WASH Officer

Duration of Contract: 6 months with possibility of extension (45 days probationary period)

Line management: Line managed by the Head of sub-office, Line manages WASH Field Officers

Posted on: June 1, 2016

Background

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a humanitarian, non-governmental, non-profit organization founded in 1956 that works in more than 30 countries throughout the world, including Ethiopia. DRC fulfills its mandate by providing direct assistance to conflict-affected populations, including refugees, internally displaced people and host communities. Under its mandate, the organization focuses on emergency humanitarian response, rehabilitation and post-conflict recovery.

DRC commenced work in Ethiopia in 2009 and currently provides expertise in shelter, WASH, livelihoods and protection in the Gambella and Somali regions of the country. Activities implemented by DRC are funded by money raised from the Danish public and by project grants from the Danish government and other bilateral and multi-lateral donors.

DRC is in the process of starting a new program in Tigray regional state, where the organization anticipates implementing a variety of youth protection activities in Hitsats, Shimelba, Mai-Aini and Adharush refugee camps, as well as emergency response activities in Eastern Tigray and Kilbet (Zone 2) of Afar Regional State.

Purpose

1.      To carry out the day to day WASH activities in Kelete Awalalo and Atsbi Wenberta weredas of Eastern Tigray

2.      Conduct technical assessments and prepare related designs, drawings and bills of quantities (BoQ) for the WASH projects as per demand.

3.      In collaboration with the WASH Engineer, prepare training curriculums for WASH Assistants, water monitors, masons and water management committees.

4.      Facilitate relations between DRC and the local communities.

5.      Represent DRC in all WASH cluster meetings and other relevant discussion at their capacity with a close coordination to WASH Engineer and Head of Sub Office

Key Responsibilities

·         Planning and information management

·         Plan in collaboration with WASH Engineer and take lead in carrying out needs assessments, baseline studies and periodic studies, and feedback findings to stakeholders.

·         Collate and verify  data from WASH Assistants,  management committees and prepare biweekly, monthly and any other required  reports on all WASH activities

·         Coordinate with other sectors in DRC to ensure that, various aspects of WASH responses and activities are integrated.

Project implementation

·         Conduct technical assessments and prepare designs, drawings and BoQs for new or projects to be rehabilitated.

·         Empower communities with sufficient information on cost efficient technical designs and options for them to priorities projects.

·         Supervise all contracted and directly-implemented works to ensure adherence to contract specifications and / or workmanship specifications and completion dates.

·         Where applicable, issue written site instructions for remedial work and completion certificates to facilitate payments to contractors.

·         Prepare labour contracts in standard format and /or fill daily attendance register to facilitate labour payments as appropriate.

·         Make timely requests for material supplies and labour payments as per the BoQs and labour contracts.

·         Attend WASH Task force and  coordination meeting at Woreda level as instructed by the supervisor

Resources management

·         Provide support to  WASH Assistants

·         Provide refresher training to the WASH Assistants on the hygiene and sanitation approaches and methodologies as it may be necessary.

·         Organize day-to-day logistics, administration, and personnel activities and present to logistics department.

Supervision and Reporting

·         Supervise WASH Assistants and conduct evaluation and appraisals during the project period, while in line with relevant standards, codes of conduct, and humanitarian principles.

·         Supervise all WASH Construction works, Hygiene Promotion activities and resources and prepare relevant documents in line with DRC and Donor requirements to prove accountability and beneficiaries’ involvement.

·         Coordinate with other project staff within DRC Take account of gender, protection, HIV, the environment, and other important cross-cutting concerns in programme design, implementation, and reporting; carry out activities in a way that reflects the needs of specific groups and individuals e.g. elderly people, children, and people with disabilities.

·         Prepare biweekly, monthly and any other required reports on all WASH activities in the project area and submit to the supervisor

·         Perform any other  duties as may be assigned  by supervisor or DRC management

Personal Specifications

Essential:

·         University degree in Civil  Engineering, Public Health or  Environmental Health and at least 4 years of relevant experience on  community WASH interventions

·         Diploma holder in the same field but six (6) years proven experience will be considered.

·         Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.

·         Ability to work in stressful conditions and with limited social services and insecure environments.

·         Ability to work independently with minimum supervision and in a highly results oriented work culture

·         This is a field  based position and therefore the job holder will be expected to spend 90% of his/her time conducting on-site supervision or facilitating construction projects

·         Knowledge, skill and experience in participatory methods for promoting sustainability of WASH interventions

·         Good command in spoken and written English

·         Previous experience with INGO preferable

·         Good communication and negotiation skills.

·         Computer skills

Preferable:

·         Good command in Tigregna language is added advantage

Closing date: Jun 11, 2016

Interested candidates should send a CV and cover letter in English addressed to the DRC Hiring Committee only at vacancies@drcethiopia.org, with the subject “WASH Officer”.

The applicant’s cover letter should state the reasons for applying for this particular position and not be generic. The cover letter should also include the applicant’s salary requirements. Please do not send additional materials other than a CV and cover letter, they will not be reviewed.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis before the deadline, and interviews will be held as suitable candidates present themselves. Deadline for applications is June 11, 2016.

We encourage all qualified candidates to apply. DRC considers all applicants based on merit. It is DRC policy to recruit, hire, train and promote individuals, as well as administer any and all personnel actions, without regard to gender, race, national, clan or tribal origin, religion, age, sex, origin or ancestry, marital status, social status, sexual orientation, or status as a qualified disabled individual.