MYANMAR - Water Access Manager - Monywa

Solidarités International is a French humanitarian organization which provides aid and assistance to victims of war or natural disaster. For over 30 years the association has focused on meeting three vital needs - water, food and shelter - by carrying out emergency programmes followed by longer-term reconstruction projects. Whilst fully respecting the assisted populations’ customs and culture, Solidarités International’s programmes are implemented through the joint expertise of around 180 expatriates and 1500 local managerial staff and employees. Solidarités International is currently present in Africa (Central African Republic, Southern Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, Liberia, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, Zimbabwe), in Asia (Afghanistan, Thailand, Bangladesh, Myanmar) and in Haiti.

CONTEXT OF INTERVENTION

Solidarités International’s arrival in Myanmar was planned to start in the Dry Zone after an assessment in February 2008, but Cyclone Nargis jump-stared our arrival and shifted our focus to the Delta in order to respond to the disaster. This included relief, early recovery and reconstruction activities focusing on fishing and farming, drinking water access and village infrastructure development with the local communities in Bogale and Pyapon Townships.

Currently, there are over 130 nationals and 8 expatriates working on post-emergency and reconstruction programmes. There is a country office in Yangon, 3 bases in Sittwe (Rakhine State), Kanpetlet (Chin State) and Monywa (Dry Zone) and 4 sub-bases.

From March to October 2011, a food security and agricultural project was carried out in the very rural Chin State, which includes food for work, agriculture activities, and a robust rat control program.

In Rakhine State, Solidarités International has implemented a shelter project to respond to Cyclone Giri affected communities and is also supporting livelihoods (agriculture and fisheries).

In January 2011 the Dry Zone project started, based from Monywa City, and comprising the Townships of Monywa and Yinmabin (Sagaing Division).

The Dry Zone area is one of the critical areas in Myanmar where the fragile ecosystem (a result of natural and human behaviour) has had adverse effects on household food security. Reported difficulties mainly relate to the scarcity of water, thus limiting the population’s livelihood opportunities and inevitably impacting on their health. The most common consequences are households travelling long distances / hours to fetch water, as well as economic migration outside of the area during the dry season. The long term risk for the area is low productivity of the agricultural land.

The Dry Zone project is funded by the Danish Government (DANIDA) and is being implemented in partnership with the French NGO GRET (Professionals for Fair Development), the lead agency of the consortium.

Global objective: To support livelihood security of the vulnerable population of the Dry Zone through empowerment and capacity building of rural communities.

Specific objective: To strengthen resource-poor households livelihoods in three townships in the Dry Zone through sustainable exploitation and management of natural resources.

TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The main objectives and responsibilities of the Water Access Manager can be summed up as follows:

1- To plan operations and achieve project objectives 2- To oversee national team and evaluate their performance 3- To contribute to project budget follow-up 4- To take part in the purchasing process 5- To coordinate internally and externally, especially with Consortium partner (GRET) 6- To draft reports on project activities and outputs 7- To ensure that Solidarités International regulations and charter are followed.

The Water Access Manager is responsible for the daily management and the implementation of the Water component of DANIDA funded project , the field staff and associated equipment. (S)He is responsible for designing the Water component methodology (in particular baseline and needs assessments, beneficiary selection criteria), implementing the project plan, using all resources available (HR, Finance, Logistics and technical support) to achieve the project objective and outputs within the eligible timeframe. (S)He is responsible for project monitoring and evaluation as well as methodological guidance on project activities including research ones. (S)He is responsible for the overall supervision, training and capacity building of project teams, with a specific focus on the Deputy’s capacity building. (S)He coordinates with other project teams and reports on project activities to the Consortium Programme Manager (GRET) and Solidarités International’s coordination team in Yangon.

The Water Access Manager acts as Solidarités International’s focal point at the project level and ensures that SI are appropriately positioned with local partners, the authorities and the beneficiary communities. This includes awareness of current activities by all stakeholders in the water sector, development of thematic and activity guidelines, assessments and evaluations and support for preparation and development of associated new project proposals. This closely involves GRET as well, and the balance is amicable, essential, and collective.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Qualifications : • A high level qualification in Civil Engineering / Rural Development or related subject • Specific qualification or training on Social Water Management would be an asset

Experience : • At least 3 years of experience in a similar role, preferably in South East Asia • Proven ability in community based project management including design and planning, budget control, research, evaluation and reporting • Wide knowledge of the Water sector in development situations • Experience in training and local staff capacity building • Experience and/or knowledge in development issues and sustainable strategies towards supporting communities to improve their quality of life • Experience and/or knowledge of engineering in rural areas in particular irrigation systems • Experience and/or knowledge of vocational training

Specific skills : • Strong ability to manage personnel (more than 15 staff) • Advanced English (speaking, reading and writing) skills • Highly computer literate (Word, Excel, PowerPoint; Sphinx and GIS/mapping would be an asset) • Expertise in participatory approaches • Well-developed skills and approaches for working in cross-cultural settings (particularly in Asia) and strong awareness of gender and environmental issues • Burmese language skills a significant asset

Other requirements : • A commitment to the fundamental principles of Solidarités International charter and ethos • Editing and analytical abilities: written reports, institutional knowledge building

Personal traits : • Autonomous and mature • Capacity for cultural immersion (the 2 expats from the project are the only ones currently living in the Dry Zone) • Team player, adaptable to different cultures, environments and approaches • Methodical and pays attention to detail • Listener • Sense of humour

CONDITIONS

Salaried post: from 1400 euros gross per month, according to experience, plus 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly, and a monthly Per Diem of 500 USD.

Solidarités International will cover accommodation and travel expenses from the expatriate’s home country to the site of the assignment.

• Social and medical cover: Expatriates benefit from an insurance package which reimburses all healthcare expenses (including medical and surgical expenses, dental care and ophthalmological expenses, repatriation) and a welfare system including war risks. Essential vaccination and antimalarial treatment costs are refunded.

• Vacation: During the assignment, a system of alternation between work and time off is implemented at the rate of one break every three months. For a one-year assignment, the expatriate will have a break during the 3rd and the 9th month (with 500 euros allocated by Solidarités). He or she will also be entitled to go back to his or her home country for a 15-day period after six months spent on the mission (Solidarités will cover travel costs).

DURATION : 10 months, beginning January 2012.

HOW TO APPLY

Please send us a CV and cover letter, either through our website or via the following link: https://emea2.recruitmentplatform.com/syndicated/private/syd_apply.cfm?I....