Duty Station : Mrauk Oo Office, Rakhine State with travels to field areas on regular basis

Reports to : Programme Manager

Direct Reports : Staff within WASH Sector

Overall purpose of the role:

• Overall responsibility for the day-to-day management of DRC’s sector projects within the geographical area of responsibility.
• Direct manager for relevant sector staff members.

Geographic scope: Area (Rakhine)

This role has an area focus and ensures compliance with DRC procedures and guidelines within the area. The role contributes to the development of area strategies, which are translated into action plans and day-to-day tasks. The role provides support and/or technical guidance to base operations.

Responsibilities:

People management

• Lead and manage the WASH team (including people planning, performance, well-being, and development)
• Support, mentor, and build staff capacity (and incentive worker) as appropriate.
• Provide technical guidance and monitor the staff in their implementation of the work plan and quality of technical activities.

Program Management:

• Ensure technical guidance and lead on developing technical program management tools, ensuring activities implemented align with DRC technical standards.
• Ensure high-quality implementation of WASH, including all construction activities to be on time, scope, and within budget.
• Ensure strong links between the WASH sector, protection, GBV, and Shelter teams to support mainstreaming and integration within the DRC.
• Develop and lead the implementation of a remote management framework for WASH in line with program quality standards.
• Identify strategic programming opportunities and liaise closely with the grants team to develop quality proposals, concept notes and program’s budget.
• Upgrade technical procurement standards for construction works in accordance with Myanmar and International construction standards.
• Undertake a full review of all DRC constructed works in Rakhine State, develop and implement a costed structure improvement plan, and establish clear construction guidelines and standardized designs and BoQs for types of DRC regular construction in Rakhine State.
• Ensure protection-centered approach to the design, implementation and monitoring of all WASH and engineering activities.
• Ensure WASH behavior change through hygiene promotion awareness participatory processes. Identify data gaps for donor advocacy; design and build systems for data collection in coordination with other WASH partners and DRC programs.
• Lead on contingency planning for natural disasters and cyclones (incorporating WASH, but also for all other DRC activities)
• Perform any other tasks requested by DRC management.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting:

• With the MEAL Manager and IM Manager, ensure a MEAL plan is in place and implemented for WASH activities and that the relevant IM systems are in place, special focus on remote monitoring.
• Produce timely, high-quality internal reports and contribute to regular donor reporting.
• Prepare technical, situational, and post-distribution monitoring reports, proposals, and presentations for different audiences to advocate for beneficiaries’ needs.

Budget Management:

• Ensure that allocated budget lines/activities and expenses are regularly monitored and, as needed, action plans with follow-up are developed to correct any over or underspending in a timely manner.
• Overall management of programs’ budget, including providing realistic and accurate budget forecasts monthly.
• Coordinate and follow up to ensure the required resources are allocated to WASH activities from relevant departments, such as Logistics, Finance-Administration, and Human Resources.

External coordination and representation

• Advocate within Rakhine and national WASH Clusters, and other coordination bodies for beneficiaries’ needs by contributing to strategy papers and TWGs.
• Coordinate WASH and all other engineering activities with other camp actors to avoid duplication and ensure that appropriate actions are taken.
• Lead on handover plan for DRC WASH camps and villages in Central Rakhine as required.
• Support the WASH Cluster with technical input and actively participate in technical working groups in Rakhine.
• Lead on a responsible handover of DRC WASH camps and support wider WASH Cluster re-structuring as appropriate.

As Manager the post-holder is responsible for the following:

• Accountable for achieving DRC’s strategic goals and objectives within the area of responsibility.
• Accountable for making significant decisions on what the unit does: its purpose, functions and role, and for making commitments and decisions that require the expenditure of significant unit resources.
• Accountable for people management of direct reports, generally at least 3 employees. This includes hiring & firing, objective setting, probation, performance appraisal, development of staff, managing performance, including poor performance, etc.
• Accountable for making sound decisions based on DRC policies, MOPs, standards, and the advice of technical experts in DRC.

*Perform any other relevant tasks as requested by line manager and Area Manager.

Experience and technical competencies: (include years of experience)

The candidate should have the following qualifications:

• Minimum 4 years of humanitarian project management in WASH, preferably in displacement settings
• Qualification in design/civil engineering (architecture, engineering, construction).
• Strong experience in the design and site management of a range of WASH and non-WASH construction projects
• Knowledge of menstrual hygiene management, water quality testing, water-related diseases, water treatment and storage
• Experience with psychosocial support, gender-responsive project planning, non-violent communication, and arts-based methods of community engagement is an asset.
• Strong experience in participatory mapping, facilitation, capacity building, and communication methods to engage with low literacy participants.
• Knowledge of behavior change and service design.
• Exceptional interpersonal communication, negotiation, and professional writing skills in English
• Ability to understand constraints and capacities of staff and beneficiaries to provide effective feedback to them.
• Robust M&E, data collection, and IM skills, experience with GIS preferred.

Education/qualifications: (includes certificates, licenses etc.)

• Master’s degree (e.g. political science, international development, or economics)

Languages: (indicate fluency level)

• Full professional proficiency in English

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’s core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.
• Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with our vision and values.

Conditions

Contract: DRC will offer the successful applicant a DRC’s Regular contract included 3-month probation with the possibility of extension. Salary and conditions will be in accordance with DRC’s Terms of Employment. The position is placed in Employment Band F-management. This position is open for Myanmar National only.

Further information

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website www.drc.dk

Application and CV

Interest? Click to apply position. Please send your application, in English, no later than 17th November 2023.

CV only applications will not be considered. We only accept applications sent online.

(Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and shortlisted candidates may be contacted for interview/an offer made before the advertised closing date)