Yemen: Senior Environmental Health Manager

Feb 27, 2018 | 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, we restore 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 Health, Nutrition and Environmental Health programs in response to the impact of conflicts in Abyan and Aden Governorates in October 2012. Health interventions are aimed at increasing access to curative and preventive health services; while the nutrition intervention is to ensure children under five have access to inpatient and outpatient treatment for severe and moderate acute malnutrition. Environmental Health interventions are aimed at reducing the risk and spread of environmental health related diseases, including provision of safe and dignified access to improved water supply and sanitation facilities to disaster affected communities and health facilities; the promotion of safe hygiene practices and the strengthening of community institutions, including health facilities to support and sustain Environmental Health services. To address the recent and ongoing conflict, the IRC has initiated emergency Health and Environmental Health interventions to war affected populations, IDPs and host families. In November 2015, IRC initiated protection mainstreaming activities within Health, Nutrition, and Environmental Health programming. Currently IRC Yemen is operating in eight governorates in the south and north of Yemen through direct programming and through local partnership, in Health, Environmental Health, Nutrition, Economic Recovery Development and Women Protection and Empowerment  

SCOPE OF WORK:

The Senior Environmental Health (EH) in Senior Manager will ensure the implementation of quality EH projects Yemen. S/he supervises other EH staff, and reports to the EH Coordinator.   

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Management
  • Manage all EH programs at the Aden and Sanaa Office, ensuring timely and effective implementation to meet the project outcomes with a special focus on the emergency grants.
  • Provide supervision and leadership to the EH staff.
  • Develop work plans to guide and monitor implementation of approved grants and support the field teams in the implementation and monitoring of the work plans ensuring that activities reflect the commitments IRC made to the donor and community.
  • Review Budget vs. Actual expenditure for EH programs on a monthly basis with staff.
  • Participate in the development of staff development plans for EH staff based on performance reviews in collaboration with the human resources department and contribute to the training of EH staff (mentoring, on-the-job sessions as well as formal trainings).
  • Develop/organize training opportunities to build the capacity of the EH staff and local partners in order to transfer skills.  This includes staff training in program management areas such as reporting, budgeting, monitoring, evaluation, supervision and emergency response.
  • Review all reports prepared by the EH staff and provide appropriate feedback to the concerned staff, and ensure that reports are written and submitted to concerned bodies in a timely manner.
  • Lead the development of appropriate project management tools to plan, review and track progress on projects implementation as well as on the utilization of project resources.
  • Ensure that the stated goals and objectives of all EH projects are met with strong monitoring and evaluation (M&E) follow up, including any required operational research. 
Technical
  • Work with the sector coordinator to design EH BOQs that are sound and follow SPHERE standards and ensure that structures are culturally appropriated and accepted.
  • Lead the sector teams in the field to comply with appropriate processes for infrastructure improvement
  • Guide the project teams to design and deliver hygiene promotion activities that are based upon effective formative research and adapted to the local context.
  • Together with the sector coordinator, lead on planning of all EH and  project activities setting high quality performance targets and ensuring adherence to technical standards, best practices, donor guidelines and SHPERE standards
  • Ensure that the selection of the project beneficiaries is based on approved criteria and strategies, ensuring beneficiaries are consulted and their views taken into account at all stages of the program.
  • Ensure that the program incorporates effective gender strategies for equity and inclusion across program delivery.
  • Ensure that synergies with the health and nutrition teams are created for an integrated program.
  • Ensure that the teams are preparing their activity implementation plans
  • Ensure that protection issues are fully considered throughout the project cycle with women, elderly, disabled and most vulnerable being included in decision making for all WASH and issues. 
Human Resource:
  • Monitoring and supervising both IRC and staff seconded to IRC to ensure work is performed efficiently.
  • Routinely monitor staff performance according to their job description and provide written feedback in a timely manner.
  • Oversee continuous training programs for the EH staff as well as organizing trainings with consultants as per the annual work-plan & budget.
  • Review personnel issues and concerns of EH staff and assist with determining and implementing solutions.
  • Participate in recruitment of EH staff as appropriate.
  • Recommend promotions, disciplinary action of EH team to the EH Coordinator. 
Staff development/capacity building
  • Provide supportive supervision to supervisees, including development and monitoring of regular work plans.
  • Provide timely and quality performance evaluations.
  • Identify capacity building needs of direct reportees and develop capacity building plans to maximize performance and professional development.
  • Participate in training and mentoring of EH and other staff members in response to capacity building needs. 
Representation and Advocacy
  • In coordination with the EH Coordinator and Senior Management Team, actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders in  including WASH Cluster, donors, government actors, UN agencies, international and local NGOs, and other relevant actors.
  • Develop strategic partnerships with local organizations, wherever possible.
  • Represent IRC to local communities, government departments, international agencies, local partners and donors as required. 
Other
  • Perform any other duty as directed by the supervisor
 

REQUIREMENTS

  • Master’s or Degree in Engineering, Public Health, Hydrogeology or similar.
  • Minimum 5 years’ experience working with INGOs in the field of WASH and with implementation of water supply, sanitation, construction, hygiene or infrastructure projects.
  • Demonstrated experience in working in emergency settings
  • Proven strong ability to provide technical assistance and expert advice to staff and partners in infrastructure and related fields.
  • Experience in project management, planning, supervision, quality assurance and reporting
  • Experience working in Yemen is a plus.
  • Arabic Language is a plus.
  • Background in situation analysis, WASH assessments and program implementation.
  • Knowledge, skills and experience in participatory methods, community development and partnership.
  • Demonstrated leadership, communication, and facilitation skills.
  • Excellent coordination and networking skills.
  • Excellent computer skills in programs such as: MS Word, Excel, Power point
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 Anti-Retaliation and Combating Trafficking in Persons  Work Environment: There is active conflict in parts of the country and a possibility for further expansion of the conflict and violence into other areas and other states. The situation in Sana’a is tense at the moment and remains unpredictable.  Security will be thoroughly discussed during the interview process.  Housing: Lodging in Aden is in a shared IRC guesthouse. In sub field locations, accommodation similar to the Sana’a office. All IRC sites have electricity and internet all day through. Food is the individual’s responsibility. IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.