Job Description

Position: Project Officer  (WASH Engineer)
Locations:  Rymah
Technical Supervisor: Program Officer 
Vacancy Reference Number: POWSH- RYM/24

PURPOSE OF DIVISION:

The WASH department works with the country program team in identifying, planning, implementing, and evaluating WASH projects/programs in collaboration with local, national, and international partners, WASH department aims to improve the health and socioeconomic well-being of conflict-affected communities by reducing the incidence of water- and sanitation-related diseases through sustainable safe water, sanitation, and hygiene practices.

JOB PURPOSE:

Under the supervision of the WASH Program Officer/Head of Office, the Project Officer (WASH Engineer) will be responsible for the design, implementation/construction, rehabilitation, follow-up, and evaluation of WASH infrastructures in communities targeted by Islamic Relief. The post is specifically oriented towards the WASH response in the emergency context of the crisis in these all targeted Governorates, and special attention will be given to the integration of the WASH sector in other core sectors of Islamic Relief such as nutrition, food security, and livelihood. The staff will be based in Raymah governorate to assist WASH activities in the field. He/She will be responsable for achieving the project activites, make daily follow ups of planned project activities at field level as well as proper filing of project documents and reports.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Needs Assessments

• •    Technical WASH assessments and participation in the selection of target communities (IDPs and host communities) to be rehabilitated and/or constructed, through technical feasibility studies, household level questionnaires, focus group discussions, facilities and site visits, and interviews with key community members

Program Design and Implementation

• •    Undertake timely rapid needs assessments in new areas with a greater focus on protection; produce and disseminate assessment reports in a timely manner;
• •    Plan and timely Implementation of all water, sanitation and hygiene activities of assigned projects using the appropriate tools to ensure projects are delivered on time, on budget and to expected quality.
• •    Ensure proper selection, planning and implementation of the project interventions as per project criteria and should be familiar with local and global humanitarian standards and policies.
• •    Implementation of IRY emergency WASH response during displacements (due to conflict or epidemic outbreaks) and other emergencies as they arise with a greater focus on provision of emergency lifesaving portable safe water; basic hygiene kits, solid waste management, hygiene promotion and sanitation.
• •    Prepare all requisite technical documents (Bill of Quantities (BoQs), specifications, designs, drawings, terms of references, ... etc.) related to WASH projects activities (water pumping & quality tests, construction & rehabilitation of water supply systems, solar water pumping systems, treatment plants systems, sanitation systems, health facilities, water trucking, …etc.).
• •    Ensure the proper and professional designing of technical components such as solar power systems, treatment plants, … etc based on the project criteria with compliance to the certified standards and criteria including Islamic Relief policies, procedures and practices and Do No Harm principles.
• •    Managing all activities of the assigned project and implementation processes such as water pumping & quality tests, construction & rehabilitation of water supply systems, solar water pumping systems, treatment plants systems, sanitation systems, health facilities, water trucking, …etc. 
• •    Plan and follow up supplies, logistics and payments in line with approved specifications, BoQs and drawings, working in close coordination with the CO team and operation teams at field level to ensure that the required materials and items are procured and delivered to the respective sites in a timely manner.
• •    Supervise the team for project data collection and entry, conduct quality checks, and triangulate information to ensure veracity and reliability of data.
• •    Lead the planning of WASH project activities and set quality performance targets ensuring adherence to technical standards, best practices and donor guidelines
• •    Oversee the implementation of the emergency WASH response and ensure that stated goals and objectives are met;
• •    Ensure WASH activities are integrated with other sector teams, i.e. Emergency Food, Shelter, NFIs, Protection and Accountability as appropriate.
• •    Produce a structured work plan for each emergency deployment;
• •    Ensure protection issues are fully considered throughout the project cycle with women, elderly, disabled and most vulnerable being included in decision-making for WASH issues.
• •    Preparation of necessary logistic and financial requirements priori to any field needs assessment
• •    Write rapid needs assessment reports using defined format, and within established deadlines, providing clear operational recommendations for intervention
• •    Ensure compliance with IRY and international policy, procedures and practices throughout emergency response activities, including adherence to Do No Harm principles;
• •    Initiate and take the lead in the recruitment of emergency WASH staff and, in coordination with the HR department, ensure that procedures are followed.
• •    Carry out WASH staff skills needs assessments, prepare annual capacity building and training plans in consultation with WASH Management and relevant sectors and oversee the execution of the plan.
• •    Represent IRY and actively participate in various cluster, coordination, and other meetings relevant to WASH TWGs.  Liaise with partners, local authorities, and local communities whenever it serves the objectives of the program in the area of WASH.
• •    Liaise regularly and work closely with other sector response team and IRY normal programs program, operations and finance staff at national and field sites to coordinate program planning
• •    Establish and maintain relations with all stakeholders, including local authorities, and ensure all activities are planned in line with local needs, assessment and legal authority.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning

• •    Verify that WASH infrastructure construction and rehabilitation works are carried out according to quality standards established by Islamic Relief through quality checklists 
• •    Plan and be responsible for the weekly reporting of data in order to follow up the standard project and strategic indicators (number of beneficiaries, number and type of activities completed).

Reporting

• •    Compile and write all requisite reports including, but not limited, the weekly reports, monthly progress reports, cluster reports and IPTT monthly reports (narrative and data) in English, and verbal reports whenever necessary.
• •    Assist and provide all required data for all interim and final narrative reports.

Integration, Coordination of Cross-cutting Aspects

• •    Ensure that construction works are integrated with hygiene promotion and community participation to ensure the sustainability of the infrastructure built.
• •    Coordinate WASH construction activities with other local actors at the district and governorate levels.
• •    Ensure integration of gender, child protection, disability, HIV, environment, and other crosscutting issues to the design, implementation, and development of WASH construction activities, and ensure that activities take into account the needs of specific groups and individuals, especially children, the elderly and disabled

Additional job responsibilities

• •    The job duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the Post holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.    

Personal Specifications

A) Education/Training 

Required:

• •    At least bachelor degree in civil engineering, environment engineering, architecture engineering, or any related field.

Desirable

• •    Relevant training in Water, Sanitation, and hygiene.

B) EXPERIENCE  

Required:

• •    Professional experience of 3 years minimum in civil or architecture Engineering with relevant experience in Water Sanitation, and hygiene.

Desirable:

• •    Previous experience working in Raymah governorate is an advantage. 
• •    Experience in leading multispectral assessment teams and providing technical guidance on WASH issues.
• •    Demonstrated experience working in collaboration with local partners.
• •    Demonstrated experience conducting training, and providing capacity building
• •    National level representation with key stakeholders and co-ordination with other NGOs/UN.
• •    Direct experience in the geographical area targeted by Islamic Relief.
• •    Experience writing and compiling narrative and analytical reports in English.
• •    Experience working with an INGO/NGO.

C) COMPETENCIES (Skills, Knowledge, and abilities) 

Skills:

• •    Organization, coordination, and planning skills.
• •    Good report writing and communication skills
• •    Good at engineering applications (Autodesk applications and other relevant)
• •    Excellent in English (speaking, writing, reading, and typing).
• •    Strong computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint).
• •    Ability to listen and adapt.
• •    Excellent interpersonal, facilitation, and community mobilization skills.
• •    Fluent knowledge of the local language
• •    Ability and willingness to travel extensively to the field, under sometimes difficult and insecure circumstances.
• •    Ability to organize time, manage multiple tasks, and analyze information from many sources.
• •    Attention to detail and compliance with selection criteria and financial processes.
• •    Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines. 
• •    Knowledge of the areas of intervention and ability to relate with stakeholders.

Other COMPETENCIES

Core Values (Required):

• •    Commitment
• •     developing teams
• •    interpersonal skills, 
• •    contributing to team success, 
• •    negotiating
• •    accountability, courage, excellence,
• •    Diversity and Inclusion
• •    Integrity
• •    Collaboration

Core Competencies (Required):

• •    Communication
• •    Working with People
• •    Drive for Results

Functional Competencies (Required):

• •    Formulating strategies and concepts 
• •    Planning and Organizing

Safeguarding 

• •    Understanding of and commitment to safeguarding, child safety and protection from sexual abuse and exploitation principles.

Functional Competencies (Required):

• •    Planning and organizing.

PROBLEM SOLVING (Thinking Environment)

• •    Ability to deal with complex situations and solve issues and problems 

WORKING CONDITIONS AND LEVEL OF TRAVEL REQUIRED 

• •    Based in the Field Office, with frequent travel to the communities of intervention

CONTACTS/KEY RELATIONSHIPS  

• •    The employee will work closely with the relevant project team in the field and office.