COVID-19 Awareness and Response Coordinator/ Consultant

OVERVIEW

SAWA is currently implementing two projects within Bekaa and Baalbeck- Hermel through a dedicated Rapid Response Team (RRT). SAWA undertakes emergency WASH and Child Protection responses across any area in Bekaa, with an overall objective to reduce morbidity and mortality of vulnerable populations. Outbreak preparedness including Water Borne Disease, and multi-sectoral response including for COVID-19, is part of the mandate of the rapid response team. We are also preparing our staff, volunteers, community mobilizers and facilities in West Bekaa for the interventions in areas where we have suspected and/or confirmed cases. SAWA is actively engaging with the national COVID-19 preparedness mechanisms, and the RRT plans to implement COVID-19 preparedness and response activities.

ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES

Act as the focal point on activities related to Covid-19 awareness and provide support and advocacy to SAWA Group internally and externally.

The Covid-19 Awareness and Response coordinator:

• He/She will attend relevant meetings at national, local and field level.
• Collect sector and interagency updates on Covid-19, while providing support and guidance on national guidelines to SAWA front line staff such RRT teams, community mobilizers and volunteers.
• Ensure an excellent coordination between SAWA, the Lebanese Water Sector, interagency, and teams involved in COVID-19 preparedness activities.
• Provide strategic direction, in collaboration with the Programme Manager and WaSH Coordinator on SAWA’s engagement in COVID-19 preparedness/awareness activities.
• Coordinate and implement COVID-19 preparedness/awareness activities.
• Prepare awareness sessions TOR to the refugees and vulnerable community, and train the HP team on all related topic based on the national guideline.
• Coordinate responses in affected sites.
• Finally, he/she will support Emergency Response Team interventions specific to COVID-19 response.

KEY ACTIVITY AREAS

Communication and Coordination

• Develop and maintain appropriate communication with the teams and other relevant stakeholders.
• Participate and proactively engage in COVID-19 preparedness coordination meetings and working groups at national and, field level. Provide summary notes off all external meetings for relevant internal stakeholders.
• In coordination with Advisors, develop and deliver training on COVID-19 preparedness to SAWA staff.
• Proactively network with all other engaged actors, agencies and sectors to identify opportunities to collaborate.
• Ensure clear internal coordination within the project teams including RRT, the management team, and other support teams (Logistics, Human Resources, Finance, Base).
• Provide updates during various meetings such as a management, or any other ad-hoc meetings.
• In coordination with the PM and WaSH Coordinator, assess the need for and contribute towards the design and implementation of COVID-19-related staff health protocols and procedures.

Project Management

• Manage COVID-19 preparedness activities, alongside the PM and WaSH Coo., in order to meet the project objectives within budget and time.
• React quickly to crisis and organize +/- implement appropriate assessments and responses.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of a COVID-19 preparedness and response strategy.
• Continuously monitor and supervise COVID-19 preparedness and response activities, evaluating progress through outputs and impact. Provide input into the integration of beneficiary participation and accountability.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of activities according to applicable timeframes and formats.
• Participate in the development of interventions and new proposals, linked to the assessed needs and gaps.

Logistics

• Work with the PM and Logistic Officer to ensure stock, purchase requests, and movement requests are submitted.
• Support the logistics activities of CP and WASH staff, in relation to the purchasing of PPE, IPCs…or any COVID-19 related supplies, etc. Liaise with the WASH Sector and logistics staff to ensure that quality items are procured, transported, stored, etc.
• Support the Manager in ensuring proper social distancing and other preparedness measures are implemented at the Baalbeck and Marej base.

Quality Management/Project Design

• Responsible for ensuring project implementation is according to SAWA, donor, local, national and international guidelines.
• Contribute towards setting objectives of emergency COVID-19-related WASH assessments and interventions, monitoring progress, etc.
• Decide on new activities and new project sites and provide input regarding future plans and changes.
• Improve the quality of the project, including assessments, monitoring and evaluation, implementation of Core Humanitarian Standards and protection mainstreaming.

Capacity building

• Train relevant staff on various aspects of COVID-19 preparedness, PPEs, IPC, etc.,
• Establish an SOP for Water Borne Diseases and Covid-19 Awareness.
• Design awareness sessions for the refugees in collaboration with HP team.
• Compile and manage, and make available, relevant information related to COVID-19 and Water Borne Diseases for staff access.
• Support development of SAWA ‘s (tailored) training curriculum, PowerPoint slides, IEC materials etc.

Team Spiritual Life

• Reflect the values of SAWA with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, and external contacts.

Qualifications

• University degree in a relevant subject such as Epidemiology, Medicines, Public Health, WaSH, or any related field.
• Clinical degree or diploma (nurse, Lab) is a plus.
• Strong working knowledge of English (spoken and written).

 REPORTS TO: Programme ManagerExperience / Competencies

• 2 years’ post-qualification professional experience.
• At least 1-year humanitarian management experience, including field level public health response. Preferably, experience training and supervising teams and participating in national level coordination.
• Good communications skills, ability to communicate ideas clearly such as in guidelines and job aids.
• Ability to priorities clearly and oversee multiple tasks and to take the initiative in project decisions.
• Able to set clear objectives for staff and to delegate. Committed to consultative leadership.
• Aptitude for community mobilization and capacity-building. Experience in training/ mentoring/ coaching staff.
• Knowledge of humanitarian principles mainly Protecting Human Research Participants (PHRP)