Position: Project Officer (WASH Engineer)

Locations: Sada’a

Technical Supervisor: WASH Program Coordinator (Technical) / Head of Office (Administrative)

Vacancy Reference Number: W-PA-SAD/24

PURPOSE OF DIVISION:

The WASH department works with country program team in identifying, planning, implementing and evaluating of WASH projects/programs in collaboration with local, national and international partners, The aim of WASH department is to improve the health and socioeconomic well-being of conflict affected communities by reducing the incidence of water- and sanitation-related diseases through sustainable safe  water, sanitation, and hygiene practices. 

JOB PURPOSE: 

Under the supervision of WASH Program Coordinator (Technical) / Head of Office (Administrative), Project Officer (WASH Engineer) will be responsible for the design, implementation/construction, rehabilitation, follow up and evaluation of WASH infrastructures in communities targeted by Islamic Relief. The post is specifically oriented towards the WASH response in emergency context of the crisis in these all-targeted Governorates, and special attention will be given to integration of the WASH sector in other core sectors of Islamic Relief such as nutrition, food security, and livelihood. The staff will be base in Sada’a governorate to assist WASH Activites in field. He/She will be responsable for achieving the project activites, make daily follow ups of planned project activities at field level as well as proper filing of project documents and reports.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Needs Assessments

• Technical WASH assessments and participation in the selection of target communities (IDPs and host communities) to be rehabilitated and/or constructed, through technical feasibility studies, household level questionnaires, focus group discussions, facilities and site visits, and interviews with key community members

Program Design and Implementation

• Undertake timely rapid needs assessments in new areas with a focus on protection, and produce assessment reports using a defined format within established deadlines, providing clear operational recommendations for intervention.
• Plan and implement all activities for assigned projects to ensure they are delivered on time, within budget, and meet expected quality standards.
• Ensure proper selection, planning, and implementation of project interventions per project criteria, aligned with local and global humanitarian standards and policies.
• Implement IRY emergency WASH responses during displacements (due to conflict or epidemic outbreaks) and other emergencies as they arise, with a greater focus on provision of emergency lifesaving portable safe water, basic hygiene kits, solid waste management, hygiene promotion, sanitation and HF rehabilitation or construction.
• Prepare all requisite technical documents (Bill of Quantities (BoQs), specifications, designs, drawings, terms of references, etc.) related to WASH project activities  or/and HFs (e.g., water pumping & quality tests, construction & rehabilitation of water supply systems, solar water pumping systems, treatment plant systems, sanitation systems, health facilities (rehabilitation or construction), water trucking, etc.).
• Ensure proper and professional designs of technical components such as solar power systems, treatment plants, etc., based on the project criteria and in compliance with certified standards, criteria, Islamic Relief policies, procedures, and Do No Harm principles.
• Manage all activities of the assigned project and implementation processes, including water pumping & quality tests, construction & rehabilitation of water supply systems, solar water pumping systems, treatment plants, sanitation systems, health facilities, and water trucking.
• Plan and follow up on supplies, logistics, and payments in line with approved specifications, BoQs, and drawings. Work closely with the CO team and operation teams at the field level to ensure the required materials and items are procured and delivered to respective sites in a timely manner.
• Supervise the team for project data collection and entry, conduct quality checks, and triangulate information to ensure the veracity and reliability of data.
• Lead the planning of WASH project activities and set quality performance targets, ensuring adherence to technical standards, best practices, and donor guidelines.
• Oversee the implementation of the emergency WASH response and ensure that stated goals and objectives are met.
• Ensure WASH activities are integrated with other sector teams, i.e., Emergency Food, Shelter, NFIs, Protection, and Accountability, as appropriate.
• Produce a structured work plan for each assigned projects and any emergency deployment.
• Ensure protection issues are fully considered throughout the project cycle, with women, elderly, disabled, and most vulnerable groups included in decision-making for WASH issues.
• Prepare necessary logistical and financial requirements prior to any field needs assessment.
• Ensure compliance with IRY and international policy, procedures, and practices throughout emergency response activities, including adherence to Do No Harm principles.
• Initiate and take the lead in the recruitment of emergency WASH staff and, in coordination with the HR department, ensure that procedures are followed.
• Carry out WASH staff skills needs assessments, prepare annual capacity-building and training plans in consultation with WASH Management and relevant sectors, and oversee the execution of the plan.
• Represent IRY and actively participate in various cluster, coordination, and other meetings relevant to WASH TWGs. Liaise with partners, local authorities, and local communities whenever it serves the objectives of the program in the area of WASH.
• Liaise regularly and work closely with other sector response teams and IRY programs, operations, and finance staff at national and field sites to coordinate program planning.
• Establish and maintain relations with all stakeholders, including local authorities, and ensure all activities are planned in line with local needs, assessments, and legal authority.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning

• Verify that WASH infrastructure construction and rehabilitation works are carried out according to quality standards established by Islamic Relief through quality checklists.
• Plan and be responsible for the weekly reporting of data in order to follow up the standard project and strategic indicators (number of beneficiaries, number and type of activities completed).

Reporting

• Compile and write all requisite reports including, but not limited, the weekly reports, monthly progress reports, cluster reports and IPTT monthly reports (narrative and data) and verbal reports whenever necessary.
• Assist and provide all required data for all interim and final narrative reports.

Integration, Coordination of Cross-cutting Aspects

• Ensure that construction works are integrated with hygiene promotion and community participation to ensure sustainability of the infrastructure built.
• Coordinate WASH construction activities with other local actors at the district and governorate level.
• Ensure integration of gender, child protection, disability, HIV, environment and other crosscutting issues to the design, implementation and development of WASH construction activities, and ensure that activities take into account the needs of specific groups and individuals, especially children, the elderly and disabled.

Additional job responsibilities

• The job duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the Post holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.            

Personal Specifications

A) Education/Training 

Required:

• At least bachelor degree in civil engineering, architecture engineering or any related field.

Desirable

• Relevant trainings in Water, Sanitation and hygiene and solar system concept.

B) EXPERIENCE  

Required:

Professional Qualifications: 

• Professional experience of 3-5 years minimum in civil or architecture Engineering with at least 3 years minimum relevant experience in WASH projects. Relevant experience in supervision and implementation of WASH projects.

Desirable:

• Previous experience working in Sada’a governorate is an advantage. 
• Experience in leading multispectral assessment teams and providing technical guidance on WASH issues.
• Demonstrated experience conducting training, and providing capacity building.
• National level representation with key stakeholders and co-ordination with another NGOs/UN.
• Experience writing and compiling narrative and analytical reports.
• Experience working with an INGO/NGO.
• National level representation with key stakeholders and co-ordination with another NGOs/UN. 

C) COMPETENCIES 

Skills, Knowledge and abilities:

• Organization, coordination and planning skills.
• Good report writing and communication skills.
• Good at engineering applications (Autodesk, EPANET, and water CAD software,  and other relevant)
• Strong computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Outlook, Power point).
• Ability to listen and adopt.
• Excellent interpersonal, facilitation and community mobilization skills.
• Fluent knowledge of local language.
• Ability and willingness to travel extensively to the field, under sometimes difficult and insecure circumstances.
• Ability to organize time, manage multiple tasks, and analyze information from many sources.
• Attention to detail and compliance with selection criteria and financial processes.
• Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines. 
• Knowledge of the areas of intervention and ability to relate with stakeholders.
• Ability to work in hard-to-reach area.
• Good in English knowledge (speaking, writing, reading, and typing) is an advantage.

Other COMPETENCIES

 Core Values (Required):

• Commitment.
• Developing teams.
• Interpersonal skills, 
• Contributing to team success, 
• Negotiating.
• Accountability, courage, excellence,
• Diversity and Inclusion.
• Integrity.
• Collaboration.

Core Competencies (Required):

• Communication.
• Working with people.
• Drive for results.

Functional Competencies (Required):

• Formulating strategies and concepts.
• Planning and organizing.

Safeguarding 

• Understanding of and commitment to safeguarding, child safety and protection from sexual abuse and exploitation principles.

Core Values (Required):

• Commitment.      
• Diversity and Inclusion.
• Integrity.

Functional Competencies (Required):

• Planning and organizing.

PROBLEM SOLVING (Thinking Environment)

• Ability to deal with complex situation and solve issues and problems.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND LEVEL OF TRAVEL REQUIRED 

• Based in Field Office, with frequent travel to the communities of intervention.

CONTACTS/KEY RELATIONSHIPS  

• The employee will work closely with the relevant project team in the field and office.