WASH Officer -Yallo

INTRODUCTION:

Medical Teams International is a Christian humanitarian relief agency focused on providing life-saving medical care for people in crisis. We serve all people—regardless of religion, nationality, sex, or race. Our calling is Daring to love like Jesus, we boldly break barriers to health and restore wholeness in a hurting world. Medical Team International is looking for qualified applicants for the following positions:

• Workdays & Hours: Monday-Friday, 40-48 hours/week, occasional weekends and public holidays.

Medical Teams International Calling:

Daring to love like Jesus, we boldly break barriers to health and restore wholeness in a hurting world.

JOB SUMMARY

The WASH and Construction officer will contribute to the calling of Medical Teams International by implementing and monitoring Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) interventions in health facilities, ensuring compliance with health and infection prevention standards.

The role focuses on improving water supply, sanitation infrastructure, hygiene promotion, vector control, and infection control measures in emergency and development settings. Provide technical input on WASH standards and assist in facility rehabilitation.

Help implement infection control measures, including waste management and staff protection. Establish WASH and vector control mechanisms, ensuring compliance with MTI standards. Support training for staff and partners to enhance local capacity. Prepare reports on WASH activities and recommend improvements based on current conditions.

Essential Duties / Responsibilities:

WASH Project Implementation

• Plan, implement, and monitor WASH activities in refugee camps, ensuring alignment with public health goals and humanitarian standards (e.g., SPHERE, WHO and UNHCR).Conduct needs and WASHFIT assessments to identify WASH gaps in health facilities and surrounding communities.
• Provide basic technical input on WASH standards and assist health partners with WASH-related tasks, including participating in the implementation of plans to build or rehabilitate health facilities
• Develop and implement strategies to improve access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene services for refugees and host populations.

Project Planning and Implementation

• Develop detailed work plans, budgets, and procurement plans for WASH activities.
• Supervise the WASH infrastructure construction and rehabilitation in health facilities, water supply systems, sanitation facilities and other WASH-related infrastructure in refugee and IDP settings. Prepare progress reporting and requirements depending on project type.
• Facilitate in organizing Wash Coo and hygiene promotion trainings and workshops for the water management team and other partners (women groups, health agents, water committee, etc in the woredas) and coordinate in preparation and organizing all the required training materials.
• Lead environmental health and public health activities within the health facilities, follow the waste disposal and cleaning protocols.
• Responsible for overall adequate use of personnel to reduce equipment downtime, improve efficiency, control costs, and anticipate further improvements.
• Supports area team concepts and cooperative efforts among all refinery groups and departments.

Technical Oversight and Quality Control

• Ensure all WASH activities adhere to technical specifications, safety standards, and humanitarian guidelines.
• Monitor WASH activity progress, conduct regular site inspections, and address any technical challenges or delays.
• Supervise and coordinate all aspects of building and/or remodeling assigned construction efficiently and safely.
• Verify the quality of materials and workmanship, ensuring compliance with approved designs and standards.
• Maintain build schedules, schedule inspections, coordinate daily site work and activities, maintain quality standards, and ensure house(s) are completed by the scheduled move-in day

Coordination and Collaboration

• Work closely with the Health, Nutrition and WASH teams to ensure construction activities align with program objectives, and beneficiary needs.
• Liaise with local authorities, UN agencies, and other stakeholders to obtain necessary approvals and ensure compliance with local regulations.
• Engage with refugee and host communities to address concerns, gather feedback, and ensure culturally appropriate designs.

Additional activities

• Support other areas of the MTI projects as requested or needed to ensure efficiency and quality of care to all.
• Maintain a clean and safe working environment,
• Ensure accountability is integrated into country strategies, program design, monitoring and evaluations, recruitment, staff onboarding, training, performance management, partnership agreements, and reporting.
• Support safeguarding program participants and employees by promoting an environment of awareness and upholding the code of conduct provisions of Medical Teams Protection from Sexual Exploitation & Abuse, Child & Vulnerable Adult protection, and harassment-free workplace policies. Incumbents will remain alert and responsive to any child and adult safeguarding risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills to promote strong safeguarding practices, understand the child and adult safeguarding policies and procedures, and conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the Safeguarding code of conduct and behavior expectations.

OTHER DUTIES

• Utilize volunteers when appropriate.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.
• Support other areas of the office as requested to ensure efficiency and quality of work.
• Maintain a clean and safe working environment, disposing of waste appropriately

NOTE: The above job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by staff assigned to this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of staff in this position. Duties, responsibilities, and skills are also subject to change based on the changing needs of the job, department, or organization. This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions, it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned; The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by Medical Teams International as the requirements of the job change.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and reaches their potential as individuals and teams and collaborates to do the best work of their lives. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening, and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to adhere to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policies.

Safeguarding & Code of Conduct

Medical Teams International is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come in to contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Medical Teams International Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Children and Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy, Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Policy, Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest Policy Training upon hire and on an annual basic

Education

• BSc/MSc in Civil engineering or construction technology management
• At least three years of experience working in a related profession and have at least one year of experience working in a local or international NGO.

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of WASH and construction standards and practices
• Understanding of water, sanitation, and hygiene systems
• Familiarity with relevant health and safety regulations
• Fluency speaking and writing in English and Afar Afe/Afarigna language.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Excel

Skills:

• Strong project management and organizational skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Skilled in planning, monitoring, and evaluating projects
• Coaching and mentoring abilities
• Attention to detail and efficient data management

Abilities:

• Ability to work in challenging environments and under pressure
• Flexible and adaptable to changing conditions
• Self-motivated with a strong desire to serve others
• Culturally sensitive and able to build relationships easily
• Proven team player with strong leadership potential
• Able to manage and supervise field-based activities effectively

PHYSICAL CONDITIONS

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Frequent use of personal computers, database and digital platforms, and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy machine and computer printer.
• Frequently uses hands, fingers, and arms to reach, handle, touch or feel equipment, medical instruments, materials, computer.
• Frequent communication and exchange of information among colleagues and people of concern which requires the ability to speak, hear, convey and express oneself.
• Frequent close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• Occasionally, ascends/descends stairs, steps, or ladder
• Occasionally move about inside an office to access file cabinets, office machinery, meet with colleagues, etc.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25Kg pounds.
• Seldom to occasionally position oneself to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• If in travel status, occasional to frequent traversing over rough or steep terrain in either a motor vehicle or on foot.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet.
• The employee may be required to travel to remote areas of the world where there are potential health hazards and risks, limited hygiene facilities, extreme weather, and very basic living conditions.