Activity Manager Infrastructure-North

Solidarités International is an International NGO working with vulnerable populations, mainly victims of armed conflicts and natural disasters. Specialized for nearly 40 years in the coverage of vital needs, S.I. takes charge of emergency and reconstruction programs.

With respect for cultures and close to the people, Solidarités International implements its programs by combining its skills with those of its employees and local managers.

Solidarités International's teams, made up of around 270 expatriates and nearly 2200 local employees, are today present in 18 countries in Asia, Middle East, Africa and Caribbean where they are particularly committed to fighting diseases related to unsafe water but also in the essential area of food security and livelihoods.

ABOUT THE JOB

General objective:

Under the authority of the MADAD Infrastructure Project Manager, the Infrastructure Activity Manager will be responsible for:

• Implementing the activities and meeting the objectives as defined in the operation proposals
• Oversight of the direct implementation of infrastructure work for the installation of a water supply system
• Service improvement support to Qobayat branch of the North Lebanon Water Establishment (NLWE).

The main challenges:

• Understanding of intervention contexts:
  • Intervention supporting the North Lebanon Water Establishment (NLWE) targeting the area under NLWE Qobayat local office, for the installation of a water supply system following National Water Sector Strategy
• Understanding of different aspects of the project:
  • Development of long term infrastructure project in collaboration with NLWE, dealing with specialist consultants and contractors’ work implementation
  • Coordination and capacity building of NLWE Qobayat local office through Water Establishment Led Service and Cost Recovery (EL-SICR) approach
  • Training and capacity building of a local NGO

• Implementation of project’s activities within a consortium of 5 WASH partners

• Community engagement activities implemented by a local NGO under SI supervision

Priorities for the 2/3 first months:

• Understanding of SI WASH intervention in Lebanon
• Integration within SI WASH team
• Establish the communication and collaboration with the NLWE, especially its local office of Qobayat
• Launch preliminary technical assessment within target areas

Responsibilities and main activities:

Project Implementation

• Participate in the preparation and implementation of assessments
• Partake in the selection of consultants and contractors for the infrastructure work
• Plan and supervise the implementation of the activities according to the set objectives and SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL standards
• Make sure the objectives for the activities under his/her responsibility are achieved and the deadlines are met
• Oversee the work of  consultants and contractors, holding them to uphold their duties
• Regularly visit the activities’ sites
• Identify and anticipate any risks and constraints related to the infrastructure work and propose alternate strategies to the Infrastructure Project Manager
• Support the Infrastructure Project Manager in the planning of the project implementation, being sure to meet deadlines and adhere to predefined technical specifications
• Under the guidance of the Infrastructure Project Manager, coordinate with the NLWE branch in Qobayat
• Support the Infrastructure Project Manager in the coordination with local municipalities
• Coordinate with the Social Engagement Supervisor to harmonize the information shared with beneficiaries
• Use the SI management and monitoring tools for the activities, results and context

Human resources management

• Partake in the recruitment of national technical staff
• With the administrative department, define the prerequisites for the vacant positions and, if necessary, adapt the referent job profile
• Welcome and brief new employees working under his/her responsibility
• Prepare the planning of the team under his/her supervision
• Organise regular meetings and workshops with program team members
• Manage and support the team under his/her responsibility
• Supervise and monitor potential conflicts within the team and inform the Infrastructure Project Manager in case of problem
• Identify any training needs and implement training activities in accordance with operational requirements
• Evaluate the performance of the members of his/her team
• Identify team members’ potential for advancement and communicate this information to the Program Manager
• Monitor teams to ensure that they are adhering to health and safety regulation

Logistics and administration

• Prepare Internal Order Forms (IOF) and follow orders in collaboration with the logistics department
• Participate to the definition of terms of reference and selection criteria within procurement process in coordination with the logistics department
• Support the Infrastructure Project Manager with the assessment of human needs, logistical and financial resources needed at different stages of the activities
• Ensure that the safety of persons and equipment at intervention/project sites is guaranteed
• Partake in the updating of tools for monitoring financial, logistical and operational activities (Operational Follow-Up, Project Planning Monitoring, Budget Follow-Up, indicators follow-up)
• Compile the weekly schedules for transportation

Monitoring, Evaluation and coordination

• Support the Infrastructure Project Manager and the MEAL department, to adapt the monitoring and evaluation tools and methodologies as necessary
• Support the monitoring and evaluation surveys conducted by the MEAL department and the local partner selected to implement social engagement activities.
• Under the responsibility of the Infrastructure Project Manager, support consultants and/or project consortium partners conducting on research studies related to activities supporting NLWE
• In link with the Infrastructure Project Manager, ensure harmonization between direct implementation  of infrastructure work and the implementation of EL-SICR (Establishment Led Service and Cost Recovery) approach, supporting the NLWE at Qobayat branch level
• In link with the Infrastructure Project Manager, coordinate with other operational departments
• In link with the Infrastructure Project Manager, coordinate with external actors
• In link with the Infrastructure Project Manager, coordinate with MADAD 3 consortium partners

Reporting

• Report any type of problem encountered on the field
• Support the Infrastructure Project Manager for the production of administrative documents to be signed jointly with governmental authorities, communities, beneficiaries or partners
• Immediately report to the Infrastructure Project Manager any problems or information that could affect the projects/activities, including on security aspects
• Ensure the collection and compilation of information about the progress of projects/activities conducted
• Write regular reports on the progress of the activities for the Infrastructure Project Manager
• Partake in the drafting of reports and schedules/appendices related to the activities for donors and/or sponsors
• Maintain a local operational communication network and positive relations with the local/governmental authorities, donor representatives, UN and other international agencies in cooperation with the Infrastructure Project Manager
• Represent SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL in collaboration with the Infrastructure Project Manager for the projects/activities to the relevant bodies: local authorities, sector, partners, … within his/her employment location

ORG CHART POSITION (reporting and functional relationships)

Line manager:  Infrastructure Project Manager

Line report(s) on base: Construction supervisors

Functional managers: Infrastructure Project Manager

YOUR PROFILE

Education:

Master degree in Civil or Mechanical Engineering. Strong experience may substitute for formal education.

Experience:

• 3 years of documented experience in water sector domains for direct implementation of infrastructural works
• Knowledge of Near/Middle-East Context is an advantage
• Knowledge of Lebanese context and work in coordination with Water Establishments is an advantage
• Previous experience with NGO is an asset

Technical skills and knowledge:

• Problem solving and analytical skills with the ability to assess challenges and recommend solutions
• Strong management and training/capacity-building skills
• Computer literacy with very good command of MS Office Suite and AUTOCAD

Soft skills and spirit: 

• Excellent diplomacy skills
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to delegate
• Flexible (will have to take on responsibilities that might not be directly on his/her JD)
• Adaptability to changing work environment and possible volatile security situation
• Stress management skills: ability to work under pressure to meet tight deadlines, with peaks of heavy workloads;

Languages:

• Fluent English and Arabic: speaking, reading and writing skills
• French are assets

Others: 

• Commitment to the fundamental principles of SI’s charter and ethos