WASH Project Manager (Applications will only be accepted if submitted through the URL link provided below)

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 present in the Middle East since the 1980s and currently works in Yemen, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq. Working in Lebanon since 1993, Mercy Corps is committed to generating positive opportunities for women, men, girls, and boys from Lebanese, Syrian, and Palestinian communities, with a strong focus on engaging youth. Mercy Corps exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping build secure, productive and just communities. Our programs focus on four sectors:  Economic Opportunities, Governance and Social Stability, Youth, and Humanitarian interventions. The Mercy Corps Lebanon team consists of over 150 staff working across four offices throughout Mount Lebanon, South Lebanon, Tripoli, and the Bekaa.

Essential Job Responsibilities

The WASH Project Manager is responsible for the implementation and technical lead of the WASH activities through structured oversight and coordination with MC team members, technical leads, and private and public sector stakeholders. They will be overall responsible for the development, preparation, management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the WASH program within the Lebanon Country Program. 

The Project Manager will be the primary project representative to relevant government entities, private sector actors, local and international partners, and external stakeholders. The Project Manager will be responsible for both responsive and proactive donor coordination and communication as well as contributing to broader strategic vision to expand and scale Mercy Corps’ Youth, Protection and Livelihood portfolios in Lebanon.  The Manager will also support the and co-ordinate the process of implementing monitoring and reporting on the ongoing cholera response and adapting response strategies as and when needed.

Program Management

• Provide technical oversight and oversee the implementation of WASH activities to achieve key outcomes, outputs, and targets. This includes the overseeing the scale up in Mercy Corps response to the cholera outbreak in Lebanon
• Manage the dissemination of hygiene education and the distribution of hygiene kits that are an integral part of the program. Explore opportunities for commencement of implementation in infrastructure rehabilitation.
• 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;
• Regularly review project outcomes and desired impact against the ever-changing country context, making crucial recommendations for quick adaptations as needed, based on real disaggregated data and analysis;
• Manage project budget and complete financial forecasting, reconciliation, and reporting in collaboration with the Finance Department, to inform cost-efficient, on-budget programming;
• Ensure high-quality, timely, accurate and professional donor and organizational reports and work planning to highlight project successes, challenges, adaptations, and situational context;
• Ensure the project follows Program Management Minimum Standards and has appropriate documentation of activities;
• Participate in the development of technical and programmatic tools related to monitoring and evaluation of WASH projects (Monitoring tools, SoWs, ad reports) in direct relation with Program Managers, Director of Programs and MEL

Team Management and Capacity Building

• Develop and supervise teams to maintain and adhere to weekly, monthly, and annual work plans focused on key outputs and outcomes;
• Hire, Supervise, train and mentor staff

• Ensure team completes tasks as assigned in a timely, professional way;
• Foster a strong team spirit and ensure effective communications both between team members and with public, private and civil society stakeholders;
• Develop and implement a comprehensive staff training plan to build team capacity;
• Ensure staff receive appropriate capacity building to enable them to complete their tasks effectively, while also contributing to their growth within the project and within the organization.

Thought Leadership

• Lead and contribute to related project design, including concept notes and proposal writing to secure future funding, in coordination with senior management;
• Contribute to agency’s understanding of best practices in WASH programming, and as appropriate, develop research and evaluations to increase our understanding of successful implementation strategies; distill learnings and evidence generated into program guidance and thought leadership for internal and external consumption;
• Participate in the planning and implementation of Mercy Corps WASH Strategies.

Coordination and Representation

• Participate in strategic WASH programme planning discussions. Prepare WASH donor proposals, ensuring alignment with Mercy Corps Strategic Plan and Lebanon’s WASH strategy, as well as government plans and priorities, and the role of other external support agencies.
• Represent Mercy Corps in technical working groups and other external coordination meetings, participating in stakeholder relevant meetings when needed.
• 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.

Other

• Commitment to implementation of Mercy Corps’ Program Management Minimum Standards (PM@MC) to ensure all project planning and documentation is completed in timely manner.
• Ensure interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Equity Policy, Code of Conduct, and Do No Harm strategies;
• Conduct themselves both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and not jeopardize its humanitarian mission, including its commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equality;
• Participate in internal office coordination and planning meetings and workshops;
• Other assigned tasks, as necessary.

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.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

MEL Officer and Daily Workers, with the possibility of further expansion

ACCOUNTABILITY

Reports directly to:  Director of Programs

Works directly with:  Program Senior Team, Technical Advisors, MEL Manager, PAQ Team, Finance, HR, Operations, and Senior Management

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.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• BS or MA in international development, economic development, or other relevant field;
• Demonstrated expertise in participatory, inclusive community-based programs, with at least 3-5 years of relevant and/or field-based experience, including program management experience; experience in feminist implementation approaches highly appreciated;
• Extensive experience in designing and implementing WASH project in Lebanon.
• Proven track record in staff and stakeholder training, mentoring, and capacity building;
• Experience using a conflict sensitivity and Do No Harm approach;
• Solid knowledge and application of established inter-agency standards and guidelines relevant to protection and the prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse;
• Strong communication, networking, advocacy, negotiation, and diplomacy skills;
• Working understanding of procurement, administrative and finance systems;
• Fluency in English is essential; fluency in Arabic preferred.

SUCCESS FACTORS

A successful candidate will have the ability to work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly fluid work and security environment with a capacity to spark innovative and transformative approaches to programming and inspire groups to collaborate closely to implement high-quality programming. They will have proven experience working effectively and respectfully with local and national-level government officials and other authorities, as well as L/INGO and CBO representatives, in particular women and youth-led local organizations. They will have a record of accomplishment that demonstrates an emphasis on equality and inclusion, attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, and successfully meeting programmatic deadlines, as well as anticipating program needs in a dramatically and ever-changing social, political, and economic context. Sensitivity to multicultural international development work and a commitment to working with women, men, girls, and boys to create safe, inclusive, empowering platforms and opportunities  for women and youth that foster greater acceptance, voice and agency in the community and in accessing productive livelihoods opportunities. The ability to solve problems creatively, juggle multiple priorities under tight deadlines, and diplomatically manage unexpected and sudden events affecting project operations is essential.  

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

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. 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.