Ukraine: WASH Programme Manager

Sep 19, 2021 | People in Need
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People in Need (PIN) is a Czech Republic-based NGO globally working in the relief and development sectors. PIN has been active in Ukraine since early August 2014 and the humanitarian programme has been rapidly expanding since then. Currently, PIN is one of the major humanitarian and aspiring development actors in eastern Ukraine providing neutral and independent aid to conflict-affected people in Government and Non-Government Control areas (GCA and NGCA). The PIN representative office is located in Kyiv. PIN’s field office in Sloviansk functions as the main base for PIN’s operations in GCA and supporting office for the PIN field office in Stakhanov/Kadiivka in NGCA.

The total volume of the current programs is 6 million USD, funded by ECHO, BHA, UNICEF, EU, UHF, Czech MFA and other donors. PIN Ukraine follows its 2019-2022 strategy comprising emergency response and development pillars around Good Governance and Community Engagement, Social Protection and Inclusion, Sustainable Livelihoods and Environment. Under its emergency response, PIN is providing assistance to the conflict-affected populations within the WASH, Shelter/NFI, Food Security and Livelihoods and Protection (PSS) sectors. Where possible, PIN then seeks to achieve a smooth transition towards early and longer-term recovery and development efforts in the region focusing on the thematic pillars of its 2019-2022 strategy and under a Nexus agenda.

About the role

Under the strategic guidance of the Programme Director, you will be responsible for consolidating and expanding WASH programming from the current emergency response towards longer-term recovery and development projects and advocacy. At present, while WASH programming is not explicitly added as a standalone pillar of the development strategy for 2019-2022, it is included under PIN Ukraine’s Sustainable Livelihoods and Environment pillar. By facilitating an interface between existing WASH interventions and potential development programming, it is expected that the position will contribute to creating new opportunities for a revised strategy in 2023 with strong WASH ambitions.

More specifically, the role includes the following dimensions. You will work closely with the emergency response teams delivering WASH assistance in various forms to consolidate PIN’s track record and added value. You will network and identify strategic entry points for programming, building upon emergency assistance towards interventions on water governance, water safety planning, water quality/sanitation/wastewater management, environmental sustainability in WASH projects and/or other relevant domains. You will develop projects and actively work with the Programme Director and Grants and Reporting Manager to fundraise for new WASH interventions. You will closely cooperate with the Advocacy team to generate evidence and formulate key messages to realise the right to water in the context of eastern Ukraine. Additionally you are expected to contribute with WASH-related expertise to the good design and implementation of WASH activities under various projects. Throughout these dimensions you will work closely with PIN technical advisors to ensure the full integration of conflict-sensitive, pro-poor and participatory, gender-responsive and inclusive WASH agendas in the context of eastern Ukraine.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic development and Representation

Lead the development and execution of WASH programming in line with PIN Ukraine’s programme strategic plans, Country Strategy and in close cooperation with the Advocacy team. This responsibility includes in particular the possible following tasks:

  • Analyse the WASH context and lead assessments, from humanitarian to development in a conflict-sensitive manner, with due consideration of access and accountability, water governance, pro-poor and participatory agendas, gender-responsive and inclusive dimensions;
  • Oversee the mapping of PIN Ukraine’s WASH interventions and review their impact, sustainability and lessons for future projects;
  • Networking with a diversified range of local and international actors relevant to WASH programming, including PIN’s donors, international organisations, Cluster and others;
  • Identify potential local partners across a wide range of civil society actors, in their diversity;
  • Identify strategic entry points and new approaches in line with a longer-term, recovery and development agenda for WASH programming, for instance in relation to water governance, water safety planning, water quality/sanitation/wastewater management, environmental sustainability in WASH projects and/or other relevant domains;
  • Develop models of action, propose pilots and formulate projects in cooperation with the Programme Director, Grants and Reporting Manager and the programme team;
  • In close cooperation with the Grants and Reporting Manager, Country Director and Programme Director, engage with relevant donors for funding opportunities of PIN’s WASH programming, and develop project proposals accordingly;
  • In close cooperation with the Advocacy Manager, participate in advocacy efforts on the right to water and sanitation;
  • Contribute to developing indicators and monitoring mechanisms of WASH programming and advocacy;
  • Contribute to management discussions on the revision of the Country Strategy for 2023.


Oversight of project management

Upon confirmation of new, standalone WASH projects: Ensure that projects on WASH are implemented with high quality standards and proper processes in line with Project Cycle Management guidelines.

  • Recruit and line manage new Head(s) of Project (and other relevant staff) in view of the realisation of new, standalone WASH projects;
  • Oversee the proper launch, management and close out of WASH projects in line with PIN’s project management, grants management, and Lessons Learned guidelines, as well as Safeguarding policy;
  • In close cooperation with the Grants and Reporting Manager and Head(s) of Project, ensure high quality and strategic donor liaison over the realisation of WASH projects, through reporting, communication and monitoring visits;
  • Oversee the proper cooperation with MEAL, and review the accountability and results of the project(s); provide strategic guidance to possible re-adjustments as required in supervision of the Head(s) of Project;
  • Provide overall management support and guidance to the WASH Head(s) of Project in their work and professional growth.


Quality assurance of WASH humanitarian response and capacity development

In cooperation with PIN HQ Knowledge and Learning Department’s WASH Advisor: Technical supervision, technical support to and capacity building of national staff in other departments / projects delivering WASH interventions in multi-sectoral humanitarian response and other.

  • Programmatic quality assurance through technical design and guidance of WASH humanitarian interventions;
  • Technical guidance, capacity building and follow up with national staff (modalities TBC, including in line with COVID-19-related restrictions) on WASH-related humanitarian interventions, and how to ensure safe exit and sustainable solutions wherever possible, from design to implementation and monitoring;
  • Contribute with own special knowledge and skills in relation to WASH programming and advocacy to analyses, design of interventions, advocacy and other inputs;
  • Through strategic guidance and support to teams, contribute to change management and smooth transition in PIN Ukraine towards longer-term programming in WASH.


Requirements

  • Educational background of master’s degree or more in WASH-related disciplines; additional trainings of relevance;
  • Minimum 5 years’ experience in humanitarian and/or development response within armed conflict, crisis context and/or post-crisis contexts in relevant positions;
  • Solid understanding of WASH programming in humanitarian and development contexts; special knowledge and experience in at least 3 of the following domains: WASH and challenges of humanitarian access, water governance, water safety planning, water quality / wastewater / sanitation; environmental sustainability in WASH, and/or other relevant domains;
  • Significant experience in an international non-governmental organization and/or international organisation, including field experience and working with national teams;
  • Knowledge and practice of project cycle management;
  • Demonstrated understanding and commitment to approaches to water management based on participatory and community engagement models sensitive to age, gender, diversity, e.g. pro-poor, inclusive, gender-responsive;
  • Demonstrated understanding and commitment to Safeguarding, PSEA and Child Protection in humanitarian and development action;
  • Good understanding of the context in eastern Ukraine; or experience in relatively comparable contexts;
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, and ability to advise and promote change at different levels internally within an organisation;
  • Proven ability to engage and communicate externally with a wide range of interlocutors and stakeholders, from vulnerable women, girls, boys and men (with respect of safeguarding and do-no-harm principles), grassroots actors and activist to local government officials and other official stakeholders and clusters and international organisations;
  • Fluency in spoken and written English, knowledge of Ukrainian and Russian is an advantage;
  • Excellent communication, negotiation and relationship building skills with cultural sensitivity;
  • Mature, well-balanced personality able to work independently in a challenging environment.
  • Ready to live, work and travel in Eastern Ukraine.

People In Need offers:

  • Salary range: 3 200 – 3 600 EUR per month (already including 1 200€ in subsistence allowance)
  • Type of contract: consultancy contract or Czech employee contract for EU citizens
  • Work experience with professional and flexible International NGO, the largest in Central-Eastern Europe
  • Accommodation allowance and/or accommodation in PIN guesthouses
  • 2 flights to home country (or equivalent) per year after every 6 months of work in Ukraine
  • Costs of visas and vaccination covered
  • 25 days of annual leave per year
  • Medical helpdesk (provided in English)
  • Travel insurance (covers health care outside of the country of origin, incl. repatriation)

How to apply:

Are you interested in this position? Great. Send us your CV and short cover letter.

Please note only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Interviews will be conducted on rolling basis and the vacancy will be closed when filled.

People in Need staff are expected to perform job duties and responsibilities in accordance with People in Need Code of conduct and key policies (available at: www.peopleinneed.cz/policies).