Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Manager Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS)

The main purpose of this position is to manage the development and implementation of Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) projects under the Directorate of Health and Social Services and ensure quality of both the WASH hardware and software components by providing technical support/advise to staff. S/he will work closely with any engaged URCS contractor and oversee field works to ensure the WASH infrastructures that are installed meet the required standards and are completed within agreed timelines. In addition, s/he will be responsible for mobilizing resources to sustain and expand URCS WASH interventions through proposal development and other initiatives.

The WASH Manager will directly supervise WASH Officers who are usually based in the field in various locations and hence frequent field visits will be required.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
S.NO KEY RESULT AREAS PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES
Strategic planning and Management
• Lead in the strategy development, design and management of WASH program/projects to ensure quality, efficiency and effectiveness of operations.
• Support to finalise the URCS WASH strategy.
• Lead the development of periodic work plans and budgets for all WASH projects and supervise the implementation of activities while ensuring compliance to URCS, donor and Government of Uganda policies, procedures and guidelines
• Keep up to date with developments in public policy, legislation, best practice, competitor activity and relevant new initiatives in WASH and other URCS intervention areas

Technical management and program quality
• Ensure WASH activities are consistent with established best practices and meet national and international standards
• Ensure the WASH projects have a standardized approach to activity implementation by ensuring the utilization of standard guidelines, training curriculum, training manual and standard operating procedures

Work closely with field teams and other URCS WASH colleagues to identify operational challenges
• and develop innovations to address identified issues

Support project officer/s to ensure smooth implementation of the project activities within schedule and budgets, including keeping track of appointments, work plans, and tasks that need to be accomplished.

Conducting capacity development and offering support to project staff and volunteers in relevant themes of the WASH program.
• Organizing and facilitating workshops to ensure that lessons learnt and good practices are compiled and utilized to improve future planning, programming and implementation.

Keeping project management team and stakeholders informed about the progress at every project milestone
• Ensure integration of cross cutting themes of Protection, Gender and Inclusion (PGI), Community engagement and Accountability (CEA), Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) in all WASH projects.

People Management
• Establish priorities and set performance targets for supervisees.
• Appraise staff periodically as per the established schedules of URCS

Ensure provision of necessary guidance, support, supervision, feedback and other management functions to supervisees in the areas of their responsibility.
• Ensure good order and discipline of staff under his/her overall supervision

Performance Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting
• Supervise the collection, manage and effectively process projects’ data
• Prepare and submit high quality periodic reports in a timely manner

Closely work with PMER Manager to support PMER related requirements for projects guided by established framework and tools

Communication, Coordination and Representation
• Work with the communication team to ensure high quality internal and external communications around WASH projects.
• Maintain, and where necessary develop standard briefing materials for programme areas (including presentation materials) to support external communications

Write publications for the URCS website, including fact sheets, issue briefs, data briefs, infographics, and reports, and draft components of abstracts and manuscripts
• Lead presentation of publications to share best practices from URCS WASH operations.
• Increase URCS visibility by ensuring effective URCS representation at all relevant coordination meetings, technical working groups and other forums at national and field levels.

Resource Mobilization and partnerships
• Identify opportunities for resource mobilisation for the WASH Unit of the National Society, including mapping potential donors.
• Lead the development of funding proposals for WASH program and any other initiatives in line with the URCS strategic plan.
• Position URCS as a partner of choice in the relevant context/forum with partners and donors identified through mapping.
• lead development of the ONE WASH agenda/proposal for URCS.
• In liaison with NLRC-HQ WASH Advisor explore conceptualization and fundraising for urban WASH initiatives.

Budgetary controls and Asset Management
• Prepare, manage and monitor WASH projects budget by developing monthly budget monitoring framework, including monthly budget review with the finance team.
• Ensure supervisee account for any project funds in a timely manner as per the URCS finance policy.
• Ensure Safe custody of and efficient use of the National Society’s resources & assets assigned to the project staff

Integration of Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Policy
• Ensure that all supervisees of the position and representatives understand and comply with all aspects of Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) Policy.

Create an organizational culture and foster a working environment which is free from and prevents sexual exploitation and abuse and supports the implementation of this Policy.
• Apply and maintain mechanisms and managerial systems to support the implementation of this Policy including effective supervision, awareness raising, prevention, reporting, and responding.
• Role modelling the standards of conduct and behaviour required by this Policy and by making every reasonable effort to create and maintain an environment that assists in preventing SEA.
• Take immediate and appropriate action of reporting upon receipt of any report or complaint about SEA allegations, concerns or suspicions or retaliation related to SEA, as stated in the present policy
• Report SEA incidents as per reporting mechanisms established in 8.4 of the PSEA Policy

Carries out any other lawful assignment allocated by the immediate Supervisor.
• The jobholder is cooperative and readily responds to any ad hoc tasks assigned to him or her.
• Support dissemination efforts to recruit members and volunteers.
• Participate in any other official activities within URCS or externally as may be assigned by the supervisors.

PERSON SPECIFICATION
Minimum qualifications, working experience and competencies:
Education Qualifications
• Minimum Bachelor’s Degree in Water Engineering, Water Management, Geology, Civil Engineering or any related field an approved, recognized and reputable university.
• Possession of a Master’s degree in Water Engineering, Civil Engineering, Geology or any related field an approved, recognized and reputable university is an added advantage
• Sound training in water resources management;
• Specialized training in improved hygiene promotion approaches i.e. Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation (PHAST), Community led Total Sanitation (CLTS), Personal Hygiene and Sanitation Education (PHASE) for institutions.

Essential experience
• Minimum of five (5) years’ relevant work experience in WASH development program with government, or reputable non-government organisation with at least
• 3 years of supervisory role. Experience with humanitarian organisation is desirable.
• Familiar with updated Government Sectoral policies and implementation guidelines

Core Competencies
• Negotiation and conflict management
• Innovation and creatively
• Stakeholder management
• Commitment to continuous learning
• Communication
• Technology awareness
• Policy research and development
• Change capability and adaptability
• Manage resources
• Empowering and building trust.

Essential Knowledge and skills
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of engineering principles, methods, and techniques within broad area of specialty.
• Strong interpersonal and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Ability to provide technical leadership and project management to engineering projects of high complexity and broad ranging scope.
• Ability to adapt and modify engineering techniques and develop original model concepts within area of professional expertise.
• Ability to manage and coordinate the work of technical consultants and/or contractors.
• Ability to develop and manage project budgets, and to track and project costs using computer spreadsheet techniques.
• Knowledge and understanding of allied disciplines and ability to coordinate interdisciplinary teams.
• Ability to analyze complex engineering problems and devise creative and effective solutions.
• Ability to supervise and train employees, to include organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments.
• Excellent computer skills with high proficiency in Microsoft Excel and ability to run specific software (AutoCAD, ArchCAD and basic GIS)
• Sound understanding of the project management cycle and related tools
• Knowledge of electronic data collection systems and data editing/analysis
• Very good knowledge of Emergency Response
• Protocols and sphere standards for service delivery.
• Strong written and oral communications skills including ability to write technical documents and give presentations to colleagues in and outside of URCS
• Strong knowledge of information sharing tools, and the ability to implement them.
• Highly Organised and able to work independently and proactively, with ability to work in team
• Overall understanding of budget and finance management
• Demonstrated skill in analytical and strategic thinking
• Familiarity with current standards and guidelines for humanitarian emergency response .