responsibilities
• To act as main interface of the project
• To provide strategic operational guidance
• To plan and implement national level activities, monitor state/city activities and provide technical support to them wherever needed
• To lead in resource mobilization for project activities
• To support in partnership development and networking with and between public, government (national/state/local), civil society, private sector stakeholders, academia, donors, etc.
• To monitor and report project activities as well as provide quality assurance
• To facilitate knowledge sharing among cities, states, national and global platforms
• To manage and work as a team with other project partners
• Any other related responsibilities, as assigned.

Tasks:

• Lead the planning, implementation and management of project operations as per the work plan and ensure delivery of all outputs and other tasks for day-to-day management of project
• Support in mobilizing financial, technical and managerial resources for the project
• Support in setting up state/city innovation hubs and teams and coordinate with them
• Lead the project in terms of supervising and mentoring them
• Mapping of stakeholders (global, national, regional, local) viz. their role and responsibilities and build rapport with them
• Organizing the workshops/meetings, and conference where all key stakeholders, key experts and organizations can participate for better understanding and coordination on the project.
• Provide technical support and coordination to state/city project teams, strategic team and project advisory team.
• Assist in monitoring progress, evaluating results and identification and resolution of constraints
• Support in development of documentation reports, case studies, tool kits; branding and communication material preparation, etc.
• Prepare/coordinate the preparation of the capacity and knowledge building programs for stakeholders
• Promote incubation of new ideas; testing, replication, scaling and sustainability of solutions
• Knowledge management and advocacy for improved policies, business and sector performance
• Assist the selected states and cities in preparing/revising necessary documentation to get approvals/permits for project implementation
• Regularly interact with the government officials and other stakeholders; and sharing progress through presentation and case studies, seeking feedback and involvement, etc.
• Organizing joint site monitoring visits with the identified stakeholders for better understanding of the project and activities; to identify strengths/weaknesses in the program implementation and provide feedback and technical assistance for timely corrections
• Aligning work style with established work culture and leadership, project partners' team and other key stakeholders
• Assist in the preparation of monthly/quarterly reports for submission to USAID and other key stakeholders
• Directly review and guide states and cities in the implementation of the reform
• agenda, review documentation submitted by project partners, teams and consultants.
• Any other related responsibilities, as assigned.

Qualification:

• Post Graduate or Professional degree in Public Policy or Management or other related technical / developmental discipline relevant to this role, from reputed institutes.
• At least 8-12 years' experience, especially with working as team leader for WASH-sector regional scale projects/large teams; and experience of working with National/State/municipal governments
• Excellent networking and partnership/liaison building skills
• Able to communicate clearly and sensitively with internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to plan and execute projects at scale, especially in WASH sector
• Proven skills in team leadership, research studies, project management, implementation, quality assurance, setting standards, business planning, due diligence, and monitoring.
• Skills in MS-Office, relevant planning/implementation tools.
• Good analytical and knowledge management skills including writing and presentation skills.
• High personal & professional integrity. Team player and ability to work under pressure and meeting deadlines. Problem solving attitude. Experience of managing teams and logistics
• Ready for extensive travel

Location: New Delhi. However, the project shall entail extensive travel in the project states, and any other location as required for partnerships.

Terms: The position is contractual & linked to the project. Extension beyond the project would only be upon its successful completion, good capabilities demonstrated in the same, and corresponding need at NIUA.

CTC: Attractive & in line with desired profile. Remuneration shall not be a constraint for the deserving candidate. Proof of last drawn salary would be required, if selected.

Application Rules:

• Application is by email only. Candidates should mail:
• A covering letter citing interest, suitability for the post and mentioning current role, CTC & notice period
• Updated CV (with three references) and
• Samples of publications / individually written work
• To director@niua.org, with subject clearly mentioning "Application for [title of the post]" in the subject line.

Only shortlisted candidate will be called for interview. Inquiries by email at same id only.