WASH Officer at Mercy Corps

General Position Summary

• The Wash Officer is responsible for both the soft and hardware components of the sanitation infrastructure activities of the Wash program in targeted implementation area.
• The Wash officer will assist in supervision of the all works related to implementing infrastructure improvement; and provide input on monitoring and evaluation of the project.

Essential Job Functions

• Under the guidance of WASH Program Manager, supervise the implementation of the program in the field, and provide input into design and improvement of WASH infrastructure in targeted areas.
• Perform the planning of –and organize and ensure quality performance of- monitoring of WASH projects.
• Ensure and promote appropriate health messages related to water, sanitation and hygiene behaviors in targeted communities
• Promote community involvement and ownership in all water and sanitation activities and infrastructure projects
• Organize and Supervise processes like borehole drilling and well constructions at the program site level.
• Organize Supervises water treatment activities in general, at the program site level and makes sure that the consumables are timely replenished
• Organize and supervise the latrine construction process at the program site level.
• Organize the mobilization of families or communities to participate in the WASH program activities.
• Ensures inclusion of protection principles like gender segregation, adaptation to meet the gender-specific and disablement needs, in the design and implementation of the program.
• Perform regular progress visits of the projects sites, and final inspection of completed water and sanitation infrastructure projects, and ensure that technical, safety and environmental standards have been met.
• Conduct regular quality control and activities’ monitoring to the water and sanitation infrastructure project conducted by contractor.
• Provide regular capacity building and mentoring to Community Water Groups (CWG) on water and sanitation issues, and monitor their evolution.
• Organize and conduct focus group discussion on WASH related topics, including the importance of WASH in Nutrition programming.
• Prepare project designs, estimates and drawings as required, including a list of materials & labor, technical specifications needed, contract documents and project implementation plans.
• Based on the complexity of design or magnitude of the project, advise if the project should be managed by a qualified contractor or through a community managed process.
• Provide training to the program teams for the preparation of construction, supervision check-list or each engineering design.
• Review and finalize each construction supervision check-list prepared by the program teams.
• Assist the procurement manager by providing all technical specifications needed for preparing tenders, in addition to assisting the procurement team by reviewing the technical profiles from contractors.
• Provide advice on the official handing over of projects to communities/beneficiaries.
• Security savvy, s/he Complies to -and sets the good example for the respect of- security measures and regulations in place.
• Adherence to all MC policies and procedures as outlined in MC policies and procedure manuals;
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission in country of operation;
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Experience

• BA/S or higher in Water and/or Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Public Health or other relevant background and/or relevant experience in water and sanitation that related to slum upgrading program.
• 3-4+ years in community based water and sanitation project preferably in urban context
• Experience in water supply systems: boreholes, pumping, basic hydraulics, etc.
• Fluency in both verbal and written English highly preferred.
• Multi-tasking, coordination, organization, prioritization skills essential.
• Highly-developed computers skills, with strong familiarity with MS Office, Power point, Outlook, Excel, Word, and infrastructure design software
• Ability to work independently and cooperatively with team members required.
• Ability to work under pressure
• Demonstrated strengths in analytical skills, monitoring and evaluation, and report writing
• Strong interpersonal, intercultural and communication skills
• Excellent oral and written skills and computer skills
• Fluency in English; fluency in Hausa is required.

Success Factors:

• The successful candidate will combine curiosity and strong technical skills, experience in WASH programs, and a want-to-do attitude. S/he will be an effective communicator, with dedication towards community work, commitment to work long hours in the field conditions with limited access to resources.
• S/He will be highly motivated, with initiative and capable to work with limited direct supervision.
• Ideally s/he will have previous experience in working in large-scale emergency programs in insecure and conflict-affected contexts, including remote management and capacity development.
• S/he will be willing to conduct several days-long field travels and work in ethnically and culturally diversified and fast growing team