Syria: WASH Program Manager (m/f) - Raqqa

Jul 6, 2023 | Solidarités International
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SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL (SI) is an international humanitarian aid association which, since more than 40 years, has been providing assistance to populations affected by armed conflicts and natural disasters by meeting their basic needs for food, water and shelter. Particularly committed to the fight against diseases linked to unsafe water, the leading cause of death in the world, SI's interventions provide expertise in the field of access to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene promotion, but also in the essential area of food security and livelihoods. Present in some twenty countries, the SI teams – 2500 people in total, made up of expatriates, national staff, permanent staff at HQ, and a few volunteers - intervene with professionalism and commitment while respecting cultural norms.

Desired start date: ASAP


Duration of the mission: 9 months, with possible extension 


Location: Syria - RAQ

ABOUT THE MISSION

Mission:

There are 3 implementing offices in Syria (2 in Northeast Syria/NES, 1 in Northwest Syria/NWS) with the coordination based in Amman. The total financial volume of the mission for 2022 is approximately 27 million/ The mission has now reached approximately 40 expatriates and 290 national employees (8 expatriates and almost 100 national employees in Ar-Raqqa base). The position will be based in Raqqa.

Type and content of program:

Syria mission is dedicated to work in areas recently opened (in 2017 in Raqqa) and in challenging contexts to provide lifesaving activities to the population affected by the conflict. A turn from lifesaving activities to more post-emergency/development has also been undertaken.

In Ar-Raqqa Governorate, main current activities are related to:

  • Lifesaving
    • Wash – emergency package in IDPs settlements
    • Distribution of NFIs and MPCA
  • Early recovery and more sustainable activities:
    • individuals’ houses rehabilitations
    • Institutional rehabilitations and support: Water stations rehabilitations, capacity building of the Water Department, rehabilitation of schools, rehabilitation of irrigations systems and infrastructures
    • Support to agriculture (vegetable gardening, wheat production)
    • Market strengthening (restoring and supporting businesses through grants)
  • Additionally, SI has a contingency and capacity to respond to emergencies in all NES.

More details on WASH:

  • Water trucking intervention & monitoring
  • Small scale water pumping and network construction / rehabilitation / monitoring (Water Treatment Units, distribution network).
  • Water treatment / chlorination monitoring
  • Rehabilitation / construction of WaSH facilities (latrines, handwashing points, water points, showers).
  • Hygiene promotion activities
  • Developing and piloting new approaches to exit from direct implementation, based on community participation and support to local markets.
  • Distribution of water storage facilities in IDP settlements
  • Cholera prevention and water quality surveillance

ABOUT THE JOB

General objective:

  • Carry out the emergency WASH Program comprised of water supply, hygiene promotion sessions, sanitary infrastructures implementation/maintenance/rehabilitation, as well as environmental health related activities.
  • Expand and develop more sustainable approaches to deliver WaSH services to targeted communities.
  • Additional activities under the job incumbent’s responsibilities could include WASH in school and WASH in health facilities.

The main challenges:

  • Complex environment with volatile security situation and with limited operational visibility
  • Serious water crisis due to a combination of factors including the decreasing water levels in the Euphrates River and climate change, which impact on water quantity and quality.
  • Major depreciation in the value of the Syrian pound in the last year that has diminished purchasing power and exhausted savings and increases burden on already vulnerable population.
  • Various epidemics and outbreaks, the most recent being a cholera outbreak declared in September 2022, which will most likely re-emerge in summer 2023.

Priorities for the 2/3 first months:

  • Start the various assessments (feasibility, technical) required to design activities for 2 projects (BHA LEARN Phase IV and ECHO) and launch procurement processes.
  • Start the implementation of the activities of BHA LEARN Phase IV and ECHO, in relation with other sectoral departments of SI.
  • Follow-up the evolution of the cholera/AWD disease and start/continue or adapt cholera prevention related activities in relation with other Health and WaSH actors.
  • Deal with the day-to-day emergency activities while managing to support the development of a long-term solution to the water crisis with the NGO WaSH partners.
  • To Start Providing Capacity building training to the WASH team on SI project management tools.

Responsibilities and main activities:

  • Implementation and operational monitoring
  • Capitalization
  • HRM    
  • Reporting / communications / representation

APPLICANT PROFILE

Specific required skills:

  • Formal training and qualifications in WaSH (Hard and Soft WASH)
  • Successful previous experience in WASH programs
  • Skilled management and ability to train, develop and support staff.
  • Ability to operate safely and effectively in a security sensitive environment.
  • Capacity in conducting assessments and writing up findings.

Previous experience:

  • A minimum of 3 years of field experience in emergency WaSH programs
  • Previous experience in managing a local team is necessary.
  • Aptitude and experience for hygiene promotion
  • Previous experience in complex and instable areas would probably greatly facilitate the success of the mission.
  • Previous experience in NES is appreciated.
  • Previous experience with SI an asset

Skills: 

  • Good communication skills in both written and verbal English
  • Excellent computer skills (Excel, Word, Google Earth)
  • Reactive, Flexible, and resourceful
  • Solution-oriented management

SI WILL OFFER

A salaried position: According to experience, starting from 1980 euros gross per month (1800 base salary + 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) and a monthly Per Diem of 700 USD. SI also 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 three months (with a USD 850 break allowance, allocated by Sl). To these breaks periods, SI grants one (1) additional rest day per month worked.

Insurance package: Expatriates benefit from an insurance package which refunds 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:

  • Individual, comfortable room in the guesthouse, with electricity 24/7.
  • Internet and Phone network available
  • Restaurants and international food are available

The candidate will be based in Raqqa. Raqqa requires quite strict security rules, but with some opportunities to socialize, go out. Living conditions are comfortable. The candidate will have the own room, and well-equipped common areas.

The perdiem rate for NES is 700 USD a month.

Specific constraints related to security:

Security inside NES is volatile and justifies specific arrangements for accommodation and displacements in the areas of intervention. Adherence to strict security procedures is necessary, while the security levels can vary according to the different geographical locations and the changes of context.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please send CV and cover letter. Please note that CV-only applications will not be considered, and that the vacancy may close before the deadline.

To learn more about Sl: www.solidarites.org