WASH Field Manager - Middle East – Mercy Corps – Amman, Jordan

Title: WASH Field Manager - Middle East

Tracking Code: 218465-927

Location: Amman, Jordan

Job Description

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

As Mercy Corps seeks to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression around the world, we recognize that instances of sudden change within a country or region, like the events currently sweeping across the Middle East and North Africa, are rare moments of opportunity.  WASH programs help to meet the basic needs of targeted communities.

 

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The WASH Field Manager is an entry level management position with supervisory and managerial responsibilities, including direct program implementation responsibilities for WASH programming.  Reporting to the WASH Program Manager, s/he will oversee and implement high quality projects, and participate to the development of new and innovative initiatives that effectively address the gaps and needs. S/he is responsible for ensuring that programs run smoothly by providing technical leadership, and supervising, training and mentoring the WASH program staff at the field level. The Field Manager plays a key role in the implementation of the safety and security procedures, and program implementation, while providing input to program and proposal development.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Program Management

• Manage implementation of the WASH program at the field level, including water and sanitation infrastructure rehabilitation and construction, as well as training of water point committees. 
• Supervise water supply and treatment activities, as well as waste collection.
• Oversee field program activities, ensuring the respect of work plans, that activities are on schedule, and that program deliverables are completed as promised.
• Identify priorities in term of assessments, and participates to Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) and other surveys.
• When security permits, conduct field assessments, makes recommendations about the needs and vulnerabilities of the target populations in regard to water, sanitation and hygiene issues, and develop and implements feasible yet sound technical solutions.
• Conduct regular monitoring of project activities and project impact, in coordination with the Mercy Corps Design, Monitoring, and Evaluation (DM&E) team and in accordance with existing related guidelines.
• Keep beneficiary communities informed about our programs and what we do, are aware of their entitlements, are comfortable to give feedback and that feedback is used to improve the quality of our programs.
• Integrate M&E and accountability systems that are compliant with HAP international benchmarks, SPHERE and other relevant standards, as well as to the Donors’ requirements.
• Provide input to preparation of tender and contracts, including technical specifications of works to be performed by contractors.
• Ensure that project engages local stakeholders and develops local capacity for long term sustainability of project partners.
• Report writing as scheduled.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission or put the team, assets and mission at risk.
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Team Management

• Provide technical input and advice in emergency response water supply and treatment activities, as well as waste collection and hygiene promotion in insecure environment, and follow up on work plans in collaboration with the team.
• Supervise and mentor the staff under his/her supervision as well as partners.
• Participate in staff training, helping to build technical capacity of staff, operators and partners in the area of WASH and M&E, including periodical reflection and analysis of program monitoring data.
• Mentor and coach colleagues and team members, building their capacity to obtain high quality results and impacts.
• Helps to develop and execute context-specific solutions to improve collaboration, coordination and performance.
• Work with partners and Utilities to strengthen linkages with other actors to enhance organizational learning which directly impacts staff performance and productivity.

Representation and Coordination                                                                             

• Represent Mercy Corps at the WASH-related meetings with local stakeholders.
• Facilitate liaison with local officials including the Local and the Regional Water Utility, Sanitation Utility, Health structures, local NGOs and project partners, local religious leaders and other community members to ensure support for and acceptance of Mercy Corps projects in the AOR.
• Under supervision of the Program Manager, develop and maintain working relationships and coordinate with relevant international and local agencies active in the water and sanitation sector of an emergency response, including humanitarian and human rights organizations, local authorities and local partners.
• Represent Mercy Corps at local sectoral coordination meetings.

Organizational Learning:
As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve - we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves. Highlights:

Accountability to Stakeholders: Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to the international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: None

ACCOUNTABILITY:

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO:    WASH Program Manager
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: All Mercy Corps departments and staff, Local Authorities, Utilities and Partner organizations         

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• BSc or Master’s Degree in Water Resources Engineering, Water Treatment Technologies, or Civil Engineering with WASH-related experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in implementation of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Promotion programs, with at least 2 years of relevant project implementation experience.
• Participated in Urban projects with water and /or sanitation utilities and schemes, and also experience with Household level water and sanitation management.
• Water treatment and quality control skills are mandatory. Knowledge of hydraulics principles are important assets.
• Demonstrated expertise in emergency response program management in highly insecure environments.
• Commitment to local capacity building and the ability to engage local stakeholders in project design and implementation.
• Demonstrated capacity to collaborate closely with INGOs and national NGOs. Familiarity with international humanitarian operations, coordination structures, and the mandates of UN agencies, and other NGOs.
• Good organizational and project management skills and the ability to anticipate project needs.
• Proven ability to work cooperatively with colleagues of other departments in a team environment, and to lead a diverse group of national and international staff.
• Understanding of participatory methodologies for project design, implementation and evaluation.
• Knowledge of humanitarian standards and codes, including SPHERE, HAP.
• Working understanding of procurement, administration and finance systems.
• Ability to technically advise staff and collaborators on program activities and security issues.
• Demonstrated familiarity with the MS Office software (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is required. Hydraulic modeling is a plus.
• Fluent English essential; Arabic is an important asset.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

The successful candidate will have proven experience working effectively and respectfully with host country authorities, NGO, and CBO representatives, and will have effective verbal and written communication as well as multi-tasking, organizational, and prioritization skills. S/he will have demonstrated attention to detail while keeping, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines, and work independently and cooperatively with team members, and will have an interest and ability to travel and work in insecure environments. Sensitivity to multi-cultural international development work and ability to train and facilitate dialogue among a diverse group of individuals with various skill sets and working styles are all critical, as is a commitment to working with community members to make concrete improvements to their livelihoods and living conditions. An ability to creatively problem-solve, to juggle multiple priorities under tight deadlines, and to calmly and diplomatically deal with unexpected and sudden events impacting program operations are also essential, as is patience, tenacity, and a good sense of humor.

LIVING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

The position is based in the Middle East at a location to be determined. The location may be unaccompanied and insecure. Housing is group accommodation with limited freedom of movement beyond the house/office. This team member is expected to work a 6 day work week. Staff will have access to good medical. Electricity and water may be working only sometimes.

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures and values at all times and in all in-country venues in such a manner as to bring positive recognition to Mercy Corps and to not endanger Mercy Corps’ humanitarian mission.

Job Location

Amman, Amman, Jordan

Position Type

Full-Time/Regular 

 

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