Background of IRC:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities that support them, as well as with those who remain within their homes and communities. At-work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. IRC leads the way from harm to home. Began work in Ethiopia, 1999 in response to severe drought that happened in Ethiopia’s Somali region. Currently, providing assistance in ten different regions implementing emergency and development programs in health, water and sanitation, economic recovery and development (ERD), women’s protection and empowerment, education, child protection, and multi-sectoral emergency response.

Job Overview/Summary: 

The ERR Environmental Health Manager (EHM) reports to ERR and EH coordinators and responsible for the overall strategic and technical support to the EH and ERR teams in Ethiopia to be able to assess, design, and implement WASH programmes and monitor projects of implementing partners operating in the country. This includes sector strategy development, proposal development, Report writing, technical oversight, staff management and development, administrative supervision, budget management, grants compliance and local partner relations/support.

The position holder will also supporting operational implementation of the country WASH strategy that will steer the WASH sector towards overall efficiency and effectiveness in delivery of WASH services including awareness raising coordination work of  safe sanitation and safe hygiene promotion works  . The position holder will support local partners, field team  and participate in coordination platforms (ES/NFI, WASH, KPC surveys and assessments ) representing the IRC.  The position holder will support the IRC has a continual and comprehensive analysis of the WASH situation in Ethiopia and is prepared to respond quickly and effectively. To directly manage large scale WASH responses if the context changes, under the management of the ERR coordinator. The EH manger will be based in Addis Ababa and is expected to travel a minimum of 50% of the time to project locations to support staff and monitor field activities.

Major responsibilities include:

Project Implementation

·    Ensure all WASH sector activities are performed and implemented with consistent approaches and quality, quantity and on time.

·    Ensure proper and timely utilization of funds in WASH sector activities and budgets.

·    Ensure that all interventions follow the IRC’s strategy action plan, national policies and international WASH and ES/NFI standards including WHO Minimum Standards, National Minimum Standards, and SPHERE Protection Standards.

·    Ensure that all WASH projects are in compliance with the humanitarian support principles, design  and guidance’s.

Technical oversight

·    Advise partners and field staff on all technical aspects of WASH sector activities implementation, ensuring a unified and effective approach to achieving project milestones.

·    Develop guidelines and tools as required for WASH staff to implement key project activities consistently and effectively.

·    Organize technical training for project staff as required to enable them to implement the project strategy and activities effectively.

·    Identify and collate evidence base of context specific promising practices and support dissemination workshops to improve existing practices and introduce new practices and/or ideas among project partners.

·    Prepare or review all technical designs & BoQs, drawings, specifications, and tenders for a variety of water and sanitation interventions.

·    Ensure that effective engagement is maintained with communities and with local government partners, to ensure responsive and sustainable programming.

Project monitoring

·    Oversee the WASH components of the project in Ethiopia, with a focus on keeping activities on track for completion. Develop detailed activity, budget plans and monitoring tools for the project, and monitor progress against plans ensuring that objectives and indicators are achieved.

·    Maintain regular contact with the field WASH staff through regular field visits to ensure that the WASH component of the project is carried out promptly, to a high quality and according to the project strategy.

·    Compile and submit WASH monthly and technical reports; verify and validate WASH project implementation reports received from partners (Output tracker, WASH Matrix Activity, Monthly/quarter Reports, ad hoc reports, donors report, etc).

·    Prepare monthly field reports incorporating activity and financial progress for project work across the country.

Coordination & representation

·    Represent IRC in WASH cluster coordination meeting at all levels and collect and share monthly updates including 4W’s matrixes with clusters on time.

·    Build links with WASH stakeholders to share knowledge, experience and ideas.

·    Represent the WASH sector of the Programme to local communities, government departments, international agencies, local partners and donors as required.

·    Attend relevant meetings as required.

·    Ensure regular communication with Field-based WASH Unit technical staff for feedback, updates and guidance as required.

Operations (HR, Logistics and Finance)

·    Identify training needs and ensure that members of the WASH sector team receive appropriate training (including mentoring, on-the-job sessions as well as formal trainings).

·    Ensure that high priority purchases are monitored and prioritized by the logistics team.

·    Ensure that tenders are prepared in accordance with the projects logistics requirements and the WASH sector standards.

·    Monitor and ensure spending against plan and analyze monthly financial reports. Alert the senior management team of any anomalies and propose corrective actions. Subsequently follow up with the implementation of the agreed corrective actions.

·    Regularly follow up and monitor WSAH projects financial BVA and ensure timely utilization of budget in consultation with finance and supervisor.

·    Monitor, facilitate regular BVA monitoring with field team (finance, SCT, HR and Technical units

·    Take temporarily deployment assignment short period in case of emergency support at field level whenever required from the department

Duration 

5 months only (between October 2023 – March 2024)

Job Requirements

• BSc/BA or MA/MSc in related field of studies from a recognized University.

• At least MSC degree and 3 years’ experience or BSC degree and 6 years’ experience in related sectors including experience in emergency or post-conflict project management.

• Strong technical experience in areas of proposal development, project management, and emergency Responses, professional capacity development, staff management, and coordination and working with others.

• NGO experiences is plus.

• Strong critical thinking and proposal writing skills.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity, flexibility, ability to improvise.

• Ability to work productively under stress while maintaining a sense of humor.

How to Apply

Candidates meeting the above qualifications are encouraged to apply only through the below IRC On-line recruitment website: CLIK HERE

Please include 3 references from current and former employers.

Applications will not be returned. IRC discourages phone calls or personal visits.

Only applicants meeting the minimum qualification will be short listed and contacted.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Your application letter/cover letter must include the following information.

• Name of the position you have applied for

• Date of application

• Summary of  your qualifications and experience

• Motivation/objective of why you have applied for the job

• Permanent Address and present address (if different from permanent) and telephone number if possible also email address

• Disclose any family relationships with existing IRC employees.

IRC is an equal employment opportunity employer.  IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.

Professional Standards: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity Anti-Retaliation and Combating Trafficking in Persons

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols, and other supportive benefits and allowances

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.