Burundi: Environmental Health Coordinator

Mar 19, 2021 | International Rescue Committee
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The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has been working in Burundi since 1996, initially supporting return and reintegration of refugees from Tanzania. Since then, the IRC has expanded its support to Congolese refugees and post-conflict support to Burundians. IRC Burundi’s programming includes women’s empowerment and protection, education, child protection, community services, livelihoods and is UNHCR’s partner to deliver the Logistical Support Program (LSP) which includes overall logistical support for the camps and returning refugees (transportation, vehicle maintenance, warehousing, return and reintegration support. The IRC responds to emergencies prompted by natural disaster as well as the current political crisis in Burundi.

CARE International

CARE International began its activities in Burundi in 1994, by bringing an emergency aid to people affected by civil war. From 2004, intervention was extended to long term development programs.

Today, CARE International in Burundi is changing. It nowadays plays a catalyst and facilitator role for partner organizations. In line with Care International’s 2020 vision, the latter has now become a technical leader of innovations for economic empowerment, peace, dignity, social cohesion and good governance, with special emphasis on vulnerable women and the youth. 

Scope of work

The EH Coordinator provides overall strategic direction and vision for the IRC Burundi Environmental Health programming and is the focal point of the consortium between IRC and CARE in Burundi in the context of their multiyear WASH project in the Gitega and Muyinga provinces. S/he also collaborates with other INGOs, stakeholders and supervised partners. 

Under the supervision of the Deputy Director of Program (DDP) of IRC Burundi, the EH Coordinator is bound by the vision, the mission and the core values of the IRC. S/he ensures the coherence of all EH/WASH activities of the organization, in close collaboration with the other program leads, especially in the context of the socio economic empowerment of youth and women and accountability. 

The EH Coordinator serves as first focal point for communication/coordination/operation with WASH relevant partners and donors In addition to overseeing the implementation of the activities listed above, the position plays an active role in the general strategic leadership of the sector. The position represents the WASH program at various levels including the national WASH sector working group, the government, international and national NGO partners, UN agencies and other strategic partnerships. His/her tasks will include the below as well as any other tasks as requested. 

Position objectives:

  • Design, develop and manage IRC’s EH Program and a consortium WASH project jointly implemented with CARE Burundi 
  • Technically ensure and maintain the quality and standards implemented by this project through the whole consortium team 
  • Oversee all contractors and partners engaged in the implementation of EH projects 
  • Ensure good performance and team-building of staff under his/her direct supervision 
  • Represent IRC and consortium in all WASH forums/events as requested
  • Maintain close links and collaboration with other sectors 
  • Ensure that emergency WASH activities are implemented in a timely and professional manner (as per SPHERE and IRC Standards) and in line with beneficiary needs

Responsibilities

1. Responsible for full project management of consortium project and other IRC EH/WASH projects 

  • Oversee the management of project in its portfolio in accordance with all project documents;
  • Ensure efficient project management developing/using and training staff on the tools of the consortium
  • Propose budget revisions of projects to his/her supervisor if need be, in agreement with the consortium
  • Ensure compliance with agreed on conventions and procedures in all programming under direct responsibility 
  • Establish and maintain regular and open contacts with all the actors of the WASH consortium and ensure regular information flow
  • Ensure regularly and timely qualitative reports (narrative and financial) 

2. Technical quality

  • Provide technical and management leadership to the consortium and IRC internal in accordance with international best practice and IRC policy
  • Prepare project plans, review designs and maintain accurate, organized work files and detailed records, including Activity Summaries, site plans, location maps, project budgets and schedules Contribute to the development of a national WASH strategy within the respective working group
  • Ensure all implementation plans address training needs at all levels including community, government agency and partner organizations
  • Review technical designs for water production and delivery and structural designs
  • Produce and review contracts for works implemented through subcontractors or partners
  • Assure appropriate monitoring of materials, equipment and supplies for technical work
  • Ensure program activities foster accountability to beneficiaries and that gender and protection sensitivity and inclusion are adequately addressed in all programming under direct responsibility 

3. Staff supervision & development

  • Overall responsibility for management of consortium members on a technical and accountability level
  • Overall responsibility for staff timesheets, work plans, vacation schedules, and staff training/development activities directly under his/her supervision
  • Lead the recruitment of staff when funding is confirmed 
  • Take responsibility for discussing job expectations, performance, and objectives on an informal, quarterly basis with designated staff
  • Lead annual performance reviews for all staff under his/her supervision
  • Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures

4. Partnership: coordination and leadership

  • Participate proactively in WASH sectorial group, and other relevant working group meetings, as well as in all appropriate fora 
  • Establish and maintain good relationships with members of the IRC, CARE International and others in the consortium as well as in all programming under direct responsibility
  • Establish and maintain good relations with implementing partners 
  • Identify the need for and implement capacity building activities of partners
  • Contribute to strategic discussions on program development as lead member of the technical steering committee of the IRC/CARE consortium
  • Share information on all programming under direct responsibility with external stakeholders, contributing to the coordination of all donors’ visits 

5. Monitoring, evaluation, quality assurance and reporting

  • Develop and maintain an effective monitoring and planning system  
  • Responsible for all internal and external programmatic reporting, including donors reports 
  • Coordinate program evaluations and reviews, ensure documentation of lessons learned informing reporting and program development 
  • Contribute to the development of guidelines, including technical design of software and hardware interventions and project modus operandi, for all domains under its responsibility 
  • Ensure IRC and international quality standards for humanitarian action are fulfilled throughout the project management cycle 
  • Provide technical support to the team under direct responsibility and the overall mission as well as national and international project partners ;
  • Ensure that gender, protection and environmental impact are mainstreamed in all programming under direct responsibility.
  • In collaboration with the heads of program of both from IRC and CARE, support the M&E team to develop a coherent M&E system and a plan to implement eventual lessons learned
  • Ensure the development of tools for monitoring and evaluation of the project by involving communities and other partners 
  • Coordinate annual reviews, audits and evaluations with the consortium
  • Ensure the collection of data for regular narrative reporting
  • Ensure the respect of the contractual obligations of the consortium in the drafting and transmission of financial and narrative of quality reports

6. Coordination and optimal use of resources (in close collaboration with finance and logistic departments) 

  • Ensure regular and accurate analysis of spending, leading budget revisions in accordance with the consortium and with the finance department
  • Ensure regular follow up of procurement including purchases and stock in cooperation  with Care’s project Manager and with the supply chain department 
  • Ensure the regular procurement plans and cash flow overview
  • Coach the consortium team (Care and IRC)  to ensure efficient and effective planning, implementation and monitoring of all activities and their understanding of expected program outcomes
  • Ensure at all-time optimal use of financial, human and logistics resources
  • Contribute to the full compliance with security plans and protocols of own team and to security related information sharing in cooperation with the Senior Management Team (SMT)

Other duties

  • Consistently and proactively monitor/assess the safety and security of the team; promptly reporting concerns or incidents to the steering committee and IRC SMT, and when liaising with community leaders and other external parties as required to maintain/enhance the security environment for IRC programs
  • Other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop joint programs with CARE 

Qualifications

  • Fluency in French and English required (oral and written), Kirundi or Swahili an advantage
  • Minimum of Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, hydrology, public health or related subject; Masters level education preferred. 
  • Eight (8) years professional experience in design and implementation of WASH projects in  multiple development contexts, including experience in an emergency context 
  • Groundwater hydrology and/or water resource management experience required
  • At least 3 years project’s experiences as Consortium leader  (with international NGO in WASH) 
  • Experience overseeing infrastructure sub-contractors and implementing partner NGOs
  • Experience in East Africa (in WASH consortium will be an asset) 
  • Strong program/technical and budget management skills, planning, reporting, monitoring and evaluation skills
  • At least 2 years in Community based program manager in WASH (accountability, empowerment of people will be an asset) 
  • Excellent understanding of WASH issues in fragile situations and knowledge of international standards  
  • Strong written and oral communication skills, effective in representation and liaison
  • Ability to work well in and to promote teamwork; comfortable in a multi-cultural environment, flexible and able to handle pressure well
  • Knowledge and/or experience in conflict management, protection, or other related field
  • Excellent professional approach and strong team building skills
  • Strong management, planning, analytical and interpersonal
  • Experience in projects financed by International Financing Institutions
  • Excellent Computer skills: MS Word, Excel; AutoCAD, STATA (or similar data analysis tool) and GIS preferred

Work Environment  

The position is based in the capital city of Muyinga. The security situation in Burundi is generally calm. 

Standards of Professional Conduct: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct.  These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality.  In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Diversity, Inclusion and Gender Equality: IRC acknowledges and honors the fundamental value and dignity of all individuals. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status or disability. IRC is also committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits