WASH Technical Officer at Terre des hommes (TDH)

General description of the position:

Under the supervision of the WASH Supervisor, 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 using direct supervision and management of chlorination activities, construction, and rehabilitation of WASH infrastructures, and chlorination activities according to project standards, protocols, and timelines. This includes regular supervision and monitoring of technical project activities in the field of project implementation.

Responsibilities and tasks:

Project Management:

• Develop, implement, and monitor the WASH projects, by multiple objectives, activities, and targets outlined within current donor proposals and in line with projects’ budgets.
• Ensure that activities are appropriately monitored and evaluated and propose, and amendments to the WASH strategy, under the supervision of the 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.

Project Strategy and Planning:

• In collaboration with the PM Wash, participates in designing technical aspects of the project and objectives for improved support to beneficiaries and contributes actively to its monitoring, evaluation, and revision.
• Participates in WASH capitalization, lessons learned, and handover reports.

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.
• 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 PM.
• Attend site 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 on 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, as required by the project, particularly with the Local Authority.
• Provide technical support to WASH 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.

Mandatory Requirements

• Language Skills: Fluent in English, (speaking/reading/writing).
• Fluency in one or more of the local languages (Kanuri, Shuwa, and Hausa  preferred, plus others )
• Applicant should preferably be an Indigene of Borno State.
• 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 know 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 (Kanuri, Shuwa, and Hausa  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 Google SketchUp, 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 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.

Security:

• Compliance with the 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, WASH Supervisor, 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.
• Ensure adherence to Tdh standards and quality requirements in all the project activities.
• Adhere to and ensure the team under her/his responsibility follows Tdh administrative and logistical regulations and procedures.