Location
Field based position in DR Congo.
Starting Date & Initial Contract Details
As soon as possible. Full time, Minimum 12 months.
Role Overview
Working as an important member of a diverse team who are committed to serve the world’s most vulnerable with practical and compassionate care the WASH Manager has a vital role to play in improving access to safe water and sanitation for the target population. This involves effectively managing the assigned WASH project(s) in line with the objectives, budget and timeframe laid down in the proposal(s). The role also includes enhancing beneficiary participation, managing and training local staff and planning and initiating new WASH projects / proposals.
Project Overview
WASH projects to be implemented in North Kivu Province alongside mainly emergency health focussed projects targeting displaced, war affected and vulnerable populations in NE Congo. Developmental typed projects aimed at long term and sustainable behaviour change in general population and state health employees to improve public health outcomes.
Key Activity Areas
Technical Management
- Be responsible for implementation, management, supervision & support of assigned WASH project(s) in line with the activity plan & time frame of relevant project proposal(s), any applicable national & international guidelines and standards
- Manage quality construction of water & sanitation structures, ensuring good maintenance & sustainable processes are in place, helping involve local communities drawing on similar experience to improve the current comities setup
- Ensure regular monitoring & evaluation assessments are conducted against project objectives & ensure programme quality, with field managers relevant reports, through frequent field visits travelling
- Work towards continual improvement of processes & technical implementation of infrastructure WASH programme
- Provide input into integration of beneficiary participation and accountability (BA) in all aspects of the project
- Ensure accurate & timely reporting of activities for internal & external reports as requested by stakeholders
- Assess existing project(s) activities in the assigned area(s) and recommend actions to be taken
- Input into development of country strategy, new projects and/or donor proposals as requested by field managers and HQ
Staff Management
- Manage and oversee assigned team including recruitment, day-to-day management, development & training, appraisals…
- Hold monthly team meetings, review objectives, inform of work-related issues, gather feedback. Provide appropriate supervision, coaching, mentoring and training to develop personal & professional skills, knowledge and understanding
- Promote team health & security by providing support to WIA in developing security and safety guidelines in workplace and ensuring healthy living conditions and practices are being followed
- On occasions casual labour work (incl. hiring, co-ordinating workload and payment) to achieve specific, time-bound tasks
Financial Management
- Work with the relevant field managers to plan, construct and manage budgets for the assigned project(s)
- Coordinate & oversee assigned team(s) cash requirements, ensuring paperwork is completed accurately & timely
Communication and Coordination
- Develop, maintain appropriate, regular, transparent and supportive communication structures with relevant stakeholders (i.e. beneficiaries, community leaders, local and national government officials, UN agencies and other NGOs)
- Represent Medair at relevant local level coordination meetings involving local authorities, UN agencies and other NGOs
Logistics
- Manage correct & timely ordering (within budgetary constraints) of Infrastructure & WASH supplies and equipment for assigned activities, ensuring minimum stocks are maintained, items are stored & distributed correctly and timely
- Ensure project equipment careful use, regular servicing & appropriate replacement, within budgetary constraints
- Oversee field depots and help develop project(s) specific handling of field depot in order to comply with Medair standards and better track movement of goods in the field
Quality Management
- Promote and use the Medair e-library and other operating procedures, ensuring that all standardised formats are used and guidelines are followed. Ensure that most up to date documents are used across the project(s)
- Implement, relevant policies & standards relating to current operations including national, and international (e.g. Sphere and HAP) standards, donor guidelines and other good practice
Delegated Responsibilities
- Achievement of the assigned project(s) outcomes within the budget and the agreed time frame
- Management of the relevant aspects of the budget for the assigned project(s)
- Project records & documents filing & archiving according to requirements of Medair, donors & relevant local authorities
- Line management of assigned WASH staff, including recruitment, performance monitoring, disciplinary action…
Team Spiritual Life
- Reflect the values of Medair with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, and external contacts.
- Work, live, and pray together in our Christian faith-based team settings. Fully contribute to the rich spiritual life of your team, including team devotions, prayers, and words of encouragement.
- Encouraged to join and contribute to Medair’s international prayer network.
This job description covers the main tasks that are anticipated. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary.
Qualifications
- Higher level qualification in a technical field, preferably in water and sanitation
- 2 years post-qualification professional experience in a relevant field
- Good English (spoken and written) & French (spoken and written)
- Computer literate with good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook
Experience
- Technical WASH skills within a humanitarian setting
- Knowledge and understanding of humanitarian standards such as Sphere and HAP Good communicator, able to pass on information efficiently
- Previous management / leadership experience
- Good report writing skills
- Able to develop and maintain effective relationships with colleagues, beneficiaries, other agencies and local authorities
- Willingness to support others and to share workload, aptitude for community mobilisation and capacity-building
- Capacity to work under pressure and manage personal stress levels
- Able to work effectively in a wide variety of situations, self-motivated, creative, open-minded, flexible, self- learner
- Able to cope with basic living conditions in the field and during field trips
- Ability and willingness to set clear objectives, delegate, manage project implementation, enforce procedures
- Problem solving ability, excellent organisational, multitasking, prioritising
- Committed to consultative and servant- minded leadership
- Able to take the initiative in project decisions
All new deploying international staff to Medair’s country programmes (and other roles which require field travel) should be fully vaccinated with a WHO-approved COVID vaccine, supported with a COVID vaccination certificate as evidence.
