International Water and Communities Initiative

The Pacific Institute is seeking a new full-time Research Associate II or a Senior Associate to support work in the International Water and Communities Initiative. Founded in 1987 and based in Oakland, California, Pacific Institute works to develop solutions to the related problems of environmental protection, economic development, and human health from the local to the international level. The International Water and Communities Initiative seeks to address the tremendous loss of health and life due to the lack of water and sanitation. The strategy employed by the Initiative is to release trapped knowledge in the water sector, so that it flows to those that need to make decisions to improve their health, and also bubbles up from community residents to support better planning and policymaking. A well-engaged citizenry can help hold governments accountable for their health, thus driving better management of water and other environmental resources. Our work directly engages communities; addresses key knowledge gaps in water and sanitation provision through the creation of tools; and is implemented on the ground in developing countries.

Position Description
The Institute is seeking an experienced Research Associate who has extensive knowledge in the technical, political and social aspects of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and experience working internationally. The Research Associate will work on three primary projects: leading our efforts to develop the Community Choices Tool (prototype at:www.washchoices.org) in West Africa; evaluating the potential of multiple use water services (MUS) approaches; and developing an international assessment of needs and priorities in greywater reuse.

We seek an energetic, well-organized, experienced person with commitment to developing new solutions to water, sanitation, and hygiene problems, and confidence with working on the ground with international communities. Appointment as a Senior Associate entails fundraising experience and project-management experience beyond that required for a Research Associate Level II.

Specific responsibilities include:
•Work in partnership with organizations in West Africa to conduct learning sessions among NGOs, local governments, and on needs for a decision-making support tool;
•Conduct research on key water, sanitation, and hygiene knowledge needs identified by West African stakeholders;
•Manage development of a fully functional Community Choices Tool in West Africa, and develop a strategy to disseminate the tool in this region;
•Develop an assessment of lessons learned in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM);
•Evaluate the potential opportunities and challenges in pursuing a multiple-use water services (MUS) approach;
•Development of a paper evaluating lessons learned in greywater reuse implementation worldwide;
•Prepare communications on research and policy analyses developed by the Institute, including fact sheets for a lay audience; present outcomes of the Institute’s work at community forums, press conferences, policy briefings, and conferences;
•Help with fundraising activities for the International Water and Communities Initiative, and help prepare reports to foundations and donors;
•Assist with program development, strategic planning, and program evaluation;
•Assist with day-to-day program maintenance, including managing communications and meeting notes, documenting process and archiving files.

Qualifications
•Bachelor’s degree in environmental, civil, or chemical engineering, international development, poverty, public health, urban studies or another related field.
•Advanced degree in environmental, civil, or chemical engineering, public health, international development, or another related field is highly desirable.
•Experience with project management in the subjects and regions described above.
•Excellent written and oral communications skills, strong interpersonal skills, and the demonstrated ability to work with a variety of people from diverse backgrounds, including community partners, NGO partners, local and national governments, funders, etc.
•Ability to communicate and translate technical, scientific, or policy-related information to a lay audience.
•Strong organizational and facilitation skills and enjoyment of managing multiple tasks.
•Strong policy and technical analysis and research skills, and attention to detail.
•Demonstrated self-starter who can take a project from inception to completion.
•Excellent computer skills.
•Bilingual in French or a language spoken in West Africa or the Middle East a strong plus.
•Familiarity with GIS, community mapping, and web programming a plus.

Additional desirable qualifications include:
•Specific work experience in West Africa or the Middle East.

Compensation and Benefits
Compensation includes a competitive salary commensurate with experience and a generous benefits package that includes health, dental coverage, and retirement.

Application Procedure
Please send a cover letter, writing sample, resume, and contact information for three references to: Meena Palaniappan at the Pacific Institute, 654 13th Street, Oakland, California 94612. Hard copy, faxes (510 251-2203), or email (mpal@pacinst.org) are acceptable. No phone calls.


Pacific Institute is an equal opportunity employer.
People of color and women are strongly encouraged to apply.