The VRP Manager will support the early recovery and livelihood activities of Merlin¡¦s emergency response and recovery programs. S/he is responsible for managing all VRP activities in the Merlin response area and for managing and supervising all staff, projects, project selection and planning, project assets, government and community liaison, monitoring and payment related to the VRP programs.

Location: Myanmar (Yangon)
Closing date: 15 Sep 2008

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Plan and ensure the effective implementation of VRP.
Coordinate all VRP activities, including area selection, community capacity, and coordination.
Review labor and time-line requirements for VRP activities, determining staffing requirements.
Coordinate payment procedures, including documentation, approval and actual payment.
Oversee procurement of all materials for VRP projects, both from Yangon and locally.
Report on any problems encountered in the field such as project participant complaints, local authority interference, security threats to Merlin staff and activities. Coordinate with Merlin Security Officer and Team Leader on any threats to Merlin staff and activities; follow up on incidents/security threats in areas of operation.
Complete any required monitoring as outlined by the Team Leader. fæ Ensure complete Merlin orientation for all new staff.
Providing capacity building to Merlin staff and local NGO partners to promote greater understanding of and adherence to principles and mechanisms of Transparency and Accountability.
Work to assure the sustainability of NGO partners and co-formulate an exit strategy for Merlin support fæ Maintain all documentation relating directly to VRP activities required to ensure accountability to the donor, particularly where labor is concerned.
Oversee administrative matters relating directly to VRP activities: time-sheets, payment schedules, required paper-work, liaison with finance department.
Prepare monthly cash requirement forecast for VRP activities, including the purchase of materials at site and VRP labor payments.
Provide information on VRP activities as requested by Team Leader and HQ.
Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Merlin and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
Other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: National and international staff.

ACCOUNTABILITY: REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Merlin Team Leader/Country Director

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: all Officers, Administration and Field Staff, and Finance

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

At least 3-years field experience working in participatory community-based programming, and experience managing a large scale project in emergency settings.
Experience managing the development, implementation, administration and compliance of US Government, ECHO/ EC, UN, private foundation and corporate grants, and related programs..
Familiarity with conflict, post-conflict and post-disaster environments
Demonstrated proficiency in using computers, basic software systems, and email. Knowledge of communications equipment (e.g., radio and satellite telephone systems), protocols, systems and usage.
Hire, train, mentor, and supervise staff.
Willingness to travel frequently and extensively throughout emergency zone.
Experience working with host governments and their agents, INGOs and NGOs.
Experience with wide range of donor reporting and compliance requirements
Firm grasp of humanitarian standards and codes.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

Conscientious, with excellent judgment.
Display an entrepreneurial spirit that is both creative and flexible. S/he will combine strong communication skills, creativity, initiative, participatory leadership and tactful decisiveness to assist in the development and implementation of Merlin¡¦s programming strategy.
Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous attention to detail and strategic vision are essential.
S/he must have the confidence, and humility, to work effectively with a large variety of people who will be diverse culturally, economically and in social status.
S/he must be sensitive to political and cultural nuance and able to consistently apply excellent judgment to a variety of demanding and fast-changing situations.
Ability to foster solid working relationships with GOs, INGOs, and NGOs.
Ability to work as part of a team and coordinate with project personnel.
Fluent in both spoken and written English.
Strong organizational skills.

LIVING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

Potentially harsh environment with high insecurity.
Housing will also vary depending on the situation, but expect basic, communal accommodations.
Vacancies Contact
Submitting a resume online at a job site could cause valuable screening information to be missed. Please apply directly at
http://hostedjobs.openhire.com/epostings/jobs/submit.cfm?fuseaction=dspjob&jobid=185102&company_id=15927&jobboardid=479.
Mercy Corps is an AA/EOE.

The Water and Sanitation Manager will work to design, implement and manage water and environmental sanitation projects in the area(s) where Merlin is responding during the emergency. S/he will represent Merlin at the sector level and ensure that its assistance is effectively reaching the target population.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Conduct community assessments and make recommendations on needs and vulnerabilities of the populations in regard to water and sanitation issues.
Work collaboratively to design and implement Merlin' emergency water and sanitation project(s).
Integrate public health concepts into engineering programs. Good understanding of cholera outbreaks and epidemics' dynamics and solutions.
Ensure that the project engages local stakeholders and develops local capacity for longer term sustainability.
Recruit and mentor local staff and manage staff. Train the community WASH committees.
Work with and manage a diverse group of international and local staff.
Knowledge of participatory management techniques required.
Manage programs including budgets when required.
Ensure integration of SPHERE guidelines and key indicators into programming.
Develop working relationships and coordinate with relevant international and local agencies active in the water and sanitation sector of the emergency response.
Participate in the UN Water/Sanitation Cluster coordination meetings.
Establish a system to monitor and evaluate project activities and impact, in accordance with existing Merlin D,M& E guidelines.
Regularly report on project status and compile proposals for donors including budgets.
Maintain close working relationships with local authorities, INGOs, and local NGOs and associations.
Foster a collaborative team atmosphere which engages the stakeholders.
Other duties as assigned by the Team Leader.
Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in line with the Humanitarian Code of Conduct and in such a manner as to bring credit to Merlin and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.

ACCOUNTABILITY:

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: This position may require supervision of a large team of national and international staff working and living in different geographical locations .

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Merlin Team Leader/Country Director

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Logistics, Procurement and Finance, Administration and Field Staff.
Relevant educational background, preferably technical to degree level or similar.
Demonstrated expertise in water and sanitation, and the use of appropriate technologies, with at least two years' experience.
Experience in emergency WASH response programming. Experience in large scale natural disaster response is an asset.
Commitment to local capacity building and the ability to engage local stakeholders in project design and implementation.
Familiarity with international humanitarian operations, coordination structures, and the mandates of UN agencies, Red Cross organizations, and other NGOs. Good organizational skills and ability to anticipate project needs.
Experience working with host governments and their agents, INGOs and national NGOs.
Proven ability to work cooperatively with others in a team environment, and to lead a diverse group of national and international staff.
Understanding of participatory methodologies for project design, implementation and evaluation and Merlin' D,M&E methodology.
Knowledge of humanitarian standards and codes, including SPHERE.
Working knowledge of basic procurement systems. Knowledge of Merlin's specifics is an asset.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

Conscientious, with an excellent sense of judgment.
Ability to work simultaneously on multiple tasks in an insecure, stressful environment and keep to deadlines.
Ability to develop water and sanitation initiatives to meet uncertain and changing scenarios.
Understanding of the long-term implications of relief work and the importance of incorporating the development of civil society into relief activities.
Rapidly develop a strong understanding of the cultural, political and religious environment in the region, and the ability to live and work successfully in those environments are essential.
Willingness and ability to work effectively with a wide variety of people.
Ability to work as part of a team and coordinate with project personnel.
Able to interact with partner and peer agencies.
Fluency in spoken and written English.
Computer literate and strong organizational skills.

LIVING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

Harsh environment with some degree insecurity. Housing will also vary depending on the situation, but expect basic, communal accommodations.
Vacancies Contact
Submitting a resume online at a job site could cause valuable screening information to be missed. Please apply directly at
http://hostedjobs.openhire.com/epostings/jobs/submit.cfm?fuseaction=dspjob&jobid=185075&company_id=15927&jobboardid=479.
Mercy Corps is an AA/EOE.
Location: Myanmar (Yangon)
Closing date: 14 Sep 2008