Wash Project Manager – Bill And Melinda Gates Foundation

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY Mercy Corps exists to alleviate suffering, poverty, and oppression by helping people build secure, productive, and just communities. Mercy Corps has been present in the Middle East since the 1980s and currently has offices in Yemen, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Syria and Iraq. Working in Lebanon since 1993, Mercy Corps has run community development programs focused on promoting economic development and increased opportunity for disadvantaged communities, while responding to emergencies as they have emerged. In 2012, the program portfolio shifted in response to the massive refugee influx from Syria and Mercy Corps in Lebanon has solidified its emergency response programming while integrating longer-term development programming by focusing on key sectors: Protection, WASH, Governance and Conflict, and Livelihoods.    GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY The WASH Project Manager will oversee the implementation of a program funded by the Gates Foundation to support WASH programming in Bekaa, South and Mount Lebanon.  This position is a management position with supervisory and managerial responsibilities, including direct program management responsibilities for the WASH program.  Reporting to the WASH program manager and in close collaboration with the Area managers, s/he will oversee and develop high quality design and implementation of emergency and early recovery response programs to effectively address the humanitarian gaps and needs while building a base for later activities of development. 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 Program Management Manage implementation of the WASH project activities, including budget management; Identify on-site sanitation model(s) appropriate to the local physical, environmental and climatic conditions, and cultural preferences of Syrian refugees living in informal settlements in Lebanon. Train local craftsmen in building the selected model facilities Test and monitor functionality of the pilot model facilities in select locations and business viability for scale. Modify technology based on outcomes. Conduct field visits to assess progress of pilot sanitation activities. 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 regular reports and other donor based reports or organizational based notes; Work closely with local partners and participate in partner assessment and selection; Assist in proposal / concept note development and report writing as necessary; 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.   Coordination and Representation 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; 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). Understand and follow Mercy Corps’ Program Management Minimum Standards (PM@MC) to ensure all project planning and documentation is completed in timely manner; Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Equity Policy and Do No Harm strategies; Participate in internal office coordination and planning meetings and workshops; Other assigned tasks, as necessary.   Other   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.   Accountability to Stakeholders Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to the 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.   SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Field Engineers and WASH Assistants ACCOUNTABILITY: REPORTS DIRECTLY TO:  WASH Program Manager WORKS DIRECTLY WITH:  Area managers, Program, Operations, Finance, and M&E Teams   KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE 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.