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.
This book analyses and explains the success factors of MUS, using a framework of accountability for public service delivery, and examines why there... Read more...
A study on whether water sources classified as "improved" are indeed safe triggered debate on the level of effort that needs to go into water quality monitoring and into measures to improve water quality Read more...
Veel van de geschenken die NGO's hebben gebracht zijn Trojaanse paarden gebleken, betoogt Stef Smits, senior programme officer van IRC, in deze opiniebijdrage voor Vice Versa . Maar hij is hoopvol over de strategische partnerschappen tussen ministerie en maatschappelijk middenveld. 'Ik hoop op een... Read more...
Met nog twee weken te gaan tot de verkiezingen voor het Europees Parlement, staat de EU volop in de publieke belangstelling. Maar een van de grootste vormen van betrokkenheid van burgers bij Europees beleid lijkt in het verkiezingsspektakel verloren te gaan. Read more...
The most effective approach to adaptation is to strengthen governance of the WASH sector, for example by adopting principles of adaptive management... Read more...
Para Todos, Por Siempre es una iniciativa que promueve e impulsa la universalización y sostenibilidad de los servicios de agua potable y saneamiento en Honduras. IRC es uno de los socios fundadores de la iniciativa. Read more...
We understand sustainability in terms of whether water continues to flow over time, and whether people maintain access to an adequate and convenient toilet. Read more...
Last week it was World Water Day 2014 , with the topic of "water and energy". I see obvious issues coming by on the water-energy nexus (which by the way is one of those development sector buzz words that I start disliking more every day. I hope the next buzz word is a bit more, uh, sparkling), such... Read more...
Next week, the Dutch parliament will discuss the multi-annual collaboration plans for its bilateral development cooperation with some 15 partner countries. This could be a pretty dull and technical affair, were it not for the fact that these plans give an interesting insight into what the end of... Read more...
Volgende week zal de Tweede Kamer de meerjarige samenwerkingsplannen bespreken voor bilaterale ontwikkelingssamenwerking met zo’n 15 partner landen. Het zou een behoorlijk saaie en technische aangelegenheid kunnen worden, ware het niet dat deze plannen een interessante blik werpen op het tijdperk... Read more...