Yemen: Roving Senior Environmental Health Officer Partnerships

Nov 9, 2023 | International Rescue Committee
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The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, the IRC restores safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

The IRC Yemen began its programs in October 2012. Since establishing its presence in the South of Yemen, in the Red Sea Coastal city of Aden, the organization has grown from just an implementing small project to handling large scale emergency and relief operations. Following the war which broke out in Yemen in March of 2015 and the humanitarian disaster, which was crafted by the same, IRC launched one an emergency response program in the southern governorates of Aden, Lahj, Abyan, Shabwah and Aldalea. Currently IRC Yemen is operating in eight governorates in the south and north of Yemen and Sana’a and Hodeidah in the North through direct programming and through local partnerships, in Health, WASH, Nutrition, Economic Recovery Development, Education, Child Protection, Gender and Women Protection and Empowerment.

Scope of work

IRC is currently seeking a qualified and experienced individual for the role of Senior Environmental Health Officer Partnership. The primary responsibility of this position is to provide support and guidance to the partner regarding the design and implementation of WASH programming, as well as partnership processes in accordance with the Partnership Excellence for Equality and Results System (PEERS). The position will be 60% of the time in the field.

Job summary

Reporting to the Senior Environmental Health Manager in Aden, The Senior Environmental Health Officer will be responsible for the overall implementation, supervision, and monitoring of the EH components of WASH activities implemented directly by local partners in south Yemen.

participation in vetting or conducting due diligence of potential local partners, participating in reviewing proposals and reports submitted by partners, and recommending awards. During monitoring visits and as needed, Snr. Environmental Health Officer Partnership will coach, mentor, and capacity-build partners on the WASH program.

Working relations

  • Position Reports: to Senior Environmental Health Manager
  • Position directly supervises: no direct reports.
  • Indirect Reporting: N/A
  • Other Internal and/or external representatives: Internal: IRC Yemen program and operations departments, Environmental Health Department, and Program Coordinators.
  • External: In-country donor counterparts, partner organizations

Main responsibilities

 

  • Develop annual and quarterly WASH program implementation plans and ensure timely implementation of activities in line with IRC and donor requirements.
  • Ensure the quality implementation of WASH activities by partners in accordance with international standards.
  • Ensure that all WASH activities that are implemented by partners are implemented in a participatory and community-led manner with the active engagement of beneficiaries and local partners.
  • Ensure that the partner provides timely and accurate reporting on WASH program activities, including data collection and analysis and the compilation of regular progress reports.
  • Work closely with the partner Partnership team to prepare and update the partnership tracker.
  • Support with the collaborative program design processes that fully influence the perspectives, experience, and expertise of local actors, where possible based on collaborative needs assessment processes.
  • Support with the Partner Identity and Background Review (Vetting) checks.
  • Participate in the Partner's Capacity Analysis (PCA) of partners.
  • Collaborate with partners on the development and implementation of project monitoring frameworks.
  • Participate in Project Opening, Review, and Closing Meetings, together with the Partnership Lead.
  • Participate in the partnership project review and reflection (monitoring), identify appropriate follow-up actions, and provide completed reports to the Partnership Lead.
  • Review partnership project narrative reports and provide feedback as appropriate (and support partners in the development of reports as necessary).
  • Conduct a summary review of partnership project finance reports to ensure expenses match activities and provide feedback as appropriate.
  • Ensure that supported partner projects are consistent with humanitarian and sector principles and standards.
  • Support partners whenever possible in coordination with other entities such as the government, UN, other humanitarian actors, and coordination mechanisms.
  • Engage with partners to identify and jointly pursue shared advocacy priorities.
  • Where appropriate, support partners in the development of proposal submissions.
  • Contribute to the review of the performance of the partner, of the IRC (including on the basis of partner feedback), and of the partnership, including successes, challenges, and lessons learned, fostering ongoing partnerships beyond the sub-award project cycle.
  • Design partner project support plans to address potential program issues identified in the due diligence process. Direct responsibility for effective, timely technical support to partners.
  • Provide technical support and guidance to partners, and local authorities on WASH program activities, including water supply, sanitation, and hygiene promotion.
  • Develop and deliver training programs on WASH topics, as needed, for partners, and local authorities.
  • Conduct regular field visits to monitor and support the implementation of WASH activities and provide technical advice and guidance to partners.
  • participate in the WASH needs assessment of the health facilities and in other WASH rehabilitation.
  • Support the partner in preparing and reviewing the Bill of quantity and assessment report.
  • Ensure that all WASH activities implemented by partners are conducted in accordance with IRC and donor guidelines, policies, and procedures.
  • Represent IRC in WASH-related meetings with government officials, and other partners, as needed.
  • Develop and maintain effective partnerships with relevant government agencies, non-governmental organizations, IRC partners, and other partners working in the WASH sector.
  • Work closely with other IRC sectors to ensure integrated programming and effective coordination of activities.
  • Explore with partners potential capacity strengthening support, including system strengthening for government partners, and organizational development for civil society partners, and identify needed resources (in collaboration with the Partnership Lead).
  • Integrate technical capacity-sharing approaches, including how IRC can learn from local partners.
  • Monitor partner's WASH program budgets and expenditures and ensure that all activities are implemented in accordance with budgetary and financial guidelines.
  • Support the development and review of partners' WASH program budgets and proposals for new funding opportunities with the IRC program.



Qualifications

REQUIREMENTS: (Qualifications, Skills, and Abilities):

A. Education:

  • B.SC of civil engineering, hydrology, or public health engineering degree or equivalent degree is an advantage,
  • WASH program experience for minimum 3 years and partnership experience is preferable.

B. Experience:

  • Proven experience managing the WASH program.
  • Good proposal and report writing skills.
  • Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) experience preferred, shown abilities in leading medium and large-scale WASH programs is a must.
  • Proficiency in English and Arabic.

C. Skills and Abilities:

  • Excellent written and verbal communication and Language skills in English
  • Understanding of humanitarian funding and donor requirements
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external partners.
  • Ability to negotiate and manage complex priorities.
  • Ability to work effectively in a cross-cultural environment.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Adaptability

D. Proficiencies:

  • Active listening and effective communication skills
  • Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
  • Professionalism and strong work ethic.
  • Ability to receive and respond to feedback positively.
  • Resilience under pressure
  • Positive interpersonal skills
  • Proven capability to collaborate optimally within a team environment.
  • Highly organized, close attention to detail, and ability to effectively prioritize tasks in a fluid environment.

Professional Standards

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. 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

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, marital status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

IRC strives to build a diverse and inclusive team at all levels who as individuals, and as a group, embody its culture statement creating a working environment characterized by critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity for it to achieve its aspirations as a team and deliver the best possible services to its clients.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. IRC offers benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in its workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.