WASH Technical Officer at Terre des hommes Foundation (Tdh)

General description of the position: 

• The WASH Technical Officer will be responsible for the effective implementation of the WASH project-related activities by conducting and coordinating activities according to project standards, protocols, and timelines. The WASH Technical Officer will be responsible for the effective technical implementation daily in the area of all project activities aiming to secure technical quality by means of direct supervision and management of chlorination activities, construction, and rehabilitation of WASH infrastructures, chlorination activities and Hygiene Promotion according to project standards, protocols, and timelines. This includes regular supervision and monitoring of technical WASH project activities in the field of project implementation.

Responsibilities and tasks:

Project Management:

• Develop, implement and monitor the WASH project activities, in accordance with multiple objectives, activities and targets outlined within current donor proposals and in line with projects’ budgets.
• Management of all construction work on site in accordance with the budget, proposal and BoQs.
• Ensure that activities are appropriately monitored and evaluated and propose, and amendments to the WASH strategy, under the supervision and guidance of the Base Coordinator and Project Manager.
• Conduct initial and regular assessments of the WASH projects with the Kobo toolbox tools and activities outcomes according to the M&E plan.
• Attend local coordination meetings organized by partners in field locations, HPTWG, innovation project meetings, etc.
• Plan, Organize and conduct training to field volunteers.
• Responsible for preparing documents for the WASH department\\\'s purchase request.

Project Strategy and Planning:

• Under the supervision and in cooperation with the Base Coordinator and WASH Program Manager, contributes to the design and implements all technical and management aspects of the WASH activities for improved support to beneficiaries and contributes actively to its monitoring, evaluation, and revision.
• Participates in WASH capitalization, lessons learned and handover reports.
• Plan, organize, and supervise the activities of WASH in the field location.

Database:

• Oversees the implementation of the database tools.
• Ensures correct data protection procedures and filing.
• Provides data to the database tools for the M&E of the water quality activities, with a special focus on bucket and batch chlorination of hand pumps and boreholes, and the monitoring of the residual free chlorine and other water quality parameters of potable water.

Technical Competences:

• Experience in water quality testing protocol
• Ability to determine sanitation strategy in school and urban contexts.
• Knowledge in civil engineering and ability to do BoQs for WASH facilities such as latrines and showers and Boreholes.
• Prepare Drawings using AutoCAD, Specifications, and Bills of Quantities (BOQs) in coordination with the Tdh team.
• Coordinate and manage Tender procedures, evaluations, and analysis of received bids for rehabilitation works.
• Prepare and write Contracts for rehabilitation works and ensure that Tdh and local contract agreement clauses are respected.
• Monitor and inspect the progress of construction works, by making regular follow-up visits to construction sites and make sure that construction works are performed within the agreed deadlines.
• Facilitate training to the WASH committee, stakeholders, and volunteers.
• Check delivery of materials, overall supervision of the construction sites and make sure that works are done according to technical specifications and corresponding in terms of quality.
• Maintain proper records of all tests carried out to ensure quality compliance at construction sites.
• Certify all payments after verification of work performed at sites in coordination with the Base Coordinator and WASH Project Manager.
• Monitors and inspects progress of water quality activities, with a special focus on bucket and batch chlorination of hand pumps and boreholes, and the monitoring of the residual free chlorine and other water quality parameters of potable water, by making daily follow-up visits to chlorination sites, and make sure that chlorination activities are performed within the agreed deadlines and technical standards.
• Contributes to the preparation of distribution lists, distribution strategies, Bills of Quantities (BOQs), hygiene promotion outreach strategies, chlorination, and the monitoring of these activities, in coordination with the WASH Supervisor.
• Attend site meetings, and sector meetings at regular intervals and distribute minutes of meetings.
• Advise on works that might eventually incur extra costs, on time (variations to the contracts, time and cost, if any, shall be verified and an appropriate decision should be taken with the Tdh team)
• Propose recommendations related to improvement of methods and quality of works.
• Liaise with all relevant institutions to guarantee effective progress and conclusion of all construction in all sites including the defects liability period.

Capacity Building:

• Coordinates the capacity building support to the WASH team, relevant local authorities, and community workers and community groups, WASH Committee as required by the project, particularly with the Local Authority.
• Provide technical support to WASH and Child Protection and Education team members as needed.

Reporting:

• Provide compiled meeting minutes reports to the WASH Supervisor.
• Ensures monthly data analysis reports are submitted.
• Upon completion of the assignment, submit the handover report.
• Contributes to donor reporting upon request. Contributes to donor reporting requirements.

Security:

• Compliance with Tdh code of conduct and child safeguarding policy
• Compliance with Tdh Security Regulations.
• Reports any security/safety incident and/or risk to his supervisor.
•  Informs WASH staff on security rules defined.

Others:

• Undertakes all other duties that may be determined by the WASH PM, Base Coordinator, or the Country representative, which are compatible with the job.
• Maintains and ensures a culture of strict confidentiality - inter Tdh staff and between Tdh staff and non-Tdh employees.

Mandatory Requirements

• Language Skills: Fluent in local languages and in English, (speaking/reading/writing).
• Education Degree: B.Sc. or Higher diploma in Geology, Civil and Water Resources Engineering.
• Work experience: Previous relevant experience in a WASH function and preferably in an NGO
• Knowledge & skills: Good analytical and writing skills.
• Computer skills: good knowledge of Microsoft Office Pack (Excel and Word and computer sciences). 
• Other: Knowledge of humanitarian actors/Good management and pedagogical skills
• Minimum 3 years experience working with WASH TECHNICAL projects in a humanitarian/recovery context. 
• Must have knowledge of emergency Water supply, Hygiene, Sanitation requirements and protocols.
• Familiarity with international minimum standards of Hygiene, Sanitation and shelter service delivery (i.e., SPHERE) is an advantage.
• Must have previous experience in training and Training of Trainers.
• Excellent communication skills – written and spoken – in English required. 
• Fluency in one or more of the national/regional languages (Tiv, Idoma preferred, plus others )
• Must be willing to work as a team member, take direction, and share technical skills with colleagues and counterparts.
• Computer literacy in word processing and spreadsheets is required, 
• Familiarity with AutoCAD, GPS, and Google Earth is strongly desirable.

Assets:

• Other knowledge: Acquaintance with NGO rules, procedures and regulations

Interest:

• Work in the relief sector
• Strong motivation to help people in need.
• Transversal skills
• Honest, Integrity and trustworthy
• Reliable, rigorous and well organized
• Motivated and dedicated to his/her job.
• Ability to take initiative to deal with difficulties encountered in daily work.
• Ability to adapt or change priorities according to the changing situation.
• Autonomy, neutrality, hard worker
• Able to manage stress and pressure.
• Able and willing to learn to extend his/her scope of work.
• Able to manage priorities, take initiative and work without constant supervision.