Wash Project Manager

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY: Mercy Corps exists to alleviate suffering, poverty, and oppression by helping people build secure, productive, and just communities. The agency pursues its mission through emergency relief services, sustainable community development, civil society and economic development initiatives. Mercy Corps has been present in the Middle East since the 1980s and currently has offices in Yemen, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Egypt and Libya. Working in Lebanon since 1993, Mercy Corps has been running community development programs focused on promoting economic development and increased opportunity for disadvantaged communities, while responding to emergencies as they have emerged. Until recently Mercy Corps’ focus had been on programs aiming to bolster civil society and give voice to under-represented groups through the empowerment of young leaders. Recently, the program portfolio has expanded in response to the massive refugee influx from Syria, including grants from UNICEF, ECHO, private foundations and the EC.  The emergency response component of the portfolio will be an increasing focus and driver of programming in Lebanon.   The conflict that began more than two years ago in Syria has resulted in a steady increase in Syrian refugees to Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Turkey.  To date, more than one million refugees have fled their country and the numbers continue to mount. All refugees who have entered Lebanon are staying with host families or in rented accommodation.  As numbers rapidly increase, humanitarian conditions are deteriorating.  The burden on host communities and the financial and emotional stress on refugees and their hosts is tremendous. Mercy Corps is responding to these needs by addressing urgent basic needs, child protection as well as the psychosocial impact of the conflict and displacement.  A growing programmatic focus is on mitigating the emerging tensions between hosts and refugees, particularly over economic resources, by addressing both livelihood opportunities and conflict mitigation capacity. GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY: The WASH Project Manager will oversee the implementation of a program funded by United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to support water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programming in Bekaa.  This position is a management position with supervisory and managerial responsibilities, including direct program management responsibilities for the WASH program.  Reporting to the Director of Programs and in close collaboration with the Regional WASH Advisor, s/he will oversee and develop high quality design and implementation of emergency response programs to effectively address the humanitarian gaps and needs while building a base for later activities of early recovery. 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. The Project Manager plays key roles in the implementation of the safety and security procedures, program development, proposal development, and providing input into the overall country program strategy.  ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 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 the verification of beneficiary households that promote accountability; Manage the distribution of hygiene kits that are an integral part of the program; Oversee the 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 implements feasible yet sound technical solutions; Conduct regular monitoring of project activities and project impact, per Mercy Corps Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning and in accordance with existing related guidelines; (HAP, SPHERE and donor regulations) Actively participates to preparation of tender and contracts, including technical specifications of works to be performed by contractors; Write monthly reports and other donor based reports or organizational based notes for PD to review and submit; Work closely with local partners and participate in partner assessment and selection; Assist in proposal / concept note development and report writing as necessary; Budget management; 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;  Team Management Provide technical direction and advice in emergency response in insecure environment, and develop work plans in collaboration with the team; Hire, Supervise, train and mentor the national staff and local partners; Develop and implement a comprehensive staff and local partner training series to build team capacity 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, Represent 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) Other Ensure all activities are gender sensitive and follow Mercy Corps’ Gender Equity Policy; Apply Do No Harm standards to ensure activities do not have detrimental affects on vulnerable communities; Contribute to monthly reports and other ad hoc reports to meet donor and internal requirements; Participate in internal office coordination and planning meetings and workshops; Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit toMercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission; Other assigned tasks, as necessary. KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE: BSc or Master’s Degree in International Development, Sociology, or other related academic areas of study or water resource or civil engineering with WASH-related experience ideal but not required. Demonstrated expertise with at least five years of relevant project management experience, including implementation of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Promotion programs. 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 and HAP. Working understanding of procurement, administration and finance systems. Must be able to strategically manage and guide staff on program and office activities and security issues. Fluent English and Arabic essential. Must be willing to travel throughout Beqaa Valley, South Lebanon and Beirut.   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.