Water Management Technical Specialist
About the Employer
Job Description
Administration & HR
HR-N9 Version 01/2022
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Disaster Resilience and Water Management Technical Specialist - Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction through Livelihood Resilience project in Ampara, Batticaloa, Kilinochchi, and Vavuniya
ABOUT Acted
Terms of Reference
Acted is an international non-governmental organisation working in 40 countries around the world. Acted began operating in Sri Lanka since 2005 in the aftermath of the Indian Ocean Tsunami. Over time, Acted has worked on humanitarian and disaster response, promoting climate smart and inclusive economic growth, civil society development, ending gender-based violence (GBV) and promoting social cohesion in line with its global 3Zero Strategy.
ASSIGNMENT
Acted embarking on a new initiative on 'Promoting Disaster Risk Reduction for Livelihood Resilience via Community-led, Area-based Approaches in Sri Lanka' funded by the USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA).
The aim of the project is to promote community-driven disaster risk reduction actions for marginalized communities, mitigating the disproportionate impacts of external shocks and stresses, thus enhancing community resilience to future disasters, and safeguarding their lives. In response to these needs the project will pilot a territorial and community-based approach to Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) by bolstering resilience of livelihoods of the most marginalized to enhance community resilience to external shocks and stresses.
POSITION PROFILE
We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated individual to join our team as a Disaster Resilience and Water Management Technical Specialist. The position will be based in four districts in the dry zone: Vavuniya, Kilinochchi, Batticaloa, and Ampara. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in understanding and addressing issues related to floods, droughts, and other disasters affecting livelihoods in these areas. The individual requires expertise in devising technical designs, BOQs, and implementing solutions aimed at improving infrastructure resilience and enhancing water management practices in irrigation systems and agriculture. Additionally, the candidate will be responsible for designing technical structures related to agriculture to minimize disaster impacts and ensure sustainable livelihoods for vulnerable communities.
CHAIN OF COMMAND
Under the authority of:
- Project Manager
WORKING RELATIONS Internal Relations:
- Country Director
- Country Program Coordinator (CPC)
- Senior Project Officers (FOM)
- Finance, Logistics, Administration, Transparency/Audit, and Security Teams (FLATS), Project Development Department,
- Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Department
External Relations:
- Project Partners
- Local communities including civil society actors.
- Consortium partners
- Donor related to the project.
- National and local authorities
- Monitoring,
Evaluation,
- National and international working groups and coordination bodies)
- National and international media (only on pre-approval from CD)
Duties and Responsibilities
- Project Planning
- Update the work plan and time schedules for implementing project activities in the target districts. Project Implementation Follow-up
- Understand and analyse issues related to floods, droughts, and other disasters impacting livelihoods in the specified districts
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- Devise technical drawings, designs, estimates, BOQs and work plans aimed at improving infrastructure resilience against disasters.
- Demonstrate proficiency in water management, especially in irrigation structures (irrigation tanks, anicuts, etc.) designing and groundwater recharging techniques.
- Design technical structures for irrigation systems with a focus on disaster risk reduction and resilience. Develop technical designs related to other community led proposed actions minimizing the impacts of disaster. Support CBOs in the development of project proposals, ensuring alignment with community needs and disaster risk reduction goals.
- Provide technical support and supervision and quality control in implementation of proposed projects.
- Collaborate with relevant line agencies to obtain approvals and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Demonstrate strong computer skills for data analysis, modelling, and report generation.
- Assist the Project Manager to anticipate and mitigate risks and issues, and trouble-shoot any unforeseen challenges during the project implementation.
- Provide regular and timely updates on progress and challenges to the Project Manager and coordination. Documenting and Compliance
- Ensure project records and documents, in particular documents that proof completion of activities is adequately prepared, compiled and filed according to Acted procedures and donor specific procedures.
- Beneficiary Engagement and Accountability
- Adhere to Acted's Code of Conduct and treat all beneficiaries, community members with respect and without any distinction or discrimination based on nationality, race, ethnicity, tribe, gender, religious beliefs, political opinion or disability.
- comm
- Communicate Acted's Complaints and Response Mechanism to target communities and participate in solving complaints related to the project in coordination with the AMEU.
Internal Coordination
- Participate in project coordination meetings with the whole project team.
External Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement
- Undertake communication and liaison activities to actively consult and involve relevant GOSL technical line agencies, beneficiaries, key informants, CBOs/ CSOs (Civil Society Organisations), actors, partners, and stakeholders in all stages of project design and implementation.
Human Resource
- Logistics
- Ensure clear understanding of work plans and roles among project staff and consultants involved in CBO projects. Collaboration with the project team to facilitate smooth project implementation.
- Foster a positive work environment and encourage strong team dynamics among project staff, promoting collaboration and mutual support.
- Participate in program logistics planning processes and closely follow logistics arrangements in collaboration with logistics.
- Support the proper management and use of project assets and stocks, ensuring compliance with logistics procedures.
Finance
- Support the PM to review and update budget forecasts by providing timely and accurate bill of quantise (BoQ) and timelines on planned and progress of the implementation of works.
- Forecast monthly cash requirements for project activities and submit to the PM.
- Participate in new budget development processes through the provision of expert programmatic advice related to contextual knowledge.
Quality Control and Learning
- Actively support in AMEU processes through the provisioning of technical information related to implementation. Support PM to identify opportunities to improve the relevant, efficiency, coherence, impact, and sustainability of the project.
- Support to assess the project activities undertaken and ensure efficient use of resources.
- Undertake regular field visits to provide technical guidance and supervision as well as regularly monitor the progress of project construction activities.
- Assist with monitoring of the technical solutions implemented by the CBOs.
- Undertake regular field visits to provide technical guidance and supervision as well as regularly monitor the progress of project activities.
- Document lessons learned and best practices and share them with the MEAL and Project Manager so they can be reflected in project planning and decision-making.
Other
- Report regularly on supervised project activities, challenges, and indicators.
- Support the Project Manager in the preparation of progress and final reports, ensuring the quality and accuracy of technical information for project activities.
- Participate in communication activities through the regular collection of pictures and stories related to project activities.
- • Offer technical support and inputs to other projects in similar sectors.
- Any other tasks as assigned by the Line Manager.
Addition to the ToR linked to ACTED Greening strategy:
- ACTED's greening strategy aims to tackle environmental degradation and climate change while meeting the needs of the most vulnerable who are often those most affected by the deepening environmental crisis. Each ACTED employee will adhere to these principles through key green programming responsibilities:
- Contribute towards the adherence and development of the greening strategy plan.
- Explore innovative green programming opportunities and/or solutions within your realm of responsibilities and roles. Encouraging and promoting environmental safeguarding processes and environmental programming standards in accordance with SOPs and technical guideline notes.
Additions to the TOR linked to ACTED PSEAH Policy:
- Senior Project Officer has the responsibility to adhere to the PSEAH Policy (Protection against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment). The Senior Project Officer has the obligation to complete all mandatory trainings related to the Code of Conduct and the PSEA policy and report any safeguarding concern such as breaches of organizational policies or codes of conduct according to ACTED's procedures. The Senior Project Officer carries out work duties in a way that does not harm children, vulnerable adults or other staff or volunteers.
Qualifications, Experience, and Key Competencies
- A Diploma or bachelor's degree in civil engineering from a recognized institution.
- A master's degree in environmental engineering, Water Resources Management, or Agricultural Engineering is an additional qualification.
- c) Minimum of 5 years of work experience specifically on water projects in agricultural settings.
- d) Candidates should possess strong technical skills in Surveying and Leveling, Drawing, Designing using AutoCAD, preparing Bills of Quantity (BoQs), supervision, and quality control to effectively contribute to the successful execution of water related projects in agricultural settings.
- e) Strong understanding of disasters in the Sri Lankan context, and disaster risk management principles and additional training on DRR is an added advantage.
- Strong knowledge and practical experience with Community-Based projects.
- g) Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, including communities, government agencies, NGOs, and CBOs.
- h) Proven experience in working with USAID-BHA projects is a strong advantage.
- Exceptional written and interpersonal communication skills, including fluency in spoken and written English. Proficiency in Tamil and/or Sinhala is an advantage.
- i) Willingness to travel frequently within the assigned districts.
Application Procedure
To apply please send your detailed CV (max. 2 pages) and cover letter (max. 1 page) to [email protected] or address to The HR Manager, ACTED, No. 30, Asoka Gardens, Colombo 06 before 17:00 hours on 23rd May 2024. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
The interviews will be commenced even before the submission deadline of 23rd May 2024.
⚫ ACTED provides equal employment opportunities. Women are encouraged to apply.
