Local Technical Support Officer at Concern Universal

Unit:    CHISPIN Project
Sub-Unit:    WASH Programme
Reports To:    Project Officer (State Technical Officer)
Location:    Biase, Ikom, and Yala LGAs, Cross River State
Status:    Fulltime, Contract

Main Purpose:
The Project Support Officer will specifically support the non-state partners (sub-grantees) at LGA and community levels with a view to improve sanitation coverage and hygiene behaviour through a demand-led process, empowering sub-grantees (non-state partners) to deliver on the CHISPIN  project objectives and CLTS roll out in the LGA. The Project Support Officer will contribute to sustainable service delivery in the LGA-wide Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS). S/he will specifically support the non-state implementing partners at LGA level. A significant level of effort will be providing direct support at the field-level to LGAs and non-state partners (sub- grantees). Executing this function will mean extensive travel to field locations, and excellent coordination and management based upon the detailed implementation plan and in consultation with the Project Officer and Project Manager.

The Project Support Officer is a member of the CHISPIN project team and provides technical assistance in overall LGA and non-state partner (sub- grantee) staff implementation. As part of the project team s/he works closely with the CU Finance and Accounting Team, sub-grantees and LGA support staff.

Responsibilities:

• Liaise/coordinate with and between all bodies and institutions involved in the CHISPIN project activities at the LGA level, particularly LGA WASH units, other non-state actors, and NYSC (National Youth Service Corps) volunteers, and ensure the effective implementation of activities in achieving project results based on the results-based LFA.
• Participate in regular meetings with key stakeholders at the Local Government leve, ensuring there is common understanding of the project objectives with reference to the LFA.
• The Project Support Officer is expected to ensure there is full commitment to the project including cost sharing by all partners. This will include providing support towards timely delivery of human and material resources in the participating LGAs.
• Provide weekly updates and monthly reports as per approved format summarising progress made in implementation of activities, lessons learnt, and recommendations for improvement including ad hoc reports and human interest stories that may be needed. In addition, support  the update of the results-based framework in-line with project indicators on a quarterly basis with more detailed inputs provided towards the preparation of annual reports.
• As part of the project team fully adopt the PCM (project cycle management), including use of the LFA and a results-based performance management approach.
• Work closely with State Technical Officers on the project and WASH structures at LGA level towards identification of capacity building needs for effective delivery of the CLTS intervention towards ODF in all communities. Assist in efforts to build a resource pool of trained personnel in CLTS triggering, hygiene promotion, appropriate technology support, and monitoring & evaluation.
• Support the State Technical Officer (Project Officer) to review the LGA Level WASH sector plans and budgets and assist in the formulation of strategies, plans, and budgets to achieve Total Sanitation and the subsequent deployment of resources (funds and people) in the project LGA.
• Provide technical input for the preparation/design of surveys and studies and play an active role in data collection, dissemination of findings under the project among various LGA stakeholders (to increase their understanding of sector issues and emerging approaches) and thereby facilitate the scale-up of successful approaches to non-targeted LGAs.
• Provide regular supportive supervision and monitoring of project activities in the LGAs of sub-grantees against agreed plans, targets, technical design, and specifications and standards.
• Conduct field visits to monitor progress and quality of implementation  of sanitation facilities (latrines, urinals, and hand-washing facilities) constructed by communities. Support the physical verification (by independent state verification team or third party) of completed facilities to ensure that quality of construction is adhered to agreed designs and specifications before certification and payment to the contractors.
• Liaise closely with other key stakeholders in the participating LGAs and ensure synergies in the area of development of sector-wide plans, coordination, and scaling up/replication of Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS), WASH interventions, WASH in Schools, Capacity building, Citizen’s Voice and Accountability, and M&E.