As the Water Fund Director, you will represent CRS and TNC in providing strategic leadership in development and implementation of the vision and strategy of the Water Fund, communication and engagement of the steering committee and execution of conservation work in collaboration with the Water Fund Secretariate, the National Water Resources Management Agency, and technical support of the Water Fund Technical Committee. You will lead in capacity development of the secretariat and the different sub-committees to
function effectively and lead resource mobilization efforts, providing leadership in identifying business development priorities and setting realistic objectives.
The WF Director is responsible for developing and fully implementing the Water Fund strategic plan as well as annual workplans and budget. You will ensure these are approved by the Steering Committee and donor agencies as appropriate.
You will provide overall leadership and management of the Water Fund Program to serve the target communities including the poor and most vulnerable. Your leadership, management and technical knowledge will ensure the delivery of high-quality programming and advance the positioning of CRS as a lead agency in the field of source water protection. As a senior leader you will contribute to proactively manage security and mitigate security risks.
Roles and Key Responsibilities:
- Proactively pursue opportunities for new funding to ensure the growth of the Water Fund Program in line with agency, regional, and CP strategic priorities. Serve as the technical lead and technical writer to ensure quality proposals as per agency and donor standards.
- In collaboration with the Business Development Specialist develop high quality business development strategies and plans ensuring their alignment with short term and long-term objectives. • Support and guide identification of partners from the public and the private sector and negotiation of CRS’ role on proposal consortia, ensuring a competitive position for CRS that adheres to the agency’s partnership principles and strategic directions. Research, track and analyze new opportunities and CRS’ competitive position within the marketplace.
- Cultivate and strengthen institutional relationships with the private sector institutional donors, partner organizations and other stakeholders.
- Work with appropriate staff to maintain data on past performance and corporate capacity, in order to provide timely information for proposal submissions.
- Oversee technical assistance and capacity strengthening activities for staff and partner organizations to enhance program quality and impact.
- Lead all aspects of the development, implementation and consolidation of the Water fund program, including sharing how the project contributes to the thought leadership of the industry.
- Serve as the primary point of contact to the Nature conservancy, program donors as well as public, private and non-government stakeholders.
- Ensure the project is designed and implemented to meet donor expectations in terms of timely and quality results and budget, including strategies for phase out and sustainability.
- Oversee the development of communication strategies and materials, complying with donor and CRS’ branding and marketing requirements and procedures.
- Coordinate relationships with the Water Fund partner organizations, including organization of review/planning workshops. Contribute to coordination of the roles and activities of staff from other Water Fund member organizations in implementation in line with CRS partnership principles.
The Water Fund Director will support the Water Fund secretariat to carry out its roles and responsibilities: – Actively support in the development and assumes responsibility for the implementation of the overall strategic direction of the WAPWF in accordance with the vision, mission, values, strategic plan and goals in collaboration with the Water Fund secretariat and approved by the Steering Committee. – Support the secretariat to draft policies for approval by the Steering Committee and prepare procedures to implement the organizational policies.
– Review existing policies on an annual basis and recommend changes to the steering committee.
– Support the steering committee on all aspects of the Water Funds’ activities, issues and concerns related to the Fund, and trends and emerging issues in the external environment.
– Enforce adherence to legal guidelines in-house policies to maintain the Fund legality and ensure full compliance with business ethics.
– Provide support in ensuring appropriate financial management of the Water Fund’s budget, including appropriate bookkeeping and accounting procedures, are followed.
– Ensure appropriate and timely reporting to the steering committee and funders. – Work with the Technical committee to prepare, manage and execute comprehensive annual budgets. – Assist in reviewing all financial and non-financial reports to devise solutions or improvements.
Basic Qualifications
- The position is open to candidates who previously served in a leadership role, such as Executive Director or top echelon government preferably in an environment, water, business, or conservation related field (5-10 years preferred). Evidence of resource mobilization and fund investment experience will be an advantage.
- Master’s Degree in sustainable watershed management, or Hydrology, Water Resources, WASH, and fields related to water and the environment is required. PhD preferred.
- 7 or more years’ relevant management and technical experience.
- 5 years’ experience managing donor funds, including multi country grants. Strong knowledge and experience in budget management.
- 5 years of staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment. Experience coaching senior program staff.
Required Languages – Fluent in English and Krio
Travel – include percentage of required travel, if applicable. Could be stated as Must be willing and able to travel up to 30 %.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Strong strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgments and decisions.
- Strong relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
- Strong knowledge of local policies and regulations of natural resources management
- Team leadership abilities with diverse/multi-disciplinary teams. Coaching skills.
- Strong communications and presentation skills; able to develop tailored and persuasive messaging for varied audiences.
- Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.
- Experienced in authentic engagement with community voices to lead and direct organizational strategy.
- The candidate should have prior experience with managing staff and volunteers.
- Demonstrated history of fundraising and ability to effectively relate to individual, corporate and conservation donors.
- Good communicator and comfortable speaking in public, and with diverse audience.
- Experience developing organizational or program messaging and running marketing campaigns.
- Experienced in developing and overseeing budgets and ensuring the financial well-being for a program or organization.
- Is a Big-picture, systemic thinker with the ability to make great things happen and also exercise judgement on how to effectively balance those efforts with organizational stability.
- Has an understanding of best practices for Non-Profit organizations, with knowledge on how to implement these best practices.
Preferred Qualifications
- Recognized leader in sector as demonstrated by peer reviewed publications, conference presentations etc.
- Demonstrated experience of successful program management, including management of complex, high-value, multi-activity projects, with complicated logistics.
- Experience engaging partners and strengthening partnerships. Knowledge of CRS partnership strategy a plus.
- Ability to represent and present at high levels.
- Experience in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications, and information and budget management systems.
Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):
Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.
- Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
- Acts with Integrity – Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission. Is considered honest.
- Builds and Maintains Trust – Shows consistency between words and actions.
- Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
- Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.
Agency Leadership Competencies:
- Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
- Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
- Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.
Supervisory Responsibilities – The Water Fund Technical Advisor II.
Key Working Relationships:
Internal – CRS Water Fund Field Officer, Urban Resilience team, CRS West Africa Wash & Environment Technical Advisor, CRS Country Representative, CRS Business Development and Communications Manager and reports to CRS Head of Programs.
External: The Nature Conservancy, National Water Resources Management Agency, the organization leading the Water Fund Technical committee, and the organization leading the Water Fund steering committee.
Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)
These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.
- Integrity
- Continuous Improvement & Innovation
- Builds Relationships
- Develops Talent
- Strategic Mindset
- Accountability & Stewardship
***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to safeguarding-related topics.
WOMEN ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. CRS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Also send a copy of your application package to the desk Officers, Ministry of Employment and Social Security, New England and Extension Offices in Applicants’ Locations
Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.




