Hygien and Sanitation officer

The Organisation

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.

We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it’s girls who are most affected.

Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children.

We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood. And we enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge.

We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 85 years, and are now active in more than 80 countries.

ROLE PURPOSE

Plan International is an independent child rights and humanitarian organization committed to children living a life free of poverty, violence, and injustice.

We actively unite children, communities, and other people who share our mission to make positive lasting changes in children’s and young people’s lives. We support children to gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to claim their rights to a fulfilling life, today and in the future. We place a specific focus on girls and women, who are most often left behind.

We have been building powerful partnerships for children for more than 75 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

Plan International Ethiopia would like to recruit a Sanitation and hygiene promotion officer (SHPO) for the Gambella Region. The sanitation and hygiene promotion officers will be responsible for the implementation and management of sanitation and hygiene promotion activities in host communities and refugee camps of the Gambella region. The main duties of the job holder include hygiene promotion, construction of water and sanitation facilities, provision of hygiene and cleaning materials, solid waste disposal management, and environmental health activities, and participation in regular hygiene promotion activities with other partners. 

Dimensions of the Role

The sanitation and hygiene promotion officer (SHPO) could be under the direct supervision of wash Coordinator and SHPO is responsible for supporting the implementation of hygiene and sanitation promotion and water supply activities by using appropriate hygiene promotion approaches, with required standards and principles, and level of participation. The position holder is also responsible for the Client’s selection & verification, community mobilization, proper management of resources under the project.

The principal role of the SHP Officer is to ensure that quality hygiene promotion activities are well integrated into the overall PIE WASH integrated, Education, Nutrition, Health and protection projects and responsible for planning, implementation monitoring and evaluation of sanitation and hygiene promotion components in the woreda and refugee camps. The position also requires proper management of the financial, material, and other resources under the program.

• The post holder will have responsibility for the feasibility study, detail design, BOQ, contract management, regular monitoring, WASH construction supervision, quality control, and report preparations of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene facilities. 
• Provide technical support to district staff and WASHCO members for the planning and implementation of WASH and hygiene practices at the community, school, and health facility levels in the target villages
• Work in collaboration with community members, local health staff such as community health workers and the Women Development Army (WDA) to implement regular growth monitoring and growth promotion activities as well as to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all and improving Hygiene promotion services.
• Support and promote target selection and lead community dialogue sessions.
• Facilitate and lead the district stakeholders for the Implementation and integration of WASH and health and nutrition projects.
• Collect and record any documentation about the project history for learning, and reporting 

• She/he will ensure a smooth working environment and teamwork within Plan International Ethiopia the respective field staff and across the WASH, Protection, Education, health, and nutrition partners;

Accountabilities

Project design, implementation, and reporting

• Responsible for the quality standard of all sanitation and hygiene promotion works
• Ensure that the WASH promotion activities of the project are implemented according to the approved donor and government agreements.
• Planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and review of response activities as per the agreed document with donors and partners.
• Carrying out needs assessments and identifying activities to increase awareness and enhance hygiene behaviour change.
• Actively participate and conduct different WASH need assessments.
• Plan & initiate procurement to program activities required for SHP within the grant period.
• Report request of material needed for the Sanitation and hygiene promotion activities and design IEC material according to the specific targeted group (adults, children, and persons living with disabilities).
• Select and conduct capacity training for refugee incentive workers on EH Guideline, Community Hygiene Club (CHC), Children’s Sanitation & Hygiene training (CHAST) methods
• Design, monitor, and implement WASH promotion activities that keep the community and the staff safe from the risk of WASH-related diseases.
• Provide daily/weekly reports to the immediate supervisor. Provide monthly and quarterly reports for line managers and WaSH Project Managers
• Provide WASH promotion-related training for the Water Management Committee, governmental technicians, and concerned community members related to measures to remain protected from WASH-related disease and the importance of proper use and maintenance of WASH infrastructures for the community to remain safe and healthy.
• Work with clients to select sites and designs to build latrines, water points, and other WASH facilities for vulnerable groups, and ensure the needs of the most vulnerable are taken into account at all stages of hygiene promotion intervention/s;
• Work in close coordination with the community and all its representatives, including women, children, the elderly, and persons living with disabilities to ensure the specific needs and suggestions of all targeted beneficiaries are known. Work in close coordination with the WASH Coordinator and other sector colleagues to ensure that the overall WASH response addresses the needs of the targeted population, in respect of dignity and local culture.
• Develop a checklist for WASH NFI distribution and monitor regular data collection in the field during needs assessments, post-distribution monitoring and, baseline, and end-line surveys.
• Train, manage, and supervise Environmental Health Agents and community health volunteers on the basics of participatory hygiene promotion/education, methods/approaches, and communication and facilitation skills
• Prepare a detailed work plan for hygiene promotion/education activities and ensure proper implementation of the same;
• Undertakes any other relevant tasks assigned by the supervisor.

Policy engagement and networking

• Facilitate and collect baseline information and data from the community and submit it to PA for further analysis. Prepare the baseline report for his line manager.
• In addition to the Sanitation and hygiene promotion officer, he/she can serve as a principal representative to WASH thematic networks and clusters in the project areas that have relevance to the project implementation, create collaborative and positive partnerships and alliances, and influence policy that maximizes the impact of the project.
• Establish links and good relationships with relevant district government authorities, UN organizations, NGOs, academic and research institutions, and the media, in the area of water, sanitation, and hygiene to draw information and knowledge for project efficiency and effectiveness.
• Makes follow-up and proper documentation and share district government information, and strategies with respect to water sanitation and hygiene.

Partnership development and strengthening

• Periodically collect project-related and relevant information about other organizations working within the target districts to gain institutional knowledge of the environment.
• Seeks opportunities for different kinds of partnerships for enhanced quality project implementation.
• Provide technical assistance and build the capacities of WASHCOs, clubs, and local partners in project management.
• for smooth project implementation of the project Facilitates communication and interaction between partners/collaborators
• Initiate procurement to ensure adequate supplies for hygiene and sanitation promotion activities;
• Coordinate with other Implementing Partners (IPs) in harmonizing hygiene promotion/education interventions;

Relationship Management / Communications

• Assist and support the communication department in developing communication materials through adopting and contextualizing it and disseminating to identified target audiences, support the department in translating materials into local languages as necessary
• Collaborate and participate in effective knowledge and information management systems where the necessary Country Program Information is well documented and shared internally and externally as necessary.
• Promote a collaborative, team environment amongst project/program team
• Document and share lessons learned and success stories in relation to hygiene to inform future programming
• Take part in designing and production of appropriate IEC/BCC materials for effective use
• Program beneficiaries, local government sector offices, particularly zonal and woreda Agricultural Office, Zonal and woreda water development, and. NGOs operating in PA. 

Child Protection and Gender Equality Responsibilities

• Demonstrate commitment to Plan’s child protection policy through implementing the policy in its entirety, reporting any actual or potential risk situations following the reporting procedures, being aware of abuse and risks to children, being vigilant, and becoming familiar with the Child Protection Policy.
• Raise children’s rights/protection awareness and the importance of gender equality and respect for diversity within the Plan and amongst partners and community members.
• Child protection and gender equality policies are understood by the staff and partners.
• Ensure equal participation and benefit of boys and girls and children with disabilities in all phases of project implementation.
• Ensure enough budget and resources are allocated for gender equality activity in their respective area annual plans and project activities.
• Support partners in understanding plans’ gender equality strategy and program criteria and capacity-building activities on gender as part of the regular work at the field level.
• Ensure the representation of Plan Ethiopia in their respective project from gender equality perspectives.
• Plan Ethiopia has put in place a CP policy that all of its staff must adhere to and sign.

1. Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Child Protection (CPP) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI) are fully embedded in accordance with the principles and requirements of the policy including relevant Implementation Standards and Guidelines as applicable to their area of responsibility. This includes but is not limited to, ensuring staff and associates are aware of and understand their responsibilities under these policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), their relevance to their area of work, and that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.

Donor Reporting

• Prepare and provide all the necessary technical and information inputs to prepare quarterly, mid-term, and yearly reports and end-of-project report deliverables, as per standard templates and direction provided, including all narrative and financial content and associated annexes.
• Prepare and submit monthly narrative reports, including updates on project progress and outstanding issues to the line manager and communication department as necessary.
• Identify and communicate any issues related to project delay to the line manager, and other concerned bodies and include relevant mitigation/contingency plans.
• Assist and ensure that the results of any internal Plan-led or external donor-led audits are addressed.
• Provide technical support for government partners and program unit staff on effective MERL  applications. 
• Identify, document, and disseminate best practices, success stories, and stories of changes from within and outside the Plan to staff and other development partners.
• Ensure project learning and achievements are documented and disseminated widely.
• Ensure all project documentation is filed and organized for accountability purposes.

Technical expertise, skills, and knowledge

Essential

Educational Qualification and Experience

• • University degree in Environmental Health, Water supply, Public Health, Health Education, or a related subject. Adequate experience in the field will substitute for formal qualifications.
  • Minimum 4 years of solid experience of which experience in the Sanitation & hygiene promotion work in the WASH sector and experience in emergency WASH is advantageous.
  • Experience in WASH facilities construction, maintenance, and rehabilitation in a complex and demanding workload.
  • Substantial experience in coordinating, mobilizing community, planning, implementation, supervision, monitoring, and reporting related to the role
  • Ability and willingness to travel and work in rural areas where the project is implemented, within approved security frameworks.
  • Strong interpersonal skills, communication, presentation, and facilitation skills, and an ability to train and mentor staff.
  • Desired spoken and written English.
  • Good computer skills (particularly Excel, Word, and databases).

Desirable Knowledge:

• • Knowledge of the water, sanitation, and hygiene sector.
  • Knowledge and experience in supervising infrastructures.
  • In-depth knowledge of project cycle management and child-centred community development programming.
  • Knowledge of development issues, trends, challenges opportunities, and implications to community development.
  • Knowledge of effective participatory Monitoring, Evaluation, and lesson learning systems and the process of project cycle management.

Skills Specific to the Post and Competencies

• • Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to build relationships with colleagues.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills, including presentation.
  • Strong negotiation, influencing, and problem-solving skills.
  • Numeracy and the ability to interpret financial data, to understand budgetary processes including planning, monitoring, and reporting.
  • Ability to analyze information and evaluate options including planning skills.
  • Proficient in computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications.
  • Ability to interpret financial data, to provide management support to budgetary processes including planning, monitoring, and reporting.
  • Resilience, adaptability, and flexibility: the ability to operate effectively under a stressful working environment, often under tight timelines and high donor expectations
  • Child center development and Gender are aware.
  • Fluency in English and Amharic languages Knowledge and skill in local languages is a plus.
  • High levels of attention to detail and quality

Plan International’s Values in Practice

We are open and accountable

1. Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.
2. Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.
3. Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.
4. Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.
5. Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organization for all children, girls & young people

We strive for lasting impact

1. Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.
2. Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas.
3. Focuses resources to drive change and maximize long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises.
4. Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.

We work well together

1. Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
2. Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
3. Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners, and communities.
4. Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

We are inclusive and empowering

1. Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.

2. Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.

3. Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners, and communities.

4. Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

Location: Gambella

Type of Role: WASH

Reports to: WASH Coordinator

Grade: C1

Closing Date:23-10-2023

Equality, diversity, and inclusion are at the very heart of everything that Plan International stands for.

We want Plan International to reflect the diversity of the communities we work with, offering equal opportunities to everyone regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Plan International is based on a culture of inclusivity and we strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.

We foster an organizational culture that embraces our commitment to racial justice, gender equality, girls’ rights, and inclusion.

Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organization, do everything we can to keep children safe. This means that we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with and we must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.

A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International’s Safeguarding Children and Young People policy. Plan International also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this scheme, we will request information from applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Please note that Plan International will never send unsolicited emails requesting payment from candidates.