Professional Development Programme (PDP)-PYLI

Country Programme Pakistan

Place of work:

Islamabad/Lahore/Karachi

Contract type:

Fixed Term (6 months)

Reports to:

Project coordinator-PYLI

Budget responsibility:

Yes

Professional Development Programme

WaterAid’s Professional Development Programme (PDP) is designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and the practical skills required in today's competitive job market. This comprehensive initiative offers a structured curriculum encompassing seminars and hands-on training sessions that focus on honing essential professional skills required for working in the WASH sector. Fresh university graduates particularly females will be capacitated on real-world scenarios, industry trends, and best practices, fostering their adaptability and enhancing their ability to contribute effectively to the WASH sector. Mentoring by seasoned professionals will provide invaluable guidance, while networking opportunities may facilitate connections with potential employers and sector partners. Through this program, graduates will gain a deeper understanding of the WASH sector, develop crucial interpersonal and communication skills, and ultimately embark on a successful career journey with confidence and competence.

Job Purpose:

The objective of this role is to establish a dynamic learning platform tailored for young individuals, with a particular focus on empowering young girls. This platform aims to nurture their technical proficiencies across various facets of the WASH sector. By participating in this initiative, these aspiring Young WASH Professionals will undergo comprehensive training and gain hands-on experience in the operational intricacies of WASH, the formulation of WASH and WASH-related policy frameworks, execution of WASH initiatives, and the orchestration of campaigns to drive transformative hygiene behaviour. Participants will engage with a series of specialized modules, each designed to deepen their understanding of the WASH sector.

Key Learning Modules

The selected candidates will be provided hands-on training and mentorship to strengthen their capacities on the following modules:

·       Leadership in WASH sector 

·       Climate Resilient WASH

·       Health and WASH

·       Monitoring, Evaluation and Programme Quality

We invite highly motivated, proactive, and diligent candidates to be a part of the WaterAid Pakistan’s Professional Development Programme (WAP-PDP) for a duration of 06 months. During this tenure, candidates will have the opportunity to contribute their energy and enthusiasm to a variety of tasks, which encompass, but are not confined to, the following selection:

The detail tasks / responsibilities of the position include but not limited to the following:

1.     Leadership in WASH Sector (25% of time)

·       Learn strategic, efficient, and responsive planning and management in the WASH sector.

·       Learn stress management in general and WASH in emergencies particularly.

·       Learn office and program management to oversee the overall planning and implementation of WASH projects, ensuring efficient resource allocation and timely achievement of milestones

·       Learn partnership development to establish and nurture partnerships with sector partners, community organizations, academic institutions, and donors to amplify the impact of WASH initiatives.

·       Learn about the standards and principles in the provision of gender-and inclusion sensitive services.

2.     Climate Resilient WASH (25% of time)

·       Orientation on Federal and Provincial Acts, policies and plans on climate change and WASH.

·       Conduct research to understand the impacts of climate change on water availability, sanitation, and hygiene practices. Analyse data to identify policy and practice gaps affecting vulnerable communities and areas at risk.

·       Orientation on innovative technologies and practices that can enhance climate resilience in WASH projects, such as zero liquid discharge, rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, Nature-based-Solutions (NbS), Ecosystem-based-Adaptation (EbA), and flood-resistant infrastructure.

3.     Health and WASH (25% of time)

·       Orientation on the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005), Health Vision of Pakistan (2016-2026) and SDG 06.

·       Learn the integration of WASH in public health

·       Conduct sessions on WASH at the community level/ facilitation and organizing the various training events at community level and school level.

·       Contribute to conducting research on local health and WASH issues, gathering data on water quality, sanitation facilities, and hygiene practices. They may also help analyze this data to identify trends and challenges.

·       Learn to develop and design WASH programs and initiatives that address specific community needs. This could involve creating educational materials, planning workshops, and designing behavior change campaigns to promote healthy hygiene practices.

·       Understanding, learning, and engaging in policy research and advocacy efforts to promote better WASH practices and influence government policies related to public health and sanitation.

4.     Monitoring, Evaluation and Programme Quality (25% of time)

·       Learn about Systems Strengthening Approach

·       Learn the monitoring system of WAP which may include occasional visit/s to site areas to observe our work, and the data management system.

·       Learn and contribute to any baseline, end line and rapid assessment studies being undertaken by the Programme Quality Unit.

·       Learn and contribute in the documentation of key lessons emanating from the field and our overall approach to deliver WASH in Pakistan.

·       Process of community mobilization and importance of gender and inclusion aspects for community-based projects – linking community participation with sustainability of WASH schemes.