Water and Sanitation Program Manager: Solidarités Jobs in Kenya

Position: Water and Sanitation Program Manager
Line Manager: Field Coordinator
Location: Bardera (Somalia) / Mandera (Kenya)Starting date: 15th March 2010
Duration of the contract: 6 months with possibility of extension

Solidarités is an international humanitarian aid organisation which provides assistance to populations who are victims of armed conflict or natural disaster.

For 29 years, Solidarités has concentrated its action on meeting three vital needs: water, food and shelter. By carrying out emergency programmes, Solidarités acquired an extensive experiences expertise in the fields of promoting access to clean drinking water and sanitation.

The joint Kenya / Somalia mission is relatively young (started in March 2007) and includes 2 projects in South Somalia, and 2 projects in Kenya. In Somalia, SOLIDARITES has one project in Bardera district of Gedo region and another one in Afmadow district of Lower Juba.

Following its intervention activities carried out in Bardera in 2007 2008 and 2009 Solidarités had launched another Food security and Water and sanitation project targeting the IDPs, pastoralists, agro-pastoralist and the resident populations of Bardera district in Gedo.
1. Description of the position: 

The Watsan Program Manager is a key person who will be responsible of managing the water and Sanitation operational component of the project.

He / she will ensure achievement of the watSan objectives within the timeframe of the project period, manage the WatSan team in the field, prepare activities plans, budgets, reports and lead in sector need assessment.
2. Hierarchy of management

The WatSan Programme Manager will be under the supervision of Field Coordinator who will be his or he line Manager.

However, he /she will refer and liaise with Kenya / Somalia WatSan Coordinator on technical and functional issues.

Under his / her responsibility, the WatSan Programme Manager will oversee the work of the following field staff: Water Sanitation Assistant, Pans/ well supervisors, Hygiene promoters and latrine construction supervisors.
3. Keys responsibilities: 

NB: this list gives the framework of the responsibilities of this position but it is not exhaustive. You may be asked to complete other duties.
Team Management

• To recruit, train, mentor and manage the staff under his /her direct responsibility
• To prepare and update job descriptions for staff under his/her responsibility
• To evaluate the skills and performances of the staff under his/her responsibility.
• To complete detailed activities plan of the sector in collaboration with the sector team.

Project development

• To work closely with the Field Coordinator under the advice of the Water Sanitation Coordinator to complete detailed activity plans and other sector report for the project.
• To take lead role in carrying out sector need assessment and propose best strategies of interventions and implementations.
• Contribute to the development of the Program strategy in accordance with the Solidarités Somalia country strategy plan in the context of the field situation.

Project Management

• To spear-head the implementation of water and sanitation activities in project sites
• To be responsible of the progress and the quality of the work for watsan activities of the program
• To control the evolution of watsan component (progress indicator, relevance and efficiency) and to adjust activities and processes in relevance to the field situation and budget availability through undertaking periodic assessment.
• To plan WatSan activities and resources in time, according to the objectives of the Program.
• To ensure adherence to the budgets with objectives and activities settled jointly with the financial staff in the field on in the headquarters.
• To be responsible for program reporting to the Field Coordinator according to Solidarités and the donor reporting regulations.
• To facilitate the collection of baseline, project monitoring and context monitoring data by WatSan field staff
• To contribute to the capitalisation of experience through the development of monitoring tools and documentations
• To follow the advice and recommendations of the WatSan Coordinator.

Logistics / Administration

• To Prepare purchase requests for materials in liaison with logistics and administration personnel
• To plan movement and transport needs of the sector staffs
• To prepare access to work sites for Solidarités staff and have it validated in terms of security by the Field Coordinator
• To validate movements of materials in and out of stock, concerning WatSan activities and ensures its timely deliveries to the worksites
• To follow up sector budget and monitor sector expenditures to enure efficient and effective use of the available budget allocations.
• To project sector needs in terms of cashflow forecast for the Project.

Reporting, Monitoring and Evaluation 

• Prepare sector reports and ensure timely submission to the field coordinator
• Monitor regularly the progress and the timely implementation of WatSan activities as outlined in the project documents.
• Develop the necessary monitoring and evaluation tool kits to check the success of the project.
• Participate in writing new propositions of humanitarian actions including proposals and concept notes according to the needs of target population.
• Document lessons learnt on strategic approaches (procurement, payment, recruitment, implementations, planning etc…)
• Ensure that SOLIDARITES Management tools are properly used in the planning and implementation of WatSan activities.

Communication
Internal Communication:

• Share with the team every information about security, activities, logistical or administrative needs
• Prepare weekly situation report for Watsan activities
• Contribute to final and intermediary activity reports
• Participate in weekly coordination team meetings
• Participate in security meetings

External Communication:

• Sharing and discuss Watsan related propositions with donor’s representative.
• Participate in WatSan Cluster meetings / forums whenever possible.
• Participate and organize meetings with different humanitarian actors (UN, NGOs etc..) about Watsan issues in the field

4. Qualifications and experience requested: 
Qualification: 

• Bachelors Degree in Civil Engineering or any other relevant field especially Public Health. A master’s degree in a field relevant to WatSan programming would be a added advantage.

Experience: 

• Minimum 3 years of experience in WatSan project management in a similar position
• Minimum 2 years of experience within an NGO or similar agencies
• Previous experience of Pastoralist contexts is an added advantage
• Previous experience of work in Somalia is an added advantage
• Experience of work in a highly security context and harsh environmental condition
• Experience in team management and planning
• Proven experience in project management

5. Personality Specification:
Skills and competences:

• Good knowledge of WatSan technologies and current hygiene promotion methodologies used in humanitarian contexts
• Understanding and interest in emergency humanitarian situations
• Knowledge and understanding of the main humanitarian actors
• Team leadership and coordination ability
• Ability to negotiate with communities

Personality skills

• Calm and diplomatic (security context)
• Good stress management skills
• Strong capacity to work with initiative and without close
• Appetite for very challenging situations
• Acceptance of harsh living conditions
• Acceptance of Security rules and behavior guidelines
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural team

Languages:

• English (working language) : fluent with excellent writing capacities
• Somali
• Kiswahili remains a desirable skills

Computer skills:

• Excellent knowledge of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet
• GIS basic knowledge is a plus

6. How to apply: 

All cover letter, CV and contact details for 3 referees must be send to the following email address: jobapplication @ solidarites-kenya-som.org by closing date, 8th March 2010.

Please clearly indicate the position you are applying for in the title of your email.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview.

Solidarites is an equal opportunity employer

People who read this post also read :