Openings: National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA)

The Project Coordinator will support the execution of the project. They will be responsible for data analysis and support to the larger technical team through desktop research and supporting States/ULBs on monitoring domestic wastewater management systems.

Responsibilities:

• Assist in implementing the programme and coordinating with key stakeholders in states, cities.
• Liaise with States and cities for collection of high-quality data, ensure data accuracy and support in the integration of relevant data from other government digital platforms.
• Provide handholding support to States and cities in the collection of data across various parameters and maintain the database.
• Manage implementation and optimization of processes associated with the implementation of the programme.
• Manage and prioritise day-to-day tasks and provide troubleshooting support to the team as well as to the States and ULBs.
• Provide coordination support to the IT development team in the creation of a robust data management system within the defined timeline and budget.
• Monitor KPIs of the programme and prepare periodic reports for submission to key stakeholders.
• Prepare presentations for sharing with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs including data analysis, progress against KPIs, etc.
• Provide orientation and trainings to States and ULBs from time to time for improved understanding of programme KPIs and to ensure timely delivery of tasks.
• Work with key stakeholders in creating good data management practices and provide insights into the programme.
• Travel to validate data collected and to monitor programme implementation at state and city levels on a need basis.

Skills, Qualifications, and Experience:

• Master’s degree in Urban Planning, Public Policy, Environmental Sciences, Social Sciences or a related field (or equivalent work experience).
• A minimum of 7 plus years of related experience in implementing programs related to sanitation, skilling, urban development, public policy or government consulting.
• Excellent communication skills including the experience of communicating with and liaison with senior government officials at State and cities.
• Strong analytical, conceptualization and communication skills, good understanding of market research techniques and data analytics, attention to detail.
• Experience of working at Central/State level in the urban sector and coordinating teams and multi-party processes.
• Proven experience of providing training and handholding support to government officials at States and cities.
• Ability to synthesize relevant collected data and findings for the preparation of case studies and progress reports.
• Computer proficiency, especially related to professional office software packages (Microsoft Office).
• Willingness to travel on need basis.

Application process:Submit your application through the NIUA Job Portal.

Responsibilities:

• Plan, develop, and provide expert guidance on all aspects of coordinated non-sewered wastewater collection, transportation, and safe disposal;
• Organise and manage geographical grouping of habitations across the country into integrated urban-rural clusters, for efficient sharing of desludging services;
• Organise an inventory of desludging resources available in each geographical cluster across India such as a directory of private sanitation service operators, details of septic tank management equipment available with cities, etc;
• Create a database of authorized septage/sludge receptacles in each geographical cluster- to include STPs/FSTPs/designated pumphouse/manholes along the trunk sewer;
• Map and analyze the flow of desludging operations at the city level, identifying key stakeholders and their roles;
• Create SoPs for the methodology/mechanism of ground-level response for each cluster;
• Stay abreast of cutting-edge technologies and advancements in the sanitation field, identifying opportunities for improvement and application within the project;
• Identify opportunities for cost optimization and resource allocation within the project;
• Analyze data on operations and impact to track progress, identify trends, and measure effectiveness;
• Prepare reports and presentations for internal and external stakeholders, presenting key findings and recommendations;
• Develop and implement monitoring and evaluation frameworks for improved performance of the project;
• Oversee the project from inception to completion, ensuring adherence to timelines and quality standards.

Skills, Qualifications, and Experience:

• Bachelor in Civil Engineering and a Master’s degree in water and sanitation engineering/ environmental management/ environmental engineering/civil engineering, or a related field.
• Candidates must have a Master’s in Business Administration.
• At least 15 years’ proven experience in managing wastewater, with a strong focus on domestic sanitation and desludging services in the Indian context. Familiarity with the specific challenges and opportunities of the Indian sanitation landscape is essential.
• A minimum of 10 years’ experience in planning and/or managing sanitation infrastructure at the state, megacity, or parastatal level is required. Demonstrated expertise in leading large-scale sanitation projects and navigating complex government landscapes is crucial.
• Strong field experience in wastewater management with a focus on on-site sanitation systems and transactions on the ground.
• In-depth knowledge of the national sanitation landscape, policies, and regulations.
• Knowledgeable about wastewater treatment technologies, treatment processes, wastewater management and monitoring systems; Understanding of good practices and regulatory requirements for wastewater management in various States/UTs.
• Strong understanding of the financial and non-financial aspects of sanitation, including the FSM market, cost structures, pricing/finance models, and service delivery mechanisms.
• Has insights on financially sustainable business models for sanitation, including FSM service providers and entrepreneurs.
• Strong digital literacy and familiarity with data management systems and mobile technology applications.
• Experience in building strong relationships with government agencies, NGOs, service providers, communities, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Proven ability to manage an integrated team of IT developers and call centre teams to operate a service delivery programme.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, including the ability to guide diverse teams in a collaborative environment.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex information to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Advocacy skills to build partnerships and coordinate with different State officials and on-ground teams.

Application process: Submit your application through the NIUA Job Portal.