Myanmar: WASH Program Manager Consortium

Nov 1, 2020 | Solidarités International
View Original

Solidarités International is a non-profit organization working in areas of conflict and natural disasters. Its main aim is to provide quick and effective support for people in life-threatening situations by meeting their vital needs: water, food and shelter.

SI has been in Myanmar since 2008. For the first three years SI worked in the Delta in response to the devastating Cyclone Nargis. In 2011, SI expanded to three new regions (Dry Zone, Rakhine, and Chin State) focusing on Livelihoods, Food Security, Shelter, and WASH sectors. In January 2012, SI expanded to Kachin State to respond to an emergency situation created by the displacement of Kachin population affected by the arm conflicts. Since 2012, SI has also been responding to an emergency situation by covering basic wash needs of the population displaced by inter-communal tensions in Rakhine State.

SI currently has a coordination base in Yangon, with field bases in the Rakhine and Kachin States. Each office is operational with a Field Coordinator and between 46 (Kachin) and 253 (Rakhine) colleagues.

In Rakhine/Sittwe, there are currently 8 international staff: (1 Field Coordinator, 1 Deputy Field Coordinator Program, 1 Logistic Manager, 1 Finance Manager, 1 HR Manager, 2 WASH Program Managers, 1 FSL Program Manager), 1 WASH Program Manager national and more than 250 national staffs.

Rakhine base has so far 2 main locations of activities: Sittwe Camps (under HARP funding in Consortium with Oxfam) and Pauktaw camps (under OFDA, ECHO and CDC funding). Main activities in these 2 locations are WaSH, but also FSL in some camps.

About the Job

This WASH PM position aims at providing  lifesaving humanitarian assistance to children and their families affected by violence in the Rakhine State, by establishing a mobilization plan to ensure smooth handover process, community engagement, hygiene based behavior change, soap production, wash infrastructure upgrading, operation and management of wash facilities…

The WASH PM will be under the direct supervision of the Deputy Field Coordinator for programs; and under the functional / technical supervision of the WASH Coordinator.

Responsibilities and main activities

  • Managing a complex program, including high financial volumes and logistic coordination and follow-up
  • Provide technical WASH expertise to the teams
  • External representation, coordination and communication within the consortium
  • Representing SI and the Consortium at Rakhine WASH Cluster and with Donors or other visits (this includes high level representation)

Main challenges

  • Management: the teams are divided between office-based staff and camp-based staff; and the COVID19 pandemic involves a lot of remote management
  • Recurring access difficulties
  • High level of representation and coordination

Priorities for the first months

  • S/he will ensure the closing of HARP 1680 project and proper kick off of HARP 2364 (cost extension).
  • S/he will ensure that the HARP project workplan and budget follow up are respected and in case s/he will propose necessary review.
  • S/he will ensure the recruitment of staff following the new HR set-up
  • S/he will follow up the implementation of community engagement approach and involvement of the local authorities and new stakeholder in the implementation of activities.
  • S/he will be in charge to manage and integrate the cofounding in the existing program

Budget volume: GBP 1,5 million / year

Your Profile

Education:

  • Master level education in WASH and/or Engineering

Experience:

  • At least 5 years of international experience, preferably in emergency and recovery contexts;
  • Experience in complex ethnic and/or religious contexts preferred, sensitive environments (post-conflict, conflict), IDP/refugee camp experience is an added value
  • Previous experience in similar position is mandatory
  • Previous experience working within a consortium mandatory, including representation, communication and negotiation
  • Previous experience of project management in NGO / humanitarian fields mandatory
  • Previous experience with SI is a plus
  • Proven experience in team management and in training, capacity building.
  • Experience in development projects in semi-permanent settlements is a valued asset.

Technical skills and knowledge:

  • WASH and community engagement programming experience
  • Team management, coaching and capacity building.
  • Monitoring and evaluation,
  • Report writting
  • Strategic thinking,
  • Able to quickly understand complex situations and to coordinate both emergencies and long-term programs
  • Sound knowledge in assisting behavioral change methods and approaches including BCC, ABC etc.
  • Knowledge and experience in applying and training in WaSH (PHAST, CHAST, CLTS)

Transferable skills:

  • Patience and perseverance;
  • Diplomacy, tact and sensitivity; intercultural skills;
  • Good people skills to work as part of a large team and live in shared accommodation (up to 5 people at the same time),
  • Very good organization skills and tasks prioritization.

Languages:

  • Fluent English.
  • Burmese is an added asset.

Other:

  • Experience working in Myanmar, or at least South-east Asia, is appreciated.

SI will offer…

A salaried position

  • According to experience, starting from EUR 1980 gross per month (base salary of EUR 1800 + 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly)
  • a monthly Per Diem of USD 500 per month

SI covers accommodation costs and travel expenses between the expatriate's country of origin and the place of assignment.

Breaks

During the assignment, a system of alternation between work and time off is implemented at the rate of 7 working days every 3 months. For a one-year assignment, the expatriate will have a 7 working days break at 3, 6 and 9 months (with USD 850 allocated by SI – USD 1240 in case of international flight).

In addition to these, SI adds 1 additional rest day per month of work, i.e. 12 additional days off for a one-year contract.

Insurance package

Expatriates benefit from an insurance package which covers all healthcare expenses (including medical and surgical expenses, dental care and ophthalmological expenses, repatriation) and a welfare system, including war risks. Essential vaccination and antimalarial treatment costs are refunded.

Living conditions

  • Sittwe is the capital city of Rakhine and is 1 hour-flight away from Yangon. All basics need and furniture (food, health, hygiene…) are accessible.
  • The office and expat guesthouses are in Sittwe town. Both have good internet access.
  • The guesthouses are equipped with basic furniture (beds, tables, cupboards…) and mosquito nets, bed linen, towels and fans. They are comfortable (with a large common area, private bathrooms in some rooms, AC in all rooms, TV, etc…) and a proper kitchen area in each.
  • The office is 5 minutes away from the guesthouses by car.

/!\ please note that the COVID19 pandemic can impact people’s movements and that the government can decide to put some areas under temporary lockdowns.

Application Process

  • Please send us your CV and cover letter in English. If you have already passed the technical validation with SI, please mention it.

NB: the vacancy may close before the deadline.

To learn more about SI, please visit our website.