Location: Konso
Deadline: Mar 26, 2023
Job Description
About Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within now, and for the future.
Mercy Corps has been operating in Ethiopia since 2004. In partnership with civil society organizations, private sector, and the government, Mercy Corps Ethiopia has reached more than five million Ethiopians with interventions to save lives and build secure livelihoods. Our programs emphasize market-driven solutions, reinforce social bonds, and help communities build resilience to the impacts of climate change. Currently in six regional states – Afar, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Amhara and South Nations, Nationalities and People’s Region (SNNPR) – Mercy Corps Ethiopia is driven by the mission to contribute the emergence of a peaceful, resilient, and prosperous Ethiopia which is inclusive of youth and women. Our strategic directions focus in promoting inclusive and dynamic markets; promoting peace and social cohesion through strengthening formal/informal governance structures and citizen engagement; improved natural resource governance; and integrated humanitarian response.
Position Title: WASH COORDINATOR
Duty Station: Konso
Open Position: 1
POSITION SUMMARY:
Program / Department Summary
As part of its humanitarian response program, Mercy Corps is implementing USAID/BHA funded WASH response under HARP follow on Program to respond to the immediate needs of vulnerable individuals in the Karat Zuria and Ale woredas in the SNNP region to their immediate water, sanitation, and hygiene requirements.
General Position Summary
Under the direction and management of program manager and program team leader, the WASH Coordinator will be responsible for providing technical advice and support management and project staff on implementation of WASH activities, deliver training and ensure quality programming. Lead, monitor and evaluate technical aspects of the WASH activities and the overall operation of the field office day to day activities. Coordinate and network at a field level with regional authorities, clusters and other NGOs, providing capacity building for field staff, championing best practice and contributing to the overall management of the country program. He/ She will also ensure that all capacity-building activities related to WASH activities are carried out in an effective and participatory manner. He/ She will further ensure that all WASH activities are done in a context-sensitive manner, and holistically coordinated with other Mercy Corps projects including economic development and humanitarian programs and other stakeholders. In addition, he/she will contribute to the proper representation of Mercy Corps and establish strong linkage with government, UN agencies, and other key stakeholders.
Essential Job Responsibilities
- Provide technical support to field level WASH officers on potential involvement in new WASH interventions and internal WASH capacity for implementation
- Define appropriate policies, guidelines and protocols for the WASH activities of Mercy Corps’ in consultation with other field managers and in line with relevant government, Sphere and WHO guidelines
- Carry out regular monitoring visits in conjunction with other staffs, ensuring that project objectives are met within the stated time-frames
- Maintain an oversight of WASH NFI supplies and water quality standards ordered for the emergency WASH project, supporting the WASH and logistics staff in the coordination and quality control of WASH supplies
- Whenever necessary (highly technical activities) prepare design document, bill of quantities, organizes a competitive bidding process with the procurement team to select the most qualified and cost-effective contractor
- Ensures all emergency WASH activities are implemented in accordance with the Mercy Corps, donor and government guidelines and policies
- Ensure appropriate design, construction and implementation of WASH facilities according to technical standards. Prepare drawings, Bill of Quantities and contract document; lead the bid evaluation and related contract administration components of the project
- Ensures application of best-practices in the WASH interventions. Ensures a coherent, community-based and market approach to emergency WASH services
- Documents and disseminates success stories and lessons learned
- Conducts participatory surveys, needs assessments, data and information collection as per the needs and schedules of the program
- Guide program officers and team in, and support, joint community-based analysis and awareness-raising around resource conditions, and the interests and needs among multiple key stakeholders
- Oversee processes in relation to community priorities and needs of Water schemes
- Work closely with the other emergency technical and mobile team and field level advisors to support timely implementations of action plans
Program Management
- Oversee program startup and ongoing program coordination and administration of teams across various field locations.
- Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities and partners and consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic plan.
- Ensure that beneficiaries are effectively targeted according to established vulnerability criteria.
- Develop partners’ MoUs and contracts & oversee a training program for program partners.
- Develop program implementation strategies, including partnership frameworks, beneficiary targeting and distribution process as well as WASH, psychosocial and capacity building of partners.
- Integrate community approaches, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities as appropriate.
- Ensure program implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts.
- Create and maintain systems ensuring effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with donor and Mercy Corps policies and procedures.
- Fulfill Mercy Corps’ Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guide.
- Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards.
Team Management
- Develop the capacity of the team, deepen understanding of their roles and assist with career development.
- Assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
- Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on ones and performance reviews.
- Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
- Hire, orient and lead team members as necessary.
Finance & Compliance Management
- Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to emergency programming.
- Draft and/or review scope of work to hire and manage any technical consultants, including review for technical efficacy and contract budget.
Influence & Representation
- Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, local governments and other stakeholders.
- Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.
GEDSI (GENDER, EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION)
- Be a thought partner in the recruitment of diverse team and promoting inclusive and safe work environment including supporting early career team members to fulfil their professional goals)
- Lead by example to promote gender equal and inclusive workplace culture in a day-to-day interaction with team members, partners and program participants.
Security
- Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
- Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.
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.
Accountability to Beneficiaries
- Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward 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.
- 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.
Safeguarding & Ethics
Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.
Knowledge and Experience
- BSc degree in Hydraulic and or Water Resources Engineering, or related field. 5 years of experience in WASH projects including infrastructure development.
- Key programmatic knowledge includes project formulation and design, SBCC, and project management
- NGO/Private sector experience has a significant advantage
- Excellent team and interpersonal relationship skills, especially in a cross-cultural setting, required.
- Ability to take direction, follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members is required.
Success Factors
- Good organizational skills
- Ability to analyze complex situations and to make recommendations for improvement of and contribute to overall program strategy
- Experience in conducting training and workshops
- Experience with monitoring and evaluation
- Willingness and ability to perform fieldwork and travel to the most remote areas
- Hard-working, honest, dedicated, ability to communicate clearly and effectively at all levels – with colleagues, government and military officials, community leaders and community members
How to Apply
All interested candidates are encouraged to apply for the position advertised. All applications submitted to the Mercy Corps office or electronically include a CV, three references, and all relevant official documents. Applications will not be returned and will not be retained for future recruitment efforts. In order to ensure fairness to all applicant’s personal inquiries are not permitted.
Only candidates that are short-listed will be acknowledged and called for interviews.
“Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer promoting gender, equity and diversity. Qualified female and young candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to empower women and youth.”
DEADLINE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS: 26 March 2023/ 4:00 PM