Crisis Response WASH Coordinator

Job Summary:

The humanitarian needs in Eastern DRC continue to escalate due to significant instability and vulnerability of the population in North Kivu and Ituri Provinces. In response to the crisis, FHI 360 will implement an integrated program that provides life-saving and sustainable activities under health and protection that will meet the critical needs of internally displaced persons and affected communities.

FHI 360 is seeking a WASH Coordinator to lead the technical activities in Eastern DRC. The WASH Coordinator is responsible for developing and leading technical programming and plays a critical role in ensuring the organization’s emergency programming is responsive to the needs. They will ensure humanitarian activities are evidence-based and adhere to technical standards for the field, and as circumstances demand, engage at all stages of an emergency, from the initial acute phase through to transition and recovery, and will support technical programs from assessment and conception through close-out and evaluation.

Based in Beni, this duty station has been designated as extreme risk and pose a heightened risk or direct threat to personal safety. However, FHI 360 has implemented mitigation measures and policies to ensure staff safety in coordination with FHI 360 Global Security. Applicants should research this location and the associated risks before submitting an application.

For international staff based in Beni, FHI 360 provides a competitive salary, danger pay, premium pay allowance, accommodation, relocation, and regular R&R rotations. This position is envisioned for 12 months.

Accountabilities:

• Lead the WASH component of a humanitarian program with the goal of improving the well-being of affected communities through access to safe and adequate water, particularly in health facilities, and improved hygiene practices, including contextualized, behavior centered approach to improves key desired behaviors.
• Monitor progress on the delivery of all WASH related activities and ensure that objectives are being met on time and on scope per annual workplans.
• Provide technical guidance on appropriate emergency activities, and devise sector-specific response strategies in crisis-affected communities.
• Develop partnerships and ensure effective coordination with local service providers and international organizations operating in the sector and attend WASH cluster meetings.
• Develop WASH and context specific standard operating procedures under the guidance of the HQ WASH Advisor.
• Work with operations staff to ensure commodities, such as WASH NFIs, and services are procured, handled, and managed properly, in accordance with the organization’s supply-chain management protocols.
• Manage WASH sector budget including routine expense forecasting and pipeline analysis.
• Determine staffing needs for emergency programming, conduct recruitment in collaboration with management and home office technical staff, as necessary.
• Coach field personnel supporting WASH programming and develop training and capacity strengthening trainings/opportunities for staff.

Applied Knowledge & Skills:

• Knowledge and application of Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS) and Sphere standards and Red Cross/NGO Code of Conduct.
• Experience working with Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (BHA).
• Strong interpersonal skills and display evidence of good leadership and influencing skills.
• Ability to interact professionally with culturally and linguistically diverse staff and clients.
• English fluency required, fluency in the local language a plus.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and be comfortable participating both as an effective contributor and a listener in group settings which include senior staff.
• Well-organized, resourceful, effective, and efficient at coordinating multiple resources to get things done and must have proven track record of successfully working on multiple tasks at once and foresees and plan around obstacles.
• Demonstrated sensitivity in diverse, cross-cultural settings.

Problem Solving & Impact:

• Works on problems of complex scope that require analysis and in-depth evaluation of variable factors.
• Erroneous decisions or recommendations may cause critical delays or modifications to projects or operations.
• Ability to exercise judgment that contributes to the organization’s business strategies and develops objectives that align with department’s strategic goals.
• Must be able to provide accurate, expert level advice to reach outcomes that will enable achievement of overall department and organization goals.
• Demonstrates a responsive, professional attitude that is solution oriented.
• Decisions and actions have a serious impact on the overall success of the function.

Supervision Given/Received:

• Regularly interacts with senior management and HQ based staff.
• Leads by “managing managers” or other direct/indirect reports in the region/functional area.
• Ability to motivate, mentor, and empower individuals to achieve expectations and goals set for the functional unit.
• Provide input on country/project staff performance reviews.
• In coordination with senior management, hire/terminates country/project staff.
• Reports to the Response Coordinator.

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree or its International Equivalent in Environment, Civil or Water Resources or Mechanical Engineering, Geology, Public Health, Human Development, Social Sciences or Related Field.
• Master or other advanced degree preferred.

Experience

• Typically requires 5 – 8 years leading complex on-site emergency WASH response projects and/or programs.
• Experience establishing startup operations/projects in new countries preferred.
• Prior work experience in a non-governmental organization (NGO), government agency, or private company of progressive program management experience in humanitarian assistance or related industry experience in a relevant technical area.
• Demonstrable experience designing and leading technical assessments using proven and effective methodologies; strong background in outcome monitoring and evaluation preferred.
• Experience coordinating complex programs with wide variety of stakeholders; experience as cluster co-lead preferred.

Typical Physical Demands:

• Ability to spend long hours looking at computer screen and doing repetitive work on a keyboard.
• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift 5 – 50 lbs.
• Ability to travel to remote field site locations that lack basic essentials.
• Candidate must be in good physical condition and understand that medical care is not readily available at duty station.

Technology to be Used:

• Computer, Microsoft Office 365 (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, e-mail), office telephone, cell phone and printer/copier.

Travel Requirements:

• 50% throughout DRC