Research Triangle Institute (RTI) has over 30 years’ experience assisting governments, communities, and the private sector. As a not-for-profit, independent research institute based in North Carolina, USA, RTI has roughly 5,000 employees with global experience implementing international development projects. RTI's Sustainable Growth & Resilience (SG&R) technical unit within the International Development Group brings together RTI experts and capabilities across food security, agriculture, energy, environment, water, governance, and economic opportunity. SG&R will leverage RTI's experience designing and delivering multisectoral programming and technical solutions to respond to climate change, build resilience, and promote economic growth around the world.
SG&R’s Water portfolio has delivered innovative, breakthrough solutions in key development sectors, including water sector governance, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, economic livelihood development, community engagement, and institutional capacity building. Our work spans the Africa continent with a growing presence in South Asia.
Position Description:
RTI is seeking a Policy and Regulatory Specialist for the USAID Expanding Water and Sanitation Project. Within the project's private sector participation component, the Policy and Regulatory Specialist will support policy review, reform, and design activities in support of a strengthened and more effective policy framework leading to private sector entry and improved WASH services in Zambia. This position will be based in Lusaka, Zambia, with the need to travel to provincial areas throughout the program implementation period. The position will report to the project’s Private Sector Participation Objective Lead.
Local nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.
Roles and Responsibilities:
- Facilitate dialogue and implement project’s policy analysis and review, reform, and design activities in support of a strengthened and private sector enabling policy framework for WASH services in Zambia.
- Support engagement with Government of Zambia partners, such as MWDSEP and the PPP Department and working under the Objective Lead engage private sector partners, commercial water utilities, NWASCO (the water sector regulator), and local authorities on strategies to improve private sector involvement and participation in WASH through policy reform, an enabling environment for private investment, and public-private partnerships.
- Review the legislative framework for peri-urban and rural water and sanitation, identify gaps, and create a roadmap to guide necessary legislative changes to support private sector entry
- As needed, work with MWDSEP, NWASCO, Local Authorities and Commercial Utilities and build or strengthen regulatory instruments for rural WASH to remove barriers for private sector engagement
- Ensure synergy between policy component activities and alignment with other project components, including activities in governance, private sector engagement, and civil society engagement.
- Support preparation and delivery of high-quality technical reports; support annual workplan development, goal setting and establishment of indicator targets, and contractual reporting to USAID, including quarterly, annual, and other performance reports as requested.
- Foster and maintain effective, professional relations with government counterparts, local organizations, international donors and other stakeholders for successful implementation of project policy activities.
- Work closely with the Service Delivery Lead and the PSP Lead in designing the institutional arrangements for growth centers. Collaborate and share knowledge with other conservation organizations and initiatives.
- In coordination with the Objective Lead, liaise with USAID and RTI home office on technical and financial implementation of and reporting on policy programming.
- Manage any subcontracts and grants with local partners that include policy and/or regulatory activities under the project’s PSP component, ensuring the quality and timeliness of deliverables.
- Oversee performance monitoring and evaluation to ensure all policy project targets are met or exceeded – making recommendations for improvement in program implementation.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree and 8 years of experience, Master's degree and 6 years of experience, PhD and 1 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Five years’ substantive experience working with counterparts at various levels of government, private sector leaders, and other stakeholders in policy reform and design, WASH service delivery, water utilities or water resources management, and/or enforcement of water sector regulations.
- Experience working with governments on an international, national, provincial, or district level on policy issues in the water sector or other equivalent sectors.
- Demonstrated understanding of the policy, institutional, and regulatory framework of the Zambian WASH sector and private sector enabling environment
- Demonstrated skills in working with multidisciplinary teams.
- Proven ability to work under pressure and with multiple concurrent demands.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to travel and work in any of the three provinces and difficult terrain/conditions at times.
- Proficiency in English is required.
- Work experience in Zambia required.