Chief Technical Advisor / Team Leader for a rural WASH project in Ethiopia

Ethiopia, East Africa

Description

Finland and Ethiopia have collaborated on rural water and sanitation development through the Community-Led Accelerated Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (COWASH) project since 2011. The project is currently in its fourth phase. Through several evaluations, the COWASH project’s approach has been found to be relevant and effective, and since its inception, the project has supported access to clean water to approximately six million people.

The upcoming Phase V will be the final phase of the COWASH programme and is planned to be implemented between 2026-2029. It focuses on improving resilience and the basic rights to WASH services in Ethiopia. The project aims to secure clean water access for 375,000 people and upgrade water and sanitation services in schools and health centres, with special attention to the needs of girls. Sustainability of the results of the long-term COWASH collaboration will also be in focus.

The total budget of the COWASH V project will be around €23.7M. The project will be implemented across five regions in Ethiopia in close cooperation with Ethiopia’s Ministry of Water and Energy, the Regional Water Bureaus, and the target Woredas and communities. The implementation is based on the Community Managed Project (CMP) approach, developed during the previous project phases.

NIRAS Finland is seeking an experienced Chief Technical Adviser/Team Leader to facilitate the implementation of COWASH V in close collaboration with the project team and key stakeholders. The recruitment and the detailed Terms of Reference for the Chief Technical Adviser are contingent upon the final Project Document, the approval of funding, and the results of the tender process.

Responsibilities of the Chief Technical Adviser / Team Leader are expected to include i.a.:
- Day-to-day management of the Federal level support in collaboration with the regions
- Facilitating results-based implementation and budgeting
- Facilitating monitoring, reporting and learning for accountability
- Proactive promotion of cross-cutting objectives
- Overseeing the coordination and support provided to the regions
- Quality assurance of Technical Assistance services
- Promotion and further development of the CMP financing modality and liaison with national and international WASH sector stakeholders and potential financiers
- Providing advice in sector development at the federal level and assisting MFA/Embassy of Finland in all aspects related to WASH
- Tutoring Junior Professional Officer
- Recruitment and management of long- and short-term technical experts
- Identifying and promoting business opportunities for Finnish companies when relevant and applicable

The Chief Technical Adviser / Team Leader will be based in Addis Ababa with frequent travel to other regions.

Qualifications required

Only the experts meeting the set criteria will be shortlisted and contacted.

- Master’s degree in water supply or environmental engineering, business administration, public health, social sciences or other relevant field.
- Fluency in written and spoken English

Professional experience required

- Extensive experience in rural development and WASH
- Experience in management of multi-annual development cooperation projects, including financial management
- Relevant professional experience in developing countries, preferably Ethiopia or other East African countries
- Understanding of working in conflict-affected / fragile states in the sectors of WASH
- Comprehensive leadership and management experience
- Experience in harmonisation, coordination and cooperation with different donors
- Experience in community managed project approach
- Proven skills in capacity development
- Proven experience and capacity to promote gender equality
- Good intercultural communication skills, high professional integrity and ability to work in difficult conditions
- Good computer skills (office programmes, database management, etc.)

Duration

July 2026 – September 2029 (current estimate)

Commencement

July - August 2026 (current estimate)

Deadline For Applications

2026-03-29

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