RWSN opportunity: part-time moderator for RWSN discussion platforms

Application deadline: 13:00 GMT 24 February 2021

Online Application form

Skat Foundation is looking for a part-time co-moderator of the RWSN online platforms from the Global South. The post will be a consultancy or paid Internship position in the RWSN Secretariat. If your application is successful you will receive a contract up to 31 July 2021 (containing about 1-2 days per week) which could be extended until the end of this year and beyond if performance is good.

The aims of this role include:

• Improving the quality and quantity of lively and helpful exchange across RWSN online platforms.
• Supporting the voices and participation of women and members from low- and middle-income countries.
• Improving exchange between different language groups.
• Strengthen the links between RWSN and the Sustainable Sanitation Alliance (SuSanA).
  
  Your tasks as a moderator will include:
• Checking incoming posts and accepting them or not.
• Welcoming new members who join the RWSN dgroup communities
• Posting relevant news items and links to the relevant groups
• Answering member questions and encouraging other members to contribute their knowledge.
• Cross-posting between RWSN and the SuSanA Forum
• Supporting the RWSN Secretariat in managing online events and platforms, including webinars, e-discussions and social media.
• Encouraging and managing members to submit relevant blog posts and short videos for the RWSN blog
• Taking part in monthly Forum Practice calls with SuSanA Forum moderators.
• Taking part in quarterly RWSN Theme Leader meetings

If you are not familiar with the Dgroups platform: Quick guide to RWSN on DGroups (English) / Guide rapide pour les communautés de RWSN sur DGroups (Français)

If you are interested in applying for this position, and you meet the requirements below, please fill out this form (short answers are OK):
Link to application form

Please also send us your CV (send it to Sean Furey) but you do not need to send a cover letter.
This application form will be open until 24 February 2020. Applicants will be informed about 1-2 weeks later.

Main requirements (compulsory):

1. Applicant must have spent their formative years in a developing country / low or middle income country (LMIC) but not as a child of an expat family from the Global North. We are looking for someone who really knows the realities on the ground of a developing country. We have this requirement because we want to see more diversity in our Dgroups and more South-to-South knowledge exchange. We hope this could be facilitated if we have a co-moderator who spent their formative years in the Global South and still lives there now.
2. Very good written command of the ENGLISH and ideally FRENCH languages.  Confidence in writing in Spanish is a strong advantage.
3. You have to have a workspace with very good internet access.
4. Experience with moderating an online discussion forum, or bringing people together in a virtual space, having encouraged people to share information online.
5. Strong working ties to at least one, but preferably more, organisations in the water or WASH sector in your country or region (this could be a university, NGO, government department, private sector etc.); Note: early career researchers and professionals as well as postgraduate students are encouraged to apply.
6. Prior engagement with the RWSN DGroups or the SuSanA Forum or a closely related forum or online discussion platform.

Secondary requirements (not compulsory but advantageous):

• Several years of work experience in the rural water supply, water management, rural development or WASH sectors.
• Strong and growing network with other rural water professionals or practitioners (online but also face-to-face, for example within water/WASH coordination meetings).
• Outgoing personality, willing to “put your personality out there” and be approachable and authentic. Not easily offended.
• Able to (in principle) work at any time of the week (even though we fully respect a good work-life balance). Sometimes a post on the dgroups requires an urgent response.

What can we offer you?

• An interesting, varied job that you would carry out remotely, within a supportive team environment which meets up via video calls.
• Training in RWSN and  SuSanA discussion forum moderation.
• Opportunities to grow your network in the rural water and WASH.
• Opportunities to learn more about a range of topics in the WASH sector.
• A competitive hourly rate based on your experience level, within the context of your country of residence.
• An opportunity to become better known and to increase your visibility for potential future employers.
• A job/consultancy which does not require any travelling but can be carried out from home.

If you have any questions, post them in the comments below.