USA: Stabilization and Resilience Director

Apr 3, 2023 | Chemonics
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Chemonics International Inc., a US-based international development consulting firm, is accepting applications for an anticipated USAID-funded program addressing the harmonization and strengthening of water security, sanitation, and hygiene (WSSH) in conflict and fragile contexts.

Chemonics seeks Stabilization and Resilience Director to support agile and sustainable WSSH programming in fragile contexts, with a focus on supporting locally-led approaches to address the reality that WSSH challenges confronting the world are highly nuanced and fast evolving–particularly as the adverse impacts of climate change continue to unfold.  Through this broad, flexible global support mechanism, USAID will fill critical gaps in partner countries’ ability to tackle longer and more common protracted conflicts, as well as more frequent and intense weather events and increasing rates of climate change-related migration through enabling a fundamental shift in the WSSH community’s approach to programming in fragile contexts. This will focus on strengthening water security for all uses and users, as well as adapting, providing and maintaining WASH services, which is critical for achieving and maintaining development gains in communities and countries that face the compounding risks of climate change, conflict, and COVID-19.

The Stabilization and Resilience Director will have experience managing crisis response efforts, preferably in the WSSH space, supporting USAID operating units and other rapid response mechanisms in the face of acute and protracted crises.  The ideal candidate will have experience working with water service providers, regulators, basin authorities, local officials, communities, and other stakeholders to determine the key information needs, and develop short-term technical assistance interventions accordingly, to effectively pivot programs and approaches and/or stand-up new efforts as shocks and stressors unfold.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Serve as the technical component lead for the rapid response and surge support efforts, in coordination with ongoing humanitarian assistance, crisis response, and stabilization programming.
  • Lead WSSH crisis response and rapid analysis, working closely with the chief of party, USAID counterparts, and other project technical leads to develop and manage effective and responsive interventions.
  • Determine technical needs and priorities for short-term technical assistance and subcontractor support, in close coordination with program technical directors, to carry out a wide range of rapid analyses to inform WSSH programming in fragile contexts, which could include, but not be limited Conflict analysis and associated impacts on water security programs and approaches, as well as WSSH-related drivers of conflict.
  • Risk and vulnerability analysis around existing or projected shocks and stressors (e.g., armed conflict, flood/drought, energy shortages) including impacts on source water, WASH services (including degree of sector subsidies), industrial production, and women, girls and other gender minorities that would inform WSSH activity design and implementation.
  • Assessing the key drivers of and identifying interventions to prevent gender-based violence related to WSSH in specific geographies.
  • Seasonal forecasting that enables proactive identification of climatic shocks that might degrade water infrastructure, increase pressure on water stores, or otherwise affect the need for WSSH programming.
  • Manage team of local and international experts to ensure high quality implementation at the highest standards of professional conduct.
  • Develop technical reports, work planning, and regular progress report inputs as needed, under the overall direction of the chief of party.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Minimum of 10 years’ work experience in crisis response, humanitarian assistance, and/or peace and stabilization work
  • Bachelor’s Degree in relevant area required, advanced degree preferred or comparable years of work experience.
  • Experience working in WSSH programming in fragile contexts strongly preferred.
  • Knowledge of donor funded programming across the humanitarian, conflict, and development nexus required.
  • Fluency in English required, additional language skills preferred.

Application Instructions: 

Applications should be submitted to FragileWatersRecruit@chemonics.com. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. No telephone inquiries, please.

Chemonics is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors.