WASH Project Manager - Consultancy

WASH in Schools - Locally recruited expat

OBJECTIVES

The Project Manager has the overall responsibility for effective and efficient management of the project activities for the WASH in Schools Project and the staff in the assigned area of responsibility. S/he reports to the Deputy Country Director initially and then the Senior Project Manager in Basra and works in close coordination with the other Project Managers in the AoR, the Programme Coordinators (based in the assigned governorates) and the other support teams (admin-finance, logistics).

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has been present in Iraq since April 2003 with operations in Diyala Governorate north-east of Baghdad and has since opened offices in Basra governorate (April 2004), and in the governorates of Maysan, Kerbalah and Wassit (September 2007). Regionally, DRC is also present in Syria and Lebanon

The overall objective for DRC in Iraq is the protection and promotion of durable solutions to displacement affected populations on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights with more immediate objectives focusing both on the immediate subsistence needs, livelihood and self-reliance support as well as a more long term focus on capacity building and environment building. In spite of a considerable improvement in the security, the situation in Iraq remains very volatile.

As a member of the Humanitarian Accountability Partnership (HAP), DRC is committed to documenting our accountability to the beneficiary population and the impact of our activities. Complying with these commitments is as well challenged by the limited access. DRC adopts a community-based approach, whereas beneficiaries and local authorities are included in the prioritising, planning and implementation of activities as an important measure of rehabilitation and capacity building.

BACKGROUND

The overall objective of the WASH in Schools project is to contribute to the realization of children’s rights to survival and development, through enhancing WASH practices and access thereby increasing equitably and sustainable access to in 130 schools in 9 governorates in Iraq.

In line with the overall UNICEF global objectives for WASH and under MDG target 10, the purpose of this project is to contribute to halving, by 2015, the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation and ensuring the all schools have adequate child-friendly water and sanitation facilities and a hygiene education promotion. In particular, addressing the issue of water and sanitation in schools will directly address a child’s right to both education and health.

This position will be responsible for the overall coordination and development of the WASH in Schools programme, including the development of capacity and quality control of the project.

DUTIES

• Provide strategic leadership for its project, providing support for the current activities while keeping an eye into new areas of development

• As a manager and together with the team, propose objectives, elaborate work plans and document results against indicators for the generation activities

• Ensure compliance with relevant guidelines and DRC commitments

• Prepare concept papers and proposals for potential new projects

• Participate in relevant meetings, workshops, seminars and trainings

• Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual work plans and reports as per agreed format internally to senior management and externally to donors

• Co-ordinate closely with the field team and support function teams

• Manage and motivate the project’s team members to ensure that they have the necessary equipment and support to carry out their daily activities.

• Follow up on all Human Resources matters of his/her team, including annual and sick leaves, attendance, performance appraisals, disciplinary measures, etc.

• Organise regular team meetings

• Work with key staff to ensure that cross cutting issues and policy initiatives are appropriately reflected, understood and implemented across the DRC Iraq programme

• Other relevant duties as directed by line management

QUALIFICATIONS

• Degree in social areas (anthropology, development studies, humanitarian aid, organisational/institutional capacity building and development) or relevant related experience, a combination of academic qualifications and experience in a similar position or related area may be accepted in lieu of a degree.

• 5 years minimum experience of managing humanitarian/development capacity building and governance programmes in insecure environments.

• Significant experience of assessing political and security contexts in countries affected by conflict and facing complex-emergency countries.

• Deep and clear understanding of humanitarian principles, codes of conduct and ideally, specific sub sector work; water/ sanitation, protection, health, shelter, linked to INGO field operations contexts.

• Mature understanding of the dynamics between NGOs and their key stakeholders.

• Experience with participatory approaches (PRA/PLA) and familiarity with Local Governance

• Ability to interact with all parties and maintain a position of humanitarian neutrality

• Knowledge of local laws, regulations and context in Iraq

• Knowledge of the refugee and IDP context in Iraq

• Able to build staff capacity using various methods,including strong communication and team work skills

• Fluency in written and spoken English

• Knowledge and/or fluency in Arabic and/or Kurdish would be an advantage

• Able to work independently and energetically

• Relevant computer skills

• Excellent report writing skills

We encourage all qualified candidates to apply, irrespective of nationality, race, gender or age.

CONDITIONS

Availability: July 2011

Duty station: Basra and Baghdad, Iraq

Contract: 2 months subject to funding and performances Salary and other conditions in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Locally Recruited Expatriates at the level LRE-B3

FURTHER INFORMATION

For more information, please contact Yves-Kim Créac’h, Country Director; Email: yves.kim-creach@drciraq.dk ; phone: +962 (0) 65 66 58 64.

For general information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult www.drc.dk.

APPLICATION AND CV

Only motivated applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications, sent together with a CV, will be considered.

Please forward your application, in English and marked “WASH Project Manager Consultancy – Iraq”, to jobs@drciraq.dk no later than 15. July 2011. Do to the urgency of the position, DRC reserves the right to recruit any suitable candidates before the above mentioned dead line for application.

ABOUT DRC

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a private, independent, humanitarian organization working on all aspects of the refugee cause in more than twenty five countries throughout the world. The aim of DRC is to protect refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) against persecution and to promote durable solutions to the problems of forced migration, on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. DRC works in accordance with the UN Conventions on Refugees and the Code of Conduct for the ICRC and NGOs in Disaster Relief.

The protection and assistance to conflict affected population is provided within a long-term, regional and rights-based approach in order to constitute a coherent and effective response to the challenges posed by today’s conflicts. Assistance consists of relief and other humanitarian aid, rehabilitation, support to return and repatriation as well as promotion of long-term solutions to displacement and its causes. In addition, support and capacity building of local and national authorities and NGOs form an integral part of DRC’s work.