WaSH Coordinator - (Applications will only be accepted if submitted online, through the URL link provided)

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

Mercy Corps exists to alleviate suffering, poverty, and oppression by helping people build secure, productive, and just communities. The agency pursues its mission through emergency relief services, sustainable community development, civil society and economic development initiatives. 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 has implemented community development programs focused on promoting economic development and increased opportunity for disadvantaged communities, while responding to emergencies as they emerged in the country. 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, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Governance and Conflict, and Livelihoods.

Mercy Corps is launching the “Holistic Humanitarian Assistance to Syrian Refugees and Host Communities in Lebanon Program” (HHAP). The HHAP programs is aims to provide a multi-sector humanitarian assistance to improve the wellbeing of conflict affected Syrian refugees and vulnerable host communities in Lebanon through integrated WASH services and facilities, livelihood opportunities and Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) prevention and response services. The project will be implemented in the Governorates of Bekaa, Hermel-Baalbek, South Lebanon, and Nabatieh, funded by the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (BPRM) for 24 months. The program will take a multi-faceted approach to achieve this goal by: (1) improving access to water and sanitation facilities and promoting improved hygiene practices; (2) creating short-term livelihood opportunities through Labor Intensive Projects (LIP); and (3) reducing SGBV through increased awareness and improved access to quality services. This will be accomplished by carefully sequencing and integrating activities, with WASH and livelihood activities integrating SGBV risk mitigation in their design and implementation.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
Under the direct supervision of the BPRM Project Manager, The WASH coordinator is responsible for the overall planning and implementation of the WASH sub components of the BPRM program in Beqaa and Hermel-Baalbek governorates. The position is a middle level management position that involves technical supervision of field engineer and hygiene promotion team and ensuring qualitative implementation of the infrastructure Labor Intensive Projects (LIPs).

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

The WASH Coordinator will be responsible of the water, sanitation and hygiene activities and manage design and implementation of the infrastructure Labor Intensive Projects (LIPs) implemented in the Beqaa and Hermel-Baalbek governorates. S/he will contribute to the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) activities of the component. S/he needs to:

• Assist the project manager in the planning, implementation and monitoring the WASH component of the    BPRM project; as well as in tracking and managing risks and issues at field level;
• Coordinate and conduct multi-sector field assessments in order to analyze and identify water, sanitation and hygiene gaps, and design appropriate WASH response. Ensure that the WASH activities reflect the needs of the targeted beneficiaries and the implementation adhere to the donor, Mercy Corps and all other applicable standards and procedures.
• Conduct and coordinate detailed technical assessment for the rehabilitation or improvement of WASH or community project (cash for work) infrastructures; prepare/revise bills of quantities and specifications, and raise purchase requests for goods, services or works. Ensure that the various aspects of the WASH activities are integrated with the cash for work and SGBV activities, and that they form part of a coherent response.
• Supervise the rehabilitation or improvement of water supply, sanitation and other infrastructures; closely supervise contracted WASH activities and liaise with contractors and consultants as necessary for the successful and timely achievement of activities.
• Work together with hygiene promotion assistants and the project manager in developing hygiene promotion communication plan, designed IEC materials, and implementation of the hygiene promotion activities.  
• Launch and follow-up on the procurement of all materials for WASH projects in coordination with the Project Manager.
• Ensure proper tracking and documentation of the WASH activities, lessons learned or any relevant information related to Beqaa and Baalbek-Hermel governorate in the google-based program file.  
• Prepare and share monthly report to the project manager to highlight the progress and challenges in implementation of WASH activities. Provide input in the preparation of success stories and donor reports.
• Represent Mercy Corps at field level WASH related coordination meetings to foster greater coordination and information sharing with local government, beneficiaries and other relevant stakeholders.
• Participate in recruitment for the WASH field based staff.
• Take account of gender and protection concerns in WASH activities design and implementation.
• Manage the design, implementation and monitoring of the municipal and community infrastructure LIPs.
• Ensure the needed coordination with the SGBV team to plan for the provision of the SGBV awareness session in the informal settlements.
• Liaise with Livelihoods and GBV teams for joint planning and holistic service provision.
• Ensure effective local stakeholders’ participation, including local government, refugees and host communities, at all levels of the activities identification, design and implementation.
• Carry out activities in a way that reflects the needs of specific groups and individuals’ e.g. elderly people, children, and people with disabilities.
• Timely respond to requests by the sector after receiving review from program management, and ensure proper activity info and other-sector related reporting in collaboration with the MEL team.
• Supervise the field based project staff and ensure proper field level management of day-to-day logistics, administration, and personnel in accordance with national law and organizational guidelines.
• Report and follow up on any problems encountered in the field such as complaints, local authority interference, security threats, etc…;
• Closely coordinate and work with other program staff at field and Beirut level.
• Conduct regular team meetings, staff check-ins, and frequent supportive monitoring field visits, monitor activities progress against plan and propose corrective measures as required.
• Supervise the field based project staff. Ensure the proper field level management of day-to-day logistics, administration, and personnel in accordance with national law and organizational guidelines.
• Ensure that subordinate staff understand and act in line with Mercy Corps’ conduct.
• Other duties as assigned.

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 effects 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 him/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.

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 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, M&E of our field projects.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY & ACCOUNTABILITY:

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: BPRM Project Manager

SUPERVISES: Hygiene Promotion Officer, Project Engineer, Community Mobilizers

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Livelihood Coordinator, Livelihood Assistant, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Coordinator, GBV Team, Program Support Coordinator and Program Manager.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• A university bachelor degree in Civil, Water or Environmental Engineering.
• Four (4) years’ of Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) humanitarian field within WASH and infrastructure sector including Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL) experience.
• Demonstrated capacity to plan conduct field monitoring assessments with associated management of information, analysis and reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and communicate effectively with team members of varied work styles.
• Demonstrated flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving.
• Proven ability to learn quickly, lead a program to achieve stated results and objectives.
• Ability to effectively represent Mercy Corps and its interests to key stakeholders.
• Oral and written Arabic and English are required;
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.
• Willingness to travel throughout the country.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

The successful WASH Coordinator will combine knowledge of administrative, executive and financial work flow related to WASH and infrastructure LIPs implementation. S/he will also have proven experience with cross-cultural team and capacity building. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous attention to detail and strategic vision are essential. Demonstrated flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving is essential in a complex security and political environment like Lebanon. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.