Project Coordinator (WASH Coordinator) at The International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Project Coordinator (WASH Coordinator)

International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Date Posted: Sep 18, 2016 
Application Deadline: Sep 30, 2016

Position Description:

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.

BACKGROUND:

The IRC, together with Columbia University, has been working over the past twelve months on a project to develop new guidelines for integrating menstrual hygiene management into multi-sectorial humanitarian response.  Following the finalization of these draft guidelines, the partners now plan to pilot them in an ongoing humanitarian emergency, in order to evaluate their effectiveness, both in providing guidance to humanitarian actors, and in enhancing services for beneficiaries.  This pilot will be conducted over the course of six months in refugee camps in Tanzania.

Position:                    Project Coordinator (WASH Coordinator)

Reporting to:            Deputy Director Programs

Location:                    Nyarugusu camp, Tanzania

For over half a century, Tanzania has been a country of asylum, hosting one of the largest refugee populations in Africa. At present there are 66,370 Congolese refugees, many of whom have lived in Tanzanian camps for 20 years. Tanzania also now hosts 152,581 Burundian refugees, many of whom arrived over the last 16 months as violence in Burundi increased.  Refugees continue to arrive at a rate of 200 persons per day, and are received at a dozen reception centers close to the Burundian border, before being transferred to a longer-term refugee camp. 

The IRC is providing a variety of services in these camps, together with other humanitarian agencies.

JOB OVERVIEW:

The Project Coordinator is responsible for guiding the pilot activities of the project in refugee camps in Tanzania.  Working with other IRC Coordinators, Managers and programs, and collaborating closely with other agencies working in the camps, the Project Coordinator will develop plans, including pilot initiatives and work plans, and will guide the pilot through the six month course of action.

The Project Coordinator will liaise closely with the GBV Coordinator, as a key partner in the coordination of the project.  The role will report to the Deputy Director of Programs, and will also work closely Technical Advisors, and with the research team from Columbia University, New York.

The position will supervise one national staff member, a WASH/Protection officer.  The Project Coordinator will manage a project budget, and will be responsible for developing and maintaining project management tools.  The role will be responsible for liaising with and supporting counterparts within IRC and beyond, with attending Cluster and other forums, and encouraging responsive program approaches which result in improved outcomes for project beneficiaries.

The position is based in Kasulu in western Tanzania, with frequent travel to Kibondo (two hours travel by vehicle) and possible occasional travel to Dar es Salaam.

This is an unaccompanied position.

 MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Project Coordinator shall: 

Program Management & Development

Attend and support the startup workshop in Kasulu, helping to initiate the project in collaboration with other actors.Oversee the technical aspects of the implementation and coordination of the pilot program, providing support to the program managers and field teams to develop work plans to guide implementation of approved grants.Develop and implement program management tools to monitor budget expenditure against spending plans, and pilot timelines against work plans.Participate in Grants Opening, Mid-Term and Closing meetings.Develop informative monthly reports for circulation amongst the wider project team, and develop internal and external reports within agreed deadlines using IRC and donor formats, as required.Support the program managers and implementation partners in the technical design, implementation and monitoring of the work plans ensuring that activities reflect the commitments IRC made to the donor and the community.Develop and/or improve monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for the pilot, in collaboration with the Research Team and the IRC staff including the M&E Coordinator.Ensure that the IRC teams in the field actively monitor set indicators and effectively address concerns of the target communities.Possibly, manage the sub-granting of funds to partner organizations, in collaboration with Finance team, and monitor programming and effectiveness of these sub-grants. Establish suitable reporting channels for sub-grantees to report progress to the IRC team.

Representation and Coordination

In coordination with the DDP actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders in the humanitarian response, including donors, government actors, UN agencies, international and local NGOs, and other relevant actors.Establish networks with UN, INGOs, and local partners to promote technical capacity and develop strategic partnerships, including active participation in cluster meetings. Participate in inter-agency forums including cluster meetings and other forums as appropriate and agreed with the DDP.Represent and advocate for the pilot program with national authorities, non-state actors, UN agencies, NGOs, and donors.

Staff Support

Establish regular and direct communication lines with the WASH/Protection officer, and (in collaboration with the GBV Coordinator) assign tasks and establish performance monitoring arrangements. Work with the Field Coordinator to ensure technical aspects of the Performance Management System documentation for the program officer (and any additional team members assigned) is in place and followed up regularly.Provide ongoing training and technical support and guidance to the program staff, and to collaborating NGOs and agencies as needed, and ensure all staff adhere to best-practice principles in all aspects of program implementation.

Research Support

·         Facilitate visits by research team members, ensuring logistics are in place, and resources allocated effectively for efficient research, especially at the time of the month 4 evaluation, and for other visits as planned by the research and country team.

·         Collaborate effectively with the TU and research teams, establishing good communication and providing information as requested or scheduled.

  JOB REQUIREMENTS:

MSc or equivalent in Civil, Environmental Engineering or Public Health (MPH) degrees, with Water and Sanitation specialization preferred.Experience working in humanitarian environments.  Minimum of five years overseas professional experience in program design, implementation in the field of environmental health.Demonstrated experience in delivering consultative, responsive programming.  Previous demonstrated experience in effectively promoting and mainstreaming gender within projectsStrong experience in working with and coordinating with the UN, donors, INGOs and other stakeholders, and particularly experience in leading coalition-based projectsDemonstrated experience in project design and development, including needs assessment and proposal development.Demonstrated experience in capacity buildingDemonstrated experience in project management, including budget managementUnderstanding of protection principles and likely protection concerns arising in the context as well as conflict sensitivityStrong interpersonal, intercultural and communication skills. Excellent analytical and writing skillsFluency in English; Swahili, Kirundi and French languages a strong advantage.Excellent oral and written skills and computer skills.

Application Instructions:

Applications for the position must include:

      i.        A cover letter illustrating your suitability for the position against the listed requirements.

     ii.        Detailed curriculum vitae showing contact address, email, and day-time mobile phone number(s) and three (3) referees, ONE being your last employer.

    iii.        ONLY copies of academic and professional certificates.

Applications will be considered valid if sent/received before 1700hrs Friday, Sept 30th, 2016. Please note that only short-listed applicants meeting the above requirements will be contacted. Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Send your application to Tz-recruitment@rescue.org