Wash Project Officer

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY: Mercy Corps has worked in Lebanon since 1993, providing development assistance to thousands of disadvantaged citizens around the country.  Since the start of the Syrian Crisis in 2011, Mercy Corps shifted from development-focused programming to address humanitarian needs for both refugees and host communities in Lebanon.  Mercy Corps in Lebanon has a diverse, dynamic and committed team that strives to implement excellent programs that work with Lebanese civil society organizations, communities, private sector actors and government representatives to achieve Mercy Corps’ mission of helping to build secure, productive, and just communities.  GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY: The Project Officer will advance Mercy Corps’ ongoing programming in Beirut,  Beqaa, and South Lebanon by being responsible for the day-to-day project implementation that focus on increasing access to safe water, sanitation services/facilities, and proper hygiene conditions and practices to Syrian refugees and Lebanese host communities, including government engagement, scale up, sustainability, promotion of Syrian and Lebanese participation in project activities, strengthening the role of women in decision making, participation in coordination activities meetings and liaising with relevant government departments in the field. In addition, the Project Officer will be greatly involved in and responsible for producing key documents and materials, providing support to plan and implement key communications components of ongoing programming focused on WASH. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Oversee day-to-day project implementation and ensure effective and timely completion of the WASH interventions. Support community mobilization and hygiene promotion sessions among the refugees and host communities in collaboration with local partners and trained volunteers. Conduct WASH facilities assessment to determine scope of work, resource requirement and estimated cost. Monitor the WASH project process as per Mercy Corps regulations and standards. Prepare weekly field reports to be submitted to WASH Project Manager and Area Manager; Support in facilitating agency and donor monitoring visits; Jointly with WASH team, conduct emergency assessments and, in coordination with others, design and organize the implementation of appropriate responses. Support in establishing and maintaining proper project documentation and records, including but not limited to: needs assessments questionnaires, monitoring questionnaires, certificates of vouchers receipts, consolidated list of beneficiaries, photos etc. Participate and represent the organization in field coordination meetings. Prepare and follow up in support the Project Manager in conducting monthly house-to-house visits to carry out profiling of targeted households, verify the eligibility of households selected for minor repair purposes, identify non-food item needs, and execute needs assessments and monitoring questionnaires as needed; Maintain and update village level database of refugee profiles and sector-based needs. Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.  Communications Develop key productions to increase Mercy Corps’ communication within local communities in Lebanon to promote program activities and increase awareness and acceptance, especially within target communities Produce communication material and publications that market Mercy Corps' work (online, offline and audiovisual) in coordination with the Program Team for key donors, peer agencies, and other key stakeholders. Review existing WASH hygiene promotion materials and advise on how to improve further, including development of new materials to increase community awareness as well as visibility. Coordinate with M&E team to gather and use existing success stories that highlight Mercy Corps’ interventions for donors. Contribute support Mercy Corps’ activities on social media. Apply and maintain Mercy Corps brand identity and parameters in all written and audio visual materials Other duties as assigned by the supervisor. 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 Corpsand to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission; Other assigned tasks, as necessary. KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE: Minimum of 3 years’ work experience working directly for an NGO or relevant organization in Lebanon Bachelor’s Degree in a Civil Engineering, Public Health, Social science or any relevant field required. Familiarity with the issues of urban and village water systems and networks, Demonstrate good expertise in emergency response program management 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 and CBOs. Good organizational and basic project management skills Experience working with refugees or other vulnerable population required, implementing a WASH project and conducting training is preferred. Proven understanding of Do No Harm principles and methodology with applied experience implementing projects with/for women and girls.  The applicants should have good written and verbal English and Arabic skills.  Must be computer-literate, particularly in programs such as MS Word and MS Excel.  Strong organizational and collaboration skills required, with the ability to work independently and be self-directed, as necessary.  Must work well as a member of a team, with willingness to travel throughout Lebanon, sometimes staying overnight, as the job requires.  SUCCESS FACTORS: The successful Project Officer will be bright, energetic, hard-working and eager to learn.  S/he will take a deep personal interest in humanitarian and development assistance.  S/he will be attentive to detail and able to carry out assigned tasks in a timely manner and according to a very high standard of quality.  S/he will be creative and flexible, but at the same time will not have any difficulty in adhering to systems and procedures.  S/he will strictly follow all protocols related to safety and security.