Regional Water and Sanitation Advisor - Middle East

Tracking Code: 218633-927

Job Location: Amman, Jordan

Position Type: Full-Time/Regular

Job Description

PROGRAM 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.  Mercy Corps is interested in strengthening its presence for immediate as well as longer term programming in the Middle East. It is imperative that Mercy Corps present itself as a key and reliable partner with various donors, INGOs, government authorities and civil society actors, to be part of the process of positive change. Mercy Corps, with her global experience in working in countries undergoing major transitions, will be a key contributor in the process, bringing knowledge, expertise and strong management skills to position the agency as a partner of choice for progressive change.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Regional Water and Sanitation Advisor is a key position, responsible for program and strategy development relating to water and sanitation, including technical engineering and field support. The Advisor will conduct regular field visits to monitor progress of construction and maintenance operations and to support technical teams and will be responsible for coordinating needs assessments for the water and sanitation systems in various municipalities and countries, also supervising the design and construction efforts required to repair inoperable water and sanitation systems.  This position will provide technical inputs to new concept notes or proposals to secure funding for infrastructure projects and will work closely with the Regional Program Advisor, Regional Office and Country Directors, sharing documents with donors and other interested parties, all the while being highly sensitive to the political and conflict dynamics of the region.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Technical

• Liaise and closely coordinate with relevant officials from the municipal and state authorities related to water and sanitation management and public health;
• Coordinate and conduct technical assessments, including hygiene Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices surveys;
• Recruit, mentor and support technical and water and sanitation teams in each relevant country to ensure quality of project implementation and provide a clear link to country level and regional M&E systems;
• Provide support for the establishment of budgets and financial controls for multiple projects;
• Review and ensure efficacy of bill of quantities and assist Mercy Corps with tender processes including contractor selection;
• Review hygiene promotion strategy, methodology and implementation plan at country and regional level;
• Ensure quality control of all civil works including new construction and maintenance of infrastructure-related projects;
• Help with analysis and interpretation of surveys and public health data and support the field in responding to the identified issues;
• Review and assist with all tender processes and ensure timely procurement of required project inputs and materials;
• Conduct regular field visits to monitor project implementation;
• Write quality reports and provide timely updates to donors;
• Assist in writing quality control processes or procedures for infrastructure projects;
• Conduct field technical and KAP assessments and assist with technical design and programs to be incorporated into proposals.

Representation and Strategy:

• Help nurture key relationships with donors, especially those with a regional focus and an interest in water and sanitation programming, and with the water and sanitation coordination bodies at regional and national levels like Water and Sanitation Clusters or Water and Sanitation Sector Coordination Groups;
• Participate in Water and Sanitation technical working groups, seek solutions to various technical problems raised by the field and help standardization of technical solutions across the responders, as well as to enhance Mercy Corps’ presence in the Water and Sanitation community;
• Work with the Regional and HQ Program teams in identifying additional opportunities for medium-term and longer-term programming in Water and Sanitation;
• Participate in overall strategic planning with a specific focus on Water and Sanitation strategy;
• Provide support to country teams in order to strengthen and maintain internal and external relationships to ensure success, including contacts with donors, UN agencies, regional actors, international and local NGOs;
• Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, local governments and other stakeholders.

Communication (Internal and External)

(Internal)

• Provide a link between field program managers, engineers and operations staff focused on water and sanitation programming and regional and HQ-based teams to ensure that technical support and guidance is provided on a timely basis;
• Provide timely updates to the Regional Program Director, Director of Infrastructure, Regional Technical Advisors, Country Directors and Strategic Response and Global Emergencies (SRGE) team. 

(External)

• Provide relevant information to regional and country teams and Mercy Corps’ communications specialist to promote Mercy Corps’ activities in the field of water and sanitation and to represent Mercy Corps’ vision of the developments in that field.

Personal Leadership

• Demonstrate flexibility, resilience and ability to maintain positive relationships and composure;
• Maintain high ethical standards and treat people with respect and dignity;
• Demonstrate an awareness of his/her strengths and development needs.

Team Management

• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence;
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews;
• Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem-solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes;
• Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance & reach objectives.

Security

• Work closely with the regional and specific country team’s security focal points to develop and maintain systems and training that ensure the safety and security of the team.

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. In addition, this role will have specific commitment to training, mentoring and developing field program staff working on water and sanitation programming. 

Accountability to Beneficiaries: Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to 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: The Regional Water and Sanitation Advisor will advise and monitor a team of engineers, technicians, and consultants working on Water and Sanitation programming, however, these positions will report directly to their respective in-country management.

ACCOUNTABILITY:

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Regional Program Advisor

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Regional Program Director, Director of Infrastructure, Regional Technical Advisors, Country Directors and Strategic Response and Global Emergencies (SRGE) team.   

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• BS or equivalent in civil engineering or other relevant field required; MA/S in civil engineering preferred;
• 10-15 years of water and wastewater infrastructure experience including groundwater extraction, pipeline construction, pump installation and maintenance, leak detection, power connection to pump stations, etc.;
• Demonstrated ability to manage and communicate effectively with team members of varied work styles;
• Demonstrated flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving;
• Proven ability to learn quickly, lead a program to achieve stated results and objectives;
• Ability to effectively represent Mercy Corps and its interests to key stakeholders;
• Experience working with government bodies and authorities related to water and sanitation, national and international NGO, and/or private sector companies focusing on water and sanitation;
• Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational and prioritization skills;
• Excellent oral and written English skills required;
• Oral and written Arabic skills strongly preferred;
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment;
• Internationally recognized qualification in project or program management or a commitment to obtain the qualification in the early months of work.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

The successful candidate will combine exceptional management skills and experience in maintaining donor and partner relationships and will have an outstanding ability to develop, implement and manage innovative programs within the current and future program structure of Mercy Corps in the region. S/he will also have proven experience with cross-cultural team and capacity building, individual staff development and strong mentoring skills. Prioritizing, problem solving, ability to seize opportunities, attention to detail and strategic vision are essential. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.

LIVING /ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

The Water and Sanitation Advisor position is based in Amman, Jordan with periodic travel in the region as needed. The location is accompanied. Staff housing is provided and there is access to good medical services. Water and electricity are present with frequent cuts. This position requires (up to 50% of time) travel in some less secure environments and travel to Mercy Corps offices in neighboring countries.

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. Staff are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps’ policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

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