Water Engineer Advisor, Amman

Closing Date: Monday, 13 August 2012.

This position is pending funding and is anticipated to be an eight month assignment.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Water Engineering Advisor is responsible for coordinating and implementing the delivery of a municipal water rehabilitation project including daily management of program activities and program staff, and ensuring appropriate systems and support mechanisms are in place to track, analyze and report on results. The Advisor is a strong team leader, able to develop and mentor team members in Jordan and is an effective communicator, able to work with internal and external stakeholders to achieve common objectives. S/he is responsible for managing relationships with local partners, beneficiaries and UNICEF representatives, contributing to achievement of country goals through innovation and program development and displaying expertise in the water sector as well as regional experience to the team on the ground. The aim of the 8 month UNICEF funded water infrastructure project is to renovate wells, pipes, pumping mechanisms and other water infrastructure to significantly increase water flow to two large towns in northern Jordan.

PROGRAM/ DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

Mercy Corps is an international relief and development organization working in over 40 countries worldwide helping people build secure, productive and just communities. Mercy Corps has been operating in Jordan since 2002 and is currently responding the large influx of Syrians now residing in northern Jordan. The Water Engineering Advisor will manage and provide the technical oversight of Mercy Corps projects focusing on municipal water network maintenance in Ramtha City. Specifically, the Water Engineering Advisor will oversee the implementation of: 1) connecting two recently constructed wells to the water system serving over 30,000 people 2) systematically locating and fixing of leaks in the distribution system, 3) eliminating major distribution system bottlenecks by upsizing and/or constructing new pipelines, 4) conducting maintenance work on existing booster pumps and aeration treatment tower for Hydrogen Sulfide removal, and 5) providing water quality testing equipment and maintenance and safety tools . S/he will conduct regular field visits to monitor progress of construction and maintenance operations.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Technical

• Liaise and closely coordinate with relevant officials from the municipal water authority and others.
• Conduct technical assessment
• Mentor and supervise technical teams to ensure quality of projects implemented
• Monitor budgets and financial controls for multiple projects
• Develop bill of quantities and assist Mercy Corps with tender processes including contractor selection.
• Ensure quality control of all civil works including new construction and maintenance of existing pumps and hardware.
• Oversee all tender processes and ensure timely procurement of required project inputs and materials
• Conduct regular field visits to monitor project implementation .
• Write quality reports and provide timely updates to donors.

Strategy and Vision

• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative view points are welcomed.
• Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives and contribute to country-wide strategy development.
• Develop and organize activities to secure resources for programs and convince stakeholders to provide support.

Personal Leadership

• Demonstrate flexibility, resilience and ability to maintain positive relationships and composure.
• Maintain high ethical standards and treat people with respect and dignity.
• Demonstrate an awareness of his/her strengths and development needs.

Representation

• Develop and build collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, local governments and other stakeholders.
• Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.

Team Management

• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
• Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.
• Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance & reach objectives.

Program Management

• Collaborate with program, finance and administrative staff.
• Ensure program implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts.
• Create and maintain systems ensuring effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with donor and Mercy Corps policies and procedures.
• Implement and model Mercy Corps' philosophy of social entrepreneurship and leverage Mercy Corps' best practices.

Security

• Work closely with the country team's security focal point to develop and maintain systems and training that ensure the safety and security of the team.

Organizational Learning: As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve - we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries: Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: The Water Engineering Advisor will have 3-5 persons that directly report to him/her.

ACCOUNTABILITY:

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: MC/Jordan Country Director

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: MC/Jordan Deputy Country Director and MC technical support team.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• BS or equivalent in civil engineering or other relevant field; MA/S in civil engineering preferred.
• 5-7 years of water infrastructure experience including groundwater extraction, pipeline construction, pump installation and maintenance, leak detection, power connection to pump stations, etc.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and communicate effectively with team members of varied work styles.
• Demonstrated flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving.
• Proven ability to learn quickly, lead a program to achieve stated results and objectives.
• Ability to effectively represent Mercy Corps and its interests to key stakeholders.
• Experience working with host governments, national and international NGOs.
• Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational and prioritization skills.
• Excellent oral and written English skillsrequired; proficiency in Arabic is a plus.
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.
• Internationally recognized qualification in project or program management or a commitment to obtain the qualification in the early months of work.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

The successful Water Engineering Advisor will combine exceptional management skills and experience in maintaining donor and partner relationships. S/he will have an outstanding ability to develop, implement and manage innovative programs within the current and future program structure of Mercy Corps in the region. S/he will also have proven experience with cross-cultural team and capacity building, individual staff development and strong mentoring skills. Prioritizing, problem solving, ability to seize opportunities, attention to detail and strategic vision are essential. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.

LIVING /ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

The Water Engineering Advisor position is based in Amman, Jordan This location is accompanied and secure. Housing is individual accommodation with unlimited freedom of movement beyond the house/office. There are numerous international schools in Jordan. Staff will have a very high degree of access to medical and other services. This position requires regular travel within Jordan to work sites in the north of the country. Travel time from Mercy Corps office to the project sites is roughly 1-1.5/hours. 

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

How to apply: 

Apply online at our website:
http://mercycorps.silkroad.com/epostings/submit.cfm?fuseaction=app.dspjo...