Role and responsibilities

Main purpose of the position is to ensure effective planning and quality implementation of the WASH activities in IDPs and Host community in the region, Ethiopia. The WASH Officer-PHP will assist the WASH Coordinator in providing technical support in the development of NRC’s WASH programming for water infrastructures, construction and hygiene promotion activities. He/she will also work closely with the other Project Officers and assistants in the field to ensure timely delivery of quality WASH programme, and will assist the WASH Coordinator in overall planning and design of (future) projects.

Generic responsibilities

These responsibilities shall be the same for all positions with the same title. The responsibilities shall be short and essential. Details belong in the Work and Development plan.

1. Ensure adherence with NRC policies, tools, handbooks and guidelines
2. Implement delegated support function portfolio according to plan of action
3. Prepare and develop status reports as required by management
4. Ensure proper filing of documents
5. Promote and share ideas for improvement of the support function
6. Help plan and carry out needs assessments, baseline studies and periodic studies, and feedback findings to the stakeholders.
7. Collate data from the WASH Assistants and prepare regular reports on activities and WASH conditions for monitoring.
8. Assess and advise on capacity building needs within the team to ensure effective developments of the quality standards for the Sanitation activities.
9. Promote safe WASH practices, including appropriate use and maintenance of WASH facilities and services
10. Facilitate appropriate community involvement in the design and delivery of essential WASH services and facilities.
11. Supervise Hygiene Promotion activities in line with relevant standards, codes of conduct, and humanitarian principles.

Specific Responsibilities

These responsibilities shall be adapted to the particularities of the job location and context, phase of operation, strategic focus and type of programme intervention. This section shall be revised whenever a new employee is hired or the context changes significantly.

• Supervise Hygiene Promotion activities in line with relevant standards, codes of conduct, and humanitarian principles.
• Use participatory approaches as a far as possible throughout the programme cycle, in training, and in the use of tool kits and other materials.
• Supervise WASH activities and resources so that they are implemented and handed over or ended in a way that promotes local capacities and sustainable operations.
• Recruit, train, and manage subordinate/environmental health agents’ staff including performance appraisal.
• Organize day-to-day logistics, administration, and personnel activities together with the other sectors.
• Carry out informal and formal training sessions (according to identified needs) and evaluate the impacts of these trainings.
• To assist and participate in community mobilization.
• Enable effective dialogue with the affected community to allow the agency to be held to account for the quality of the WASH program.
• Responsible over all school WASH activities including training and flow ups.
• Identification and provision of water treatment chemicals and give them orientation on how to use it
• Support the WASH PC in ensuring implementation of the complaints mechanism and ensure feedback is timely to the beneficiaries.
• Liaise with community leaders and other sectors and agencies working locally in order to coordinate within the WASH sector and between sectors such as Health and Shelter.
• Preparation of reports, guidelines and other strategic documentation.
• Help identify needs for non-food items relevant to hygiene, participate in the choice of items, targeting strategy, promotion of effective use, and post-distribution monitoring.

Professional competencies 

Generic professional competencies: 

• BSc in Civil Engineering, Public health/environmental health or related experience
• 3 years of experience  working as WASH Hygiene Promotion Officer in a humanitarian/recovery context
• Previous experience from working in complex and volatile contexts
• Documented results related to the position’s responsibilities
• Some knowledge of English
• Technical background in Public Health. First degree or postgraduate diploma in Environmental Health or similar relevant discipline.

Context/ Specific skills, knowledge and experience: 

• Proven practical experience in the planning and execution of WASH Programmes of at least 3 years’ experience in a humanitarian and development program preferably with an INGO.
• Experience in undertaking hygiene promotion in a relief program is essential.
• Excellent communication (spoken and written) skills, including the ability to explain and present technical information
• Possession of strong administrative and management skills with a willingness to follow relevant policies and procedures
• Experience in capacity building and training of staff and target groups
• Cultural awareness and experience of working where insecurity is a major issue
• Language: Fluency in written and spoken English is essential.
• Ability to work independently in a result oriented multi-tasking and multi-cultural environment and manage conflicting priorities.
• Proven ability to use MS Office software (especially Word and Excel) is essential. Experience with other computer programs such as SAP 2000 and Microsoft Project would be an advantage.

Behavioral competencies

• Handling insecure environment
• Planning and delivering results
• Empowering and building trust
• Communicating with impact and respect