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, 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, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Amhara and South Nations, Nationalities and People’s Region (SNNPR) – 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.

Program / Department Summary

As part of its humanitarian response program, Mercy Corps is anticipating USAID/BHA funded Humanitarian Assistance and Recovery Program (HARPII) to respond to the immediate needs of vulnerable individuals in the Somali, SNNP and Oromia regions to meet their immediate WASH, Nutrition and Health requirements and basic needs to navigate through stresses and shocks.

He/ She will further ensure that all WASH activities are done in a context-sensitive manner, and holistically coordinated with other Mercy Corps projects including livelihoods, health and nutrition sectors and other stakeholders. In addition, he/she will contribute to the proper representation of Mercy Corps and establish strong linkage with government, UN agencies, and other key stakeholders.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Provide technical support to field level hygiene promotion officer on potential involvement in new WASH interventions and internal WASH capacity for implementation.
• Define appropriate policies, guidelines, and protocols for the WASH activities of Mercy Corps in consultation with other field managers and in line with relevant government, Sphere and WHO guidelines.
• Carry out regular monitoring visits in conjunction with other staff, ensuring that project objectives are met within the stated timeframes.
• Maintain an oversight of WASH NFI supplies, and water quality standards ordered for the emergency WASH project, supporting the WASH and logistics staff in the coordination and quality control of WASH supplies.
• Whenever necessary (highly technical activities) prepare design documents, bill of quantities, organizes a competitive bidding process with the procurement team to select the most qualified and cost-effective contractor.
• Ensures all emergency WASH activities are implemented in accordance with the Mercy Corps, donor and government guidelines and policies.
• Ensure appropriate design, construction, and implementation of WASH facilities according to technical standards. Prepare drawings, Bill of Quantities and contract document; lead the bid evaluation and related contract administration components of the project.
• Ensures application of best-practices in the WASH interventions. Ensures a coherent, community-based and market approach to emergency WASH services.
• Documents and disseminates success stories and lessons learned.
• Conducts participatory surveys, needs assessments, data and information collection as per the needs and schedules of the program.
• Guide program officers and team in, and support, joint community-based analysis and awareness-raising around resource conditions, and the interests and needs among multiple key stakeholders.
• Oversee processes in relation to community priorities and needs of Water schemes.
• Work closely with the other emergency technical and mobile team and field level advisors to support timely implementations of action plans.

Strategy & Vision

• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
• Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives and contribute to countrywide strategy development.
• Develop and organize activities to secure resources for programs and convince stakeholders to provide support.

Program Management

• Oversee program startup and ongoing program management and administration of teams across various field locations.
• Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities and partners and consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic plan.
• Ensure that beneficiaries are effectively targeted according to established vulnerability criteria.
• Develop partners’ MoUs and contracts & oversee a training program for program partners.
• Develop program implementation strategies, including partnership frameworks, beneficiary targeting and distribution process as well as WASH, psychosocial and capacity building of partners.
• Integrate community approaches, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities as appropriate.
• Ensure program implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts.
• Create and maintain systems ensuring effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with donor and Mercy
• Corps policies and procedures.
• Fulfill Mercy Corps’ Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guide.
• Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards.

Team Management

• Develop the capacity of the 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 compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to emergency programming.
• Draft and/or review scope of work to hire and manage any technical consultants, including review for technical efficacy and contract budget.

Influence & Representation

• Identify, build, and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, local governments and other stakeholders.
• Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.

Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

Organizational Learning : As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient, and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Job Requirements

Knowledge and Experience

• BSc degree in Hydraulic and or Water Resources Engineering, or related field. 5 years of experience in WASH projects including infrastructure development.
• Key programmatic knowledge includes project formulation and design, SBCC, and project management.
• NGO/Private sector experience has a significant advantage.
• Excellent team and interpersonal relationship skills, especially in a cross-cultural setting, required.
• Ability to take direction, follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members is required.

Good organizational skills

• Ability to analyze complex situations and to make recommendations for improvement of and contribute to overall program strategy.
• Experience in conducting training and workshops.
• Experience with monitoring and evaluation.
• Willingness and ability to perform fieldwork and travel to the most remote areas.
• Hard-working, honest, dedicated, ability to communicate clearly and effectively at all levels – with colleagues, government and military officials, community leaders and community members.

Success Factors

• Willingness and capacity to be flexible and accommodating when faced with difficult and frustrating working conditions like long distance.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Experience in closely working with regional, Zonal and Woreda Health
• Ability to prepare program reports Knowledge in local language.
• Communication skill, good human relations
• Firm belief in teamwork, gender equality