WASH Officer-PHP | Afar

Position:                                   WASH Officer-PHP

Reports to:                               WASH Project Manager

Supervision:                             Community Hygiene Volunteers and Incentive workers

Duty station:                             Aysaita and Berehale, Afar Region, Ethiopia

Role and responsibilities

The purpose of the officer position is to assist in the day-to-day implementation hygiene and sanitation promotion activities in WASH project.

Generic responsibilities

1. Adhere to NRC policies, tools, handbooks, and guidelines
2. Assist with the implementation of the 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

Specific responsibilities 

• In collaboration with the WASH Project manager, identify and select community outreach agents from the refugee population to support Community Hygiene and Sanitation mobilization efforts and coordinate their activities.
• Develop detailed implementation plans, monitors progress, and ensures the timely execution of Hygiene and Sanitation activities
• Supports and participates in identifying, organizing, and delivering various training sessions for hygiene promoters, sanitation monitors, and solid waste supervisors.
• Work closely with the MEL team to conduct baseline assessments, KAP/KPC surveys, and analyze results to assess hygiene and sanitation conditions before and after interventions.
• Oversee and ensure the effective dissemination of hygiene and sanitation messages to the target beneficiaries.
• Provide technical guidance to hygiene promoters, sanitation monitors, and solid waste supervisors while monitoring their activities.
• Spends a significant portion of time in the field, overseeing and facilitating hygiene and sanitation activities to promote improved hygiene practices.
• Regularly monitors hygiene and sanitation conditions in the project area and provides timely updates
• Establishes and maintains strong working relationships with government authorities and other relevant stakeholders in the target area
• Collects, analyzes, and compiles reports on hygiene and sanitation activities while recommending improved implementation strategies in consultation with the WASH Team Leader
• Supports solid waste disposal activities in IDP sites.
• Engages and mobilizes teams for WASH NFI distribution and assists the MEAL team in conducting Post-Distribution Monitoring (PDM).
• Represents NRC in external engagements with the community, local authorities, and other stakeholders
• Performs additional tasks assigned by the line manager

Generic professional competencies: 

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in monitoring and supervision of WASH projects with prior capacity in Hygiene and Sanitation Promotion
• A University degree in Public Health/Environmental Health Science,
• Previous experience working in complex and volatile contexts
• Report writing skills and computer skills in word processing and spreadsheets. Good knowledge of English (speaking and writing)
• Strong organizational skills and ability to coordinate and manage a diverse array of activities and stakeholders
• Strong facilitation, negotiation, and mediation skills and ability to work independently
• Good interpersonal and communication skills

Context/ Specific skills, knowledge, and experience: 

• Proven practical knowledge in the planning and execution of WASH Programs in a humanitarian and development program.
• Experience in undertaking hygiene promotion activities and construction of latrines will be an added advantage.
• 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; fluency in Amharic is an advantage
• 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

Behavioral competencies

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