Job Description

The Liquid Waste regulation Specialist is responsible for overseeing the regulation, monitoring, and enforcement of standards for liquid waste and fecal sludge management, including wastewater and sludge treatment, across Rwanda. The role ensures compliance with environmental and health regulations, promotes best practices in sanitation management, and supports the development of sustainable sanitation management infrastructure. The Specialist collaborates with sanitation service providers, government agencies, and community organizations to improve sanitation, protect public health, and safeguard the environment.

Responsibilities

Regulatory Oversight:

• · Initiate and draft regulations, guidelines, and service standards for the sound regulation of sanitation services especially collection, transportation, treatment, and disposal of sewage and fecal sludge.
• · Assess license applications for sanitation services including installation of wastewater treatment, collection, transportation and treatment of wastewater and fecal sludge, 
• · Initiate the formulation of Key performance indicators for sewage and fecal sludge management;
• · Monitor compliance with regulatory requirements by sanitation service providers, wastewater treatment plants.
• · Conduct inspections, audits, and assessments of sanitation facilities to ensure they meet environmental and public health standards and perform investigations on wastewater treatment failures and incidents.
• · Implement enforcement measures for non-compliance, including issuing fines, corrective action plans, and recommending sanctions when necessary.
• · Monitor and evaluate the performance of licensed service providers and prepare annual sector performance reports;
• · Contribute in the formulation of sanitation policies and strategies;
• · Assess wastewater and fecal sludge treatment processes and ensure they meet effluent standards;
• · Initiate any relevant regulatory tools (regulations and guidelines) for sound regulation of water sector;

Sanitation Infrastructure:

• · Support the planning and development of sanitation infrastructure, including wastewater treatment plants and fecal sludge treatment facilities.
• · Assess sanitation projects that require approval and that will be covered through tariff including engineering designs, bill of quantities and monitor project implementation and service provision;
• · Collaborate with municipalities, service providers, and development partners to improve the efficiency and sustainability of sanitation.
• · Promote innovative and sustainable technologies for the treatment and reuse of liquid waste, including recycling of wastewater.
• · Ensure the proper operation and maintenance of sanitation facilities, including monitoring performance and addressing operational issues.
• · Promote and ensure the inclusion of climate resilience and sanitation safety plan in all sanitation projects to mitigate effects of climate impacts and follow up of their implementation

Environmental Protection and Public Health:

• · Ensure that sanitation practices align with environmental protection goals, such as reducing water pollution and minimizing the impact of wastewater and fecal sludge on ecosystems.
• · Implement programs to monitor and control the discharge of untreated or improperly treated liquid waste into the environment, especially into water bodies.
• · Promote public health through the development and enforcement of regulations that prevent the spread of diseases linked to inadequate liquid waste management, including in densely populated and informal settlements.

Stakeholder Engagement and Capacity Building:

• · Engage with sanitation service providers, government agencies, NGOs, and communities to promote compliance with regulations and share best practices.
• · Organize workshops, consultations, and public awareness campaigns to educate stakeholders about sanitation practices and regulatory requirements.
• · Provide training and technical support to sanitation operators to improve their understanding of sanitation technologies, operational procedures, and compliance.
• · Work with municipalities and local authorities to improve sanitation services in urban and rural areas.

Data Collection and Reporting:

• · Collect and analyze data on liquid and fecal waste generation, treatment, and disposal to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for improvement in sanitation.
• · Develop and maintain databases of sanitation service providers, treatment plants, and regulatory compliance records.
• · Prepare and present reports to senior management, government agencies, and stakeholders on practices, compliance levels, and regulatory activities.
• · Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for sanitation sector, such as the percentage of wastewater treated, reduction in pollution levels, and compliance rates.

Policy Development and Research:

• · Contribute to the development of national policies, standards, and strategies related to liquid waste management, including sanitation and environmental sustainability.
• · Conduct research on best practices, emerging technologies, and global trends in liquid waste management to inform regulatory and policy decisions.
• · Participate in the review and updating of liquid waste management regulations to address emerging challenges, such as urbanization and climate change.

Requirements

Required Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree in Water & Environmental Engineering, Sanitary Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering.

Or

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering, Sanitary Engineering, Civil Engineering and Chemical engineering with at least 3 years of relevant experience in sanitation, environmental regulation, or water and sanitation infrastructure.

Skills and Competencies:

• · Strong knowledge of sanitation especially wastewater treatment technologies, fecal sludge management and environmental protection practices.
• · Ability to interpret and apply regulations, standards, and guidelines related to sanitation and public health.
• · Excellent analytical skills, with proficiency in data collection, analysis, and reporting to monitor system performance and compliance levels.
• · Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to address operational challenges and propose sustainable solutions for sanitation service management.
• · Good communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders from diverse sectors, including government agencies, service providers, and the public.
• Proficiency in report writing, presentation, and the use of software tools for environmental data management and monitoring.