Job Description

Job Title: Emergency Environmental Health Officer
Band / Level / Grade: 8B
Department: Environmental Health
Location: North, Based in HOD

BACKGROUND: The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

The IRC responds to people’s acute and longer-term needs with integrated programs that improve health and safety, prioritize children’s education, foster economic wellbeing, and empower communities to regain control over their lives. Our work gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing contemporary humanitarian action, including questions of access, conflict sensitivity, coordination, and impact.

The IRC Yemen began its programs in October 2012. Since establishing its presence in the South of Yemen, in the Red Sea Coastal city of Aden, the organization has grown from just an implementing small project to handling large scale emergency and relief operations. Following the war which broke out in Yemen in March of 2015 and the humanitarian disaster, which was crafted by the same, IRC launched one an emergency response program in the southern governorates of Aden, Lahj, Abyan, Shabwah and Al Dhale, and expanded later in Sana’a and Hodeidah in the North.  Currently IRC Yemen is operating in eight governorates in the south and north of Yemen through direct programming and through local partnerships, in Health, WASH, Nutrition, Economic Recovery Development, Education, Child Protection, Gender and Women Protection and Empowerment.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) have been working in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) for more than forty years. Today, the IRC has more than 2,200 staff working across the region, including in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Syria, and Yemen to support those affected by some of the world’s most complex and protracted humanitarian crises.

SCOPE OF WORK:

Under the direct supervision of the Environmental Health Manager, the Emergency EH Officer position is a junior level management position (Based in HOD) that involves planning, management and supervision for the emergency WASH responses in targeted areas for overall implementation, supervision and monitoring of the EH emergency activities implemented directly by IRC and through local partners. The position requires the supervision of local contractors and labors, construction of activities outsourced to private contractors as well as the accurate financial, material, and other resources management under the program and reporting periodically to supervisors. In close coordination with the community health members to ensure hygiene promotion activates are coordinated with WASH targets and work on cholera responses in collaboration with the health department.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Emergency Environmental Health Officer, under the direct supervision of the Environmental Health Manager, responsible for assessment of projects, water and sanitation projects, rehabilitating health units and facilities, cholera emergency responses, water supply, preparing BoQs and drawings as well as tender documents. Leading the assistants. Administratively, responsible for submitting purchase orders “items forecast”, facilitate the project implementation and communicating with supply chain and finance.

WORKING RELATIONS:

Will be a direct supervisor of the field team, under the emergency department with support from the environmental health director and connect with the supply chain department to facilitate project implementation as well as the finance department regarding cash payments.
Assists in communicating with local authorities and partners to facilitate the work of the project and the team collaboration with the meal and evaluation depart. for main tasks.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

• In collaboration with other members of the emergency team, conduct rapid assessments to identify emergency needs in communities affected by an emergency event.
• Participate in the review of partner proposals submitted for funding.
• Undertake regular and frequent supportive field visits, and supervise progress of activities.
• Review reports submitted by implementing partners.
• Act as the technical lead for all IRC-implemented emergency WASH responses, including developing budgets, workplans, procurements plans, MEAL plans and regular report updates.
• In collaboration with the Supply Chain department, support the procurement, pre-positioning, and timely distribution of context-relevant emergency supplies.
• With coordination with Senior Emergency EH Officer, Conduct detail technical assessment to water supply and sanitation facilities to be rehabilitated or constructed; prepare bills of quantities and specifications, and raise items forecast for goods, services or works.
• Prepare weekly and monthly activity plan.
• Assist Environmental Health Manager, to Coordinate with local authority in his intervention areas.
• Develop monitoring tools for contract management in coordination with WASH program team. Communicates with the Monitoring and Evaluation Department for key tasks.
• Work on the rehabilitation and construction works for water sources and health facilities.
• Implementation the cholera emergency response in the health facilities and community level such as DTCs and ORCs.
• Reporting to Senior Emergency Environmental Health Officer, on EH activities, weekly, quarterly, annual. And when require.
• Track and maintain records on construction progress, labor and material utilization, challenges and prepare progress reports.
• Work with communities and pertinent partners and participate in building their capacity.
• Coordinate with community health team for delivery of hygiene promotion services.
• Establish/activate and facilitate the training of water management committee/group to ensure accurate management of WASH facilities.
• Conduct regular water quality testing.
• Closely work with Health unit to ensure that the mobile clinics and health facilities have regular access to safe water and sanitation facilities.
• Collaborate with Finance Unit in budget preparation and utilization.
• Perform other tasks as requested by the EH & Emergency Coordinator and EH Manager.
• Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to establish team engagement, inclusion, and cohesion in IRC [team/office].
• Develop ongoing learning, honest dialogue, and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies.
• Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue, and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies. 
• Educate/raise awareness among the community and clients about the existing feedback mechanisms and response processes.

REQUIREMENTS: (Qualifications, Skills and Abilities):

A.    Education:

• Degree in Civil, Environmental or Hydraulic Engineering or another related engineering field.

B.     Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years practical experience in (WASH) construction or rehabilitation/maintenance of water supply schemes in preferably emergency water supply interventions.

C.     Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Understanding of humanitarian funding and donor requirements
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external partners.
• Ability to negotiate and manage complex priorities.
• Ability to work effectively in a cross-cultural environment.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Problem-solving skills
• Adaptability

D.    Proficiencies:

• Proven ability to handle workloads and to work under pressure in remote area.
• Has the skill to work on multiple tasks.
• Manage himself and his team.

Work Environment:

This position is Hodeida -based with considerable amount of time spent in field, both within IRC areas of operation and outside these areas where partners will be implementing activities.
The position will have a shared office space with EH and/or emergency colleagues in Hodeida, and will have access to a laptop computer and a fairly stable internet. The post holder will spend up to 60% of their time the field.

Professional Standards: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, marital status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

IRC strives to build a diverse and inclusive team at all levels who as individuals, and as a group, embody our culture statement creating a working environment characterized by critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity for us to achieve our aspirations as a team and deliver the best possible services to our clients.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.Commitment to Client Responsiveness: By committing to Client-Centered Programming, at the IRC Yemen, we place the people we serve - our clients - at the center of our programming and services. The IRC Yemen Staff have an important role to play in supporting the implementation of client-responsive programming through raising awareness among the community and clients about the existing feedback mechanisms and how to use them including the response processes, access, and eligibility to services, and contribute to building an institutional culture that prompts staff to listen to clients.