Stef Smits is a senior programme officer and Co-director of IRC's Growth Hub. He has 20 years of professional experience in water supply and sanitation in over 25 countries in Europe, Latin America, Southern Africa, and South Asia. His main thematic expertise includes: institutional models for water supply, sustainability and enabling environment, monitoring, costing and financing of services and integrated water resources management.
Stef has led numerous projects on these topics, and published about them. In addition, he has ample management expertise: from consultancy assignments to multi-annual programmes, and units within an organisation. He has worked for a range of clients including bilateral donors, development banks, research funders and NGOs. Stef holds an MSc degree in Irrigation and Water Engineering from Wageningen University, The Netherlands.
A novel Empowerment in WASH Index is presented, which was piloted in Banfora, Burkina Faso. Findings show importance of household- and community-... Read more...
Inspirational stories about how ordinary women in India and Kenya have converted the challenges posed by COVID-19 into an opportunity to promote good... Read more...
For inclusion/diversity experts from different actors involved in realisation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in particular civil society For... Read more...
Water and sanitation interventions should put special focus on strengthening systems of community participation as well as enabling the participation... Read more...
This guide covers steps required for engaging effectively with decision-makers; increasing the impact beyond programmatic solutions; and influencing... Read more...
Government should take the lead in making sure WASH services are empowering; NGOs should support government in monitoring empowerment in WASH... Read more...
There is a gap between what organisations have formulated in their strategies and programmatic approaches regarding social inclusion and the actual... Read more...
Dans ce podcast (4 minutes), Sanata Thera parle de ne laisser personne de côté dans l'accès aux services WASH. Read more...
Presentations from the WASH Learning Theme 5 - Systems change and collective action session of the All Systems Connect International Symposium 2023. Read more...
Presentations from the CONNECT Social Justice thematic track of the All Systems Connect International Symposium 2023. Read more...
Presentations from the CONNECT Health thematic track of the All Systems Connect International Symposium 2023. Read more...
The Transform WASH Activity in Ethiopia has significantly contributed to advancing market-based sanitation approaches and promoting gender equality... Read more...
Recommendations to the Dutch government on how to reduce the potential adverse social and environmental impacts of the National Capital Integrated... Read more...
Government should facilitate participation of users in decisions on water and sanitation; development partners should support the government in... Read more...
If we want to leave no one behind, we not only need to know who is left behind, but also how far behind they are. Read more...
A conceptual framework for social inclusion In WASH programmes and the dilemmas and challenges involved in ensuring that no one is left behind are... Read more...
Helping WASH organisations become more inclusive both in their interventions and within their organisation. Read more...
How can organisations become more reflective of and responsive to the needs of people they serve. Read more...
Based on 20 detailed successful case studies from across India, this book outlines future rural water supply approaches for all lower-income... Read more...