Project Manager – WASH (Ethiopian Nationals)

The African Initiatives for Relief and Development (AIRD) is a non-political, non-religious and non-profit making NGO with Country Programme Offices in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Niger, Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan and Ethiopia. AIRD’s objective is to offer operational support, including but not limited to: supply chain, logistics, construction, infrastructure, environment, livelihoods and WASH in partnership with relief and development organizations that focus on disaster-affected and development oriented areas. AIRD delivers for and through partners including but not limited to UN Agencies, international and national donor organizations and governments.

AIRD now seeks to recruit a qualified and motivated WASH USAID -Project Manager to be based in Semera-Afar, Ethiopia for an anticipated BHA-USAID funded WASH Project.

Purpose of the position

The WASH Project Manager will manage, coordinate and monitor WASH and NFI activities in Afar Region, he/she will manage relationships with other consortium members, implementing partners, beneficiary representatives, host communities, local government and other project stakeholders to help achieve the objectives of the programme by advancing the work of AIRD in the service of beneficiaries.

Key Responsibilities

1. General Duties

Program Management

• Carry out activities related to programme management, formative supervision and coordination of day-to-day project activities in the field;
• Conduct regular field and site visits to ensure effective implementation of programme/project activities at the local level;
• Actively participate in the preparation of project reports and budgets;
• Supervise projects to ensure the quality of activities carried out and learning;
• Measure project performance using appropriate tools and techniques;
• Establish and maintain effective communication with the donor and other key agencies regarding program management issues;
• Provide updates on project progress in the project area to the Country Director on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis.

WASH/ NFI’s

• Daily project management for all activities in the WASH/NFI BHA-USAID Project;
• Supervise and coordinate assigned soft, engineering, planning, design and construction work;
• Meet quality, budget and schedule requirements as stated in the contract;
• Coordinate the project administration and approval process and provide updates
• Participate in the proposal of new humanitarian projects for Afar;
• Participate in staff training and awareness raising among all project stakeholders;
• Liaise with partners to ensure correct , integration and complete implementation of the project;
• Undertake technical and feasibility studies, including on-site surveys, complex and repetitive calculations;
• Include protection and gender aspects in the implementation of the programme;
• Evaluate the sustainability and environmental impact of projects, put in place the necessary impact reduction measures.

Human resources

• Supervise M&E Officer and WASH Officers
• Participate in the integration of new staff into the project;
• Conduct personnel assessments and performance review according to AIRD systems;
• Support the systems and procedures for the selection, recruitment and discipline of the Office’s staff;
• Participate in capacity building of national staff, identification of staff training needs and provision of mentoring support, as appropriate.

Reports and Communications

• Ensure daily communication and coordination with the Country Director, participate in meetings of the Country Management Team /Management Team and coordinate meetings and management briefings of the field office;
• Ensure the detailed production of internal reports of the AIRD programme, as indicated by Country Director.

Representation

• Represent AIRD to local authorities, other organizations, NGOs on issues related to the programme; WASH and NFI Clusters
• Ensure that all parties concerned are kept informed of AIRD- activities, where appropriate;
• Support the Programme Coordinator and the Country Director in their public relations/communications role in the country.

Donor and partner activity

• Coordinate information gathering and draft reports and budgets in partnership with the finance department to be submitted to headquarters for approval;
• Identify and collect information on possible ongoing donor funding and future funding opportunities to complement programme activities;
• Create and maintain relationships with donors, partners and other parties.

Information Management

• Develop and maintain systems for recording program activities, results and impact;
• Provide relevant documents, case studies, photographs, events and media contacts in accordance with the profile, identity and message of the AIRD – in accordance with the guidelines of the CPD and the Head Office Communications Department;
• Develop appropriate internal reporting formats and ensure efficient internal information flows.

Personal Qualities:

• Strategic Thinking
• Results focus
• Change Leadership
• Team Leadership
• People Management

Key Relationships

• Country Program Director
• Consortium partners
• Humanitarian Operations Officer
• Partners, Government authorities
• WASH and NFI Cluster

Qualifications, experience and skills

• Graduate degree in Civil Engineering, Rural Engineering, Architecture, Water Resources Management, Hydraulics or any other appropriate field of development assistance;
• At least 3 years of practical experience as project manager in humanitarian response;
• 5 years of experience implementing humanitarian or development WASH projects
• Ability to design and plan and execute a project;
• Knowledge of USAID procedures is an asset;
• Experience working with international development partners, international non-governmental organizations (INGOs)
• Be willing to travel for program requirements.

Required languages: Must be fluent in Both Amharic and English (written and spoken); Knowledge of the Local Language will be advantageous