The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world”s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world”s largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you”re a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

The WASH Coordinator will report to the Deputy Director of Programs and work closely with the IRC WASH team and the IRC’s partners in Gaza to implement WASH programming in Gaza. S/He will provide strategic direction, leadership, and overall technical support to the WASH program design and project delivery for IRC’s programming in the Gaza Strip, which will include direct and partner implementation. The WASH Coordinator will seek to ensure high quality program design processes and appropriate implementation of projects, based on a thorough analysis of gaps and needs, and propose context-appropriate WASH activities for implementation while considering the existing expertise and knowledge of IRC staff and partner organizations as well as constraints within the operating context.

The WASH Coordinator will also serve as the technical focal point for the IRC’s local partners in Gaza alongside the WASH manager representing IRC externally at WASH cluster level and Technical Working Groups.

Reporting Relationships and Coordination
Reports to: Deputy Director Programs
Collaborates with: Deputy Director Field Management (DDFM) and Field Coordinator for Gaza.
Technical Supported by: WASH Technical Advisor – MENAU Region
Technically Supervises: WASH Manager and provides technical support to WASH team in Gaza.

Roles and Responsibilities

Technical Quality
• Oversight of the technical aspects of the implementation and coordination of the Environmental Health/WASH program in Gaza.
• Provide direct technical support to the WASH team in accordance with best practice and IRC policy.
• Ensure IRC WASH programs demonstrate adherence to international and national standards, including Sphere and others.
• Ensure program activities foster accountability to beneficiaries, gender and protection sensitivity and inclusion are adequately addressed in programming.
• Coordinate closely internally and externally including but not limited to other agencies, logistics and WASH Cluster members to identify suitable solutions to provide WASH programming in a challenging context in Gaza in line with cluster standards and adheres to internal and external rules and regulations/donor compliance.
• Monitor current progress of WASH activities to ensure program quality.
• Adapt if required program responses and strategy, including geographic areas of intervention, in coordination with IRC teams, partners and other WASH stakeholders.
• As security allows, carry out WASH and IPC assessments and analysis in the target health facilities as well as mobile medical units highlighting key challenges faced by medical staff with proposed WASH and IPC interventions for the immediate and recovery phases.
• Ensure integration across sectors and work closely with MEAL to ensure an appropriate targeted approach.
• Ensure close coordination with other departments across the IRC including but not limited to Supply Chain, Finance, HR to ensure project implementation is on time, within scope and budget.
• As requested, participate in assessment, evaluation and provide recommendations of appropriate clean water and sanitation options for the displaced and return populations as well as for use by staff at the guest house and health facilities.

Staff Supervision & Development
• Direct line management of the WASH Manager based in Gaza and the WASH team.
• Capacity building of WASH team with specific focus on project management, WASH humanitarian response, technical capacity, donor compliance, internal compliance, WASH project monitoring and enhanced external coordination.
• Assess staffing requirements against the size and scale of the emergency and take corrective action where needed.
• As required recruitment of staff as per the approved WASH organogram.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promote a strong team spirit and provide oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Take responsibility for discussing job expectations, performance, and objectives on an informal, quarterly basis with designated staff.
• Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures

Business development and Grant management
• Support business developments that are technically sound and financially feasible
• Ensure sound financial management across the project cycle with oversight on relevant internal and external rules, regulations and compliance.
• Ensure timely and quality implementation of WASH activities that are appropriate for the context across the project cycle.
• Lead in both internal reports as well as donor reporting.

Coordination & Representation
• Maintain effective coordination and networking with internal as well as external stakeholders,
• Work closely and coordinate with IRC supply chain and finance staff to ensure timely and compliant program activities and expenditures.
• Actively represents IRC in external WASH forums and technical working groups.

Other Duties
• Consistently and proactively monitor/assess the safety and security of the team; promptly reporting concerns or incidents to Management, and when liaising with community leaders and other external parties as required to maintain/enhance the security environment for IRC programs.
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs

Requirements

• Postgraduate degree level qualification in Civil Engineering or Environmental Sciences or Public Health; relevant experience will supersede the formal qualification.
• 5 to 10 years of experience in leading/managing WASH programs with INGOs in emergency contexts.
• Demonstrated project management experience including financial management.
• Competent in Windows, MS office programs, AutoCAD (or similar computer aided design), email and database experience.
• Experience with institutional donors including but not limited to ECHO, BHA, SIDA, CDCS, GAC, GFFO.
• Excellent understanding of WASH issues and best practices in extreme emergency situations and knowledge of emergency standards (SPHERE)
• Strong management, planning, analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills
• Ability to travel, live and work in stressful and insecure environments.
• Demonstrated ability to manage concurrent priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to able to work under pressure and good at timely decision making.
• Fluency in English and Arabic.
• Knowledge and/or experience in conflict management, protection, or other related field
• Excellent professional approach and strong team-building skills.

Desirable
• Proven experience working in a humanitarian context with experience implementing emergency WASH programming.
• Knowledge and/or experience of Gaza and/or oPt including coordination with Israeli civil and/or military authorities.
• Familiarity with culture, customs, and religious context, and sensitivity towards staff, and acknowledgement of the sensitive and delicate nature of the conflict.
• Fluency in Arabic

Work environment
Security constraints are very high in Gaza, with a context marked by high-intensity military activities. Social tensions are also very high, linked to the war, difficult living conditions and the collapse of economic activity, leading to looting, inter-family disputes as well as criminal acts.

The WASH Coordinator position is based in Deir-el-Balah, where the IRC has its office and guesthouse. Given the current conflict conditions, the candidate must be able to work in a rapidly changing environment, which is resource deprived. Living conditions are harsh with major disruptions to basic services (water, electricity, health, etc.) leading to high health risks, and a lack of basic health and food products. This creates a difficult working environment and a high level of stress, with limited opportunities to relax.

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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