Job Description

The purpose of the position is to provide effective leadership to field-based project offices and manage the implementation of WASH projects to deliver high quality programming. The post holder will ensure projects implementation and its results meet community and donor accountability and in line with WaterAid’s requirements and are met according to all national and international standards and specifications. She/he will manage innovation and learning in projects and advice on how these can be applied to continuously improve WAE WASH programmes work. Directly manage and provide overall support and follow-up to field-based project coordinators/regional specialists and evaluate their performance. 

Key Responsibilities:

Project Implementation and Technical Support:  

• Provide effective leadership to the field team for the delivery of high quality programming;

•Lead the development of annual detailed implementation plans for projects under her/his oversight;

•Provide support on technical aspects of the roles of Regional WASH Specialist/Project Coordinators, Water Engineer and Environmental Health Officer and other field team members (based on project nature);

• Contribute for the development of the technical approach of WAE in WASH and in the programmes to be implemented;

• Manage the implementation of WASH activities, ensuring donor compliance while meeting all technical and program quality standards as well as managing the team’s performance of project tasks and activities;

• Review and ensure all the technical reports prepared from the field meet internal and external requirements;

• Prepare technical reports for dissemination to various stakeholders;

• In collaboration with relevant staff, develop practical tools for evaluation and monitoring the WASH projects;

•  Effectively manage relationships with donor leads and ensure that reports are prepared and submitted as per the donor requirements and in line with the restricted funding management guidelines of WaterAid;

• Lead effectively and/or provide support to the field team to ensure that projects activities are implemented to achieve the project outputs and outcomes within the budget and timeframe of the approved and signed project, and in line with the project design;

• Knowledge of detailed project implementation and procurement plans are updated and openly communicated in line with the project progress and results;

•Manage the projects team human resources and arrange or facilitate training and capacity building needs whenever necessary;

• Manage the projects budget as per the projects plans and support the field team to implement activities based on the monthly phasing, and the preparation of accurate monthly forecasts and the monitoring of expenditures;

• Projects expenditure is monitored monthly to ensure spending is on track and forecasts are duly updated based on project needs and in compliance with donor requirements;

• Track the progress of activities and ensure that the project outcomes, outputs and indicators are healthy and provide on-time internal status reports and external donor reports;

• Identify and monitor risks and constraints and manage timely based on the mitigation measures or escalating issues to the line manager when issues require higher level engagement and decision;

•  Compliance tools and frameworks are implemented and maintained ensuring the project is consistently ready for audit;

•  Coordinate with other departments to ensure a common approach, synergy and sharing of information;

• Ensure projects budget are managed in accordance with WaterAid requirements and project financial approvals as per WaterAid Ethiopia Financial and Procurement manuals and procedures;

• Updating Line Manager on project implementation through regular reporting;

•Ensure projects have up to date & quality data and information and regular updating on project center. Also ensure that Project Performance Reflection is done, and results entered in the project center including inventories of facilities and schemes;

•  Ensure all Woreda and Zonal stakeholders have adequate information about the projects, its progress and challenges, in collaboration with respective project coordinators.

Programme Development and Grants Acquisition:

• Provide WASH technical and strategic input into the development of the Country Strategy;

• Work closely with the projects team, Specialists and Advisors and the Director of Technical Services to ensure high quality programmes are met through the application of Quality Programmes Standards of WaterAid;

• Contribute to the development of operating business plan for programmes in collaboration with the other technical leads and departments;

•Actively support the roll out of WaterAid’s Resource Mobilization and Grants Acquisition plan to project offices;

• Contribute for the development of new proposals in close coordination with other teams to ensure high quality proposals that meet the requirements of the donors;

• Actively participate in preparation for grant bidding activities, such as capability statements, project summaries, partner profiles, etc;

• In collaboration with other team members, ensure that cross cutting issues like equity, inclusion and gender are mainstreamed into all programme activities.

Accountability, Learning and Innovation:

 •Ensure high quality programming is implemented through projects, innovative and inclusive project designs are in place, evaluation, reflection, learning and dissemination and reporting are managed effectively for projects under his/her supervision;

• Ensure that findings and recommendations from various accountability mechanisms such as Reviews, Operational and Finance Audits, Programme evaluations, external and internal evaluations, are acted upon in a timely and effective manner;

• In close collaboration with People and Organizational Development team, participate in recruitment and selection processes to ensure skilled programme staff are recruited, retained, and provided with, mentoring and coaching for development;

• Best practices and lessons learned are documented, shared, and integrated into programming;

Networking and Coordination:

•In coordination with the technical services and other relevant departments, maintain effective communications and pro-active relationships with donor lead and government partners, including visits by donors;

• In coordination with the technical services and other departments, develop and maintain good relationships with national government ministries, Regional, Zonal and Woreda level government WASH sector offices, other NGOs and the development sector in general;

• In coordination with other members of the technical services, work closely with field staff capacity building of staff and knowledge sharing within the region.

Team Leadership:

•  Effectively lead field-based project coordinators/regional specialists to ensure high levels of motivation, commitment, capacity and teamwork;  

• Ensure that roles, responsibilities and expectations are clearly communicated and understood by all project team members and tasks are appropriately delegated (as appropriate);

• Lead and ensure that internal planning meetings are organized and conducted regularly to provide direction and guidance;

• Ensure that team members are mentored and coached to achieve their full potential and results of the project;

• Manage effectively staff performance reviews and ensure this is conducted in line with WaterAid Ethiopia performance management system;

• Work with other team members of the Technical services and manage team members in matrix relationship (as appropriate).

Other:

•  Perform any other duty as may be assigned by supervisor or designee from time to time;

•  Participate and contribute in committees and task forces e.g. Procurement Committee.

Job Requirements

Qualifications: Education/Knowledge/Technical Skills and Experience

• The position holder should have a master’s degree in Water Engineering, Environmental Health or other related studies.

•Minimum of 10 years ‘experience with a thorough understanding of all areas of project management cycles in a complex, international development organization especially in development, resilience and emergency projects. 5 years should have been at a managerial level.

•Demonstrated track record in project management, proposal development, funding acquisitions and grant management for major government donors preferred. 

• A strong understanding of project cycle management, results-based management and managing complex grants is essential. 

• The position holder must be results oriented and team a player.

• Knowledge of WaterAid working systems, policies and standards will be an advantage

•  A member of a Professional Body is an advantage.

•  English and Amharic

Working Environment / Conditions:

• Work environment: Office-based with travel to the field

• Travel: 30% Domestic and occasional international travel is required. 

How to Apply

Interested and qualified applicants are requested to apply online.

Qualified women are highly encouraged to apply.