WASH Coordinator

Overall purpose of the role

The WASH Coordinator will provide targeted and high-quality strategic guidance, capacity strengthening and technical leadership to DRC Emergency WASH portfolio in the Horn of Africa region and will promote and reinforce DRC’s leadership and expertise in ensuring climate and displacement-affected populations in Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia are provided with critical WASH lifesaving assistance.

A specific focus for the WASH Coordinator will be the supervision of the quality of the implementation at site level, in coordination with WASH country teams, Clusters and relevant authorities. This entails building effective collaboration with a diversity of stakeholders, ranging from displaced communities, host community representatives, humanitarian partners, and local authorities. A secondary focus will be to support the development of integrated programming across other DRC core sectors of intervention (including CVA, CCCM and Protection).

The WASH Coordinator reports to the Head of PMU and works in close collaboration with the WASH colleagues in country and the other technical specialists within the regional PMU.

Key responsibilities

WASH Technical Support

• Lead the development, update and roll out of DRC’s WASH strategy in Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia in response to the drought.
• Lead the harmonization of the methodology, tools, processes, and outputs within the various field teams and externally with Country Cluster partners.
• Provide technical support and overall coordination in the design and implementation of WASH programming.
• Represent DRC in WASH and Shelter clusters, as well as the relevant technical working groups and vis-a-vis the national and local authorities as required.
• Participate and support existing coordination mechanisms.
• Contribute to WASH related MEAL planning and implementation.
• Contribute to donors reporting requirements, PDMs and ensure all data is collected and indicator tracking tools are updated regularly.
• Ensure that the proposed actions are based and respect both IDPs and host communities’ needs.

Oversight of WASH Implementation

• Support the development and implementation of DRC’s WASH activities in response to the drought.
• Conduct frequent field visits to monitor the quality of WASH implementation.
• Improve utilization of site monitoring data in informing humanitarian responses, as well as utilization of the data for analysis and advocacy purposes.
• Ensure integration with other DRC sectors such as Economic Recovery, Protection, CCCM and Humanitarian Disarmament & Peacebuilding (HDP) during implementation.
• Contribute to the implementation of beneficiary feedback mechanisms at field sites.
• Oversee protection and Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) mainstreaming in all DRC WASH activities.
• Oversee and support representative committees and community groups, ensuring Inclusion is main factor in composition and any community-based targeting.
• Establish and maintain coordination amongst key actors, including government representatives, UN agencies, international and national NGOs and other service providers groups.
• Assist in monitoring, in close collaboration with CCCM/SMC and Protection, activities implemented by DRC in IDP sites, as well as the activities of other organisations.

Ensure all activities respect international standards for each sector.

About you

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s five 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.

Experience and technical competencies:

• Degree or Master’s in social or political sciences or relevant discipline.
• At least six years INGO experience, including at least three years in management or coordination in insecure environments.
• Significant professional knowledge of WASH strategies, policies, and modalities.
• Proven experience in strategic planning and organizational development.
• Strong capacity in inter-agency coordination and networking.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and management and leadership skills.
• Demonstrated ability with project grants management, including project design, budget preparation, expenditure tracking, monitoring and evaluation, reporting, supervision and performance.
• Proven commitment to accountable practices and knowledgeable of quality assurance systems.
• Good communicator and proven diplomacy with all types of stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently, but also coordinate effectively as part of a team.
• Strong computer skills (MS Word, Excel, BI, Outlook and Power Point)
• Ability and willingness to work and live in diverse, challenging and potentially unstable environments.
• Ability to travel regularly within the region and beyond – including in conflict affected areas – for up to 4 weeks at a short time notice and a good team-player.