WULUW Assistant

ROCKBlue is seeking a WULUW (Womens Urban Leadership Utility WASH) Assistantto join our dynamic non-profit organization. To assist with coordination with partners, coordination with major global foundations and corporate sponsors, coordination with senior members of ROCKBlue, and ensuring that the objectives of WULUW are met. This position will look great on your resume and will be the perfect stepping stone to take your career to the next level. This is an opportunity for someone who wants to help others, grow their skills and work in a team environment.

ROCKBlue is a nonprofit that aims to solve the growing gap between reliable water supply and accelerating urban demand by leveraging its large network of highly experienced specialists. We focus on strengthening the ability of water and sanitation utilities to provide these services to the poorest individuals in cities and towns across the developing world. As WULUW Assistant, you will directly and indirectly assist ROCKBlue in reaching its mission, impacting the lives of millions of people. Within our organization you will learn invaluable communication skills and work with a diverse group of people, situated around the world. The small nature of our organization offers many opportunities for advancement as well as exposure to all business activities.

Responsibilities

• Collecting/disseminating informational /motivational stories/examples about female leadership in urban WASH – using social media to educate future female leaders and convince key stakeholders to support this initiative. An example is our interview with Margaret Maina, the MD for Limuru Water in Kenya (https://www.rockblue.org/margaret-maina-on-education-equal-opportunities-and-female leadership-in-wash/). We intend to inspire women towards leadership positions through storytelling and examples. Successful women in leadership will be identified and asked to share their stories. The aim is to inspire women, create awareness of leadership opportunities and to cross-promote within the network. We will also encourage powerful men to share their stories about how they are challenging harmful stereotypes of what it means to be a man and sharing stories about how they support gender equality.
• Mentorship between existing female leaders and aspiring future female leaders – through the workshop/mentorship circles series that Girls4Girls (G4G) puts on where current leaders share how they reached their positions of leadership. We will create physical and virtual spaces to offer women access to mentorship circles; a repository of skill-based tools, including videos from key Harvard faculty members on topics such as negotiations, courageous leadership, communication; and access to a global network. We will address real organizational change that breaks down harmful male norms. The mentorship program will put women in contact with others who may be aware of openings in leadership positions or other positions in the WASH sector. Mentees will also be trained to become mentors.
• Professional career guidance, networking and cross-linkages. Activities include coaching, (virtually and in-person), by professional career guidance counselors. This includes assisting women to network using the existing G4G platform.
• Connecting aspiring future female leaders with educational opportunities and resources. Example activities include connecting women with resources from Harvard University through the G4G network, tailored technical support to analyze gaps, interventions, and monitoring their progress toward gender equality and strengthening business outcomes, and access to leadership and management training for women in the WASH sector. We will also use our partnership with the International Water Centre and their course on female leadership.

Requirements and Qualifications

• Excellent communications, interpersonal, organization and collaboration skills.
• The ability to multitask, manage time effectively, meet deadlines, and learn new systems, processes and skills.
• Demonstrated cross-cultural sensitivity and ability to build respectful relationships with colleagues from different cultural, linguistic, and educational backgrounds
• Software skills with a preference for Google Workspace, and the ability to learn Trello, Slack and Clockify
• A stable Internet connection
• Partake in overall WULUW Planning
• Updating WULUW Manual
• Responsible for Mentee/Interns Coordination
• Responsible for Mentor/UCT Coordination
• Coordinate with Municipalities
• Budgeting
• Reporting/Communications (e.g., with donors)

Time commitment

Ability to dedicate a total of 4-6 hours per week, virtually, starting immediately