WASH Coordinator

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191-member National Societies. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” The IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.

The IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of the IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

The IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services.

The IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The IFRC also has country cluster delegation and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles.

A 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit Morocco on 8 September 2023, killing and injuring thousands of people and causing widespread destruction. The Moroccan Red Crescent Society (MRCS) responded immediately, providing first aid and psychosocial support, helping transport the injured to hospitals, evacuating people from damaged buildings and providing dignified burial management. Through this appeal, the IFRC is supporting MRCS to meet the immediate and early recovery needs of 500,000 affected people. Priorities include providing food and safe water, essential household items, shelter support, health and mental health services, and cash assistance.

IFRC works in an integrated manner with the Moroccan Red Crescent (MRC) and its partners.

This position is based in Marrakech, Morocco and requires regular in-country travel to support the field teams specially in Taroundant, Chichaoua and Al-Haouz provinces.

Job Purpose

The WASH Coordinator is responsible to support the MRC in the coordination and management of the Al-Haouz Earthquake WASH operations but also supporting the MRC WASH strategic engagement at country level. One year after the earthquake, the MRC is entering in a recovery phase response. The coordinator will ensure the WASH recovery strategy’s adjustment and implementation with efficient and effective WASH activities.

This must build on evidence, best practices, solid understanding and participation of local communities, authorities, the changing external humanitarian context and the interests and capacities of the host National Society and internal and external stakeholders. The WASH Coordinator works closely with the other sectors leads from MRC, IFRC or PNS to insure integrated approach.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

This role carries both coordination and management responsibilities. The role will be responsible for the management and coordination of the recovery WASH programming regarding Al-Haouz Earthquake response in conjunction with the NS. Beyond the earthquake response, the ultimate aim of working with the NS is to build the skills and capacity of the NS to enable them to manage country level WASH in case of further emergency

 

Support the program management and coordination of WASH program regarding MRC’s Al-Haouz Earthquake response operation

• Coordinate and support the MRC to adjust the recovery WASH strategy according to the needs of the affected communities, authorities plans and MRC capacities.
• Coordinate the planification and the implementation of Wash strategy in close coordination with MRC, IFRC Fields Coordinator and MRC Program coordinator.
• Provide onsite project management, quality control and support technically the WASH team based in the different branches (Chichaoua, Taroudant, El-Haouz).
• Oversee budget management of WASH budget.
• Work with the MRC to provide timely, quality reporting on the programme and provide regular formal and informal reports and updates to immediate and technical supervisors.
• Ensure program efficiency and delivery in particular referring to cost effective and innovative solutions to accelerate trend of access with analysis of potential and sector environment.
• Provide technical oversight for Wash activities in the different others sector (WASH in Health, WASH at school)
• Follow and work with the support services especially with Logistics to procure WASH materials and to engage contractors as required.
• Develop technical resources (e.g. standard operating procedures (SOPs), manuals) to guide WASH activities drawing from international best practices, along with field specific observations.
• Support Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) and communication activities relative to Wash activities

 

Support the MRC WASH strategic engagement in country level

• Based on the needs, support/develop strategical and technical resources at national level
• Identify opportunities for MRC Wash operations at national level
• Support the MRC at technical level and promote critical thinking, innovative approaches and good practices for Wash program

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

Internal and external coordination

• In collaboration with the NS, represent the Movement at sectoral coordination meetings and ensure that WASH activities are well coordinated with the WASH Cluster (or equivalent sector coordination mechanism) and other relevant government agencies and maintain effective coordination with other international agencies and NGOs engaged in WASH activities.
• Ensure strong information sharing and coordination with NSs and other Movement partners.
• Ensure strong coordination with regional WASH coordinator for coherent and consistent approaches in implementing the regional WASH framework in alignment with global WASH strategy.
• Ensure strong coordination within country WASH coordination platforms including those of UN and other NGOs.
• In coordination with country cluster and/or regional and Geneva WASH teams, explore possibility of long term developmental (including One WASH cholera preparedness and prevention) programming in the affected area.

 

Duties applicable to all staff

1. Actively work towards the achievement of the IFRC Secretariat’s goals.
2. Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles.
3. Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager.

Education

• Relevant advanced university degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering, hygiene promotion, water management or similar fields or equivalent experience – Required.
• WASH RRT/ERU specialized training – Preferred.

Experience

• At least 5-7 years of experience in developing and managing WASH programmes including personnel, budget, and financial management to ensure compliance – Required.
• At least 3-5 years of field experience in emergency and recovery contexts managing international humanitarian operations in WASH – Required.
• Experience in reporting and proposal writing – Required.
• Experience in community based integrated water management activities – Preferred.
• Experience in technical advocacy with local authorities – Preferred.
• Experience working for a humanitarian aid organization in a developing country – Required.
• Experience of working for Red Cross/Red Crescent – Preferred.
• Experience of building capacity and developing training and facilitating and in preparing and making presentations – Required.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Good knowledge of WASH management, as well as mechanisms, tools and guidelines for programming and coordination at different levels – Required.
• Ability to independently deliver a range of WASH operational and coordination/representation and advocacy roles within an emergency response – Required.
• Results oriented and demand driven individual, entrepreneurial, ability to lead in unprecedented and/or ambiguous situations – Required.
• Demonstrated management skills, including the ability to lead within a matrix management structure and utilise talent and experience of team members in a productive way – Required.
• Outstanding networking, representational, communication and negotiation skills. An ability to be proactive and persuasive – Required.
• Demonstrated track record in innovating, contributing to a learning culture, sharing knowledge and new approaches to engaging partners – Required.
• Professional credibility, able to work effectively at all levels across the organisation – Required.
• Proven good judgment and ability to work with complete integrity and confidentiality – Required.
• High degree of discretion, tact and sensitivity in dealing with internal and external clients and stakeholders at all levels – Required.
• Ability to work within a multi-cultural, multilingual, multidisciplinary environment – Required.
• Fluent spoken and written French and/or Arabic – Required.
• Good command of English – Preferred.

Competencies, Values and Comments

• Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability
• Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust, Movement context, principles and values
• Managerial competencies: Managing Performance, Managing Staff Development
• Functional competencies: Strategic Orientation, Building Alliances, Leadership, Empowering Others

 

 

IFRC ensures equal employment opportunities.