Water Security Manager

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.

Mercy Corps has been operating in Ethiopia since 2004. In partnership with civil society organizations, academic institutions, private sector, and the government, Mercy Corps Ethiopia has reached more than five million Ethiopians with interventions to save lives and build secure livelihoods. Our programs emphasize market-driven solutions, reinforce social bonds, and help communities build resilience to the impacts of climate change. Currently in six regional states – Afar, Amhara, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, and South Nations, Nationalities and People’s Region (SNNPR), and in Dire Dawa Administration and the capital city of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa – Mercy Corps Ethiopia is driven by the mission to contribute the emergence of a peaceful, resilient, and prosperous Ethiopia which is inclusive of youth and women. Our strategic directions focus in promoting inclusive and dynamic markets; promoting peace and social cohesion through strengthening formal/informal governance structures and citizen engagement; improved natural resource governance; and integrated humanitarian response.

Position Title: Water Security Manager    

Duty Station: Gode

Open Position:  1

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps’ Resilience in Pastoral Areas (RIPA) program is a five-year USAID-funded initiative that aims to improve the resilience capacities of households, markets, and governance institutions across 22 woredas in the Somali, Afar and Oromia regions. RIPA includes a Crisis Modifier component that allows us to pivot our approach and respond to humanitarian needs in ways that support, not undermine, long-term development and resilience objectives. In relation to this, Mercy Corps is planning to implement an $9 million Crisis Modifier that aims to identify and catalyze resilient water supply and systems in Shabelle Zone of Ethiopia. This ‘Water Security Crisis Modifier’ is expected to have four main components: 1) Develop new water sources and supply systems that are resilient to drought, through river offtake and treatment and/or deep boreholes; 2) Support natural resource management innovations to improve water usage for rangelands and other productive purposes; 3) Promote professionalization / privatization of water services management; 4) Improve access to water for productive use.

General Position Summary

The RIPA ‘Water Security Manager’ (WS Manager), based in Gode Town, will report to the Water Security Team Lead in Addis Ababa, and will be responsible for coordination and successful implementation of all activities in Shabelle Zone. The WS Manager will lead the recruitment, on-boarding and management of Water Security Crisis Modifier team members in Shabelle Zone. The WS Manager will be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with government, private sector partners and communities.

Essential Job Responsibilities

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• Oversee program startup and ongoing program management and administration of the team in Shabelle Zone of Somali Region.
• Contribute to all aspects of the implementation of the Water Security crisis modifier, including advocacy within the local and state governments, religious leaders, and other key community members.
• Establish and maintain strong relations with Woreda/Kebele officials and ensure continuous engagement with Mercy Corps program participants and potential beneficiaries of the Water Security crisis modifier.
• Oversee the work of project teams during the preparatory works, assessments, technical requirements, selection of external entities in support of the grants/projects and ensuring compliance with Mercy Corps agreements and with statutory and technical legislation issued by appropriate government authorities.
• Ensure that all required approvals from the regional government are obtained, to facilitate Mercy Corps work in the region.
• Ensure water security activities are integrated with other Mercy Corps program activities within the Shabelle Zone, and a standard CARM system is set-up to support program implementation.
• Ensure that the project engages locals and develops local capacity for longer term sustainability.
• Contribute to preparing plans, proposals, and budgets for project extensions and new projects.
• Ensure protection issues are fully considered throughout the project cycle with women, elderly, disabled and most vulnerable being included in decision making for all Shelter and WASH issues.
• Use appropriate project management tools to plan, review and track progress on projects implementation as well as on the utilization of project resources.
• With the relevant MEL focal point, ensure the development and implementation of strong M&E systems using appropriate Mercy Corps tools and resources to maximize project impact on beneficiaries.
• Monitor project development and identify deviation from approved project plans and implement corrective measures when necessary to ensure that the partners meet the project objectives.
• Identify technical assistance needs for Mercy Corps and partners and take the lead in developing TORs/SOWs and follow-up with requests for external expertise as appropriate.
• Oversee management and maintenance of up-to-date documentation related to all projects approvals, monitoring, and implementation in both hard and soft copies.
• Undertake/participate in WASH and other needs assessments in line with international standards/best practice.
• Ensure a constructive co-operation with other Mercy Corps programs, local authorities, other international and local NGOs as well as the UN Agencies.
• Represent Mercy Corps at WASH coordination forums and inter-agency engagements within the Shabelle Zone.
• Leading on monitoring and analysis of policy issues affecting the WASH activity and advising the Mercy Corps management, Ethics and Communications teams on key message formation.
• Ensure full adherence to the MC security plans and protocols conscientiously respecting the declared 'go' and 'no-go' zones.
• Work with the WASH Team Lead, WASH Engineer and Crisis Response Start-up Lead to coordinate and communicate with local authorities, program third party monitoring consulting firm, donor, and other implementing partners to avoid overlapping and obtain all necessary no objection certifications.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and not jeopardize its operations in the target location.
• Other duties assigned by supervisor.

 TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Develop the capacity of the Shabelle Zone team, deepen understanding of their roles and assist with career development.
• Assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on ones and performance reviews.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Hire, orient and lead team members as necessary.

 FINANCE & COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT

• Ensure adherence to systems for ensuring effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with donor and Mercy Corps policies and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to emergency programming.

INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION

• Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, local governments and other stakeholders.
• Represent Mercy Corps programs with woreda, Zonal and Regional stakeholders.
• Demonstrate flexibility, resilience and ability to maintain positive relationships and composure.
• Maintain high ethical standards and treat people with respect and dignity.

GEDSI (GENDER, EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION)

• Adherence of gender minimum standards
• Allocate budget for GESI related activities and staff capacity building on GESI
• Make sure GESI issues are properly reflected during program management
• Support the organization’s commitment to age and gender inclusive team building process
• Promote an inclusive and equitable workplace culture
• Support Staff Capacity Building on Increase staff knowledge of GEDSI
• Coordinate with GEDSI Technical Team Improve gender-responsiveness of program /Project MEAL system
• Increased commitment to Gender Equality Diversity and Social inclusion

Supervisory Responsibility

Supervisory responsibility for:

• Team members working on the Water Security Crisis Modifier in Shabelle Zone

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Water Security Team Lead

Works Directly With:

• RIPA component teams in Addis and Somali Region
• RIPA CLA and MEL team (in Addis and Somali Region)
• Mercy Corps global water and infrastructure experts

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Knowledge and Experience

• At least 3 years of program management experience in water-related sectors is required.
• BA / BS degree is required, preferably in a water related field of study.
• Experience in working on urban water supply systems; small towns water supply systems, community-based water supply and sanitation program implementation and operation essential.
• A good understanding of operational challenges of water service providers in Ethiopia – with specific focus on the drought affected regions of Ethiopia.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience strengthening policy, institutional and regulatory frameworks for improved WASH services.
• Must have excellent English writing and communication skills.

Success Factors

A successful candidate will have the ability to live and work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense and fluid work and security environment with a capacity to spark innovative approaches to programming and inspire groups to collaborate closely to implement high-quality programs. S/he will have proven ability to learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results, with an ability and willingness to remain mobile for short-term and/or long-term as necessary within the region, based on programmatic needs. An ability to work independently and as part of a team, with curiosity about and sensitivity to new cultures, a desire and ability to learn and grow, both personally and professionally, and a great sense of humor.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

All interested candidates are encouraged to apply for the position advertised.  All applications submitted to the Mercy Corps office or electronically include a CV, three references, and all relevant official documents. Applications will not be returned and will not be retained for future recruitment efforts.  To ensure fairness to all applicant’s personal inquiries are not permitted.

Only candidates that are short-listed will be acknowledged and called for interviews.

“Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer promoting gender, equity and    diversity. Qualified female and young candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to empower women and youth.”

DEADLINE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS: 22 May 2023/ 4:00 PM