The WASH and Shelter Specialist provides overall leadership and strategic direction to WASH and Shelter programmes within NRC Ethiopia’s Programme Unit. S/he will be responsible to lead the technical development and implementation of the NRC WASH and Shelter programmes in Ethiopia and represent NRC in relevant coordination and decision-making fora. The role will provide quality assurance for all WASH and Shelter programme activities and explore opportunities for scale-up. The Specialist will develop/update collaborative WASH and Shelter strategies, build capacity of staff through mentoring and training, and engage in identifying funding opportunities to further grow the programmes.

Specific responsibilities 

• In line with NRC Ethiopia Strategy, East and Southern Africa (ESA) Regional Strategy and the Global Strategy, lead NRC’s WASH and Shelter national CC strategy process.
• Take the lead on quality project deliverables, including programmes’ soft component, to ensure environmentally sensitive, high technical output including but not limited to review of technical and, safety assessments, bill of quantities and project specifications,
• Participate in tender processes to ensure high quality WASH and Shelter programmes in country, based on good practices, and in line with NRC programme policy and global strategic priorities and promote harmonization and consistency across projects and areas of operation.
• Initiate and contribute to integrated programming (with other sectors, e.g., Livelihoods, ICLA and Education) through systematic planning and cooperation in line with NRC Programme Policy, and engagement in cross-cutting initiatives.
• Elaborate and solidify the position and approach of NRC Ethiopia regarding WASH and Shelter urban programming and facilitate sustainable response to urgent urban needs and longer-term urban development challenges.
• Lead PCM for WFP and Shelter including proposal development, project review and quality implementation, reporting and supporting programmatic M&E and indicator tracking in conjunction with project teams and M&E department.
• Lead the harmonizing and strengthening of WASH and Shelter needs assessment, monitoring and evaluation tools and systems, in collaboration with the M&E team.
• Provide support and input to the recruitment processes for WASH/Shelter staff.
• Accountable for organizational learning from programme implementation throughout the project cycle, sharing of best practice and capacity building.
• Responsible for mainstreaming Safe and Inclusive (SIP) programming in WASH and Shelter programme design and implementation in line with NRC Protection Policy and guidelines.
• Support cash and markets-based approaches in WASH and Shelter programmes.
• Represent NRC with the WASH and Shelter Clusters, relevant donors, government ministries, and in relevant humanitarian coordination meetings in country as required.

Requirements

Generic professional competencies:

• At least five years in humanitarian WASH/Shelter programming environment, including three years’ experience in a senior level project or programme implementation position.
• Bachelor’s Degree in civil engineering or other relevant WASH fields of study
• Experience working in the built environment in relevant areas of study such as construction, architecture, town planning, housing
• Experience working in protracted emergencies including in complex and volatile contexts.
• Knowledge and skills in market analysis and cash and market-based interventions.
• Ability to coordinate tasks and work processes and work with short deadlines.
• Fluency in English, both written and verbal.

Context/ Specific skills, knowledge, and experience: 

• Knowledge of the context in Ethiopia preferred.
• Experience with start-up or expansion of new programmes and programme development
• Ability to work effectively across cultures, in sensitive environments and with different stakeholders.