Role Purpose

Plan International is a rights-based development and humanitarian organization working for better lives for all children. We are independent of government and have no political or religious affiliation. Our purpose is to strive for a just world that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We have been building powerful partnerships for children for more than 80 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

Our global strategy has a specific focus on girls, as they are often the most marginalized and most often left behind. We have committed ourselves to the ambitious target of reaching 100 million girls over 5 years, to ensure they can learn, lead, decide and thrive. This is our contribution to reaching the sustainable development goals, and in particular the goals on gender equality. Our organization is transforming itself to meet this enormous challenge everywhere we work. We need bold, forward-thinking and innovative individuals to lead our country operations, driving change and delivering results that will allow us to reach our target of 100 million girls. 

In Ethiopia, Plan has more than 25 years of experience in implementing its programme. Currently PIE mainly operates in seven geographical areas; Amhara, Oromia, SNNPR, Gambella, Benishangul Gumuz, Afar, and Addis Ababa City Administration on different projects funded by different donors including sponsorship.

Plan International Ethiopia's main purpose is to seek Gender Justice for Girls, Adolescent Girls, and Young Women. We aim to help create an enabling environment where girls, adolescent girls, and young women are safe, valued, equally cared for, and have equal opportunities. PIE will contribute to the global strategy by aiming to reach directly 2.1 million Girls, Adolescent Girls and Young Women over the period of the strategy 2020-2024 and to reach an additional 6.3 million beneficiaries through its interventions.

WASH Coordinator is responsible to lead the water supply development component of the ESDEC Country Program at the PU level and ensure support and linkages to the sanitation and hygiene component. The post holder is responsible for the delivery of results in line with pre agreed program plans and objectives and oversees program implementation at all stages throughout the project cycle.  Given that a significant and increasing amount of the work is done through partnership, a key aspect of the role is nurturing, developing and facilitating the achievement of results through partners.  Plan Ethiopia has put in place a CP policy that all of its staff must adhere to and sign.

Management scope, reporting lines, key relationships

Reports to: Program Area Manager

Key relationships

Internally: The job holder has a close working relationship internally with the following departments and/or functions:

Program Area staff, project staff and various internal staff networks. 

Externally: The job holder has a close working relationship externally with the following departments and/or functions:

Government counterparts, implementing partners and other development organizations within the region.  

Level of contact with children

Mid contact: Occasional interaction with children

Physical Environment

Typically office environment with at least 30 % field travel

Accountabilities and MAIN WORK ACTIVITIES

Accountabilities

Project design, implementation and reporting

• Ensure the technical soundness, appropriateness and general quality in water supply and sanitation and Infrastructure project design, planning, implementation of projects and construction Supervision and Contract Administration.
• Provide leadership into the water supply development and infrastructure project planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation; assess the outputs, outcomes and impact of program interventions and activities in the program unit.
• Oversee project implementation.
• Prepare and develop in consultation with appropriate stakeholders annual and multi-year work plans and project plans.
• Under the Country Lead leadership contribute to the development of concept notes and proposals.
• Ensure effective and efficient management of financial resources, including review and check project budgets, monitoring expenditures, and implementing cost control measures.
• Ensure M&E and learning in close collaboration with the M&E team.
• Ensure quality and timely reporting and documenting of project activities including preparation of quarterly/yearly program progress reports.
• Ensure the mainstreaming of CP, Inclusion and DRR in the program unit.
• Provide timely coordination and guidance in the delivery of water supply services and infrastructure construction supervision and contract administration in PIE supported programs areas.
• Manage and organize trainings, workshops and meetings that concerns the project at all levels and participate when relevant.
• Field supervision and quality control of construction of Hand Dug Well/HDW/, Spring Development/SD/, Rural and Urban piped water supply project, rehabilitation and expansion of civil works, construction of buildings etc.
• The Coordinator is expected to develop standard design for all infrastructure supported by Plan based on the government standard
• Prepares Bid documents, construction agreements and coordinates contract awards
• Review payment certificates against the agreement

Policy engagement and networking

• Serve as a principal representative to WASH thematic networks and clusters to promote effective program implementation, to create collaborative and positive partnerships and alliances, and to influence policy that maximizes the impact of the country program.
• Establish links and good relationships with relevant government authorities, NGOs, academic and research institutions and the media, in the area of water, sanitation and hygiene to draw information and knowledge for program efficiency and effectiveness.
• Makes follow up and proper documentation of regional government policies, strategies and plans with respect to water sanitation and hygiene.
• Partnership development and strengthening
• Periodically collect information about other organizations working within the region to gain institutional knowledge of the environment.
• In support of the regional manager, manage the partnership in a holistic and reciprocal manner.
• Make it a business to know about other organization in the region.
• Seeks opportunities for different kinds of partnership for enhanced quality program implementation.
• Provide support to partner staff, coaching for results and support to the water, sanitation and hygiene thematic area team as well as in their individual development and performance management.
• Facilitates communication and interaction between partners/collaborators and Program Unit finance team.

Dealing with Problems:

• The position involves resolving many challenges which typically occur in water, sanitation and hygiene program management at the PU level. The post holder will demonstrate the ability to solve problems, while introducing innovations as needed to meet the demands of a dynamic and sometimes unpredictable operating environment while ensuring Plan systems and policies are adhered to.
• The post holder will coordinate the PULT/PA program portfolio to ensure the highest level of project quality and its link with the overall country program. This will encompass strengthening accountability, planning, management, adherence to policies and procedures, and promoting a culture for delivery of results, both short and long term.

Safeguarding Children and Young People (Safeguarding) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI)

• Understands and puts into practice the responsibilities under Safeguarding and GEI policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), ensuring that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.
• Ensures that all staff in the unit/function/department are properly inducted on and understands their role in upholding Plan International’s safeguarding and GEI policies;
• Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People and Gender Equality and Inclusion are fully embedded in day to day work.
• Ensures that Plan Ethiopia contributes to Plan International’s global efforts to ensure safeguarding and GEI, including making sure that relevant reporting and data are submitted

Job Requirements

Technical expertise, skills and knowledge

Educational Qualification and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree or above in Sanitary Engineering, Hydraulic Engineering, Civil Engineering, Water Resources Engineering or related disciplines with at least 5 years relevant experience in water supply and sanitation development, construction supervision and Contract Administration out of which a minimum of 2 years of NGO experience.
• Demonstrated experience in the management (feasibility study, design, construction supervision, contract administration etc.) of water supply and sanitation projects and infrastructures.
• Experience in contract document preparation, negotiation management, and development of bid documents, Bill of quantities and specification, as well as supervision and administration of projects.
• Experience and Knowledge of using Water CAD, AutoCAD and related software packages are advantageous

Knowledge:

• Numeracy and the ability to interpret financial data, in order to understand budgetary processes including planning, monitoring and reporting.
• Proficiency in computer skill and use of relevant software and other applications
• Knowledge of the water, sanitation and hygiene sector.
• Knowledge and experience in supervising infrastructures.
• In-depth knowledge of project cycle management and child centered community development programming.
• Knowledge of development issues, trends, challenges and opportunities and implications to community development.
• Knowledge of effective participatory Monitoring, Evaluation and Research systems and processes.

Languages required:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including presentation.

How to Apply

The closing date for the application is March 10 2021. Qualified candidates should submit their application through ethiojobs. This position is only open to Ethiopian Nationals, who must be eligible to live and work in Ethiopia.

Please note that: 

• Applications and CVs written in English will be accepted
• Female candidates are encouraged to apply
• Shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• Please note that we are not accepting CVs that are not sent through the indicated link.

Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.

More information about Plan International can be found here

References will be taken and background and anti-terrorism checks will be carried out in conformity with Plans Child Protection Policy. Plan operates an equal opportunities policy and actively encourages diversity, welcoming applications from all persons meeting the skills and experience required.

As an international child centered community development organization, Plan International is fully committed to promoting the realization of children's rights including their right to protection from violence and abuse. That means we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with.

Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organization, do everything we can to keep children safe. We must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk. Female applicants are highly encouraged to apply.