Action Contre la Faim France Jobs in Kenya

Action Contre la Faim France WASH Head of Department Jobs in Kenya

Level: X3

Number of positions: one(1)

Duty Station: Nairobi

Type of contract: Fixed term

Contract duration: 1 year with possibility of extension

Organisational background

Action Contre la Faim (Action Against Hunger) has been conducting humanitarian programs in Somalia Since May 1992. Currently, ACF is conducting its humanitarian activities in Somalia focused on treating and preventing malnutrition, increasing access to clean water and appropriate sanitation, strengthening the food-security and the livelihoods and thus boosting the resilience of communities in Somalia as well as emergency response via program bases in Somalia.

The positions and responsibilities

ACF Somalia is looking for suitable person to fill the position of WASH Head of Department, based in Nairobi. Reports hierarchically to the Deputy Country Director and technically to the WASH Advisor; the WASH HoD’s core responsibilities will include but not limited to the following:

Goal:

To guarantee the quality, relevance and scaling up of WASH programme of the mission, in conformity with ACF and international standards and national policies

MContribute to defining the country strategy as well as the strategy and positioning of the WASH technical department

The WASH HoD is responsible for:

understanding of the humanitarian situation regarding WASH and the context of intervention by the field teams, and its continuous, systematic and thorough monitoring
analysis of the WASH humanitarian situation

dissemination of information gathered and analyzed both internally and externally, including to headquarters
production and quality of the mission sectoral strategy document in line with ACF international and national frameworks

contributing to the mission strategy and the ACF sectoral strategy

accounting for DRM in WASH strategy and projects, including participation in drafting the Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (EPRP)

integrating the WASH sector with the other technical sectors (FSL, MHCP, NUT)

monitoring the implementation, revision, and accountability of the WASH mission strategy

contributing to the technical and operational advocacy strategies of the mission, the region, and headquarters (in line with the advocacy objectives defined in ACF reference documentation)

identifying the themes for sectoral advocacy specific to the mission, in collaboration with the Country Director

Coordinate the identification of needs and the formulation of project proposals

The WASH HoD is responsible for:

Coordinating the identification of WASH humanitarian needs

Formulating and implementing feasibility studies of WASH projects (public health, technical, socio-economic, cultural and environmental aspects)

Involving the logistics and Finance departments in the design/review of WASH projects

Contributing to seeking donors for his/her sector, holding technical discussions, and exchanging information with these donors

Participating in donor visits whenever requested by the Country Director or the Field Coordinator

Identification of potential areas within the WASH sector for integrating it with the health and nutrition, food security and livelihoods

Producing the WASH sections of project proposals in accordance with donor formats and deadlines

Oversee the implementation of, and ensure reporting on, programs/projects

The WASH HoD is responsible for:

Validation of the key stages and methodologies of the projects being undertaken (timetable, systematic KAP survey (baseline/final), technical studies, calls for tender, specifications, community approach, external evaluations...)

Providing technical support (direct and at a distance) to the PM, whilst alerting or sharing information with the Field Coordinator

Ensuring that monitoring and evaluation systems are in place and that their results are integrated to guarantee improvement of the projects

Timely validation of the WASH parts of reports, internally and to funding agencies, as well as project amendments, with team contributions

Guarantee the quality and accountability of projects

The WASH HoD is responsible for:

The technical program conformity with international and national rules, guidelines and standards, and the ACF framework documents and technical works

Building the overall standard of project implementation to maximize their impact (cf DAC criteria of OECD)

Ensuring, by use of ACF specific monitoring (project quality, field visits, external audit…), that norms, national, and international standards of technical quality (inc. SPHERE and WHO) are respected

Issuing and following up technical recommendations

Alerting the Country Director and the Technical Advisor at headquarters to all major

difficulties encountered in applying recommendations and/or necessary adaptations

Alerting the Country Director and requesting that the precautionary principle be taken in the case of major risks to public health

Promotion of external and internal evaluations of projects, in line with the ACF evaluation policy

Promotion of transparency and ethical standards in projects by highlighting complaints& feedback mechanisms, particularly in respect of the beneficiary population

Promotion of safety measures for both staff and the wider population in the implementation of WASH projects (work sites), in collaboration with the PM and the Logistics Department

Ensure the active participation of ACF in national sectoral coordination and technical forums and develop sectoral partnerships

The WASH HoD is responsible for:

Interaction with regional sectoral coordination mechanisms (inc. RECA)

The ACF contribution to the various action plans in the WASH sector (Consolidated Appeal Process, Flash Appeal, Inter-Agency Contingency Plan, Hyogo & Sendai Framework for Action, national sectoral strategy etc)

Internal and external technical communications concerning WASH projects (in liaison with the Country Director/Field Coordinator)

Promotion of sectoral partnerships (civil society, NGOs, authorities, private sector.. .) and capacity building

Team management

The WASH HoD is responsible for:

the functional and/or hierarchical management of WASH personnel

evaluation of the technical performance of WASH teams (PM, Deputy Head of Department, Specialists)

developing WASH competencies and capacity building throughout the mission

Promote capitalization, technical development, research and innovation within the WASH Department

The WASH HoD is responsible for::

Supervision of capitalization duties undertaken by PMs and the WASH Department

Sharing experience with actors in the WASH sector at country and regional levels

Maintaining continuity in respect of the WASH expertise and the history of the mission

Applying new approaches proposed by Headquarters or at mission level

Reporting to Headquarters on technical development and research requirements and on the implementation of projects (notably in response to calls for internal and external research projects)

Supervision of research projects

Exploring the modalities of scientific and technical partnerships (laboratories, universities, private sector)

Developing his/her technical skills in line with the evolution of the sector

Qualifications, Experience and Competencies:

An advanced degree in public health, water & sanitation engineering or related-field

Minimum 3 years humanitarian work in developing or emergency context with at least 2 years of professional WASH technical and coordination experience, preferably in an NGO;

Experience with ACF and working with consortia will be an advantage.

Demonstrated planning and organizational skills as well as verbal and written communication and networking;

Strong technical and coordination experience required; and Experience in dealing with institutional donors such as ECHO, DFID, SIDA, SDC, etc. and working in inter-agency coordination forums (Clusters, working groups, etc.)

Excellent planning, time management and organizational capacity with the ability to manage multiple budgets simultaneously

In-depth knowledge and experience of developing and managing urban and rural WASH programs, preferably in conflict and drought emergency context

Strong demonstrable experience in project management including planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, financial management and the design/utilization of project management tools, and the capacity to transfer this experience.

Excellent interpersonal, motivational and management skills with extensive experience and staff mentoring capacity.

Ability and willingness to travel extensively to the field, under sometimes difficult and occasionally insecure circumstances.

Language + level: English. Knowledge of Somali is desired.

How to Apply:
Applications, including CV with cover letter and 3 professional references to be sent via email to:

hr-recruitment@so.missions-acf.org not later than 24th March 2017 clearly mentioning the position and the location on the subject line. e.g. VA009/2017 WASH HoD

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.

Female Candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.

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