Knowledge Management & Sharing

TECHNICAL JOURNAL

WATER, SANITATION, HYGIENE : AfWA TRAINS JOURNALISTS OF CÔTE D’IVOIRE

EDITO : BUILDING THROUGH SHARING (BY SYLVAIN USHER)

EVENT : LAUNCHING WORKSHOP OF THE KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND SHARING PLATEFORM OF AfWA

INTERVIEW : Dr SIMEON KENFACK « Our platform will exist as long as the need for information on water in Africa exists »

AfWA IS HIRING : CONSULT OUR LIST OF AVAILABLE POSITIONS

SHARE WATER

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BUILDING THROUGH SHARING

Many national, regional and international organizations carry out various activities through the world. In that regard, they develop processes, create concepts, and work out theories that are implemented, with more or less convincing achievements. But what about all these processes implemented with regard to the implementation of these activities? What about the lessons learned? How do we capitalize all this knowledge and know-how?

It is regrettable to note that the experiences of the ones and others, the great deal of knowledge generated over the years and along the projects, are very rarely available for the community, because in most of the cases, the processes developed, as well as the achievements, disappear at the same time as the aforementioned activities, without leaving the slightest track, without being capitalized, and with no chance to serve similar processes to come.

The African Water Association, whose main mission is to work for the improvement of the water and sanitation utilities related performances, also intends to position itself as a reference institution regarding knowledge sharing and management. This is why, supported by the USAID West Africa program- Water, Sanitation, Hygiene department (USAID WA-WASH), it was committed developing an approach to perpetuate the know-how acquired through the experiences of the ones and others by carrying out a platform for “Knowledge Sharing and Management”. It is a tool including a great deal of knowledge we plan to make the most exhaustive possible, a tool useful and accessible to all.

We do not have any doubt that thanks to the platform we are developing, the African Water Association will significantly contribute to build performances, not only for the benefit of the African water and sanitation utilities, but also the enhancement of the activities impact of all the stakeholders from the sector in Africa. We do invite you to visit and to use this tool available to the community and to benefit from all knowledge that it contain.

EDITORIAL

Sylvain USHERExecutive Director of African Water Association

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The USAID West Africa Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Program (USAID WA - WASH) is the main technical partner of the Knowledge Sharing and Management project implemented by the African Water Association. The USAID WA-WASH Program is the fruit of the co-operation between development partners, namely the USAID, Florida International University and Global Water for Subtainability, to mitigate the great delay of sub-Saharan Africa with regard to drinking water,

sanitation and hygiene.

OBJECTIVE

The main objective of the four year program (2011-2015) is to increase the durable access to drinking water and sanitation, and to improve hygiene within the countries included in its area of intervention. In order to achieve this objective, the program developed approaches such as communication for the change of behavior, capacity building of stakeholders, knowledge management and information sharing, the taking into account of gender or governance related issues and the development of partnerships as well.

AREAS OF INTERVENTIONS

The USAID WA-WASH Program is based in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, and carries out its activities in three countries of the West African sub-region.

• Ghana, with one region, 3 districts and 20 communities,• Niger, with 3 regions, 16 departments, 36 communes and 630 communities• Burkina Faso, with 5 regions, 17 provinces, 45 communes and 324 communities

In all these countries, some actions were carried out and gave useful results for the whole of the communities concerned, in the fields of water, sanitation, hygiene, food safety, and climate change.

SKYLIGHT

USAID WEST AFRICA WATER SUPPLY, SANITATION AND HYGIENE PROGRAM (WA-WASH)

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WATER, SANITATION AND HYGIENE PROFESSIONALS MET TO LAUNCH THE KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND SHARING PLATEFORM

On October 8-9, 2015, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, the Hotel Belle Côte hosted the kick-off workshop on the Knowledge Management and Sharing Platform of the African Water Association. The meeting lasted two days and enabled the various African water and sanitation stakeholders to discuss the future of the sector through this important communication tool.

The main objective of the platform developed by the African Water Association is to maintain the significant gains achieved in the water and sanitation sector through synthesis and storage of

information.

At the opening of the session, Sylvain USHER, the Executive Director of AfWA, explained that many actions are carried out in the sector in Africa, but that the achievements of these developments are no longer accessible. For him, this platform aims not only to maintain the best practices for reuse, but also to promote the sharing of experiences of researchers involved in the field of water, sanitation and hygiene in Africa at national and international levels.

Also attending this launch workshop, Kader Sanfo, responsible for monitoring and evaluation of USAID Wa-Wash, presented the activities of his organization whose main objective is to promote sustainable access to safe drinking water, hygiene and sanitation. Then, Maryse Da Sylva, from Population Services International (PSI), made a short presentation on the Sanitation Service Delivery (SSD) project, funded by USAID for underprivileged households.

The committees that were set up at the end of the presentations pondered over the regulatory framework of the platform management process, its operation and the means to promote this tool. At the end of the session, the participants welcomed AfWA’s initiative and made recommendations for the effective management and monitoring of the platform.

The workshop brought together about twenty participants from ministries, bodies and organizations working in the water, sanitation and hygiene sectors in Côte d’Ivoire. Journalists from the sub-region, as well as members of the AfWA Task Force on communication and knowledge sharing also took part in the workshop.

NEWS

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THE AFRICAN WATER ASSOCIATION TRAINS JOURNALISTS

Enabling media professionals to have a better understanding of water, sanitation and hygiene related issues is the aim of a workshop held on Tuesday, October 27, 2015 in Abidjan, with a view to making journalists more efficient in the production and dissemination of information on the sector.

About twenty journalists participated in this capacity building workshop on water and sanitation on the theme: «Media Men and knowledge sharing in the water-sanitation-hygiene sector in Africa».

At the opening of the workshop, the Executive Director of AfWA, Sylvain USHER, thanked the press for this new partnership which, for him, will help give a better visibility to the organization’s actions. The training conducted as part of the establishment the Knowledge Management and Sharing Platform, aims to familiarize journalists with the WASH concepts, inform them about AfWA’s activities and partners and

encourage the writing of articles on water, sanitation and hygiene in Africa.

The presentations that were made thereafter focused on the programs and projects developed by AfWA and aimed at improving the performance of its members, on the impact of non-revenue water, on the performance of African utilities, on sanitation projects for the most underprivileged populations, and the content of AfWA’s Knowledge Management and Sharing Platform.

Mrs. Abdoulaye Fatou, head of the communication department of SPEEN, the Société du Patrimoine des Eaux du Niger, was also present, and acted as a facilitator for the workshop.

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AfWA, USAID WA-WASH, ALL TOGETHER FOR THE KNOWLEDGE SHARING The African Water Association, supported by the USAID West Africa Program for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (USAID WA-WASH) has opened a digital knowledge management and sharing platform. In this interview, Dr. Simeon KENFACK, AfWA’s program director, explains the origin and the challenges of this project.

Share Eau : Where did the idea of setting up of a knowledge management and sharing platform within AfWA come from ?

Siméon KENFACK : The African Water Association in its fundamental mandate which is to contribute to building the capacities of water and sanitation sector operators in Africa, developed a strategic business plan that covers the 2014-2017 period. This document lists six strategic focus areas, of which one of the most important is the sharing of best practices, the sharing of knowledge with stakeholders in the sector. And one of the tools for this knowledge sharing happens to be an Internet platform for sharing knowledge.

How did AfWA’s ambitions and those of USAID meet to give birth to this project ?

Siméon KENFACK : We should consider USAID’s role and intervention at two levels. USAID, in general and particularly in Africa, with regard to its water and sanitation component, supports African operators in the sector and the institutions at both political and operational levels, as well as at monitoring and evaluation levels. Thus, apart from AfWA, USAID supports AMCOW, which is the African Council of Ministers in charge of Water. USAID also supports other organizations such as Water Sanitation for Africa ... and so on. And as far as AfWA is concerned, USAID has already supported AfWA in the development of its strategic business plan, which means that USAID knows its content very well, the commitments made, the guidelines, and AfWA’s actions. But USAID, through its support, would like AfWA to be the leader in the field of knowledge sharing in the large network of partners and members of this organization which covers practically the whole African continent.

INTERVIEW

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Tell us something about this platform. What can we find in it ?

Siméon KENFACK : The platform has two components: the news component that deals with project and program activities, including the platform itself, and the other part which presents the technical dimension of the approach. This is where you can find the various projects recorded, the publications deriving from these projects, and geographic data that help locate the projects and programs.

How different is this platform from an ordinary website dedicated to water and sanitation ?

Siméon KENFACK: This platform is not an ordinary website like the one organizations create in their usual activities. AfWA has a website, and information on AfWA can be found on this site. But, why a platform? Well, this is because this tool involves several actors. That is why this platform needs to host information and good practices relating to AfWA’s activities as well as the good practices, documentations of other organizations. Of course, these data may come from the continent or from elsewhere, but they should be of interest to Africans.

Who is the platform intended for ?

Siméon KENFACK : It is intended for professionals in the sector, users, beneficiaries of AfWA’s actions, young people, students who want to learn, consultants, etc. ... Recently, we met journalists to inform them of the existence of this platform. These journalists and their networks should relay the information and the right information they will find on this site.

This project is conducted with the financial and technical support of USAID WA WASH. How long is it expected to last? And what will happen afterwards ?

Siméon KENFACK : Today we are in a 6-month project with USAID WA-WASH which will enable the setting up of the platform, but after that, we will have a 4-year program with the support of USAID that will help reinforce and operationalize the platform. But as I told you earlier, AfWA’s strategic plan is a 5-year plan. And this does not mean that the actions deriving from the plan will have an impact over 5 years only. AfWA is 35 years old and it will exist for a long time to come. So the platform will exist as long as the need for information on water in Africa exists.

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AfWA’s 3rd meeting, November from 23 to 27, 2015

AfWA’S SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL COUNCIL AND EXECUTIVE BOARD ARE MEETING IN NAIROBI.

The African Water Association’s third meeting of 2015 will be held in Nairobi, Kenya, November from 23 to 27, 2015 on the theme :

«Sanitation and Gender : An African Perspective»

The bodies of the African Water Association, including the Scientific and Technical Council and the Executive Board, are meeting from November 23 to 27, 2015 in the Kenyan capital to address the issues relating to the water/sanitation sector and to the upcoming events in the life of their organization.

Exhibition, discussion panel, review of the activities, prospects and renewal of the bodies. This is the agenda of the STC that will also be devoted to a large extent to the preparations for AfWA’s International Congress to be held from February 22 to 25, 2015 in Nairobi. Meanwhile, the Executive Board will hold its statutory meeting in the afternoons of November 25 and 26, 2015

Useful information :

Transportation of delegates from the airport to the various hotels provided by the organizing committee.

- Currency used in KENYA: Kenyan Shillings (Kshs)

1 euro : Kshs 118.19 1 dollar : Kshs 105.60

- Temperature: 24°c, heavy rains expected

Yellow fever vaccination is recommended.

ZOOM ON NAIROBI

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AFRICA WATER AND SANITATION WOMEN PROFESSIONALS’ NETWORK

Women professionals working in the water and sanitation sector in Africa have decided to create a network to promote gender issues, and undertake targeted actions for communities

The idea of creating a network of women professionals came to the minds during the periodic meetings organized by the African Water Association. Mrs. Fofana Sannon Korotoumou, Assistant to the Executive Director of AfWA, said : «Women are a driving force in any human organization. And more and more women are becoming aware of their position and the role they can play in society. And we began to reflect on this idea since the Kigali STC in February 2011. Then in November 2014, women from SONEB gave the example by taking the floor

in the plenary session during an STC meeting, and that was a historic first during such meetings. And then three months later, we met in Bamako on the edge of Djoliba, to lay the groundwork for a network of women who were all driven by the desire to be active players in the development of activities of the water and sanitation sector in Africa.»

Setting up a network of women in the water and sanitation sector in Africa. The idea was enticing and was immediately supported by the men in AfWA. In July 2015, a workshop was organized in Douala, where forty women from Benin, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Burundi, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Tunisia, Uganda, DRC, Senegal, Togo, and Swaziland gathered to reflect on the guidelines of this organization. During that meeting, the network’s objectives were identified, says Mrs. Fofana Sannon Korotoumou. The objective «is to build the capacities of women of the African Water Association on issues relating to the promotion of gender and on specific topics on water and sanitation, and ensure the visibility of the actions conducted by women for the promotion of the water and sanitation sector in Africa. The main idea is to create a framework for promoting gender equality and a better involvement of women in the decision-making bodies in the water and sanitation sector. This network will consist of women researchers, technicians, engineers, administrative staff and any other women professionals of the water and sanitation sector wishing to put their expertise at the service of the populations.»

The reflection for the setting up of a network of water and sanitation women professionals in Africa will continue during a workshop organized as a side event of the STC meeting to be held in Nairobi in November 2015. Then, Sunday 21, 2016 will be devoted to women professionals during a large forum that will gather 200 women in prelude to the official launching of the network which will occur during AfWA’s February 2016 Congress in Nairobi.

FOCUS

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The SSD program of the NGO PSI

The SSD program of the NGO PSI (Population Services International) is an urban sanitation project funded by USAID for the most underprivileged households. It is implemented in Ghana, Benin and Côte d’Ivoire over a 5-year period. Launched in October 2014, the project is starting its second year of activities.

PSI Côte d’Ivoire is a Non-Governmental Organization which, through social marketing, works in the field of health, family planning and sanitation. Its actions aim at preventing the spread of diseases and improving the livelihood of the people through information, provision of services or supply of goods.

Global vision of the project : Catalyze a thriving sanitation service market with an increased capacity to provide products and services to low-income consumers in a sustainable manner.

The objectives of the SSD project between 2014 and 2019 are as follows : Increase the use of improved sanitation for 1 million people in the three countries (Ghana, Benin and Côte d’Ivoire), enable and increase access to the treatment and reuse of fecal sludge for 1 Million people and share the lessons learned from market-based approaches.

The solutions to be implemented

• Build the commercial capacity of the cleansers (in order to improve the profitability of their business, and provide households with better service quality)

• Improve sanitation in the most deprived households, with the collaboration of the house owners.• Support government authorities in the creation of sludge treatment plants. Remain informed of

the actions and progress made by the private sector in that field.

THE PROJECT OF THE MONTH

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• From November 15 to 18, 2015: 4th biennial of the Young Water Professionals of South Africa and 1st Conference of African Young Water Professionals.

» Organizer : IWA Young Water Professionals Water Institute of Southern Africa » Theme : “Stop talking, start doing!” » Venue : Pretoria, South Africa » Web site : http://www.ywp-za.org/2015-ywp-conference.html

events@wisa.org.za Tel: +27 11 805 3537

• From November 23 to 27, 2015: Scientific and Technical Council of AfWA » Organizer : African Water Association » Theme : “Sanitation and Gender: An African Perspective” » Venue : Nairobi, Kenya » Web site : http://afwa-hq.org/index.php/fr/

contact@afwa-hq.org Tel:+225 21 24 14 43

• From November 29 to December 3, 2015: AFRICITES 2015 » Organizer : UCLG Africa Actif Events » Theme : “Shaping the future of Africa with its populations: African local governments’

contribution to the African Union’s 2063 Agenda” » Venue : Johannesburg, South Africa » Web site : http://www.salonafricites2015.com/FR/index.php

ybenmoussa@actifevents.com Tel: (+212) 522 490 350

AfWA IS HIRINGFind the job offers on the website of the African Water Association.Vacant positions:

• 1 COMMUNICATION AND KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST (CKM)http://www.afwa-hq.org/index.php/fr/presentation/offres-d-emploi/item/853-specialiste-en-communication-et-gestion-de-connaissances-ckm

• 1 AfRICap PROGRAM COORDINATOR http://www.afwa-hq.org/index.php/fr/presentation/offres-d-emploi/item/852-description-de-poste-coordinateur-de-programme-africap

• 1 PROCUREMENT MANAGERhttp://www.afwa-hq.org/index.php/fr/presentation/offres-d-emploi/item/854-description-de-poste-responsable-des-achats

• 1 WOP PROJECT MANAGER RESPONSIBLE FOR SANITATIONhttp://www.afwa-hq.org/index.php/fr/presentation/offres-d-emploi/item/855-responsable-de-projet-wop-charge-de-l-assainissement

• 1 CAPACITY BUILDING MANAGERhttp://www.afwa-hq.org/index.php/fr/presentation/offres-d-emploi/item/856-responsable-renforcement-des-capacites

• 1 WOP PROJECT OFFICERhttp://www.afwa-hq.org/index.php/fr/presentation/offres-d-emploi/item/857-charge-de-projet-wop

• 4 EXPERTS FOR DATA COLLECTION, ANALYSIS AND REPORT PREPARATION IN WEST, CENTRAL, EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA SUB-REGIONS

http://www.afwa-hq.org/index.php/fr/presentation/offres-d-emploi/item/858-appel-a-candidature

EVENTS

ANNOUNCEMENT

AfWA/AAE

22nd to 25th February 2016,

18th International Water and Sanitation Exhibition

KICC / NaIrobI - KENYa

SUISTAINABLE ACCESS TO WATER

AND SANITATION IN AFRICAHydraulic and Sanitation Equipment - Metering -

System Control Equipment - Computerization of

water and Sanitation Utilities Management

Conference topics n PARTNERSHIPS

n GOVERNANCE

n SMART AND INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS

n WATER AND ENERGY

n SANITATION SERVICES TO THE POPULATIONS

n FINANCING

www.afwa-hq.org

AfWA /AAE