Socio-Economic Specialist

Job Summary:

The Socio-Economic Specialist for Urban Water Projects is part of a team with complementary competencies, and therefore, bringing his/her specific skills to the team. S/he works as part of Arsal Water Supply System Development (Arsal WSSD) team. S/he will work closely with the project manager, two engineers, and other consultants to ensure that the project is designed with sensitivity to social and community concerns.

The Socio-Economic Specialist ‘s primary responsibility will be to design and lead the social impact studies and lead the community engagement of the Arsal Water Supply System Development (Arsal WSSD) project. This shall involve leading community feedback mechanisms, designing household surveys, and facilitating focused group discussions. In addition, s/he shall organize, analyze the obtained data, and provide detailed reports on socio-economic conditions of the project area, identify potential impacts on the community, and develop strategies to minimize negative impacts and maximize benefits.

The qualified candidate should have a bachelor’s degree in Sociology / Social Studies / Development Studies / Public Policy / Socio-Economic or any related discipline and 4 to 6 years of experience, including minimum of 3 years’ professional experience in a similar position within INGOs is preferred. However, we encourage candidates with different academic backgrounds to apply if they can demonstrate relevant work experience and/or transferable skills that are applicable to this position.

Note: Please be aware that socio-economic studies primarily examine the social aspects of the community and how they relate to the intended objectives and outcomes of Arsal WSSD project. The information in this post may give the impression that applicants require a deep understanding of economics, which is not necessarily the case.

General Description:

Starting in 2023, the ICRC has launched a multi-year initiative to establish for the development of water supply system in Arsal town. This project is part of an agreement between the ICRC and Agence Française de Développement (AFD). The project's vision, as agreed upon, encompasses four primary objectives:

• Infrastructure Development: The population of Arsal benefits from improved and safe access to sufficient quantities of safe drinking water through rehabilitation, improvement, or construction of water infrastructure.
• Institutional Development: Bekaa Water Establishment (BWE) increased its ability to manage, operate, and run an improved water service in Arsal.
• Customer Development: Bekaa Water Establishment (BWE) motivates the majority of the population in Arsal to subscribe to their water services, maintains high customer satisfaction, and addresses and resolves customer complaints swiftly and successfully.
• Towards IWRM & Sustainability: Bekaa Water Establishment (BWE) increased its awareness of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) principles and environmental sustainability.

The socio-economic component is not an objective in itself, but it an enabling tool to ensure community engagement and successful implementation of the project objectives – largely in relation to the “Customer Development” component.

Objectives and Tasks:

Main Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Develops the socio-economic feasibility study of Arsal WSSD project to foster community engagement, participation, and inclusion. The study outcomes shall provide guidance to the project team for the implementation plan of Arsal WSSD project, which includes customer development component and institutional development for Bekaa Water Establishment (BWE).
• Develops with identified partners instructions, procedures and methodologies, technical guidelines, and standards, to participatory planning, community participation & implementation approaches; to enable the Urban Water Project Manager to respond appropriately to the challenges presented during the community participatory approach and to the institutional and customer development process of BWE.
• Works closely with partners, local authorities, and other stakeholders in the integration of the socio-economic elements in Arsal WSSD with the aim to generate local institutional capacity between the community and their representatives, to enable them to become active participants leading to better acceptance and a more community driven approach in the project implementation.
• Works closely with BWE, municipality and partners in the integration of the socio-economic analysis into the definition of the operating models, water service performance and resilience, O&M, customer connections, satisfaction, and cost recovery.
• Conducts desk and literature review. Review existing relevant data and information availability, i.e., socio-economic reports and data, relevant historic data, etc.
• Internally, manages a team of enumerators, field officers or other profiles as relevant to the job.
• Leads the project baseline survey design and data collection for the project outputs, outcomes (theory of change) including preparing and developing tools (interview guides/surveys).
• Contributes to the project identification, development, appraisal, monitoring, review and evaluation, ensuring that all initiatives clearly contribute towards the designed outcomes of Arsal WSSD project.
• Leads the coordination with partners on the project’s socio-economic aspects. Review and contribute to drafting terms of reference for socio-economic consultancies.
• Treats and analyze collected data and prepare the project socio-economic baseline and post factum reports.
• Maintains accurate records of interviews and safeguards the confidentiality of subjects and people, as necessary.
• Provides values of measured indicators for progress and final reports on impact of the project outcome, outputs and activities.
• Participates in the project meetings and in the preparation of presentations, reports, communication material as deemed needed.
• Keeps the project manager up to date on regulatory changes and advises project team regarding these changes.
• Contributes to the preparation of project documentation according to the special agreement signed with AFD and ICRC, which ensures consistent vision and approach over the life cycle of Arsal water supply system development.
• Produces robust, holistic socio-economic justification for the feasibility study.

Additional Duties:

• Follows up on work-related messages and correspondence with the relevant contacts and departments
• Is aware of the delegation’s objectives and has a good knowledge of the Movement and other contacts relevant to the position
• Collects and shares information to improve the ICRC’s understanding of the environment and humanitarian trends and responses
• Represents the ICRC in an appropriate way during activities, in meetings and in the field, and avoids any activity that may reflect negatively on the ICRC’s image
• Takes responsibility for their own professional learning and development

General Duties:

• Understands and adheres to the seven Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
• Understands and adheres to the ICRC Code of Conduct
• Understands the roles of the components of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
• Respects and observes staff regulations and security rules at all times
• Represents the ICRC in a professional manner at all times
• Develops and maintains a pleasant and conducive working environment with colleagues and line managers
• Performs all duties with the highest level of confidentiality in the interest of the employees and the ICRC
• May be asked to perform tasks not covered in this job description and to provide support to other departments when necessary

Position Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

Years of experience required: 4 to 6 years of experience, including a minimum of 3 years of experience in a similar position. International NGO experience is considered an asset.

Level of education: Bachelor’s Degree. An advanced degree is considered an asset.

Field of education: Sociology / Social Studies / Development Studies / Public Policy / Socio-Economic or any related discipline.

Languages: Fluency in Arabic and English, French is a plus.

Computer Literacy: Advanced computer skills in MS Windows and MS Office Suite.

Required Competencies

• Solution oriented mindset: Proficient
• Data-driven and scientific decision making: Proficient.
• Facilitation of meetings, workshops, and other group processes: Proficient
• Communication with diverse audiences: Proficient.
• Written and oral presentation skills: Proficient.
• Highly accurate and organized: Proficient.
• Ability to meet deadlines: Proficient.
• Data analysis and management: Expert
• Accountability to affected populations: Proficient
• Able to work in a matrix organization: Proficient
• Thematic or technical expertise: Advanced
• Result-based management cycle: Advanced
• Innovation and creativity: Proficient
• Analytical thinking: Advanced
• Beneficiary & Client focused: Expert
• Representing the ICRC: Advanced
• Teamwork & Collaboration: Advanced
• People management: Proficient
• Accountability: Advanced
• Leadership: Advanced

Job Details:

Job Location: Zahle, Lebanon

Working Schedule: Monday till Friday - 8hours per day excluding lunch break

Contract Type: Fixed Term, 1 year (renewable based on performance and need for the position).

Salary Package: 2,897- 4,430 USD (based on the qualifications of the applicant)

Opening Date: 26.04.2023

Closing Date: 09.05.2023