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 focuses on responding to basic needs for food, water, and shelter, particularly committed to combating diseases linked to unsafe water, which is the leading cause of death worldwide. SI 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. The organization operates in more than 20 countries, employing teams made up of expatriates, national employees, permanent staff at headquarters, and volunteers, all working with professionalism and commitment while respecting local cultures. SI has been active in Myanmar since 2008, initially responding to Cyclone Nargis and has since expanded its operations to focus on various sectors including Livelihoods, Food Security, Shelter, and WASH, particularly in Rakhine and Kachin States. The organization is supported by a coordination-team" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Coordination team based in Yangon and is currently developing a stronger Emergency component to address the growing needs across the country, with projects funded by various international agencies.

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 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 SI'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 donors, and leading WASH initiatives in consortia with local partners. The position also requires managing remote operations due to limited access to the field, particularly in Rakhine, and involves high volumes of programming in partnerships with both international and local organizations. The first 2-3 months will focus on finalizing the restructuring of the WASH/Programs organizational chart in Rakhine and strengthening SI's 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 of experiences and improvement of technical approaches in WASH.
• Represent SI in WASH cluster meetings and engage with donors as required.
• Lead WASH initiatives in consortia, ensuring effective collaboration with local partners.
• Conduct capacity assessments and build the capacity of partners in WASH-related interventions.
• Manage remote operations and monitor activities in areas with limited access.
• Address challenges related to context understanding and implementation of activities in Rakhine. 1
• Oversee the transition to semi-sustainable WASH infrastructures and manage water scarcity issues.

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 resource management.
• Expertise in emergency and protracted sanitation solutions.
• Proven ability in transformative and behavior change-based hygiene promotion.
• Experience in technical engagement with donors and external coordination.
• Demonstrated technical leadership in cluster settings or large-scale consortia.
• Strong communication skills with an appetite for external communication and technical advocacy.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have a university-level degree, with a preference for a Master’s degree in 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 a significant level of experience in the WASH sector, particularly in complex interventions in challenging environments such as Rakhine. Candidates should have experience in managing large-scale WASH programs, engaging with local and international partners, and leading technical initiatives. Experience in emergency response and capacity building of local partners is also highly desirable.

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

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. Health and life insurance, as well as repatriation costs, are fully covered. The position allows for free choice of location (France or abroad) outside of deployment periods. It is important to note that there are security constraints in Yangon and that all operational bases in Myanmar currently present medium to severe security challenges.