DRC: WASH & Infrastructure Advisor

Mar 23, 2017 | Medair
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Medair is a humanitarian organisation inspired by Christian faith to relieve human suffering in some of the world’s most remote and devastated places. We bring relief and recovery to people in crisis, regardless of race, creed or nationality.

As signatories of the International Committee of the Red Cross Code of Conduct, we believe that aid should be given to everyone who is in need, and not be used to further a particular political, social, or religious viewpoint. Our first and last considerations are the needs of the people we serve.

We save lives in emergencies and then stay to help people recover from crisis with dignity—working side by side with communities to leave a lasting impact.

We do whatever it takes to bring relief where it’s needed most. We provide a range of emergency relief and recovery services: Health care and nutrition. Safe water, sanitation, and hygiene. Shelter and infrastructure.

In all we do, we pursue the highest professional standards of quality, accountability, and sustainability. Our experienced teams carry out our projects in close connection with communities, listening to their needs, helping them improve their essential services, and providing them with training for the future.

Job Description

Provide technical advice and support to the field management and the WASH and Infrastructure staff. Develop, lead, monitor, and evaluate the WASH & Infrastructure aspects of the country programme. Coordinate and network at a senior level with national and regional WASH and Infrastructure authorities and other NGOs. Lead on all WASH and Infrastructure elements of proposals and reports, providing capacity building for national and international staff. Promote best practice in the WASH and Infrastructure programmes and contribute to the overall management of the country programme.

Project Overview

Emergency health, WASH and infrastructure projects targeting displaced, war affected and vulnerable populations in NE Congo. Projects aimed at long term and sustainable behaviour change in general population and state health employees to improve public health and humanitarian access.

Workplace        

Goma, D.R. Congo

Starting Date

As soon as possible

Initial Contract Details

Full time, minimum contract of 2 years

Key Activity Areas

WASH & Infrastructure Project Technical Oversight

  • Maintain an overview of the country WASH and Infrastructure programme and of the regional context, with a view to strategically developing new projects in current sites and/or surrounding regions, and proactively planning for responsible exit.
  • Give technical advice to field managers and HQ on potential involvement in new WASH and Infrastructure interventions, including NFI distributions, and internal WASH and Infrastructure capacity for implementation.
  • Define appropriate policies, guidelines and protocols for WASH and Infrastructure work in country, in consultation with HQ advisors, field managers, in line with government, Sphere and WHO guidelines.
  • Provide technical support to the WASH and Infrastructure teams in all project sites, including the evaluation and impact analysis of current projects and the writing of donor proposals and reports.
  • Carry out regular monitoring visits in conjunction with field managers, ensuring that project objectives are met within the stated timeframes and in accordance with recognised international standards.
  • Supervise and monitor the development of reporting systems for data collection (qualitative and quantitative), analysis and follow-up; feedback to relevant staff, donors, partners and other agencies.
  • Maintain oversight of WASH and Infrastructure supplies ordered for health projects, supporting WASH and Infrastructure and logistics staff in the coordination and quality control of WASH and Infrastructure supplies. Input into the integration of beneficiary participation and accountability in projects.

Representation

  • Develop relationships with Ministry of Roads, Environment, Public Works, UN, NGOs, donors, partners and stakeholders, to raise awareness of Medair and ensuring good co-operation and partnerships.
  • Accompany donors on field trips; ensure programme details are transmitted in a timely manner.
  • Represent Medair at national WASH, Logistics (for roads) and Shelter/NFI cluster, coordination, sector and bilateral meetings, working groups, with national and/or local government departments and any other relevant meetings or events, facilitating supportive synergies and overall progress in the sector and avoiding duplication with the work of other agencies (e.g. NGOs, UN, etc).

Staff Management

  • Be involved in the recruitment of WASH and Infrastructure staff for the country programme, providing advice on technical skills and experience as requested.
  • Ensure that all WASH and Infrastructure staff are adequately trained and, if necessary, create possibilities for capacity building, mentoring and coaching, within budget constraints. Plan and develop training material, supporting line managers with inductions and appraisals.

Communications

  • Responsible for quality input to all WASH & Infrastructure external reports for the Country Programme.  Support the Project Managers with providing feedback on all WASH reports before external release.
  • Responsible for providing accurate and timely feedback regarding all WASH & Infrastructure technical and programme issues to PMs, Deputy Country Directors, Country Director and HQ WASH Advisor.

Financial Management

  • Work with field managers and HQ staff to plan and construct WASH and Infrastructure budgets.

Quality Management

  • Ensure WASH and Infrastructure projects are implemented in line with donor proposals and requirements and in accordance with Medair, donor, country and international standards e.g. Sphere and HAP standards, WHO recommendations, etc. Follow the direction of the WASH and Shelter Advisors at HQ regarding quality, strategy and technical guidelines.
  • Regularly assess and provide feedback / recommendations to HQ advisors and field staff on the quality of WASH and Infrastructure programmes and interventions during field visits and at other times.

Field - Team Spiritual Life

  • Reflect the vision and values of Medair with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, and external contacts.
  • Fully contribute to the rich spiritual life of your team, including team devotions, prayers, and words of encouragement.
  • Work and pray together in our Christian faith-based team settings.
  • Instigate and contribute to prayer times within internationally recruited staff and HQ teams.
  • Encouraged to join and contribute to Medair’s international programmes and HQ prayer network.

Qualifications

  • BSc / BEng in a technical field, preferably in civil engineering or in another relevant field such as architecture / engineering / construction management

Languages

  • Strong working knowledge of English and French (spoken and written)

Experience / Competencies

  • 2 years’ experience in managing programmes in international WASH & Infrastructure work, with at least 1 year in humanitarian emergency context
  • Knowledge of humanitarian principles, Sphere and HAP Standards and other international humanitarian guidelines and protocols; advanced leadership and project management skills
  • Advanced planning, assessment and analytical skills; good report, proposal writing, negotiation skills.

Profiles sought for Internationally Recruited Staff (IRS) roles in the field
Relief experience
Professionals with 12 months or more relevant relief or development experience (Experienced Relief Workers)
Professionals with less than 12 months relevant relief or development experience (New Relief Workers)
Professional
Experienced professionals in a relevant Medair sector of expertise
Overseas intercultural experience
Values
Fully committed to the Medair values; to reflect the vision and values of Medair with team members, local staff, and external contacts
Language
Strong working knowledge of English, spoken and written
Working knowledge of French, spoken and written, for French-speaking field programmes
Personal qualities
Able to live and work in a multicultural team under difficult conditions
Strong character traits, including emotional stability, adaptability, ability to handle stress, cultural and gender sensitivity, honesty, and physically fit
Availability
Single or married (with no children under 18). If married, your spouse must also apply.
Final selection
All potential candidates for field positions must successfully complete the Medair Relief & Recovery Orientation Course (ROC). Information, dates and related costs can be found via this link.