WASH Project Manager - National Role

Team Purpose

Despite the Syrian refugee crisis, the Bekaa Water Establishment (BWE) currently operates under major financial deficits, mostly due to the (i) low subscription rates and even lower bill collection rates for water provision, (ii) high rates of non-revenue water due to leakages in the supply systems and illegal water consumption by Lebanese residents, Syrian refugee and also water truckers, (iii) high energy demand and cost for water pumping, and (iv) no cost recovery for wastewater collection and treatment services.[1] A major bottleneck to the provision of a reliable water service provision in Lebanon, and the Bekaa in particular, is the energy requirements for water pumping. Intermittent electric energy supply by the grid in the Bekaa has necessitated that most water systems are equipped with generators to supplement electricity deficiencies. This comes at a considerable cost for fuel to power generators.

Oxfam, with funds from the Swiss Cooperation Office in Lebanon, will implement the project “Empowering the Bekaa Water Establishment in transitioning to more effective and sustainable water service provision in crisis affected Lebanon’ that aims to contribute to the effective and sustainable water service provision to crisis affected Lebanon, by improving financial returns for the BWE, through ensuring cost recovery to the BWE is made in return for water and sanitation services provided to Syrian refugees residing in Informal Tented Settlements and lowering the operational cost for water production with the construction and operation of solar water pumping systems. The project further co-funds other Oxfam WaSH interventions.

Job Purpose

To provide overall leadership and management for a WaSH project funded by the Swiss Cooperation Office that aims to contribute to the effective and sustainable water service provision to crisis affected Lebanon, by improving financial returns for the Bekaa Water Establishment (BWE), through ensuring cost recovery to the BWE is made in return for water and sanitation services provided to Syrian refugees residing in Informal Tented Settlement and lowering the operational cost for water production with the construction and operation of solar water pumping systems.

The post-holder is expected to:

• Work closely with the WaSH programme team towards common objectives
• Manage the successful planning, monitoring and reporting of the project;
• Manage the Project Staff and liaise with MEAL, Global Solar Advisor, Policy Lead and other Coordinators/Managers;
• Ensure that the intervention mainstreams gender justice and protection, where relevant;
• Ensure a constant and constructive relationship with municipalities in the areas of intervention and the Bekaa Water Establishment
• Ensure the physical welfare, well-being, and professional development of staff directly assigned to the project;
• Serve as the Project Budget Holder and oversee effective financial management of the programme’s grant/s, including a 1.5 M USD co-financing requirement by other projects; and activities with the support of admin and logistics teams;
• Ensure programme quality standards are being met;
• Participate in the monthly WaSH working group and the BWE coordination meetings in Bekaa;
• Liaise with the WaSH Coordinator and the Policy Lead regarding the policy component of the project.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

The WaSH Project Manager position will lead and is accountable for all the programmatic, management and partnership aspects of the Project. As a key role within the Oxfam Lebanon Country programme, the position will be based in Zahle, with regular travel to programme sites in the Bekaa region. He/she will oversee effective management and relationships with relevant external stakeholders, manage the intervention throughout the project cycle, including budget management (including expenditure planning and expenditure monitoring), lead in preparing and developing high quality programme plans, including MEAL and procurement plans, progress and donor reports, ensure appropriate monitoring and project quality, and enhance internal and external learning and representation. In addition, the Project Manager will also identify scaling up opportunities and new project ideas in line with the thematic area.

Project Cycle Management & Programme Quality

• Develop overall project guidance in terms of work plans/budget work plans, spending plans, MEAL plans, procurement plans;
• Work closely with the WaSH Coordinator, and support staff to provide appropriate guidance and managerial support to implement the project in line with the objectives laid out in the donor approved proposal;
• Work closely with other project managers, to ensure the project co-financing plan is well executed.
• Implement the project in collaboration with other Oxfam colleagues (WaSH, MEAL, and policy teams), and where relevant, partner institutions and contracted parties;
• To lead in preparing mid-term and final reports for the donor in collaboration with project team, WaSH coordinator, Funding Coordinator, other relevant project managers, and Support teams. Ensure narrative reporting and financial accounting meet Oxfam and donor’s requirements;
• Support and promote programme quality and project strengthening activities e.g. project quality meetings, and learning events;
• Assist staff to maintain healthy relationships with government institutions including the municipality and Bekaa Water Establishment through regular contacts, visits and fulfilment of project requirements
• Ensure Oxfam’s Programme Management system OPAL, is up dated and relevant for the project in question.

People & Team Management

• Recruit and line manage relevant staff in line with Oxfam policies, ensuring that they have the necessary induction, training and support as required;
• Ensure staff are compliant with key internal procedures including security requirements and code of conduct;
• Solicit appropriate training and learning opportunities for team members in line with development objectives and ensure regular coaching of staff;
• Oversee performance management and staff development of team members, and provide necessary and timely feedback to all staff being directly managed;
• Build the capacity of staff in key project management principles, tools and approaches and ensure that these new skills are utilized on the job;
• Facilitate effective working relations with colleagues around communications, policy and advocacy issues and concerns, ensuring evidence-based programmatic input into policy and media messaging.

Budget & Financial Management

• Initiate regular financial review meetings, involving relevant support staff to plan and monitor the budget, review procurement and spending plans, and ensure funds are spent within the time frame acceptable to Oxfam and the donor and ensuring rules and regulations of Oxfam are adhered to;

• Ensure that donor contractual requirements are fulfilled, including by partners, throughout the entire project period;
• Lead on initiating relevant procurement processes, with support from Logistics, in line with programme spending and procurement planning.
• Lead on coordinating with other Project Managers of projects with co-financing obligations to this project, and ensure that the activities under these are carried out in a timely manner within the spending plan.

External Representation and Consortium Coordination

• Attend all relevant coordination meetings;
• Ensure key information on the project is available to members of the consortium and decisions are taken to support the effectiveness of the project;
• Serve as primary project representative to external stakeholders, including the donor, responsible for addressing all project matters.
• In collaboration with consortium member focal points, develop and maintain positive relations with relevant ministries and other government counterparts, donors, and other relevant external stakeholders, with relation to the project.
• Assists with the coordination of visits of donors, and/or partners related to the project

Technical Skills, Experience & Knowledge

Essential

• A Bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline such Development Studies or equivalent experience
• A minimum of 3 years progressively responsible experience in a similar role – specifically in humanitarian/development programmes funded by different donors in the WaSH sector.
• Excellent understanding and knowledge of WaSH
• Experience in managing WaSH Projects.
• Good knowledge of developing and implementing monitoring systems to track the effectiveness of programmes
• Ability to build cooperative, professional relationships with donors, partners and peer organisations.
• Management skills & experience, including line management, management of other resources, evidence of capacity to support others.
• Commitment to equal opportunity and gender policies.
• Evidence of project cycle management experience, including strategic planning, budgeting, reporting, monitoring & evaluation
• Solid experience in budget management
• Diplomacy, tact and negotiating skills.
• Good interpersonal, influencing and communication skills
• Proven team leadership and ability to work independently as required
• Sensitivity to cultural differences, and the ability to work in a wide variety of cultural contexts.
• Good written and spoken English and Arabic
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Sympathy with the aims and Objectives of Oxfam.

Desirable

• A Bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline such Engineering
• Master’s degree in relevant area (e.g. Engineering, development studies
• Good understanding and knowledge in renewable energy
• Solid experience in managing a grant that co-funds multiple interventions
• Experience in building the capacity of the team internally and of external stakeholders.

[1] Oxfam 2017, Feasibility assessment for Water Service Provision to ITSs in Lebanon. A Case study of North Bekaa.