Deputy Project Manager – Wash / Civil

Mission

Founded in 1994, Acted is a non-governmental organization with headquarters in Paris, France. Independent, private and not-for-profit, Acted respects principles of strict neutrality and impartiality in its decisions, and operates according to non-discrimination and transparency principles. Acted endeavors to respond to humanitarian crises and build resilience; promote inclusive and sustainable growth; construct effective governance and support the building of civil society worldwide by investing in people and their potential.

In Pakistan, Acted has been active since 1993 and has provided assistance across all provinces to an estimated 6.9 million people. The assistance has included emergency response to meet the immediate and live-saving needsof natural disaster and complex emergency affected households, as well as recovery and development support in the form of education and livelihoods promotion and assistance.

The Deputy Project Manager-WASH-CIVIL is responsible the implementation, management, and development of the designated project which forms part of the ACTED response in Pakistan and additionally provision of coordination and support as well as strategic planning and technical guidance on activities within the area of WASH/CIVIL. He/She plays a leading role in project implementation and providing technical input to the WASH, INFRASTRUCTURE & Civil strategy and project development at the local and national level. Moreover, he/she supports the Project Teams in the planning, design, implementation, supervision, and potential expansion/development and administration of technical WASH, INFRASTRUCTURE & Civil interventions.

OBJECTIVES

The Deputy Project Manager shall be responsible for:

·        Collaborating with programme team in planning, implementing and monitoring of the designated project;

·        Ensuring that planned activities are successfully implemented;

·        Collaborate effectively with other line managers and the coordination team. 

·       Manage the programme field team and ensure that they are wholly involved in programme planning and direction.

·        Collaborate with the Appraisal, Monitoring and Evaluation Unit (AMEU) to assess need, monitor activities, and evaluate programme progress. Ensure that lessons learned in the course of implementation are integrated into the programme to ensure that it remains responsive and relevant.

·        Provide input and regularly review all FLAT Follow-Up for ongoing programmes together with the relevant department managers and Deputy Project Managers and Managers;

·        Be alert to opportunities arising for learning, collaboration and partnership that may enhance programme quality and responsiveness.

·        Liaise with technical staff and its participants/ partners.

·        Report regularly (as requested) to the Area Coordination.

·        Prepare and update the Project Management tools (i.e. PMF, Logframe, BFU).

·       Translate relevant documents or information during coordination visits.

·        Develop team capacity at both the individual and group level by organising/ facilitating trainings internally or through specialist agencies / individuals. 

·        ork proactively to ensure that the projects are responsive and relevant to community needs.

·        To develop context specific and relevant WASH, INFRASTRUCTURE & Civil programming strategy and support the funding of its roll-out to sustainably raise Acted’s profile as a credible WASH, INFRASTRUCTURE & Civil actor in Pakistan.

To coordinate Acted’s WASH, INFRASTRUCTURE & Civil activities, provide technical support to WASH, INFRASTRUCTURE & Civil projects, define coherent WASH, INFRASTRUCTURE & Civil implementation modalities, tools and methodologies build the WASH, INFRASTRUCTURE & Civil capacity of staff.

FUNCTIONS

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 1. Programme Management

-    Objective 1.1: Implementation of Project Cycle Management Framework

The Deputy Project Manager will ensure that project cycle management tools, including the PMF are developed and regularly updated, together with Field Officers for all projects undertaken. He/she will ensure that project implementation is conducted within the parameters of the PMF and that this reflects the proposal objectives.

The Deputy Project Manager shall undertake regular field coordination visits to ensure that:

1. Activities are correctly completed across the village tracts of intervention and that expected standards are met;
2. Challenges to implementation are identified and addressed in a manner that takes into account beneficiary needs and expectations;
3. Community / beneficiary feedback is collected and shared in programme and coordination meetings;
4. Targeted indicators as stated in the Project Management Framework (PMF) and/or Logframe are met in a satisfactory manner;

-    Objective 1.2: Management of Project Staff

The Deputy Project Manager shall be responsible for the management of project / field staff and for ensuring that all field teams are comprehensively briefed on the objective, expected output and overall implementation strategy of any given activity. The Deputy Project Manager shall ensure that Project / Field staff are given training and complete all the necessary documentation in line with programme requirements.

-    Objective 1.3: Coordination

The Deputy Project Manager shall ensure that he/she regularly meets with HR, Finance, and Logistics Departments to ensure that support mechanisms such as the BFU, Procurement plan, and recruitment are completed on time and reflect operational realities/needs. 

-    Objective 1.4: Reporting

The Deputy Project Manager shall support the Reporting manager in the preparation of reports to be submitted to Donors / Authorities / Coordination bodies (i.e. OCHA / Internal Coordination). He/she will be expected to provide reports covering activity implementation, achievement of objectives, successes / challenges, beneficiary feedback, etc.

The Deputy Project Manager is expected to provide regular reports to the Area Coordination on the progress of the implementation of activities and on observations made during the mission and collaborate closely with the AME unit as part of monitoring and evaluation activities.

2. General Functions

-         Objective 3.1: Completion of Programme Filing for Completed Projects

The Deputy Project Manager shall ensure all relevant filing is properly organised, up-to-date and complete for all projects. He/she shall, also work closely with the FLAT teams to support project reconciliation / general monthly follow-up exercises.

-         Objective 3.2: Commitment to Accountability to Communities

The Deputy Project Manager shall take the lead in the development and implementation of a programme-specific accountability framework to act as a guideline for all programme activities.

-         Objective 3.3: Facilitation

The Deputy Project Manager is expected to facilitate trainings or programme coordination meetings by translating and/or leading discussions. Moreover, he/she shall be in a position to present ACTED’s global and programmatic strategies and activities in township NGO fora or for Local Authorities.

1. External Positioning

1.1. External Relations

a)      Act as key ACTED representative on WASH, INFRASTRUCTURE & Civil in Pakistan

b)     Ensure external representation of ACTED in WASH, INFRASTRUCTURE & Civil, vis-à-vis country and local authorities, other project stakeholders, donors and partners

c)      Participate in and report (internally) on WASH, INFRASTRUCTURE & Civil technical and sectoral meetings, clusters and working groups involving all relevant stakeholders such as donors, NGOs, UN Agencies, inter-governmental institutions

d)     Ensure effective coordination and collaboration with key stakeholders and partners, i.e. NGOs, civil society organizations, community groups, and government counterparts who are working on WASH, INFRASTRUCTURE & Civil

e)     Identify opportunities to collaborate and coordinate efforts with other organizations to ensure our activities build upon - rather than replicate - the work of others.

1.2. Project Development

a)      Collect and analyse primary and secondary data related to the WASH, INFRASTRUCTURE & Civil sector in the Pakistan.

b)     Analyse the activities in the WASH, INFRASTRUCTURE & Civil and relevant stakeholders

c)      Identify the needs of the most vulnerable populations through regular visits and literature review, and through the design and implementation of relevant needs assessments in close collaboration with AMEU

d)     Lead WASH, INFRASTRUCTURE & Civil project conceptualization workshops

e)     Provide technical inputs into proposal design and ensure new or adapted projects for the WASH, INFRASTRUCTURE & Civil focus on maximizing efficiencies, impact and integrated approaches

2. Internal WASH, INFRASTRUCTURE & Civil Technical Support and Coordination

2.1. Coordination

a)      Support the development and maintenance of a coherent WASH, INFRASTRUCTURE & Civil strategy across ACTED's areas of intervention in Pakistan

b)     Promote harmonization of approaches and methodologies across the different WASH, INFRASTRUCTURE & Civil projects by developing and monitoring use of common tools, as well as creating opportunities for experience sharing and learning

c)      Brief Project Managers about main WASH, INFRASTRUCTURE & Civil issues, and updating them on a regular basis.

d)     Organize internal WASH, INFRASTRUCTURE & Civil meetings on a monthly basis.

2.2. Technical Leadership

a)      Defie WASH, INFRASTRUCTURE & Civil project implementation modalities and methodologies (including, but not limited to technical specifications, identification and registration of beneficiaries, distribution and sensitization)

b)     Lead the development of all technical tools related to WASH, INFRASTRUCTURE & Civil projects (ToRs for consultants and evaluators, ad hoc reports, capitalization reports…);

c)      Analyse the appropriateness, adequacy and potential impact of all interventions in the WASH, INFRASTRUCTURE & Civil based on known contexts and needs

d)     Provide technical support to the Project Managers and other WASH, INFRASTRUCTURE & Civil staff to implement the ACTED WASH, INFRASTRUCTURE & Civil projects to a high quality standard;

e)    Liaise with WASH, INFRASTRUCTURE & Civil technical staff on a regular basis to ensure technical assistance is provided to projects when needed

Dissminate tools, research, best practices and lessons learned internally and externally through publications, networks, working groups, events, and conferences.

OBLIGATIONS:

Accountability

All Acted team members are expected to support all efforts toward 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.

PSEAH Obligation:

-        Acted has a zero-tolerance approach to sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH) and strives to recruit those who share our values.

-        All candidates will be subject to a pre-employment check that includes satisfactory references, screening, and criminal checks in line with legal requirements.

-        All candidates who have been offered a position will sign and respect Acted’s Code of Conduct and related policies as part of their work contract. All staff are expected to abide by the standards of behaviour outlined in those documents.

-        Managers will have a special responsibility to foster a safe environment.

-        Misconduct can lead to serious disciplinary sanctions.

For the purposes hereof, the following definitions shall be used.

Sexual exploitation means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another.

Sexual abuse means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions

“As a manager, you are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of integrity and professionalism in our workplace. You are committed to actively preventing sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEAH) by fostering an environment that promotes respect, safety, and gender equality for all employees.

Your responsibilities include:

• Leading by example: Demonstrate zero-tolerance for any form of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment through your behavior and actions.
• Creating a safe environment: Ensure that all team members feel safe and supported to report any concerns or incidents without fear of retaliation.
• Training and awareness: Facilitate training sessions or ensure training sessions are organized to raise employees’ awareness about Acted PSEAH policy, reporting mechanisms, and their contractual duty to report.
• Prompt Action: React swiftly and effectively to any alert by transferring them without delay to Country Direction and to the HQ Investigation Unit.”

TECHNICAL SKILLS

1.      An accomplished university graduate in Civil Engineering, or a related field.

2.      Prior knowledge of safeguarding, gender equality and child protection will be an added value

3.      Able to process and articulate complexity in a clear and coherent way.

4.      Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to collaborate and form effective partnerships with internal and external stakeholders

5.      Excellent report writing skills in English

6.      Excellent English and Urdu verbal skills

7.      Flexibility in adopting approaches and advice to incorporate emerging and transitioning needs to evolve safeguarding and child protection procedures as per project needs during implementation

9.      Fresh graduates will be preferred

10.   Good knowledge of MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, formatting etc.

11.   Familiarity with technology tools for virtual meetings and coordination

Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines