Project Officer - Strengthening Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (SWASH) Service Delivery Project at WaterAid

Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Duration: 18 months
Reports to: Head of WASH
Travels: Constant field travels

Description

• As a leader in the WASH sector in Nigeria, we are consistently required to design and implement all our programmes in a manner that demonstrates learning and innovation in order to maximize our effectiveness and impact. We, therefore, require the services of a Project Officer to support and lead on the delivery of our GETF project.

Job Purpose

• The purpose of the role is to support the implementation of the Strengthening Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (SWASH) project. 
• This project will be implemented in Borno state as part of initiatives to support the state’s response to improving WASH services to vulnerable communities. This will contribute to achieving state level outcomes of the National Action Plan. 
• The Project Officer will work with the state teams in the design, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, learning and reporting of the project in Borno state. 

Accountabilities
Effective Project Management:

• Under the direct supervision of the Head of WASH, be responsible for key project delivery and reporting to WaterAid and grant funders on project activities in the state; Ensure information on ongoing project in the state are kept up to date on the Project centre platform;
• Support the State team for effective implementation of Water Service delivery, Sanitation and hygiene behaviour change activities implemented by WaterAid Nigeria and its partners in the state;
• Ensure all infrastructure constructions to be implemented in the state are in line with WaterAid technical designs specifications and national standards. Support state and LGA to replicate similar standards and models in publicly financed constructions;
• Support the functionality of community management structures in line with best practices in every location where WaterAid has supported construction of WASH infrastructure.
• Develop a viable sustainability system that ensures the maintenance of services (WASH) and that involves community structures, state structures and facility operators (WCAs, WASHCOMs and Kiosk Managers)
• Ensure the mainstreaming of WaterAid key programme delivery approaches in the state  including GESI (Gender, equity and social inclusion), sustainability models, Pro-Poor Approach, Risk Management, Health and Safety strategies/guidelines/policies etc
• Support the State team in the exercise of accountability in the management of financial budget and resources at state office; ensure timely and accurate budgets and financial reports are generated and submitted to WaterAid Nigeria Country office to facilitate reimbursements of expenses incurred on overhead and programmatic activities.
• Manage projects in Borno state in accordance with WaterAid’s objectives; work with the PME Manager to monitor and evaluate progress of the programmes and its projects in line with WaterAid’s PMER standards and guidelines.
• Work collaboratively with and draw on the wider support and expertise from within WaterAid to develop and improve the initiatives required for the successful delivery of the programme.
• Work in close collaboration with the Ministry of Water Resources, WASH Specialist, RUWASSA, CSOs, community actors and LGA WASH Departments to strengthen institutional capacity to deliver sanitation services and to develop management models.
• Identify and develop constructive and cooperative working relationships with key Water, Sanitation and Hygiene professionals in the state (e.g. government, donor community, service providers and utilities) and maintain them over time; Build and maintain effective network and collaboration with partners and key sector actors to achieve improved WASH access for the state.
• As part of the State programme team, work with partners to build ownership and accountability for programmes in line with the programme quality standards outlined in the WaterAid programme accountability framework; make suggestions for improvements where gaps exist.
• Ensure work plans to deliver all WaterAid funded programme activities are developed with strong inputs and participation of state partners, CSO’s and stakeholders; support partners agree to and commit to implementing the work plan and deliver key milestones.
• Work with partners in monitoring WASH facility /infrastructure construction and rehabilitation in the state; provide reports on water quality test, health and accessibility assessment of WASH facilities constructed and or rehabilitated.
• Collaborate with the state team colleagues to prepare and submit periodic reports (weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual reports) based on grant donor reporting timelines, the data quality assurance assessment and other monitoring exercises.
• Manage contractors working on facility constructions, media production and other researches/analyses where required.
• In collaboration with CSO Partners, monitor the performance of community-based management structures such as WCAs, WASHCOMs, Kiosk Managers, Scheme Operators and sanitation and hygiene promoters in all project communities in the State and report their performances regularly to Head of WASH.
• In collaboration with Ministry of Water Resources provide oversight function in the operation and maintenance of WASH infrastructure in project communities including revenue generation, funds management.
• Carry out any other function as may be directed by the Head of WASH and any other member of the  GETF/SWASH Project Technical Team in Abuja.

Advocacy and Communication:

• Work with the PME Manager and the WaterAid Communications & Advocacy team to generate data, generate success stories, videos and case studies required to shape advocacy, campaigns and influencing activities targeted at improving WASH access in the state;
• Support the State team in conducting WASH advocacy campaigns & activities at the state, local government and community levels focused on improving WASH access and behaviour change;
• In collaboration with the Communications Team and the State team, create linkages and improve use of the media at the state to inform and shape conversations on WASH service delivery in the State.
• Work with the State Programme team on strengthening and engaging project & sector coordination platforms

Person Specification
Essential criteria:

• University Degree in Geology, Geo-Physics, Civil Engineering, Water Engineering, Public Health, or any other related qualification.
• Three to four (3-4) years’ work experience, of which at least two (2) would ideally be in community-based projects funded by local or international organizations in the area of WASH, public health, environmental health or community health management performing a project/programme management role
• Strong competence in the use of IT tools. Proficiency in the use of Microsoft suite of computer Applications-Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.
• Demonstrable understanding of development programme management approaches and WASH Issues in Nigeria.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to convey complex information clearly and persuasively
• Strong time management and organisational skills
• Good problem-solving skills
• Commitment to WaterAid values and a working style that reflects these.

Desirable:

• Experience working with a wide range of partners implementing a grant funded project and in managing partnerships with such organizations
• Prior experience working in the WASH sector would be a distinct advantage.