Yemen: WASH Program Manager

Dec 20, 2018 | Solidarites International
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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.

ABOUT THE MISSION IN YEMEN

Yemen is the poorest country in the Middle East. The country faces political tensions that drove the country to war, high population growth, deteriorating economic prospects, and extremely high poverty. Yemen is off track on many of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The Yemen crisis enters now in its third year and the humanitarian situation across the country continues to deteriorate. Since March 2015, violence in Yemen has claimed thousands of lives and resulted in an estimated 22.2 million people in Yemen need some kind of humanitarian assistance, including 11.3 million who are in acute need (OCHA).

Economic recession, depreciation of the national currency, soaring food and fuel prices, disrupted markets, and loss of employment opportunities have contributed to extreme vulnerability and food insecurity throughout the country.

Registered in south Yemen, SI mission opened mid-September 2017 and is based in Aden - the registration in the north is planned for 2018. Expatriate team is comprised of Country Director, Logistics Coordinator, Admin Coordinator, Program Coordinator, FSL Coordinator and one EMR PM, and two bases (Field co + log/admin + PM). SI Yemen team is currently running projects funded by the French Centre de Crise et de Soutien (CDCS), the Humanitarian Fund for Yemen and OFDA. They consist in an integrated emergency assistance for displaced populations and host communities in Lahj, Taizz Governorates, with activities in WaSH (rehabilitation of water supply facilities, construction and rehabilitation of latrines notably) and Food Security & Livelihoods (cash & vouchers, acces to agricultural inputs), as well as an emergency response in WASH and Shelter.

The mission’s current budget is about 6 million USD but a significant increase is expected in the coming weeks and months.

ABOUT THE JOB...

The mission is looking for a WASH Program Manager, based in the base of Al Turbah in Taizz governorate, with potentially regular field visits.

SI is looking for a technical profile, proactive and intuitive collaborator able to lead WASH programs implementation in hospital and communities.

The WASH program manager pilots WASH activities of the mission and ensure the quality and relevance of SI’s WASH programs under his/her supervision.

An outstanding ability to manage heavy workload and constant operational stress is required for this highly challenging position.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • He/she ensures the capacity building of the program team under his/her supervision. A special attention will be put on the capacity building of the WaSH PMA, the objective being to train him to be able to carry out manager responsibilities and duties.
  • Team Management: 1 PMA, 2 WASH Team Leader, 4 WaSH officers.
  • He/she provides support and advice to the logistics for the purchase of materials specific to its program activities
  • The WaSH Program Manager pilots the WaSH activities and kick off the activities in Al Turbah base, ensuring the quality and relevance of SI’s WaSH programs.
  • In collaboration with the administrative department, he/she contributes to the development of program budgets, budget follow up and proposal budgets for the program parts
  • He/she shares with the security focal points any information on the security context and any event which may have consequences on SI activities and team safety

SPECIFIC STAKES AND CHALLENGES :

  • Carry out technical WaSH in health activities
  • Capacity building of a particular staff to offer him the possibility to carry out manager responsibilities and duties
  • Manage project’s implementation in insecure and hardly accessible areas
  • Priorities for the first month
    • Review and start the technical and construction/rehabilitation side of the project
    • Define a clear planning for the activities to be carried out

YOUR PROFILE

Education and experience:

  • Diploma in hydraulic and/or water sciences / Technician degree preferred
  • 2 years’ experience as WaSH Program Manager or related position
  • Previous experience in unstable environment (conflict / post conflict country)
  • Experience in capacity building
  • Experience in working in tense security context with strict security rules
  • Experience in remote project management would be an asset
  • Experience in team management
  • Experience in delivering training and capacity building of staff.

Knowledge and technical skills:

  • High technical knowledge on water and sanitation system and their design (preferred in health)
  • High knowledge on the soft component linked with waste management 
  • High knowledge of project cycle management, humanitarian world, donors
  • High knowledge of SI works, processes, ways of work and philosophy
  • Knowledge of delivering WASH services in emergency context
  • Good and proven writing and spoken English are required
  • Arabic and/or French speaking is an asset

Transferable skills:

  • Good analytical and writing/editing skills
  • Good communication and diplomatic skills
  • Good organization skill
  • Capacity to work under pressure in a tense security environment
  • Good pedagogical skills
  • Knowledge and experience of the Yemen or Middle-eastern countries appreciated

Qualities:

  • Willingness to build capacities, train and mentor
  • Strong interpersonal skills
  • Skill transfer ability highly appreciated
  • Anticipation and self-organization capacities
  • Great work and stress management capacities
  • Willingness to work in complex and volatile environments