WASH Coordinator

Job Posting Organization:
SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL (SI) is an international humanitarian aid organization that has been providing assistance to populations affected by armed conflict and natural disasters for over 40 years. The organization is dedicated to addressing the basic needs of affected populations, particularly in the areas of food, water, and shelter. SI is particularly focused on combating diseases linked to unsafe water, which is the leading cause of death worldwide. The organization applies its expertise in access to drinking water, sanitation, hygiene promotion, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, and livelihoods. SI operates in more than 20 countries, employing a diverse team of expatriates, national employees, permanent staff at headquarters, and volunteers who work with professionalism and commitment while respecting local cultures. In Myanmar, SI has been active since 2008, initially responding to the devastating Cyclone Nargis and subsequently expanding its operations to focus on Livelihoods, Food Security, Shelter, and WASH sectors. Currently, SI operates mainly in Rakhine and Kachin States, with outreach emergency capacities through local partners in other locations. The organization is supported by a coordination-team" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Coordination team based in Yangon and is committed to developing a stronger and more responsive Emergency component to address the growing needs across the country. Projects are funded by various agencies, including FCDO, ECHO, CIAA, CDCS, and UN agencies, with potential for geographical and activity scope development to meet emerging needs.

Job Overview:
The WASH Coordinator plays a crucial role in contributing to the strategy of Solidarités International by proposing a sector-based strategy in the field of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH). This position is responsible for ensuring the quality of technical approaches proposed and the appropriateness of WASH activities. The WASH Coordinator will coordinate the project cycle and operational monitoring of WASH programs, contributing to the capitalization and improvement of Solidarités International's methods and techniques in WASH. The role involves significant representation on the mission, including participation in the monthly WASH cluster meetings in Yangon, engagement with the Strategic Advisory Group (SAG) of the WASH Cluster, and regular meetings with donors as required. The WASH Coordinator will also hold a leadership role in consortia, including partnerships with local organizations implementing emergency to post-emergency responses. The position requires strong involvement in capacity assessment and building of partners, with a focus on remote management due to limited access to the field. The role presents challenges related to understanding the context, particularly in Rakhine, where there are strong limitations in place. The WASH Coordinator will manage a high volume of programming in partnerships, both international and national/local, while ensuring SI's positioning on WASH technical control and monitoring for such consortia. The first 2-3 months will prioritize finalizing the restructuring of the WASH/Programs organizational chart in Rakhine and strengthening SI's WASH leadership in Emergency Response consortia.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The WASH Coordinator will be responsible for the following duties and responsibilities:

• Develop and propose a sector-based strategy for WASH in alignment with Solidarités International's overall mission.
• Ensure the quality and appropriateness of WASH activities implemented in the field.
• Coordinate the project cycle for WASH programs, including planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Contribute to the capitalization and improvement of WASH methods and techniques used by Solidarités International.
• Represent Solidarités International in the monthly WASH cluster meetings and engage with donors as necessary.
• Lead the WASH component in consortia, ensuring effective collaboration with local partners.
• Conduct capacity assessments and build the capacity of partners involved in WASH activities.
• Manage remote operations and ensure effective implementation of activities despite limited field access.
• Address challenges related to context understanding and adapt strategies accordingly. 1
• Oversee the high volume of programming in partnerships, ensuring technical control and monitoring of WASH activities.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for the WASH Coordinator position should possess the following qualifications:

• A university-level degree, preferably a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Water Sanitation and Hygiene, Engineering, Environment, or Geology.
• Strong knowledge and experience in water supply and water resource management.
• Expertise in emergency and protracted sanitation solutions.
• Proven ability to implement transformative and behavior change-based hygiene promotion strategies.
• Experience in engaging with donors on technical and sectorial matters.
• Strong external coordination skills and the ability to lead technical discussions within clusters and large-scale consortia.
• Excellent communication skills with an appetite for external communication and technical advocacy.
• Ability to manage complex interventions in challenging contexts, particularly in Rakhine.

Educational Background:
Candidates should have a university-level degree, with a preference for a Master’s degree in fields related to Water Sanitation and Hygiene, Engineering, Environment, or Geology. This educational background is essential to ensure the candidate has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to effectively manage WASH programs and contribute to the organization's mission.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have significant experience in the WASH sector, particularly in emergency and protracted contexts. Candidates should have a proven track record of managing WASH programs, engaging with donors, and leading technical discussions within clusters and consortia. Experience in capacity building and working with local partners is also essential, as well as the ability to navigate complex interventions in challenging environments.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, as it is the primary language of communication within the organization and with external partners. Proficiency in Myanmar/Burmese is considered an asset, as it would facilitate communication with local stakeholders and enhance the effectiveness of WASH interventions in the region.

Additional Notes:
The WASH Coordinator position is offered as a temporary expatriate contract. The salary is calculated based on the expatriate salary scale, starting at €2,640 per month. Additional benefits include per diem and accommodation coverage during deployments, one day off for each weekend spent in the field, and 25 days of paid vacation. There is no reduced working time (RTT) policy in place. Health and life insurance, as well as repatriation costs, are fully covered by the organization. Candidates have the flexibility to choose their location (France or abroad) outside of deployment periods. It is important to note that there are security constraints in Yangon, and all operational bases in Myanmar currently present medium to severe security challenges.