Tajikistan: Project Manager Rural Water Supply and Sanitation – Ferghana Valley
Country: Tajikistan
Closing date: 15 Sep 2013
Department: ProgrammePosition: Project Manager Contract duration: 2 years, renewable another 2 yearsLocation: Tajikistan, Based in Khujan, with frequent trips to DushanbeStarting Date: January 2014This is a request for CV’s/expression of interest for the position of Project Manager for a Rural Water Supply and Sanitation project in the Ferghana Valley of Tajikistan. ACTED is seeking qualified candidates to join the Tajikistan mission for this long term assignment. The recruitment/appointment and entitlements are subject to funding availability/confirmation.Deadline to submit CV: 15th September 2013Background on ACTEDACTED is an independent international, private, non-partisan and non-profit organization that operates according to principles of strict neutrality, political and religious impartiality, and non discrimination.ACTED was created in 1993 to support populations affected by the conflict in Afghanistan. Based in Paris, France, ACTED now operates in 30 countries worldwide, with over 200 international and 4000 national staff. ACTED has a 100 million € budget for over 340 projects spanning 8 sectors of intervention; including emergency relief, food security, health promotion, economic development, education & training, microfinance, local governance & institutional support, and cultural promotion. For more information, please visit our website at www.acted.org.
Country ProfileProjects: 28 (2012)National staff: 114 (2012)International Staff: 6 (2012)Capital Office: BishkekTotal number of direct beneficiaries: 75,306 (2012)Budget: 2,4 M Euros (2012)
ACTED has been operating in Tajikistan since 1996, taking a multi-sector and multi-disciplinary approach to social and economic development, and tailoring its responses to the needs of local populations. Over the past 17 years, ACTED in Tajikistan has implemented many projects funded by the Asian Development Bank, UN agencies (especially in collaboration with UNHCR, UNICEF and UNDP), the European Commission, the EBRD, USAID, DFID, the Swiss Development Cooperation and the World Bank. ACTED’s programmes in Tajikistan reflect the nexus between emergency relief and development which has seen the organization adopt a long term approach towards the development of the country. ACTED’s strategy is aimed at contributing to the eradication of poverty by facilitating equitable pro-poor economic growth and decentralized development management, whilst also promoting environmental sustainability.
ACTED’s 2012-2014 strategy in Tajikistan is focused on three interconnected pillars: • Rural Economic Development• Local Governance• Disaster Risk Reduction.
Several themes crosscut ACTED’s interventions and are crucial elements in its country strategy: • Building capacities and competencies at the local level through community-based and community-led initiatives; • Promoting dialogue and platforms between all relevant stakeholders, including communities, governmental structures, and line ministries; • Supporting sustainability of development through cost-effective and locally “owned” projects.
In line with ACTED strategy in Tajikistan, ACTED strongly believes that local governance initiatives, combined with a focus on effective water and natural resource management holds potential in terms of contributing most effectively towards long term development in Tajikistan.
Position ProfileThe Project Manager is in charge of a long-term program focusing on the Ferghana Valley (in Tajikistan only) whose goal is to improve rural population’s health and wellbeing through sustainable rural water supply and sanitation and improved household hygiene and hygienic behavior. To achieve this objective, in addition to focusing on increasing access to safe water, the project will put special emphasis on: (i) sanitation, including hygiene, the construction of appropriate safe toilets for schools and health centers, and the promotion of household toilet construction; (ii) gender, strengthening the role of women in decision-making/management of Water User Associations; (iii) contributing to the policy dialogue with the Government in areas crucial for rural water supply and sanitation; (iii) integrated water resource management; and (iv) scaling up and sustainability. Overall, the Project Manager is responsible for project implementation and, as such, his/her duties shall include: overseeing field operations and ensure effective and timely completion of activities, achievement of outputs and outcomes with maximum impact for beneficiaries and oversee all administrative duties, staff management, stakeholders and partners relations, in coordination with relevant departments. Main tasks• Contribute to the creation of a positive image and overall credibility of the organization, notably through the application of ACTED’s mandate, ethics, values and stand-point with regard to other actors.• Display cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.• Overall responsibility for the implementation of the project (Project Cycle Management: assessment, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, reporting) according to project documents.• Particular emphasis on supporting capacity building of local stakeholders. • Ensure that technical quality and standards are considered during programme implementation• Undertake quality control, analyze added-value and impact, identify and capitalize on best practices and lessons learnt. • Ensure external representation of ACTED in relevant sectors, vis-à-vis country and local authorities, other project stakeholders, donors and partners.• Manage and support project staff, prepare and follow work plans with each project team, ensure a positive working environment and good team dynamics (conflict resolution skills), contribute to the recruitment of project staff, undertake regular appraisals of directly supervised colleagues, ensure capacity building among staff in relevant sectors, oversee staff security by ensuring that security procedures are known and respected by each staff.• Provide advisory and backstopping assistance to the Programme of ACTED in Central Asia.
Qualifications and experience:• A solid background (at least Master’s degree) in (water) engineering, economics, or related environmental disciplines.• Profound knowledge of the water sector, specifically on rural water supply, sanitation and hygiene, but also including of the concept of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM).• A minimum of 7 years overseas experience required. Experience working in the Commonwealth of Independent States and Central Asia would be an asset.• Experience implementing large and complex rural water supply and sanitation programmes.• Understanding of SDC compliance issues.• Oral and written language skills: Fluency in English; speaking Russian and/or familiarity with the Tajik language would be an asset.• Skills in communication and facilitation of dialogue between governmental and community actors• Ability of mobilizing, motivating and interacting positively with people, both at local as well as regional and central levels.• A sense of innovation and creativity.• Computer proficiency (MS Office package, internet).
Conditions: • Salary defined by the ACTED salary grid; educational level, expertise, hardship, security, and performance are considered for pay bonus• Additional monthly living allowance• Free food and lodging provided at the organisation’s guesthouse/or housing allowance (depending on contract length and country of assignment)• Transportation costs covered, including additional return ticket + luggage allowance• Provision of medical, life, and repatriation insurance + retirement package• Accompanied position possible
How to apply:
Please send, in English, your cover letter, CV, and contact information for three references to jobs@acted.org by the 15th September 2013. Ref : PMW/TAJ/SA
