Lake Victoria South Water Services Board Job Vacancies

Lake Victoria South Water Services Board

Job Opportunities in the County Government of Kisii and Nyamira

Gusii Water & Sanitation Company Limited (GWASCO) is a Company established under the Company’s Act CAP 486, Laws of Kenya and is contracted by Lake Victoria South Water Services Board to provide water and sanitation services in Nyamira and Kisii Counties. 

It is wholly owned by the County Government of Kisii and Nyamira. 

The Company is seeking to fill the following Senior Management Positions with individuals who are customer service oriented, qualified and experienced, who seek to be part of a results oriented team.

Managing Director

GWASCO/1/6/2014

The Managing Director will report to the Gusii Water and Sanitation Company Board of Directors and be based at the Company’s offices at Kisii Town and be responsible for ensuring efficient and effective management of Gusii Water and Sanitation Company Ltd (GWASCO) so as to deliver on its mandate.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

He or she will be responsible for:-

• Planning, organizing and administering Company affairs including determining number of departments and their functional responsibility, defining authority of staff, determining staffing levels and salaries, allocating resources and coordinating activities among the various departments.
• Providing organizational strategic leadership by directing establishment of short term and long term organizational goals within the broad policy directive of the Board and the formulation of appropriate policies and programs to ensure their attainment.
• Preparing and recommending for approval annual operating and capital improvement budget by compiling individual department budgets, analysing future needs, estimating resource requirements and determining appropriate allocation of resources.
• Making regular reports to the Board of Directors on actual performance of the company compared with approved targets and budgets, and formulate recommendations for discrepancies to be corrected.
• Ensuring effective and efficient management of the company, direct activities of Departmental Managers which includes delegating authority, assigning and reviewing work, providing assistance, evaluating performance, administering discipline, making hiring, termination, promotion and pay rate change determinations.
• Representing the Company at national, international, government and community levels in matters of mutual concern, coordinate activities to ensure the company’s best interest is being served and engaging with external partners for purposes of strategic partnership.
• Coordinating Company activities by preparing meetings and workshop agendas, preparing and reviewing of all staff recommendations, advising and assisting insetting and evaluating policy goals, and justifying company policies and actions to stakeholders.
• Assessing community needs and ensure effective implementation of corporate social responsibility programs.
• Responding to citizens concern/issues and determines appropriate resolutions to maintain positive company/customer relations.

Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications and Experience Required for this Role

• A Minimum of Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering, Water Engineering or Environmental Engineering from a recognized University.
• At least five (5) years work experience from a recognized institution, two (2) years of which must be in a senior management level in a Large Organization.
• Experience in roads, sewers, civil, environmental &water engineering.
• Knowledge of relevant legislations and policies relating to water sector e.g. Water Services Providers, Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB) and Water Resources Management Authority (WRMA).
• Have demonstrated thorough understanding of national goals, policies and development objectives including the Kenya Vision 2030.
• Meet the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution on Leadership and Integrity.

Competencies Required for this Role

• Ability to think strategically about the future development of the company and ability to generate objectives consistent with such development.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with the public, government, private, local and international agencies.
• Ability to communicate and express ideas effectively, orally and in writing.
• Exceptional leadership and team building skills with capacity to deal with local,national and international stakeholders.
• Demonstrate experience in financial management.
• Ability to administer complex business agreements and have a well-developed advocacy and negotiations skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to establish and build upon working relationship effectively.
• A balanced and informed approach to problem solving, as well as situations involving change, stress and conflict.
• Methodical and organized in approach to work and attention to details and high professional and ethical standing.
• Proficiency in computer skills and use of Water Resources Information System Software.

Commercial & Finance Manager

GWASCO/2/6/2014

The successful candidate will report to the Managing Director and be responsible for the financial health of the Company putting in place strategies for cash flow management which include billing efficiency, revenue collection and customer care.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be responsible for:-

• Developing and implementing departmental strategies and plans that facilitate achievement of Company objectives.
• Continuously developing, reviewing and enforcing the financial policies, procedures and internal controls that are in line with IFRS.
• Optimizing billings and revenue collection while reducing commercial losses to ensure financial sustainability.
• Managing departmental staff performance, development, training and motivation for effective performance.
• Supporting line managers in developing their budgets, continuously sensitizing and training them to attain and maintain a commercial attitude to company operations while delivering services with customer satisfaction.
• Developing and enforcing customer service standards cascaded from the service charter so as to regain and retain customer confidence.
• Prepare statutory, management and other reports as required by the various stakeholders

Qualifications, Experience and Skills:

The successful candidate should be in possession of the following qualifications:-

• Bachelors Degree in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration (Accounting option) from a reputable University, CPA (K) and ICPAK membership or any other internationally recognized Accounting body of good standing.
• Master’s Degree in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration will be an added advantage.
• At least six (6) years post qualification experience in the profession, 3 years of which should be in Finance and or Operations in a busy Commercial environment.
• Experience of implementing ERP systems and conversant with Water Billing Systems (M@jics Billing Software); Sage Pastel Evolution will be an added advantage.
• Proven customer management and people management experience.
• Have demonstrated thorough understanding of national goals, policies and development objectives including the Kenya Vision 2030.
• Meet the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution on Leadership and Integrity.

Technical Services Manager

GWASCO/3/6/2014

The successful candidate will report to the Managing Director and be responsible for coordinating, controlling and managing the Company’s operations and maintaining its infrastructure in order to supply Water and Sanitation Services to the required standards and in compliance with company policy while meeting cost and profit targets.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

With a strong focus on customer satisfaction, cost efficiency and operational excellence, as well as ensuring compliance to the legal provisions of water service providers, he/she will be expected to:

• Develop departmental policies, plans, strategies and action plans that are aligned to the overall Company mission and objectives.
• Provide high quality water to domestic, commercial and industrial customers
• Ensure cost effective treatment and disposal of sewerage
• Manage maintenance and repairs, installation and replacement of plant, machinery and other equipment, maximizing return on capital investment.
• Prepare comprehensive Departmental reports, including Engineering Budgets, technical audit reports etc to facilitate decision making.
• Manage departmental staff performance, development, training and motivation for effective performance.

Qualifications, Experience and Skills

The successful candidate should be in possession of the following qualifications:-

• Have a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Water Engineering, Environmental Engineering or related field; a Masters Degree will be an advantage.
• Be Registered Engineer with ERB.
• At least seven (7)years engineering work experience, preferably in the water and sanitation sector or related field with at least 3 years at senior management level.
• Demonstrated project management experience and of managing external consultants, partners and donors.
• Proven people management experience; managing a large work force will be a definite advantage.
• Knowledge and experience in the use of GIS will be an added advantage.
• Have demonstrated thorough understanding of the national goals, policies and development objectives including the Kenya Vision 2030.
• Meet the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution on Leadership and Integrity.

Human Resources & Administration Manager

GWASCO/4/6/2014 

The successful candidate will report to the Managing Director and be responsible for coordinating and providing guidance in overall Human Resource and Administration management, ensuring that the Company has in place appropriate, skilled and well-motivated workforce and administrative support that can deliver the Company’s mandate.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

He/she will be responsible for:-

• Formulating, enforcing and regularly updating the human resource and administration policies including terms and conditions of service and staff welfare.
• Supporting the organization with manpower planning and participating in the recruitment, selection and placement activities and ensuring employees are properly oriented on joining GWASCO.
• Effectively managing the staff welfare including medical, pension and other benefits and ensuring cost effectiveness and overall efficiency.
• Manage employee relations throughout the organization including union matters, grievance handling and staff motivation programmes.
• Training the line managers and supervisors on labour and human resources management issues and providing advisory services as and when required.
• Supporting the performance management process by continuously updating job descriptions and coordinating the appraisal process as well as implementation of post appraisal activities such as training and development.
• Managing departmental staff performance, development, training and motivation for effectiveness.

Qualifications, Experience and Skills:

The successful candidate should be in possession of the following qualifications:-

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social science, Human Resource Management, Business Administration or equivalent from a recognized University, a Diploma in Human Resource Management and a registered member of the Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM): a Master’s in a relevant field and or CPS (K), will be an added advantage
• At least seven (7) years working experience, 3 years of which should be at management level.
• Experience of union management and CBA negotiations is essential as is human resources planning, recruitment, training and development and performance management.
• Experience of developing and or implementing human resources information systems is a definite advantage.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Have demonstrated thorough understanding of the national goals, policies and development objectives including the Kenya Vision 2030.
• Meet the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution on Leadership and Integrity.

Internal Auditor (Re- Advertisement)

GWASCO/5/6/2014

The successful candidate will functionally report to the Board Audit & Risk Management Committee administratively to Managing Director and will assure the integrity of the Company assets, the quality of management decisions and the mitigation of fraud and risk by ensuring the existence of appropriate systems and internal controls.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

The successful candidate will perform the following duties and responsibilities:-

• Develop and continuously review an internal audit manual and enforce compliance with standards acceptable to the external auditors.
• Develop and implement internal audit, strategies and operating plans that reflect the longer-term corporate goals and priorities established by the Company.
• Work closely with external auditors, agreeing on the time frames for the annual statutory audit, pre-audit activities, and on the implementation of audit recommendations.
• Regularly carry out detailed risk assessment and internal audits on computer and other operating systems to ensure reliability and integrity of financial and operating information, advising the Board and Management on appropriate action.
• Carry out special investigations on apparent breaches of internal controls, fraud, etc. and making recommendations to eliminate identified weaknesses.
• Discuss internal and external audit recommendations with the Corporate Management Team (CMT), incorporate into the audit plan and follow up on implementation.
• Ensure that all fixed and current assets are accounted for on a regular basis through regular checks, including physical counts.
• Manage departmental staff performance, development, training and motivation for effectiveness.
• Have demonstrated thorough understanding of the national goals, policies and development objectives including the Kenya Vision 2030.
• Meet the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution on Leadership and Integrity.

Qualifications, Experience and Skills:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration (Accounting option) from a reputable University and a member of CIA or any other internationally recognized Accounting and/or Auditing body of good standing.
• Possession of CPA (K) and a Certified Internal Systems Auditor (CISA) will have a definite advantage.
• At least five (5) years post qualification experience in the profession, 3 years of which should be in Audit at a Seniorlevel in a busy commercial environment or a reputable Audit Firm.
• Experience of auditing ERP systems and conversant with water billing systems (M@jics billing software) & Sage Pastel Evolution and will be an added advantage.
• Proven people management experience.
• Have strong communication, interactional and leadership skills.
• Have demonstrated thorough understanding of the national goals, policies and development objectives including the Kenya Vision 2030;
• Meet the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution on Leadership and Integrity.

Terms of Service

All the above positions are on a three (3) years renewable contract based on satisfactory performance.

Interested candidates may apply for any of the above positions by providing a cover letter that demonstrates why they are the best candidate for the position applied for, a detailed up-to-date CV and photocopies of relevant testimonials, current and expected remuneration package, the names and addresses of three professional referees, an e-mail address and telephone number tothe following address by 24th June 2014, indicating Ref No. and post on the envelope to:-

Ag.Chief Executive Officer,

Lake Victoria South Water Services Board,

Lavictors House Off-Ring Road Milimani,

P. O. Box 3325,

Kisumu.