Position required:

WatSan Projects Manager

Afghanistan

MEDAIR – A BRIEF INTRODUCTION

Medair brings life-saving relief and rehabilitation in disasters, conflict areas, and other crises by working alongside the most vulnerable. Its staff are inspired by their Christian faith to care for people in need, providing practical and compassionate support, regardless of race, religion, or politics. Medair has achieved the ISO 9001:2000 quality certification worldwide, which denotes consistent and effective project management activities for the well-being of its beneficiaries. Founded in 1989, Medair’s unwavering commitment continues to bring hope to the world’s most vulnerable.

COUNTRYWORKPLACE

AfghanistanWardak & Bamyan province

STARTING DATEAPPLICATION CLOSING DATE

February 200931stDecember 2008

WORKING TIME (%)

Minimum of 1 year, 100%

Overview of project

The projects Medair is currently implementing are: Health programme and maternal health project for the Badakhshan Provincial districts of Ragh, Khwahan and Kohistan; Food Aid/Security projects in Wardak and Badakhshan; WatSan projects in Wardak and Badakhshan; Disaster Risk Reduction in Badakhshan; Clinic construction in Badakhshan.

Medair has a commitment to stay in Afghanistan and anticipates developing new projects in the Health, Food Aid, WASH and disaster preparedness/mitigation throughout 2009.

Responsibilities

Effectively manage water and sanitation projects in line with objectives, budget and timeframe. Regular and systematic monitoring of project results versus objectives and impact on the project communities. Ensure beneficiary participation is enhanced in all phases of the project. Anticipate, plan, initiate and share in new WatSan proposalsdevelopment.Recruit, manage & train National WatSan staff.

Key Activity Areas

Technical / Management

  • Manage a comprehensive activity plan covering the time frame of the project proposal.
  • Ensure the quality construction of all water and sanitation structures, ensuring good maintenance and sustainable processes are put in place.
  • Conduct regular monitoring and evaluation assessments against project objectives.
  • Ensure accurate and timely reporting of activities to Medair and MRRD (monthly, quarterly, final reports).
  • Support the development of new proposals.
  • Support WatSan Sector by the improvement and further design of the technical sector knowledge on approved and appropriate WatSan practices.
  • Maintain accurate project files for all WatSan units and other projects.

Staff management

  • Direct line management of senior project staff including recruitment,appraisal, management, development & training, general well-being, job descriptions, monitoring of work schedules etc.
  • Provide training to all WatSan staff so as to ensure ownership and full local responsibility of all WatSan activities within budget and operational constraints.
  • To maintain a transparent, honest and supportive communication structure with the Medair team and with communities.

Logistics

  • To oversee the logistics planning for the project, ensuring the timely arrival of materials, safe storage of assets/materials and clear up-to-date record keeping.

Financial management

  • To follow procurement procedures and logistics procedures for all project purchases.
  • To provide all financial planning and reports as required by Finance Manager (cash forecast, etc).

Security Management

  • To be responsible for the safety and security of project assets on site of operations.
  • To adhere to the security guidelines employed by Medair on site, en-route, and ensure all security procedures are followed.
  • Actively gather and provide security information for WatSan project sites.

Quality Management

  • To promote and use the Medair e-library, ensuring the all standardised formats / guidelines are followed.

Public relations

  • In co-ordination with the BDK team, develop and maintain relationships with local authorities and NGO's on site, ensuring good co-operation and partnerships.
  • Contribute to the needs of the HQ Marketing team by supplying human interest stories, web updates etc. to Field Communications Officer.

Qualifications

  • Relevant degree level qualification
  • Post-graduate qualification in relief or development and specifically in WatSan desirable

Experience

  • 2 years of experience in a management position
  • 1 year experience with WatSan programming desirable
  • Experience in training, mentoring, coaching both international and national staff
  • Experienced at proposal and report writing
  • Team player

Medair standard working requirements for the field

  • Minimum 12 months professional experience in a relevant field
  • Minimum 3 months overseas work experience
  • Minimum time commitment of 1 year
  • Committed Christians and strong adherence to Medair values
  • Strong English communication skills (oral and written)
  • Familiar with Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
  • Able to live and work with a multicultural team under difficult conditions
  • Strong character traits, including emotional stability, adaptability, ability to handle stress, cultural and gender sensitivity, honesty
  • Single or married - without children, no dependent children
  • Successful completion of Medair Relief/Rehabilitation Orientation Course (ROC)

Work conditions in the field are rugged and basic. The work involves a good amount of travelling to very remote locations. Each staff member leaves Afghanistan for 1 week R&R every 12 weeks.

For more information on this position and to submit your application, please follow this web link:

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