With funding from OFDA Mercy Corps Scotland is implementing a one year and multi-sectoral program to support IDPs in South Darfur. Since June 2010, Mercy Corps Scotland has already been programming WASH activities in three camps near Nyala town and plans to expand programming into agriculture, livelihoods and small business development within the camps and nearby villages as part of an early recovery effort to integrate IDPs into the economic and social fabric of Nyala and to decrease dependency on humanitarian actors.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
TheWASH Specialist position is a key program position for Mercy Corps Scotland in Darfur, which works closely with the country program office in Khartoum. The WASH Specialist reports to the Darfur Humanitarian Program Manager and liaises with the WASH team in Nyala and the Khartoum Country Director.
S/he will be responsible for managing the implementation of the OFDA and other funded programs in South Darfur. S/he will lead on program design and implementation, administration, fiscal and grant management of all programs. S/he is required to work closely both with the government organs at all levels, donor and UN agencies, partner INGO, NGOs / CBOs and communities. S/he will be responsible for providing technical leadership and support to all projects, especially in the sector of WASH, in addition to developing the strategies for all projects and the capacity building for local staff and partners NGOs staff.
The position provides design, implementation, coordination, supervision and monitoring activities for all programs. The main beneficiaries are internally displaced persons (IDP) in peri-urban camps, returnees in rural areas and host communities. Mercy Corps Scotland will work in close collaboration and co-ordination with other operational agencies in the region and for providing capacity building for national and local NGOs in South Darfur.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Management:
- Recruit, manage, supervise and motivate an informed, skilled and efficient office team.
- Build capacity of national staff to implement programs in compliant with donor regulations and international standards.
- Ensure adequate coordination and communication among Mercy Corps Scotland operation and program departments to build an integrated program and to ensure proper information sharing and team work.
- Manage security and safety of the team and field office.
- Ensure Mercy Corps Scotland, donors and GoS regulations, policies, procedures and protocols.
- Monitor operations and report on program development and issues in a timely manner and provide solutions to problems before or as they arise.
- Contribute to future project and program planning and development especially for transitional/longer term programming.
- Contribute to the wider reporting requirements of Mercy Corps Scotland both internal and external.
- Ensure efficient and transparent use of the resources in compliance with MC Scotland and donor policies and procedures.
- Assist the South Darfur staff with strategic planning and technical direction of the program to guarantee program impact and institutional growth.
- Ensure projects are designed within MC Scotland project briefing guide and delivered on time, while paying attention to beneficiary priorities and sustainable interventions.
- Assist the South Darfur staff with financial and grant management ensuring compliance with regulations and procedures, reporting and, maintaining working relationships with the government, partner agencies and NGOs on technical aspects of the program.
- Oversee structures that ensure proper segregation of duties between finance, logistics and administration.
- In coordination with the Mercy Corps Scotland Human Resources Department, oversee staffing requirements including recruitment, deployment and staff development.
- In coordination with program managers, partner agencies, translate the program concept and spirit into measurable activities / tasks for the program staff striving for innovative programming with practical and sustainable impact on the ground.
Water/Sanitation
- Assure the adequate provision of safe drinking water, sanitation services, and hygiene promotion to the program beneficiaries.
- Provide technical leadership and support to WASH projects, ensuring MC Scotland’s programming fit into the community and state plans, preparation of work plans, supervising implementation and supporting WASH project staff.
- Assess and identify needs for improvement of the ongoing WASH services.
- Design, develop and implement WASH projects in line with needs and Mercy Corps Scotland goals.
- Support and advice national and international staff on technical issues related to WASH program implementation. Train Water and Sanitation staff to improve their technical and management skills
- Actively and systematically represent Mercy Corps Scotland in sectoral fora.
Representation
- Provide direction and leadership to Mercy Corps Scotland program and operation in South Darfur.
- Foster strong working relationships with local government authorities and communities ensuring Mercy Corps Scotland and partners’ activities closely match community priorities and directly respond to needs of the target communities.
§ Represent Mercy Corps Scotland and ensure government coordination and participation in programming and public relations and visibility for Mercy Corps Scotland donors.
§ Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps Scotland.
§ Other duties as assigned by the Darfur Program Manger, Deputy Country Director or Country Director or anyone acting on his/her behalf.
Organizational Learning
As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve - we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps Scotland as well as themselves.
Accountability to Beneficiaries
Mercy Corps Scotland team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: National staff based in Nyala on a permanent basis.
ACCOUNTABILITY:
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Darfur Humanitarian Program Manager
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Program and support Staff (national and expatriate) in all field locations
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
- A Masters degree in Engineering, Public Health, or other relevant field.
- Relevant professional experience managing and implementing large multi-year programs in Africa. Demonstrated understanding of the NGO sector, public sector planning in African countries.
- 3 – 6 years of experience working in management of humanitarian and early recovery programs involving IDPs, rural and host communities to promote sustainable interventions.
- Experience as a Head of Office—preferably in Darfur
- Experience in project management in WASH and community mobilization is required.
- Experience in project management in agriculture and food security, economic recovery, NFI, transitional shelter is preferred.
- Experience working with displaced populations and understanding their special needs.
- This position requires high computer literacy with a full knowledge of office applications.
- 2 years experience of implementing water from surface and ground water sources and sanitation and hygiene services in arid and insecure environments and IDP settlements.
- Strong notions of ground water sources development, well and borehole installations constitute strong professional assets together with participatory methodology for program planning & implementation.
- Sanitation without water, basic drainage.
- Hygiene Promotion techniques including PHAST and CHAST.
- Demonstrated experience in staff training.
- Demonstrated knowledge of and compliance to donor regulations for procurement and administration.
- History of working effectively and respectfully with host country government, INGOs and UN agencies.
- Fluent written and spoken English language skills required.
- Working knowledge of Arabic preferred.
- Familiarity with and experience managing projects compliant to OFDA/USAID regulations.
- Experience managing staff and ability to work with a multi-ethnic team in a culturally appropriate manner.
- The incumbent should be able to keep abreast socio-political developments in order to inform management and take requisite actions to ensure staff and assets safety.
SUCCESS FACTORS:
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with multi-cultural team members of varied work styles, follow procedures, and meet deadlines.
- Demonstrated ability to live and work independently and effectively in remote, unstable and insecure locations.
- Proven ability to learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results.
- Ability to understand the larger picture while remaining focused on the details.
- Flexibility, adaptability and public relations are integral success factors for this position.
- He / she must be able to prioritize; conceptualize the consortium principles and strategize on how to translate them into deliverables within the stipulated project period.
- Even temperament and a good sense of humor appreciated.
- Willingness to be based in Nyala, Sudan.
LIVING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
The position will be based in Nyala, South Darfur, Sudan, with travel by air to and from locations in Sudan—mainly Khartoum. Living conditions are basic, with items available on the local market (Nyala is the second largest city in Sudan); accommodation is in shared housing with shared expenses for meals. Post-holder will have access to satellite communications. Malaria is endemic. R&R and hardship provided. Darfur security risks prevail.
MC Scotland Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Staff are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
Mercy Corps is an AA/EOE
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