Accountabilities and MAIN WORK ACTIVITIES

The Electro Mechanical specialist (Solar Expert) is accountable for the overall technical aspects of the Humanitarian and Development Nexus WASH Project with respect to Solar Powered water supply project solar components for Solar Powered Water Supply Project where S/he assigned, will be facilitating the efficient and effective implementation of the entitled WASH Project to meet the aim of providing sustainable and climate-resilient solar powered water supply systems, sanitation and hygiene promotion services for the target communities to contribute to Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus. As a result, the post holder required and specifically responsible to facilitate the smooth and sound technical management of the project at the CO and the PA level with a special focus of quality project out puts, smooth communication, cross-learning, downward accountability, project monitoring & evaluation aspects, and producing consolidated narrative reports for both financial and physical aspects of the project. S/he will be responsible that coordinating his/her technical team to ensure quality project implementation. The role post holder is expected to have experience in the following areas:

Planning, strategy, and policy (10%)

• · Technically responsible for the solar components of the development of the assigned WASH technical design, site management, quality project outputs, and work strategies
• · In coordination with the PA technical team, develop standard solar components designs according to the need in the field, the national and international standards.
• · Participate, support, and fully engage on shaping the technical design of WASH projects and writing technical sections of proposals
• · Ensures the adherences of the donor technical compliance in accordance with the national standard
• · Support on representing Plan’s WASH work and proposals to donors and potential partners and at field level, while coaching other Plan International programme staff to do likewise at field level
• · Foster productive relationships with Plan International WASH staff, WASH sectoral networks, donors and other actors
• · Stay up to date with key WASH sectoral trends to ensure that proposals are informed by best practice and underpinned by robust theories of change and M&E frameworks
• · Adhere to prescribed quality standards of the solar components for the construction of all water and sanitation structures, ensuring appropriate maintenance and sustainable processes are established
• · Support the continual improvement of the processes and the technical implementation of the WASH programme
• · Assist in development of new proposals, linked to the country strategy, in conjunction with the thematic sector lead, the relevant field manager and Sector Lead
• · Contribute towards preparation of technical designs by collecting relevant reports, site layouts, sketches, working drawings, in collaboration with PA WASH technical team
• · Conduct periodic technical visits to implementation sites (districts and locations) to understand the reality, provide on-site advice/support and come up with recommendations for program quality improvement
• · Technically support the development of annual operational plans and the regular internal program planning and review meetings weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual PIE reports
• · Develop DIP for the proposed work activities in line with the assigned budget
• · Conduct periodic technical visits to implementation sites (districts and locations) to understand the reality, provide on-site advice/support and come up with recommendations for program quality improvement

Program Management & Coordination – 20%

The position will be the budget holder for the Program Area level responsibilities. Therefore S/he will be:

• · Responsible to overview technically all the Solar Component construction/installation tasks for the dispensed WASH project activities and operations
• · Manage field construction activities and implement engineering designs
• · Responsible to work with program managers, Thematic Sector Lead, Program technical Coordinators, and officers.
• · Provide input into the integration of beneficiary participation and accountability in all aspects of the project
• · Ensure the adherence of Protection, and gender-sensitive approach during all program cycle management.
• · Responsible to attend WASH coordination meetings at the PA level
• · Expected to jointly work with the WASH technical team based at PA
• · Identify WASH program Solar component of supplies needs in the facilities and coordinate with the logistics team to put in place a sensible phased procurement plan.
• · Support in preparation of master budget, monitoring and reviewing expenditure in consultation with the finance team
• · Support the assurance of the regular revision of the Detail Implementation Plan (DIP) based on the dynamic context in the Implementation area
• Ensure equal and fair opportunities and representation of both sexes and persons with disabilities in the WASH and related emergency response projects and programs.
• · Organise regular performance review meetings to assess emergency response resource mobilization and project implementation progress and communicate any changes in strategy with the key project stakeholders particularly donors and national forums.
• · Build the technical capacity of the WASH staff and community facilitators and also ensure possible active benefices involvement in the pre and post assessment conceptualization, development, management, monitoring and evaluation of WASH emergency response projects and program.
• · Appraise field-based WASH project team performance and ensure capacity building support is provided regular competency update as per the stated level of management.
• · Develop WASH learning needs assessment and capacity building plans for both Save the Children and partner’s staff, linking capacity building initiatives to wider opportunities identified via coordination and networks.
• · Coach and mentor WASH technicians, coordinators, officers as well as their national level counterparts.
• · Oversee development of technical training material that will improve the different components of WASH portfolio within PIE.

Monitoring and Evaluation Systems – 20%

• · Put in place a sector Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) plan, ensuring this links to reporting requirements, and capacity build technical field staff in carrying out the work
• · Ensure the recommended practices of Core Humanitarian Standard for quality and accountability (CHS) and WASH sphere standards being both of them are quality assurance monitoring and evaluation tools for the humanitarian response.
• · Prepare and document quality and timely case studies for the interest of donors and learning purpose in and outside Plan staff.
• · In close consultation with program quality and emergency response teams at all levels, establish community feedback mechanism for the technical elements of quality and accountability and monitor its operationalization
• · Establish country specific and updated assessment based national database and provide support for program area staff which are relevant for Humanitarian and Development nexus WASH and other humanitarian responses.
• · Identify, document and disseminate best practices from within and outside Plan to staff and other relevant partners.
• · Prepare and submit quality periodic technical reports for all Humanitarian and Development nexus WASH projects in a timely manner according to Plan International, donor and government requirements.
• · Ensure all emergency response project documentation is filed and organised to serve as a reference for accountability and bases for learning, sharing and dissemination.

Network and Representation – 10%

• · Represent PIE as per the delegation of the line mangers in WASH clusters and forums at regional level for all humanitarian and development nexus WASH intervention.
• · Represent the project and liaise with government stakeholders, donors, partners, national offices, and any other relevant project stakeholders as per the delegation of the line mangers.
• · Participate and coordinate as per the delegation of the line mangers the Cluster group meetings as per the delegation the line mangers in WASH, and Protection Sector.
• Clearly promote Climate resilience, Gender sensitive and child protection programing issues across the work of participants.
• Support partners in understanding plans’ gender equality strategy and program criteria and capacity-building activities on gender as part of the regular work at the representation level.
• · Ensure the representation of Plan Ethiopia in implementing region from gender equality and their rights perspectives.
• · Establish and lead strong and smooth partnerships and networks with likeminded NGOs, government bodies and forums for cross learning, identification of lessons learned, best practices, resources mobilization and scaling-up to enhance program initiatives.
• · Network effectively with others to draw information and knowledge for the response projects and strategy development.
• Gender Equality, Safeguarding and Inclusion (GESI), & Safeguarding Children and Young People – 5%
• · Understand and put into practice the responsibilities under Safeguarding, Child Protection and GESI policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC).
• · Ensure that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People and Gender Equality and Inclusion are fully embedded in day-to-day work.
• · Ensure that Plan Ethiopia contributes to Plan International’s global efforts to ensure safeguarding and GESI making sure that relevant reporting and data are submitted.

Job Requirements

Qualifications/ Experience Essential:

• Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Renewable Energy and related solar powered fields.
• 5+ years of relevant experience out of which 3 years on a senior level experience in an NGO / INGO relevant to Solar Powered Water Supply Project construction tasks.
• Demonstrated solid experience in the design, implementation and supervision of large size Solar Powered Water Supply Project
• Ability to work in adverse weather and occasional overtime and weekends
• Proven capacity to supervise, train and coach staff in WASH related construction technical skills

Qualifications/ experience desirable:

• Good knowledge of the attributes of ores, soil, minerals and other materials
• Practical experience in construction industry especially in water works.
• Extensive knowledge on Climate resilient Gender transformative WASH, and the sector dynamics.
• Understanding of Core Humanitarian Standards which are workable by sector.
• Knowledge of human resource and coordination role from general and organization perspectives.
• Understand organizational principles, systems and have the ability to provide leadership and support to staff working at community level for disaster affected population.
• Knowledge of child-rights programming particularly Child Protection in Emergency, CPiE
• Knowledge of participatory Monitoring, Evaluation and Research systems and processesAnchor
• Proven experience as a geologist
• Experience with various geological techniques like mining, boring and numerical modelling
• Proficient in computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications like using geology software (e.g. AutoCAD, ArchiCAD, , Microsoft Excel, Word PowerPoint etc.)
• Familiarity with engineering drawings
• Interpersonal skills, including the ability to build relationships with colleagues
• Have good writing and oral communication skills, including presentation.
• Experiences in resource mobilization through preparation of Humanitarian and Development Nexus WASH Project proposals.
• Proven working experience in Electro-mechanical/ solar power PV installation
• Understands budgetary processes including planning, monitoring and reporting.
• Ability to provide team leadership and communicate effectively.
• Ability to conduct assessment, analyze information, evaluate options and to think and plan strategically.
• An analytical mind & attention to detail