From wsnewsocw at mit.edu Tue Mar 14 19:40:05 2006 From: wsnewsocw at mit.edu (Water and Sanitation Issues) Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2006 19:40:05 -0500 Subject: [wsnews] W&S News Message-ID: <20060314194005.wtgv0szs2lno0g4c@webmail.mit.edu> For subscription service to this list, contact psunde at mit.edu. To disseminate items via W&S News, send to jd at mit.edu. "Water for the Poor" is Critical to Global Development, National Security Congressman Blumenauer Discusses New U.S. Law at the Wilson Center WASHINGTON, D.C.-A groundbreaking new law authorizes the President to redouble foreign aid efforts to promote access to clean water and sanitation. The Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act--honoring the late Democratic senator from Illinois, an early advocate of worldwide access to safe water--was signed into law in December 2005 by President George W. Bush. Co-sponsored by 101 House members and passed unanimously in the Senate, this bipartisan legislation directs the Secretary of State to develop a detailed strategy for integrating water and sanitation programs into U.S. foreign policy. The law also calls upon the United States to fulfill its commitment to the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) to halve the percentage of people without access to safe water by 2015--the first time that an MDG has been adopted as part of U.S. law. Please join us as Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), the bill's primary author in the House, discusses the next steps for implementing this timely law. "This bill is a critical first step in the bipartisan efforts to fight poverty, protect the environment, promote national security, and save lives through clean water and sanitation," said Blumenauer in a statement. "The time is right for the United States to act on water and sanitation while it is a low-cost and high-return investment on foreign assistance," the Wilson Center's Geoffrey Dabelko testified in hearings on the bill. "It is critical to act now before the negative security impacts become more apparent, and while the benefits are still within reach." You can access a video of the webcast directly at: mms://66.100.89.134/ECSP/ECSP_20060214.wmv or via this page: http://www.wilsoncenter.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=events.event_summary&event_id=168642 ********** Call for abstracts IRC together with UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education is organising a Symposium on Sustainable Water Supply and Sanitation: Strengthening Capacity for Local Governance, which will take place from 26-28 September 2006 in Delft, The Netherlands. Deadline for abstracts: 1 Apr 2006 Decentralisation has shifted roles and responsibilities from national government to local government and other intermediate level bodies. Many of the actors who have emerged at this level struggle with their new responsibilities and with roles for which they are not fully equipped in terms of financial resources, knowledge, methodologies, tools and experience. More information: http://www.irc.nl/symposium/capacitydevelopment Contact: symposium at irc.nl ********** US: Louisiana a step closer to control over its levees The US Senate Transportation Committee endorsed an amendment to the Louisiana state constitution needed to meet a congressional stipulation that the state must take control of its levees before it can obtain the funds for a $12M flood-control study. If adopted, the changes would make a significant change to the existing practice, in which over a dozen local boards manage and inspect levees. The board system has been criticised as leading to inspection failures and of harboring incompetence. However, some senators have pledged to oppose the bill when it comes before the full Senate. It requires a two-thirds majority to pass. ********** ARAL: World Bank announces major replenishment success The World Bank has announced that the Northern Aral sea, which had shrunk to half its original surface area, has filled up just months after the Kok-Aral dam was erected between it and the Southern Aral sea last August. Bank experts originally believed it would take five to 10 years to fill up the northern sea, but with water levels high, a sluice can now begin operating to allow excess water to flow into the water-short Southern Aral. The sea began to shrink in the 1960s, when massive diversions for cotton cultivation under the Soviet Union drained the two rivers that feed it, the Syr Darya and Amu Darya. ********** CHINA: Suez outlines expansion plans Suez has told a press briefing that it intends to double its business in greater China to nearly one billion euros ($1.2 billion) over the next two years as it expands its sewage and water treatment networks. Company executive vice-president Yves-Thibault de Silguy said that the country?s need for modern water distribution and waste facilities in major municipalities would be likely to mean a doubling of revenues by 2008 from around ?450M ($536M) at present. ********** US: Gleick refuses to make Schwarzenegger?s day California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is promoting a strategic growth plan for the state that would involve raising $35 billion to provide levee and flood control systems and reliable water supplies. His office quoted him as saying: ?Our plan commits $3 billion to support regional water plans so we get the smartest, most efficient water use possible, $800M will go to new technology for water quality and the environment, $1.25 billion will build new storage capacity so our families, businesses, and farms can have the water they need and $2.5 billion to strengthen our levees and flood management system to give the people California the flood protection they deserve.? However, the Pacific Institute's Dr Peter Gleick testified about the plan before the State Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water last week that water efficiency was a ?cheaper, easier, and less destructive way to meet California's current and future water supply needs?. ********** CITIZENS? ACTION: promoting a rights-based approach to empower the poor, WaterAid By collecting data themselves, the poor can hold governments and service providers accountable if their entitlements to water and sanitation remain unmet. In 2005 UK-based NGO WaterAid launched Citizens? Action, a sustainable, rights-based approach to empower the poor rather than mediate on their behalf [1]. The first Citizens' Action projects are underway in Ghana, India, Nepal, and Uganda, with others in Ethiopia and Bangladesh at an early stage. Projects are soon to start in Mozambique, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Mali. Projects are implemented by citizens and facilitated by partner organisations alongside WaterAid country programme staff. The first step is to make local people aware of their rights to water and sanitation, their current water and sanitation service situation, and who is responsible for policy and service delivery. They can then choose different data collection methods like community scorecards, community mapping or report cards to assess the state of water and sanitation service provision in their area. With these data local people are in a better position to negotiate their demands with implementing agencies. WaterAid will launch the first of its annual, detailed Citizens? Reports on World Water Day, 22 March 2006. [1]. Ryan, P. (2006). Citizens?Action for water and sanitation. (Discussion paper). London, UK, WaterAid. 4 p. PDF file [http://www.wateraid.org/documents/citizens_action_low_res.pdf](143 KB) Contact: Peter Ryan, Policy Officer, WaterAid, UK, mailto:wateraid at wateraid.org ********** BOLIVIA: news on government's water budget, project funding and WWF declaration Bolivia's newly inaugurated water ministry is awaiting the assignment of 10mn bolivianos (US$1.25mn) to fund ministry operations. Project financing will be sought through international cooperation organisations. Solving the conflict with capital La Paz's water concessionaire Aguas del Illimani (Aisa) and resolving Cochabamba department's water supply issue (see related news items) have been named the ministry's priorities and are considered emergencies. Furthermore government signed a joint declaration on water, issued to contribute to the debate in the run-up to the World Water Forum in Mexico in March. Main elements of the declaration include: the human right to water; responsibility to protect access to water for all forms of life; and - in the light of recent calamities provoked by disasters caused by water - the need to strengthen policies and actions of prevention; demand to withdraw water from GATs negotiations and any free trade treaties; call for a profound change in the organisation of the World Water Forum to allow majority and decisive participation in the negotiations by the poorest and those who most need water. Related news: Bolivia, Cochabamba: public pressure forces Bechtel to drop water case, Source Weekly [http://www.irc.nl/page/27840], 7 Feb 2006; Bolivia: former El Alto activist Abel Mamani new water minister, Source Weekly [http://www.irc.nl/page/28093], 16 Feb 2006; Bolivia, La Paz, El Alto: protests against 'secret' government talks with Suez, Source Weekly [http://www.irc.nl/page/25480], 23 Aug 2005 ********** UGANDA: Output-based aid in Water Supply in Small Towns and Rural Growth Centres Local private sector providers have been operating water supply systems in many small towns in Uganda over the past few years through management contracts. These operators have brought clear efficiency gains to the sector. However, the challenge for the Government of Uganda is to scale up service delivery in small towns and expand into rural growth centres in order to meet its poverty reduction targets. Global Partnership on Output-Based Aid (GPOBA) will be working with the government to design Output-Based Aid (OBA) schemes in small towns and rural growth centres that will provide targeted subsidies to the poor for access to piped water supply, while allowing private operators to expand their role providing much needed financing and expertise. GPOBA has approved funding for technical assistance to support the design of the OBA scheme. Contact: Yogita Mumssen, World Bank, e-mail [mailto:ymumssen at worldbank.org] From wsnewsocw at mit.edu Wed Mar 22 11:28:46 2006 From: wsnewsocw at mit.edu (Water and Sanitation Issues) Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 11:28:46 -0500 Subject: [wsnews] W&S News: Jobs listing for World Water Day Message-ID: <20060322112846.ftf5123fc944sco0@webmail.mit.edu> World Water Day: March 22, 2006 http://www.worldwaterday.org/ WaterAid: Country Representative - Uganda Based Uganda - Competitive NGO rates Reporting to the Regional Manager, East Africa (based in London), you will ultimately be responsible for all aspects of WaterAid?s Country Programme in Uganda. You will provide leadership and support to a strong, multidisciplinary team of Managers who are responsible for all aspects of the country programme. This will focus on influencing policy, implementing project work, raising awareness and carrying out research into water, sanitation and hygiene education in Uganda. You will also manage a wide range of external relationships at different levels, including those with local partner organisations, international donors and the Government of Uganda at national, regional and local levels. First and foremost you will ensure that WaterAid?s programme focuses on issues that are relevant to the country?s poorest people. Educated to degree level, or holding a professional qualification in a relevant subject such as development studies or public health, you will have at least five years? senior programme management experience and proven strategic vision and capacity to deliver in a developing country context, especially in the water and sanitation sector. For further information download a Country Representative - Uganda application pack ( Word 208K)or email jobs at wateraid.org. No CVs will be accepted. Closing date: 31 March 2006. Expected start date: beginning of July 2006. More information: http://www.wateraid.org/documents/app_pack__cr_uganda__mar_06.doc ***** Programme / Senior Programme Officer Knowledge Development and Advocacy (KDA) section, Delft, The Netherlands Organisation: IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre, Delft, The Netherlands Responsibilities include: independently and pro-actively initiate and facilitate learning activities and partnerships for improved local governance and sustainable WASH service provision; work with partners; manage projects and prepare publications; and participate fully in the multidisciplinary KDA team. Requirements include: Academic degree at masters or comparable level in a relevant discipline; Relevant professional experience, including a minimum of five years in development processes in developing countries; Project management skills and experience. Language: Fluent in English. Other languages (French, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic etc) desirable. Salary: gross monthly salary up to a maximum of ? 3.945,77 (? 4.483,75 for the senior position), scale 11 (12 for the senior position) BBRA More information [http://www.irc.nl/page/28413] Contact: to apply, please send your letter and cv to Ms. Colette Snaathorst, Personnel Officer IRC, snaathorst at irc.nl [mailto:Snaathorst at irc.nl]. - Apply before 8 April 2006 ***** Water & Sanitation (WatSan) Project Manager, Zambia Organisation: British Red Cross, London, UK Responsibilities include: support the host National Societies water and sanitation activities as described in the ACP-EU Project Documentation; ensure safe water, sanitation, health education and community participation is encouraged and delivered using an integrated public health approach while supporting every opportunity for WatSan capacity building within the host National Society. Requirements include: Basic Delegates Training Course or equivalent knowledge Degree or Diploma in Public Health or in a Community/Social Development field Minimum 2 years working experience in a less developed country and/or minimum 3 years working ex-perience in a developed country. More information [http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/res.nsf/db900SID/OCHA-6MBHLA?OpenDocument] ***** WATER & SANITATION (WATSAN) PROJECT MANAGER, ZIMBABWE Organisation: British Red Cross, London, UK Responsibilities include: Support the host National Societies water and sanitation activities as described in the ACP-EU Project Documentation; Ensure safe water, sanitation, health education and community participation is encouraged and delivered using an integrated public health approach while supporting every opportunity for WatSan capacity building within the host National Society. Requirements include: Basic Delegates Training Course or equivalent knowledge Degree or Diploma in Public Health or in a Community/Social Development field; Minimum 2 years working experience in a less developed country and/or minimum 3 years working ex-perience in a developed country More information [http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/res.nsf/db900SID/OCHA-6MBHHA?OpenDocument] ****** Public-private partnership specialists - power and water General Information Date Posted: 20 Mar 2006 Organization: IP3 - Institute for Public-Private Partnerships Country/Region: Global Apply By: 19 Apr 2006 Contact Information : Email: jwuorinen at ip3.org Description IP3, the leader in consulting and capacity building in public-private partnerships for traditionally state-supplied services, wishes to expand its PPP associate base for dynamic consulting and capacity building projects worldwide, particularly in the water and power sectors. Immediately available assignments vary from one-week in-country training programs to four-year resident advisor positions in Africa, South Asia, Middle East, and Central and Eastern Europe. For our water and power sector programs we are currently seeking a cross section of functional skills including financial, legal, economic, regulatory, institutional development, and communications. Additional sector expertise (transportation, ICT, waste management, health and social services) is desirable. Candidates should hold a relevant advanced degree, be fluent in English, have 10 years relevant experience, significant international and developing country experience, have participated in more than five PPP transactions. ***** Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Programme, WSSPS II, Sector Policy Support - Senior Adviser (N2) General Information Date Posted: 17 Mar 2006 Organization: Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Country/Region: Bangladesh Apply By: 27 Mar 2006 Contact Information : Email: muo at mercuri-urval.com Fax: +45 39 45 65 65 Description Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Danida seeks adviser Bangladesh Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Programme, WSSPS II, Sector Policy Support - Senior Adviser (N2) - READVERTISEMENT As Senior Adviser (N2) you will be the counterpart to the Project Director (PD) of the Policy Support Unit (PSU) in the Ministry of Local Government Rural Development and Co-operatives in Dhaka. Your duties will include facilitation of policy and strategy formulation and implementation, policy reviews and capacity building. Together with the PD you will have joint responsibility for administration and accounting of the PSU. You have a degree in Public Administration or Social Sciences and extensive experience with policy formulation and implementation, programme management, institutional development and capacity building in the water supply and sanitation sector or related development programmes, preferably from Bangladesh or South Asia. Reference no.: DK-32487-2006/BAN.02-W Application deadline: 27 March 2006, at 9.00 am (Danish time). Further information A full job description is available at: www.mercuriurval.com/dk/danida/english. Here you will also find a mandatory application form. Applications with reference no. indicated should be sent to Mercuri Urval A/S at muo at mercuri-urval.com, alternatively to the office address: Philip Heymans All? 5, DK-2900 Hellerup, or faxed to: +45 39 45 65 65. ***** International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) Program Specialist, Water/Watershed Management The Program Specialist, Water/Watershed Management is responsible for planning, developing, implementing and coordinating program activities particularly, but not solely, those focusing on water resources and watershed management consistent with regional center program goals and objectives. As a member of one or more program teams, the post provides process-based and technical inputs and resources to field program initiatives, education & training activities and publication & communication processes. The Program Specialist, Water/Watershed Management reports to the Director, Regional Center for Asia; the post is a non-supervisory designation, except in cases of project-based hires. Key responsibilities: 1. Plan, implement, monitor and evaluate projects and activities on water resources and watershed management ? with other members of the program team - with a focus on developing new program initiatives in line with regional center program goals and objectives. 2. Working as a resource person or facilitator, provide content and process inputs to international training courses, study programs and community education activities focusing on water resources and watershed management, and other related themes. 3. Assist in the preparation of publications and development communication materials focusing on water resources, watershed management and other related themes. 4. Identify and implement suitable action research and documentation of experiences and lessons learned in coordination with appropriate program strategic and operational teams. 5. Contribute to the development and implementation of planning, monitoring, evaluation and learning at the project/activity and program levels. 6. Identify opportunities for generating resources and develop concept notes, project proposals and other relevant tools for resource development. 7. Represent the Institute and its programs with external program stakeholders including partners, clients and donors. Requirements: ? At least five (5) years experience in water resources/watershed management program planning, monitoring and evaluation within a rural development framework. Preferably, with work experience outside of your own culture (i.e., regional or international experience). ? Degree in agriculture, soil and water management or other related discipline; Master's degree preferred. ? Excellent written and oral communication skills in English; knowledge of one or more Asian languages a plus. ? Strong analytical skills. ? Demonstrated ability in conceptual and operational skills suited to rural development programs and projects. ? Knowledge or experience in action research methodologies. ? Familiarity with methods, tools and techniques in participatory planning, monitoring and evaluation. ? Team player and ability to work productively with teams. ? Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary and multicultural work environment. ? Computer proficient. Qualified applicants should send a letter of interest not later than March 31, 2006, together with curriculum vitae; contact information; and three letters of references with address and contact numbers to: The Human Resources Office International Institute of Rural Reconstruction Km. 39, Aguinaldo Highway, Silang, 4118, Cavite, Philippines Telephone/Fax: +63 46 414 2420; +63 2 886 4385 to 87 E-Mail: HumanResources at iirr.org ***** Civil Engineer Job Code: 042394 POSTED: Mar 17 Salary: Open Location: Seattle, Washington Employer: Black & Veatch Type: Full Time - Experienced Categories: Engineering, Government official, Other Required Education: 4 Year Degree Description Are you a Civil Engineer interested in a challenging position and "Building a World of Difference?" If so, Black & Veatch has an opportunity located in Seattle, Washington that may be just what you're looking for. Key responsibilities of this position include: ? Direct and coordinate work at the Seattle office under the FEMA Multi Hazard Flood Map Modernization contract. ? Client coordination with the FEMA Region X office in Bothell, Washington. ? Direction of a team of 4 or more water resources engineers, GIS personnel, and environmental scientists who will perform review/approval of FEMA Letters of Map Revision/Amendment, coordination with and review of work by other FEMA A/E contractors, meetings with communities, and training of communities in the use of NFIP documents. Requirements The preferred candidate will possess: ? B.S. Civil Engineering required; M. S. desired ? 7 to 12 years of experience ? CFM desired. ? Experience in the Pacific Northwest with hydrologic and hydraulic modeling using the Corps of Engineers HEC-HMS and HEC-RAS programs and in floodplain mapping. ? Experience contributing to business development (proposal development, project interviews) with Federal or municipal clients in the Pacific Northwest. ? Good communication (verbal and written) and client coordination skills are required. ? Knowledge of GIS software. To learn more about Black & Veatch, please visit us at www.bv.com. ***** Environmental Engineers Job Code: 04-0001 POSTED: Mar 21 Salary: Open Location: Ankeny, Iowa Employer: Snyder & Associates, Inc. Type: Full Time - Experienced Category: Engineering Required Education: 4 Year Degree Description Water and Wastewater Engineer with project management responsibility. Successful candidates should demonstrate 3 to 10 years of progressive responsibility in the planning, design, construction and operations assistance of municipal water and wastewater facilities. Candidate shall demonstrate thorough knowledge and experience in planning and design of water and wastewater treatment facilities. EOE/AA Employer NOTES: 2 openings. International Candidates Will Be Considered. Employer will assist with relocation costs. Competitive salary and fringe benefits Requirements Experience with state-of-the art treatment technologies, process, and hydraulic modeling experience desireable. BSCE or related field, P.E. License, advanced degree is preferred. About Snyder & Associates, Inc. Snyder & Assoc, Inc is a full-service Civil Engineering Firm. We are a 200 person firm with offices in Iowa (Ankeny, Atlantic, Cedar Rapids)and Missouri (St Joe and Maryville). Client's range from Municipalities to Private development. We offer a full range of benefits from health insurance to 401k Plans. http://www.snyder-assocaites.com ***** From wsnewsocw at mit.edu Wed Mar 22 23:06:45 2006 From: wsnewsocw at mit.edu (Water and Sanitation Issues) Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 23:06:45 -0500 Subject: [wsnews] W&S News: Unique field opportunity for university students Message-ID: <20060322230645.pcckr4wm042ssko0@webmail.mit.edu> Challenge to college students from Nick Kristof of the NY Times http://www.nytimes.com/marketing/winatrip/ Are you a student over the age of 18 at an American college? Are you open to a potentially life-transforming experience? Here's your once-in-a-lifetime chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip with Pulitzer Prize winner Nick Kristof, Op-Ed and TimesSelect columnist. You won't just be Nick's traveling companion - you'll also bring a fresh perspective to his reporting on the developing world. Read a letter from Nick Kristof to learn more about what he's looking for: "I'm looking for a masochist. If your dream trip doesn't involve a five-star hotel in Rome or Bora-Bora, but a bedbug-infested mattress in a malarial jungle as hungry jackals yelp outside - then read on. "Over the next month, I'll be holding a contest to find a university student to accompany me on a reporting trip to the developing world. I'm not sure where yet, and that will depend partly on what's in the news at the time. But to give you a sense of the kind of travel I'm thinking of, the possibilities include a jaunt through rural Burundi and Rwanda in central Africa, or an odyssey from the coast of Cameroon inland to the heart of the Central African Republic ?" Read the rest of Nick's letter | See prize details Up for the challenge? Here's what you need to do before April 20. Complete the online application including: * An essay no longer than 700 words on why you're the perfect traveling companion for Nick Kristof. * Two references with their contact information. One must be a faculty member.