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OUR WORK IN ETHIOPIA

Job details

We believe flexible working is key to building the Oxfam of the future, so we’re open to talking through the type of flexible arrangements which might work for you. This is a full-time role; however, Oxfam offers various flexible arrangements which candidates can discuss with the Recruiting Manager at the interview stage

Oxfam is responding to the ongoing humanitarian needs in the Gambella region, particularly focusing on the refugee population and host communities affected by displacement and conflict. The team’s purpose is to improve water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) conditions in these vulnerable communities, ensuring access to safe and adequate water supply, proper sanitation facilities, and effective hygiene promotion. The Senior PHE Officer will play a critical role in leading and coordinating PHE interventions that enhance the well-being of both refugees and host communities, contributing to the overall health and resilience of the affected populations.

Job Purpose:

To lead, manage, and execute Oxfam’s WASH activities in the Gambella Refugee Response through strategic partnership management, program planning, and implementation. The Senior PHE Officer will provide technical leadership and administrative support, oversee staff management, and ensure the effective delivery and continuous improvement of the PHE component within Oxfam’s humanitarian response. This role will contribute to the overall health and resilience of refugee and host communities by integrating PHE activities into OGB’s broader livelihood, resilience building, and emergency preparedness/response programs in the Gambella region, while also supporting the wider Oxfam Ethiopia program.

• Under the strategic guidance of the WASH Coordinator, lead the overall planning, implementation, and coordination of PHE components in Humanitarian Response efforts, ensuring alignment with organizational and sectoral response strategies.
• Develop and refine strategic approaches to effectively address emerging WASH needs in dynamic humanitarian contexts.
• Provide advanced professional and technical leadership to PHE Assistants, ensuring that all team members are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to deliver high-quality PHE interventions.
• Facilitate training and capacity-building initiatives to enhance the technical competencies of the WASH team and partners, specifically targeting PHP Assistants and other relevant stakeholders.
• Oversee, manage, and report on Oxfam’s WASH interventions within the assigned geography, ensuring that projects are delivered on time, within scope, and in compliance with organizational and donor requirements.
• Provide strategic support to the WASH team in the development of project proposals, ensuring they are informed by thorough assessments and reflect the needs of the affected population.
• Lead the identification and evaluation of WASH response options based on thorough context analysis, scenario planning, and program objectives.
• Provide expert guidance and support to the WASH team and partners in selecting and implementing the most appropriate response strategies.
• Collaborate closely with the livelihood team to ensure the effective integration of WASH interventions with cash-for-work (CFW) and other relevant livelihood components.
• Ensure that planning, implementation, and monitoring of these interventions are coordinated to maximize impact and efficiency.
• Work in close partnership with PHP Assistants to ensure the integrated planning, implementation, and monitoring of WASH interventions, ensuring that all activities are complementary and mutually reinforcing for greater program impact.
• Provide mentorship and technical support to PHP Assistants to enhance the quality and effectiveness of public health promotion activities.
• Ensure the timely and efficient processing of supply requests, providing detailed technical specifications and other necessary information related to PHE interventions.
• Work in close coordination with the logistics team to guarantee the timely delivery and deployment of PHE materials and resources.
• Establish and maintain strong collaborative relationships with partner agencies, local authorities, and community stakeholders.
• Ensure that participatory approaches are embedded throughout the project cycle, from planning to evaluation, to promote community ownership and sustainability of interventions.
• Line manage PHE Assistants, providing them with guidance, support, and performance management to ensure that they meet their objectives and contribute effectively to the WASH program.
• Oversee the work of contractors and partners, ensuring that all contracted work meets the required standards and is completed within agreed timelines.
• Assist the WASH/PHE teams in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of field and secondary data.
• Provide evidence-based advice and solutions to the WASH Coordinator, ensuring that program decisions are informed by robust data and analysis.
• Proactively seek and promote opportunities to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of WASH activities, with a focus on adopting innovative technologies and approaches.
• Identify and address operational challenges, leveraging expertise to solve complex problems.
• Ensure that all PHE activities are designed and implemented with a strong focus on gender and protection considerations.
• Develop and introduce mechanisms that empower women and other vulnerable groups to participate in decision-making processes related to public health engineering.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, donor requirements, and international humanitarian standards in all PHE activities.
• Identify and mitigate risks associated with PHE interventions, ensuring the safety and well-being of staff, partners, and beneficiaries.
• Prepare and submit detailed reports on PHE activities, progress, and outcomes, ensuring that documentation is accurate, comprehensive, and submitted in a timely manner.
• Contribute to the development of knowledge management resources to capture lessons learned and best practices.
• Undertake additional responsibilities as assigned by the department or organization, contributing to the overall effectiveness and success of Oxfam’s humanitarian response efforts.
• Remain adaptable and responsive to changing needs and priorities.

Person Specification

1 Self-Awareness

2 Mutual accountability

3 Strategic Thinking and Judgment

• Degree in a relevant engineering discipline (Civil/Water Resource and Irrigation, Hydraulic Engineering, Environmental Engineering) with a minimum of 5 years of solid, practical experience from a recognized academic institution. Significant and relevant experience in the field of WASH may substitute for formal qualifications.
• Proven leadership and demonstrated ability in planning, implementing, and overseeing PHE programs (both in emergency response/recovery and long-term development), particularly within the Gambella Refugee Response in Ethiopia.
• Extensive experience working with UN clusters, government authorities, and implementing I/NGO partners, including leadership roles in these collaborations.
• Advanced technical skills in designing, drawing, cost estimation, and contract management of PHE interventions, with a preference for experience in the Gambella regional context.
• Strong experience in project cycle management, including strategic planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Proven experience in mentoring, capacity building, and providing technical leadership to teams and partners, including demonstrated skills in training facilitation.
• In-depth knowledge of and commitment to humanitarian principles, including the NGO/Red Cross Code of Conduct and the Sphere Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards.
• Excellent command of the English and Amharic languages (both speaking and writing); proficiency in Amharic is essential.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the importance of integrated approaches (PHE/PHP/Livelihood) for effective drought and/or conflict risk management.
• Extensive experience working with local partners, including local authorities, and proven ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments.
• Advanced diplomacy and negotiation skills with internal and external audiences; demonstrated experience in gender analysis and integrating gender and diversity into programs.
• Proven ability to work effectively under pressure, adapting to changing needs and deadlines in dynamic situations.
• Exceptional communication and cross-cultural management skills, with the ability to lead diverse teams.
• Flexibility and resilience, with the ability to deliver results under pressure and in response to evolving situations.
• Proficiency in using relevant software tools, including CAD, WaterCAD, EPANET, Pro-CAD, and related applications, for designing and managing PHE interventions.
• Experience in conflict-sensitive programming, with the ability to influence and support colleagues in adhering to financial standards, procedures, and controls.
• Preference for candidates with the legal right to work in Ethiopia, particularly those with strong command of Amharic and any of locally spoken language.