Project summary:
GOAL has been operating in Sierra Leone since the late 1980s, initially in emergency response, with a permanent presence since 1999 response, with a permanent presence in country since 1999. GOAL operates from its main office based in Freetown, with other sub operational offices in Kenema, Kambia, Bombali, and Moyamba Districts. GOAL implements programmes in 8 of Sierra Leones 16 districts: Western Area Urban, Kambia, Kenema, Bombali, Port Loko, Koinadugu, Karene, Moyamba, and hires over 165 staff across the country. Our programmes focus on the WASH and Health sectors including urban and rural WASH programmes, health system strengthening, social and behaviour change; Blue Economy and FSL; and emergency response programming.
The GOAL Sierra Leone WaSH programme has two components: Urban and Rural WaSH. While the Rural WaSH focusses on creating access to safe drinking water, the urban WaSH component has focused on Waste Management. GOAL co manages an Urban Waste Treatment Plant (Fecal Sludge Management) in Sierra Leone, in collaboration with the Freetown City Council. Innovative climate change adaptation and mitigation project components were developed on top of and building on the experience of the Liquid Waste Treatment plant and have been in implementation in tandem: Home Biogas; Compost and Briquette production-these are waste to energy and value micro projects intended to join the dots in the circular economy. Besides, SatoPans are being piloted and marketed to enable households adopt their use with the bid to enhance their sanitary and hygiene a practice as well as reduce possible emissions from Waste by linking it with the innovative micro projects.
RURAL WaSH
GOAL operates rural WASH programming in Kenema and Moyamba Districts, integrated with positive sanitation community approaches.
• Construction of over 500 sustainable water points in hard-to reach communities with continued Operation and Maintenance support through the Water Management Committees. • Social Behaviour Change approach used in every community to effect positive change in hygiene and sanitation through CLA and CLTS.
URBAN WaSH
GOAL is one of the lead urban WASH operators in Sierra Leone, and has supported Freetown in improving liquid and solid waste management since 2016 by:
• Constructing Freetown’s first wastewater treatment plant opened in May 2021 • Capacity development of the FCC on FSM, Business Development Services (BDS), and Service Level Agreement (SLA) in operationalisation of liquid waste vacuum trucks.
• Supporting the importation of low-cost sanitation marketing approach • Development of end-use product innovations from the treatment plant including cooking briquettes and co-compost.
• Innovative FSM solutions for hard-to-reach communities including the waste to energy innovation HomeBiogas.
Health: GOAL SL GOAL also focuses on health system strengthening with Irish Aid-funding on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health.
Blue Economy and FSL: Moreover, GOAL SL has engaged since 2022 in the assessment of the Fishery sub sector in Western Urban and Rural and subsequently implemented micro projects while aiming to expand its work in 2024 and beyond with funding from Community foundation Ireland and Faroe Isalnas and the IcSP.
The WaSH portfolio of GOAL SL also has gotten a new FCDO grant that runs for 4 years and focusses on WaSH systems for Health and its focus include Solid and Liquid Waste management, enhancing access to and utilisation of WaSH services and action by the Health Service facilities and WaSH Governance , which is mainly networking and advocacy as well as WaSH accounting. The focus of the programme is Urban West and Five Districts. In a nutshell, the WaSH and Climate Change coordinator will coordinate WaSH and CC themes across the GOAL SL programmes.
Purpose of the Role
The post holder will provide overall strategic leadership, guidance, and coordination of integrated Environment, Climate Change and WASH programming in terms of technical support in system strengthening and capacity development; design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation; accountability, learning and innovation; and resource acquisition, engagement & networking. All these are aimed at achieving well designed, integrated, and sustainable climate change response initiatives and sustainable WASH systems for building climate resilient systems and communities.
In order to successfully do so, the post holder must be able to effectively communicate GOAL Global Climate Change Policy, Programme and approach and demonstrate the linkages between and among the different programmes on resilience and climate change; and ensure adaptation and mitigation measures are planned and executed as unique selling points of the GOAL SL programme in CC programming and innovations. The post holder is responsible to provide technical support in Climate Change mitigation and tailored services in the origination, development, and financing of carbon interventions, such as introducing cleaner and more efficient cooking technologies and Nature-based adaptation solutions to climate change through coordination across Sierra Leone. The postholder will pay particular attention to system strengthening, private sector engagement, localisation, and partnership, mainstreaming of climate change through all programmes, design, operationalization and promoting CC innovation Hub, and catalysing and mediating between the different institutions and communities.
GOAL mainstreams gender, child protection, HIV and environment across all programs and operations. GOAL is engaged in direct implementation of hardware and software activities as well as supporting a mix of national and international partners including community-based organizations which require significant capacity building of operational and technical capacity.
Key Areas of Responsibility
Technical Support and system strengthening
• Provide effective technical support to project teams on roll out of Partnership and other recognized and approved models on WASH, Environment & Climate Change ([*****] Participatory Forest management approaches, Climate Smart Agriculture, climate smart urban sanitation, Conservation Agriculture with Trees, Nature-Based adaptation solutions to climate change, clean cooking practices – Renewable Energy sources and energy Saving Cook-stoves for Carbon Credits projects, Climate Resilient WASH programming, PPP, Private sector engagement, etc);
• Provide technical support to systems strengthening at various projects of Climate Change and WASH portfolio like Operation and Maintenance for WASH infrastructures; Operations and systems for Faecal Sledge Management; Deepening privatisation of mechanized emptying services through Service Level Agreement and supporting the restructuring/strengthening the governance of urban sanitation with FCC taking the lead ; etc
• Support the strengthening of the technical capacity and overall governance of the FSM unit and Environmental sanitation department to ensure the senior leadership of the FCC (Department of Environment and Sanitation) takes more roles and ownership of the management of urban sanitation systems including FSTPs and leased vacuum trucks (SLA) with enhanced and better engagement.
• Support the strengthening of the O&M system of the Rural Water Infrastructures including networking and representation at National level.
• Participate in joint technical coordination, planning and review meetings for all WASH, Environment & Climate Change actions;
• Identify capacity gaps in WASH, Environment & Climate Change to inform the GSL and key partners staff capacity development strategy;
• Ensure skills and capacity development for staff and partners in WASH, Environment & Climate Change strategies, models and approaches;
• Coordinate regular learning forum to profile, communicate and ensure adoption of promising practices;
• Lead the development of National Strategy, Technical Approaches and Programmes regarding WaSH and Climate Change- including other GOAL SL portfolios .
• Ensure Linkage and lead coordination with Health Coordinator, WASH Coordinators/Managers, Blue Economy and FSL Coordinator for continued backstopping to enable quality programming in WASH and Climate change within GOAL SL programmes;
• Identify, collaborate and develop business models with the local partners including mainly the private sector for their involvement in the climate change and circular economy in urban waste management and sanitation marketing and closely work with the Partnership HUB for GOAL Global which is based in our Uganda office.
• Work towards the development of a private sector strategy for GOAL SL (in collaboration with The financial inclusion advisor, the PD and relevant staff) and ensure it aligns with our localisation policy as well as is fit for purpose for operationalising PPP (CGOAL mediates amongst the communities, private sector and public institutions).
• In coordination with the CD and PD, develop and operationalise a strategy to strengthen our product and service marketing (deepening the problem solving and acceptability of our products and services including HomeBioGas, Compost, Briquette, SatoPans, etc)).
• WASH, Environment & Climate Change Implementation Guidelines are available at the project and country level;
• Lead Climate change innovations, mitigation, and adaptation actions, promote GOAL SL as centre of excellence in Climate change Innovations in SL and GOAL Global;
• Provide guidance
Accountability, Learning and Innovation
• Support programs/projects to ensure that high quality Technical Program/Project Designs are in place;
• Ensure interpretation and utilization of assessment, baselines, evaluations and verification on quality of designs;
• Ensure development of standardized monitoring tools are in use with appropriate feedback;
• Analyse and interpret Climate Change assessment findings and utilize the findings to generate evidence-based recommendations for subsequent Programme designs across all GOAL SL programmes;
• Gather and analyse data at National level for reporting on WASH, Environment & Climate Change;
• Support in ensuring quality (re)-design for WASH, Environment & Climate Change projects, proposals and concepts as per MEAL guidelines and other standards;
• Upscale and support GSL’s current work and integration on Environment & Climate Change within and among GSL areas of operation;
• Facilitate Programs to develop high quality integrated Environment & Climate Change projects through conceptualization, innovation, development and planning;
• Expose GSL staff on issues of green economy, carbon trading, and possible ways that communities can benefit from the two; and
• Ensure that lessons learnt are shared across programmes and are fed into GSL’s policy and practice.
• Coordinate pilot innovative CC actions and scale up while creating demand for the products and deepening acceptability of products like Sato Pans, energy efficient stoves/ fuel saving stoves; carbon finance actions-stoves, clean water structures, etc.
Programme and Business Development
• Lead in development and utilization of MOUs / working agreements with Environment & Climate Change strategic, funding and program/project implementation partners such as UNEP, GCF, and other accredited organizations.
• Participate in Go-No Go Processes, write ups, meeting with prospective donors and submission of concepts/proposals.
• Technically support PDQM and PD team to develop proposals/concepts to prospective donors for WASH , Environment & Climate Change Projects.
• Respond effectively to calls and queries by donors on Urban Resilience, WASH, Environment & Climate Change Concepts/Proposals in coordination with PD and PDQM; and work closely with the PDQM Department in the production of materials for donors and for marketing purposes.
Coordination, Partnership, and Advocacy
• Establish and maintain strategic contacts with the UN, Government, INGOs, Universities, Research Institutions, Donors, and Embassies.
• Catalyse/mediate between and amongst the varying local to national institutions in pursuit of GOAL Climate change, resilient WASH agenda including capacity support.
• Work with relevant institutions like Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, EPA, MoWS, MoPED, Ministry of Agriculture; Ministry of Fisheries and, etc to develop key national baselines and parameters useful for programme design, accessing funds, etc.
• Work with government institutions and facilitating changes in the enabling environment and mitigation and removal of barriers for promoting stakeholders’ engagement; etc.
• Ensure GSL representation in key strategic WASH, Environment & Climate Change working groups and forums to strengthen key partnerships & networks;
• Ensure mainstreaming of advocacy in Environment & Climate Change projects and working with climate change advocacy organisations like Trocaire; and ensure key International Days are celebrated.
The Person
• A very strong and solid experience in liquid and solid waste management in urban settings
• Minimum of a Master’s degree in Environmental sciences, climate change, waste management, urban planning, Climatology, Forestry, Agriculture or related discipline.
• Minimum seven years of relevant work experience in a similar or related position.
• Literate in Microsoft Office and data analysis programs such as SPSS, EPI Info; etc
• Knowledge and awareness of current end emerging climate change related narratives and discourses;
• Experience and interest in Agro-forestry, waste to energy and clean cooking practices and technologies, Carbon markets/projects and related issues;
• Willing to learn more on issues related to climate change and carbon markets;
• Ability to work and communicate in cross-cultural environment;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Environmental organizations, business community, civil society and government officials;
• Self-motivated and ability to make decisions.
• Ability to work independently and proven records in climate smart innovations
Other Competencies
• A very strong can do and positive attitude
• Ability to build capacity of staff on relevant technical fields
• Strong budgetary and financial management skills.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Ability to deliver results
• Ability to delegate and lead teams effectively
• Good interpersonal, organizational and management skills
• Ability to solve complex problems and to exercise independent judgement
• Creative and with high thinking and judgement skills
• Able to multitask and manage stress
GOAL is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building an inclusive environment for all employees. We know that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. If you would like more information or have any special requirements or needs that would support you during the recruitment process then please contact the Recruitment team [*****]
All employees share in the responsibility for fulfilling GOAL’s commitment to equal employment opportunity and equal treatment. GOAL does not discriminate against any employee or volunteer; or any applicant for employment or volunteering on the basis of age, gender identity, ancestry, political opinion, civil status, medical condition, ethnic background, disability, race, religion,ual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.
Accountability within GOAL
A commitment to GOAL values and GOAL’s integrity framework is critical to working with GOAL. Any candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to the following key areas of accountability: 1) Comply with GOAL’s policies and procedures with respect to safeguarding, code of conduct, health and safety, confidentiality, do no harm principles and unacceptable behaviour protocols; 2) Report any concerns about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult or any wrongdoings within our programming area; 3) Report any concerns about inappropriate behaviour of a GOAL staff or partner.
Safeguarding
Children and vulnerable adults who come into contact with GOAL as a result of our activities must be safeguarded to the maximum possible extent from deliberate or inadvertent actions and failings that place them at risk of abuse,ual exploitation, injury and any other harm. One of the ways that GOAL shows this on-going commitment to safeguarding is to include rigorous background and reference checks in the selection process for all candidates.
General Terms and Conditions
This Job Description only serves as a guide for the position available. GOAL reserves the right to change this document.
