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

Title: WASH Program Manager - Middle East

Tracking Code: 218464-927

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 Program Manager is a position with supervisory and direct program management responsibilities for the WASH program.  Reporting to the Head of Office, s/he will oversee and develop high quality design and implementation of programs, and lead the development of new and innovative initiatives that effectively address gaps and needs. S/he is responsible for ensuring that programs run smoothly by providing technical leadership, supervising, training and mentoring the WASH program staff, and coordinating the implementation of WASH activities.

 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Strategy and Vision

• Provide input into overall country program strategy.

Program Management

• Manage implementation of the WASH program, including hygiene education, water and sanitation infrastructure rehabilitation and construction, as well as training of water point committees. 
• Develop a targeting strategy to identify potential beneficiary households; engage community members and local partners in verification. 
• Manage distribution of hygiene kits that are an integral part of the program. 
• Oversee successful implementation of program activities, ensuring that teams are following work plans, that activities are on schedule, and that program deliverables are completed as promised.
• Identify priorities in term of assessments, designing and overseeing 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 implement 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.
• Actively participate in preparation of tender and contracts, including technical specifications of works to be performed by contractors.
• Coordinate with the Country Office and in HQ to build systems that promote beneficiary accountability by ensuring that communities participate in initial assessments and program design.
• Ensure that communities are 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.
• Ensure integration of M&E and accountability systems that are compliant with HAP international benchmarks, SPHERE and other relevant standards, as well as to the Donors’ requirements.
• Support and inculcate a culture of learning between programs through sharing of M&E processes and systems.
• Ensure that the project engages local stakeholders and develops local capacity for longer term sustainability of project partners.
• Provide trainings to partner WASH staff as needed, security allowing.
• Participate in proposal/concept note development and report writing as necessary. 
• Oversee budget management. 
• 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 direction and advice in emergency response in an insecure environment, and develop work plans in collaboration with the team.
• Supervise, train and mentor the program international and national staff.
• Develop and implement comprehensive staff training to build team capacity in the area of WASH and M&E.
• Build the technical and managerial capacity of local partners in the area of WASH and M&E.
• 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 cluster meetings.
• Liaise 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.
• 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 donors, other humanitarian and human rights organizations, local authorities and local partners, including representing Mercy Corps at local coordination meetings.
• Examine and pursue funding opportunities from donors and partners, in coordination with senior management (including developing and submitting concept papers, proposals, etc.).

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: 1 expatriate Field Manager and a team of approximately 6 national staff.

ACCOUNTABILITY:

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO:  Head of Office
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH:  All Mercy Corps department and staff, and 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 5 years of relevant project management experience.
• Experience managing urban projects with water and /or sanitation utilities and schemes; experience with household level water and sanitation management.
• 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.
• Must be able to strategically advise staff on program and office activities and security issues.
• Fluent English essential; Arabic is an important asset.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

The successful candidate will have proven experience working effectively and respectfully with host country government and other 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 a strategic view, 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, which may be unaccompanied and insecure. Housing is group accommodation with limited freedom of movement beyond the house/office. The person in this position is expected to work a 6 day work week. Staff will have access to good medical services. 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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