National Research Coordinator

Water Witness International is working for a fair water future where water is managed sustainably to ensure water security for all. Our experience shows that accountability and transparency across the water sector are critical priorities for unlocking inclusive governance, improved WASH services and delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals. With our partners, we are working to strengthen accountability for water by helping citizens understand and activate their rights, tracking budgets to ensure effective investment, integrity and value for money, and supporting government, utilities and authorities to understand and respond to the needs and concerns of water users.

While this work is delivering positive results, there are important questions that need to be addressed to unlock its full potential. Water Witness is therefore working in Ethiopia as the country lead within the international Accountability for Water partnership to undertake action research into the key questions facing practitioners and policy makers working for stronger accountability throughout the water sector. 

The research is a collaboration between the Partnership for African Social and Governance Research (PASGR), Water Witness International, the Kenya Water and Sanitation Civil Societies Network (KEWASNET) and Shahidi wa Maji in Tanzania. In Ethiopia we partner with Ethiopian Water Technology Institute. 

The programme is delivering ground-breaking multi-country research, to help professionals in civil society, government, academia and donor organisations address the key questions they face and to develop practical solutions to improve accountability performance. Having secured investment to deliver this initiative we are seeking an exceptional individual to join the team in Addis Ababa to co-ordinate its successful delivery in Ethiopia.

Job Summary and Purpose 

This is a strategically important position within a dynamic network of civil society, government, and research partners, placing the successful applicant at the heart of efforts to strengthen accountability and evidence-based decision-making for sustainable development. We seek an Ethiopian with the experience, skills, and confidence to coordinate this innovative, multi-stakeholder research program and support high-quality evidence generation and learning. The post-holder will successfully coordinate the ‘Accountability for Water Action and Research Programme’ and ensure it impacts water sector governance and service delivery in Ethiopia. They will provide administrative and technical support to research partners for high-quality research design, delivery, documentation, and communication of results. 

The role requires competence in interdisciplinary research design and delivery, and thoughtful steering of a dispersed group of collaborating partners. The research addresses priority questions for practitioners and policymakers, aiming to generate and share knowledge to harness accountability practice and accelerate water-related SDGs, social justice, climate resilience, and sustainable resource management. The National Research Coordinator will be based at Water Witness’ Ethiopia office in Addis Ababa, visiting partners across Ethiopia and representing the team at regional and global meetings. They will work closely with internal and external partners to ensure effective and efficient research program delivery and responsiveness to stakeholder needs. They will provide technical guidance for monitoring, evaluation, and learning, and lead external and internal communications and stakeholder liaison. The successful candidate will support research uptake and establish country-level collaborations for research utilization. If you have exceptional organizational and communication skills, a strong research background, and confidence to lead Ethiopia’s water sector towards sustainable development and social justice, we encourage you to apply!

Duties and responsibilities 

The objective of this role is to effectively co-ordinate the delivery of the Accountability for Water Research Programme and to ensure that knowledge generated is robust, relevant, well-documented and communicated in ways which advance good governance and water service delivery. The coordinator will ensure efficient delivery co-owned by partners and managed adaptively to ensure positive impact for beneficiaries. Specific responsibilities include: 

Research co-ordination 

You'll work closely with partners to explore how different accountability initiatives—like monitoring social accountability, tracking budgets, and advocating based on evidence—impact water security for vulnerable communities. This includes looking at mechanisms such as complaint systems and public interest litigation. The success of this role depends on your ability to build strong relationships with research partners and adapt to the changing needs of everyone involved.

Working with the partners including Water Witness UK Office and the Partnership for African Social and Governance Research (PASGR), the post holder will be the primary point of contact for the programme in Ethiopia and will ensure that: 

• Ensuring that programme plans are delivered in line with contract requirements 

• Research is designed and delivered using robust and ethical methodologies, that effective documentation takes place, and that lessons are effectively captured, packaged and shared to maximize their uptake. 

• Relevant permissions and clearance are in place for the research, and the programme complies with the law at all times. 

• Opportunities are seized to undertake cross-cutting research such as large-n questionnaire surveys and Key Informant Interviews. 

• That problems are solved, and risks managed proactively and efficiently. 

• That the legacy of the programme is strong, and that options for scaling the work are scoped and secured where appropriate. 

To deliver these duties, the post holder will undertake a wide range of programme co-ordination activities including: 

• Planning and reporting against programme budgets and work plans. 

• Mentorship and support to staff and research partners. 

• Tracking of tasks and resources through regular communication, meetings and visits to ensure impact within budget and timescales. 

• Quality assurance, statutory compliance and alignment with internal policies. 

• Proactively input and track research and debates which are relevant and ensure that our decision-making is based on the best available knowledge.

Learning, communications, advocacy and uptake 

The post holder will be responsible for ensuring that: 

• Learning is generated, synthesized and documented. 

• Programmes monitoring, evaluation and learning plans are appropriate and implemented. 

• The work is communicated effectively to external parties, and communications internally are efficient and effective. 

• The appropriate plans are in place to drive uptake of the research findings through modified practice, policy or investment and that these are delivered on. 

• Advocacy based on the results of the research programme has an impact. 

Partnership development and stakeholder support 

The success of this initiative will depend on effective collaboration between a diverse set of local, regional and global partners. The coordinator will have primary responsibility for establishing and maintaining constructive relationships with these partners including via: 

• Planning, delivery, management and write up of regional and national meetings, trainings and workshops. 

• Acting as the secretariat of the National Advisory Group which meets quarterly including taking minutes and ensuring actions are delivered. 

• Prompt and comprehensive reporting to and liaison with the Programme Management Team 

• Support for and active participation in regional and global meetings, conferences and events. 

The post-holder will maintain the flexible approach needed within a small network organisation and will deputize for others to undertake other duties as required. 

Key working relationships and logistical arrangements 

• The successful applicant will be a key member of the global Accountability for Water Partnership. They will work closely with colleagues in Ethiopia and the UK to help shape Water Witness’s work, and to plan and account for the research component of our annual budget and programme budgets.  They will be responsible for supporting high impact research. Key working relationships include: 

• Practice Lead – Research, and Research Officer Water Witness, UK. 

• Research Programme Director and Officer, PASGR, Kenya. 

• Accountability for Water Programme Partners (WaterAid, WIN, Oxfam, ESAP, EWTI, National Governments, End Water Poverty, PASGR, Institute of Development Studies – University of Sussex, African Council of Ministers for Water, Hewlett Foundation, Rural Water Supply Network).

Pay:£900 - £1300 per month commensurate with experienceplus pension fund and medical insurance

Reports to: Regional Programme Manager /Accountability for Water Programme Management Team 

Travel:  Frequent periods of travel in Ethiopia, including to remote field locations, occasional regional and global travel 

Term: Fixed term for two years, subject to performance and availability of funding. 

Experience and qualifications: 

Essential 

• Master’s degree in water related fields such as water governance, environmental management, international development, or related fields. 

• At least 5 years’ experience in programme coordination, monitoring, evaluation and research, preferably in a research focused organisation or initiative. 

• Technical knowledge and experience of the water resource management and/or WASH sectors, gender and/or accountability, advocacy and governance research for sustainable development in Ethiopia. 

• Demonstrable experience in supporting research and coordinating implementation of research programmes. 

• A track record of publication, and a demonstrated ability to effectively communicate complex concepts to a wide range of audiences. 

• Evidence of working in effective regional and national partnerships with senior level and technical staff, and of supporting networks of stakeholders. 

• Demonstrable experience translating research and evidence into use, to influence policy and practice for sustainable and inclusive development. 

• A proven team player, able to mentor, organize events, facilitate workshops, deliver training and collaborate within a multi-cultural and dispersed team of mixed capabilities and experience. Desirable 

• Design and management of knowledge and learning networks in Africa. 

• Experience of multi-country, multi-partner, interdisciplinary research initiatives. 

• Proven advocacy skills to influence at the highest levels and with multiple stakeholders and key decision makers. 

• Understanding of inclusive approaches, gender and key trends in international development. 

Skills and attributes: 

Essential 

• Excellent written and verbal communications skills in English. 

• Skilled in designing, delivering and disseminating core research and evaluation findings to a variety of audiences. 

• Demonstrable interpersonal skills, including the ability to collaborate effectively in networks and communities of practice. 

• A flexible and resourceful attitude, self-driven with the ability to manage and prioritize an unpredictable workload. 

• Proven analytical and problem-solving skills to understand the range and content of accountability for water work and provide practical solutions to operational challenges. 

• Proven data analysis and report writing skills including documentation and editing with proficiency in data analysis software. 

• A high degree of competence in using IT tools, platforms and programmes. Particularly MS Office and Teams. 

• Exceptional organisational skills, professional diligence and ethical conduct. 

• Must be dynamic, creative, and passionate about delivering positive change in the world. 

• Familiar with current concepts and approaches within accountability and advocacy and /or water resource management, climate resilience and WASH. 

Desirable 

• Familiarity and competence in media, communications, infographics, publishing and the use of social media.

How To Apply

All correspondence should be sent to jobs@waterwitness.org with ‘NRC24– your name’ in the subject line. Please provide a CV and cover letter in ONE single pdf document. The cover letter should

 be no more than two pages long, must explain why you want to work in this position, and should clearly set out how your skills and experience make you a good fit. The CV should contain email

 addresses and telephone numbers of two professional referees.  Please also attach to your email a SINGLE example of your written work which best demonstrates your writing capabilities. 

This should be a recent, pre-existing report or paper of which you are the primary author. 

Applications which do not meet these specifications will not be considered. 

Selection Process 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Please assume that you have not been shortlisted if you have not heard from us within 1 week of the closing date. Shortlisted candidates may be required to undertake an additional assessment prior to the interview. 

Timeline 

• Closing date: Midnight EAT, 18th August 2024 

• Interviews: Week of 26th August 

• Required start date: As soon as possible