Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Manager

Background/IRC Summary:

The Syria crisis is often described as the worst humanitarian catastrophe since the end of the Cold War. Today, 13.4 million people in Syria – more than half of the country’s population – are in need of humanitarian assistance with needs increasingly being exacerbated by economic decline. Of these, 6.8 million are refugees and asylum-seekers who have fled the country. This is no short-term humanitarian episode. The devastating human consequences to huge numbers of people will endure for decades. The destruction of relationships, communities, livelihoods, homes and infrastructure will take years to repair.

IRC is offering a robust humanitarian response to the Syria crisis a rapidly expanding portfolio, supported by more than 1000+ staff in Syria Country Program. IRC is undertaking programs in Syria and the neighboring countries of Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan in the fields of health, child protection, early childhood development, education, women’s protection and empowerment, non-food items and food distribution, cash assistance, water and sanitation, protection and rule of law, and livelihood programming. Our work in these challenging settings gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing contemporary humanitarian action, including questions of access, security, funding and coordination.

Job Overview/Summary:

The WASH Manager will oversee the daily operations of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) staff involved in the design, implementation, and supervision of health facility-based WASH interventions. This role is responsible for ensuring that approved technical designs and methodologies are followed, maintaining program quality, and achieving all WASH objectives within the allocated time frame and budget. The WASH Manager will also support the capacity building of team members as needed and represent the program in relevant coordination forums and stakeholder meeting.

Responsibilities:

Technical Quality

• Participate in any inter sectorial assessment process, including analysis and planning.
• Input into the development of hub WASH strategy
• Provide direct technical support to the Environmental Health, Water, Sanitation, Hygiene Promotion, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), Distribution and Monitoring teams in accordance with best practice and IRC policy.
• Ensure that water, sanitation, hygiene promotion and distribution activities meet stated objectives within the timeframe;
• Ensure the project demonstrates adherence to international and national standards, including Sphere and others;
• Ensure program activities foster accountability to beneficiaries, gender and protection sensitivity and inclusion are adequately addressed in programming;
• Propose technical designs for all water and sanitation activities including those within IRC Health facilities
• Provide technical support and training for project staff including staff supporting infection prevention and control (IPC) measures within IRC Health Facilities.
• Provide regular reports, document results and maintain detailed records

Staff Supervision & Development

• The post holder will directly manage the entire WASH team
• Support the Senior IPC/WASH officer on technical WASH improvements for targeted Health Facilities
• Participate in recruitment of staff in the approved Health organogram
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions
• Take responsibility for discussing job expectations, performance, and objectives on an informal, quarterly basis with designated staff.
• Responsible for WASH teams’ timesheets, work plans, vacation schedules, and staff training/development activities.
• Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures

Grant Planning & Implementation

• Support the Health Coordinator in preparing technical proposals and budgets to ensure programs effectively address the immediate needs of the affected community
• May have some budget authority to pre-approved limits and responsibility for budget development and compliance.
• Responsible for ensuring the achievement the specific Environmental Health grant timeline and completion date in designated area of project/activities
• Provides direction and monitors staff in their implementation of the work plan and quality of technical activities.

Donor Monitoring & Reporting

• Lead on monitoring Environmental Health /WASH activities and spend in line with donor grants
• Participate in timely donor reports
• Fully responsible for field monitoring of all Environmental Health activities making recommendations for modifications of activities as required.

Coordination & Representation

• Maintains effective coordination and networking with internal as well as external stakeholders,
• Works closely and coordinates with IRC supply chain and finance staff to ensure timely and complaint program activities and expenditures.
• When requested, represents IRC in external WASH forums

Program Development

• Contributes to the development of EH emergency strategy direction and plans
• Participates in sector specific strategy development and technical proposal design

Monitoring responsibilities

• Responsible for ensuring that monitoring and data collection/analysis of all water and sanitation indicators are in line with the approved monitoring framework, using all the correct monitoring tools and at the frequency prescribed
• Participate in monitoring data analysis

Other duties

• Consistently and proactively monitor/assess the safety and security of the team; promptly reporting concerns or incidents to the Health Coordinator, and when liaising with community leaders and other external parties as required to maintain/enhance the security environment for IRC programs
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development

•  Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of team members in relevant technical and management competencies.
• Develop and implement remote management capacity building approaches to build the strengths the teams in Syria.
• Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Approve and manage time, attendance and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and carry out probationary reviews.
• Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis, minimally on a monthly basis.
• Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing guidance on career paths.
• As required, identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff.
• Look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate. As part of succession plan and nationalization goals, identify, train and develop capability and capacity of national staff to successfully transition role and responsibilities, by the end of assignment.

Minimum Qualifications:

Required Experience/qualification/Skills:

• Degree level qualification in Civil Engineering or Environmental Sciences, Natural and/or Human Geography, Water and Environmental Engineering or similar
• Minimum 4 years of experience in leading/managing WASH or Environmental Health programs with INGOs; with at least 2 years of experience in Managerial role
• Excellent understanding of WASH issues, including IPC in Health Facilities in emergency situations and knowledge of emergency standards (Sphere)
• Strong management, planning, analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills;
• Ability to live and work in stressful and insecure environment.
• Able to manage multiple tasks.
• Able to work under pressure and good at timely decision making.
• Competent in Microsoft Office, Word and Excel
• Knowledge and/or experience in conflict management, protection, or other related field;
• Excellent professional approach and strong team building skills

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• A commitment to IRC’s mission, vision, values and IRC Way – Professional Code of Conduct.
• Credible written, presentation and verbal communication skills; ability to convey information effectively and solid experience providing training and staff development
• Validated sense of professional discretion, integrity, and ability to handle complex situations diplomatically and to effective resolution.
• Excellent management and interpersonal skills and a solid ability to promote harmonious/cohesive teamwork, in a cross-cultural context.
• Validated ability to plan long-term, organize priorities and work under administrative and programmatic pressures with detail orientation and professional patience.
• Highly collaborative and resourceful; ability to establish positive working relationships with senior level management and all other partners to maximize cooperation and productivity.
• Curiosity, a desire to continually learn and develop is a must.
• Analytical ability in creating effective solutions to complex matters while adhering to labor laws and internal policies.

Language/Travel:

• Proficiency in English language is mandatory; knowledge of Arabic and/or Kurdish is highly required
• 50 % to field sites in Raqqa and Der-Azzor

Key Working Relationships:

•  Position Reports to:  Health Coordinator – NES
• Position directly supervises:  Senior WASH Officers
• Indirect Reporting (If applicable):
•  Key Internal Contacts: Senior Health Managers, Partnership, Finance, Procurement etc
• Key External Contacts:  WASH Technical Working Group, NES Health Technical Working Group

Professional Standards: IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, IRC operates and carries out policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Respect at Work Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Returning National Candidates: We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a citizen of the Country in which this position is based and are currently located outside of your home country and possess over two years of international work experience, the Middle East Region has introduced an attractive remuneration package. The package includes competitive compensation, return flight to post, shipping allowance, temporary housing and a relocation allowance. Certain restrictions may apply. IRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff in our programs.

Accountability to Clients: IRC staff must adhere to the commitment of contributing to the sustainability and development of its (CR) Client Responsiveness Mechanisms, preserving the culture of prioritizing the needs of our clients and affected communities by systematically listening to their perspectives and using their feedback to make programmatic decisions and give them greater influence over program design and delivery.

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

Diversity and Inclusion: at IRC MENA, we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. Organizations that are diverse in age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity, nationality, and perspective are validated to be better organizations. More importantly, creating a safe workspace environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best is the right thing to do. So, bring your whole self to work.

IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. In keeping with our core values of Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality, IRC strives to maintain a work environment built on mutual respect in which all individuals treat each other professionally, and free of bias, prejudice, and harassment. IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of IRC Persons in any work setting. All IRC staff, wherever they are located, are accountable for creating an environment free of discrimination, harassment, bullying, and retaliation.