WASH Officer – Amhara, Ethiopia

FH Ethiopia is a non-governmental organization engaged in relief and development activities. At FH, we operate under a set of guiding principles we call the “The Heartbeat”. This includes our Values, Vision and Purpose, which serve as the explanation of who we are and how we work as organization. Together we follow God’s call responding to human suffering and graduating communities from extreme poverty. FH Ethiopia would like to invite potential internal and external candidates to apply for the following position:

Position:                                   WASH Officer

Duty Station:                           Simada (South Gonder)

Duration of Contract:             One-year contract, Renewable (with 60 working days probation period)

Salary:                                       As per the salary scale of the organization

Closing date:                            December 18, 2022

Job Summary

The WASH officer is responsible for planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of WASH and related interventions of the RFSA project. The position is also responsible to lead community engagement, community changes, build and maintain local partnerships, build community and government partners capacity, and strengthen community-led initiatives/innovations in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene program to improve and sustain well-being of children and families.  The WASH officer will work closely and collaboratively with the project other technical program officers particularly with infrastructure and Health and Nutrition officers, Community Development facilitators. The WASH officer is expected to work to increase access and the use of improved water supply and sanitation facilities and improve hygiene behaviors. The WASH officer reports hierarchically to the Project manager. The position has no supervisory role.

Principal Responsibilities

Key Result #1- Planning, Design, implementation and reporting

1.     Plans, implement, coordinate, monitor and report WASH activities of the project in compliance with the approved targets and objectives;

2.     Develops appropriate IEC materials related to WASH in close discussion with the WASH advisor, Health and Nutrition Officer as well as infrastructure officer

3.     Gather health and health related information from Governmental, Non-Governmental and other appropriate sources at the district level and share it among project staff and FH/E

4.     Closely work with IDE/partner and play significant role on entire MBS (market based sanitation) implementation process

5.     Work closely with infrastructure officer and facilitators in management and construction of WASH infrastructures including maintenance of previous WASH infrastructures

6.     Closely works with health and nutrition officer, infrastructure officer and HEWs on establishment of child friendly play grounds

7.     Implement and monitor WASH project activities with regard to the planned project implementation schedule.

8.     Ensure sustainability of WASH interventions in collaboration with concerned stakeholders and partners.

9.     Work in close discussion with the community health animators, community facilitator, HEWs and Promoters

10.   Facilitate construction of handwashing stations in model households

11.   Facilitate the construction and rehabilitation of springs, hand dug wells, rural piping system, etc… for human consumption

12.   Ensure water quality tests are conducted for all constructed and rehabilitated water supply schemes

Key Result #2 – Capacity Building Activities      

13.   Train WHDAs on baby WaSH and Conduct community conversation on Baby WaSH with the Health and Nutrition officer

14.   Train members of traditional groups(CBOs) on latrine quality improvements

15.   Establish and train WASH committees and water user associations, in collaboration with infrastructure officer

16.   Facilitate trainings to government experts on Water Quality and Safety and facilitate the provision of water treatment chemicals

17.   Identify observed capacity gaps of staff under the project areas and make necessary recommendations for improvement

18.   Facilitate on job trainings and technical support to woreda level WASH staff;

Key Result #3- Monitoring & Learning

19.   Conduct regular monitoring of activities using the pre-designed monitoring tools for WASH interventions as per USAID requirements

20.   Participate in preparing periodic progress reports and ensure quality and consistency of reports;

21.   Keep proper documentation of project periodic reports, note the project milestones, deliverables and other documents

22.   Conduct village level video screening on improved hygiene practices

23.   Conduct latrine audits in ODF and non ODF kebeles to identify gaps and needs in consultation with WASH advisor

24.   Apply basic guidelines and standards for WASH projects in consultation with WASH advisor

25.   Participate in mid-term and terminal evaluation of WASH interventions.

Key Result #4 – Partnership and networking

26.   Cooperate with other program staff to ensure good integration with other program areas in general and of sanitation and hygiene promotion in particular.

27.   Establish and maintain smooth-working relationships with appropriate governmental (mainly Hygiene and sanitation focal person at the health office), non-Governmental, faith based and community-based organizations working in related field at the district level.

28. Carry out any other relevant duties assigned by the immediate supervisor.

Safeguarding Policy

FH strives to provide an environment free from sexual exploitation and abuse and harassment in all places where relief and development programs are implemented. FH holds a zero-tolerance policy against sexual exploitation and abuse and harassment. FH expects its employees to maintain high ethical standards, protect organizational integrity and reputation, and ensure that FH work is carried out in honest and fair methods, in alignment with the FH Heartbeat and safeguarding and associated policies. Violations to stated policies will be subject to corrective action up to and including termination of employment.

Gender Responsibility

⮚  Be aware of the stereotypes about women’s and men’s capacities, and discuss how they influence staff, in assigning responsibility, and in managing resources at unit and organization level.

⮚  Be able to describe how gender issues relate to one’s job responsibilities and how gender equity can be promoted through the execution of those responsibilities.

⮚ Be familiar with the local Gender Focal Point(s), and go to her/him to learn more about gender issues, or when there is a gender grievance or harassment issue to resolve

⮚ Within each project and department, discuss FH’s Gender & Diversity and Sexual Harassment and sexual exploitation Policies, so that all staff are conversant with them.

⮚ Refrain from any comments or gestures that indicate prejudicial views of female staff, especially female supervisors.

⮚ In each Project and Head Office, ask women staff what changes would make it more “gender-friendly”, organization and implement the recommendations

Safety & Security Responsibility

⮚   Each FHE staff member should adhere to all pertinent policies concerning safety and security policy of FH. Lapses in safe conduct can jeopardize the health and welfare of all staff.

⮚ Every FHE staff member has an obligation to learn and understand the security situation where they are located.

⮚ Each FHE staff member should adhere to all pertinent policies concerning safety and security.  This includes, but not limited to, personal safety, road safety, etc.

⮚  Has a responsibility to become familiar to social, cultural and other associated features of their duty stations;

⮚  Abstain from inappropriate or offensive behavior that can put FHE in a difficult position, impair operations, and jeopardize the health and welfare of all staff of FHE.

⮚ All FHE staff should promotes safe conducts and exercises caution in all work activities; staff should accountable for own personal and professional actions and conduct;

Job Level Specifications

⮚  Full agreement with FH’s Christian foundation and beliefs as expressed in The Heartbeat: our Values, Vision, and Purpose.

⮚ Ability to interact positively at all levels.

⮚  Demonstrated computer operating skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office products, Google platform, and virtual technologies.

⮚ Thorough understanding of development and/or missions.

⮚ Ability to work effectively under pressure

Experience

⮚   At least three years work experience in a relevant field, and similar role. NGO experience is preferred.

Education/Certifications

⮚  BSc Degree in Environmental health, Water supply and sanitation, Environmental Engineering or other related fields.

Distinguishing Competencies

⮚ Good influencing and communication skills, and demonstrable capability in relationship building at all levels.

⮚ Technical Training qualifications required:  Training on WASH such as  PHAST and CLTSH, MBS, Baby WASHLanguage

⮚       Proficiency in both spoken and written English

⮚       Knowledge of the local language (Amharic)